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10 things to do in Boston this weekend
BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest happenings in and around Boston.
With more and more Massachusetts businesses and cultural institutions reinstating COVID-19 restrictions in the face of a resurgent coronavirus pandemic, residents may be torn on whether to venture out of their homes this weekend. With that in mind, this week’s BosTen offers a mix of in-person and virtual things to do in Boston this weekend. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in the BosTen Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].
Follow the emerald glow at ‘Lights in the Necklace’
The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is lighting up Boston again through its unique exhibition “Lights in the Necklace,” returning Feb. 1 through March 20. Select bridges within the 1,100 acres of the Emerald Necklace will be awash daily with an emerald glow from dusk to 9 p.m., celebrating the power of urban parks to bring visitors together, as well as inspire and light the way in challenging times. Illuminated locations include the Charlesgate Park Trees on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Liff Park Bridges in the Back Bay Fens, Ellicott Arch in Franklin Park, a pair of bridges (Leverett Pond Footbridge and Wards Pond Footbridge) in Olmstead Park, and a trio of bridges (Chapel Street Footbridge, Bridle Footbridge, and Longwood Avenue Bridge) in Riverway Park. For information about each bridge’s history, a mobile tour guide, and the most up-to-date details, check the Conservancy’s website. — Cheryl Fenton
Learn about ‘Plant-based eating across the African diaspora’
Registered dietitian Christine Sinclair is going to be giving a virtual talk this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. about vegetarianism and veganism within cultural dishes. as part of a two-part event through the Boston Public Library. The event will be a “virtual celebration” of cultural foods across the African Diaspora as well as health and wellness relating to the dishes. The second part of this series will be at the same time on Feb. 7 and will be a “cook along” of the dishes discussed in the webinar. The recipes being discussed are from Bryant Terry’s “Vegan Soul Kitchen Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine” and a shopping list will be supplied during the webinar to help prepare for the cooking event. — Gwen Egan
Wake up and smell the pastries at this morning chef pop-up series
French restaurant Rochambeau has a beautiful ground-level café space on a bustling part of Boylston Street — and they’re not keeping it to themselves. Bright and early on the first Friday of each month through spring 2022, Café at Rochambeau plays host to visiting local flavor with a chef pop-up series. This Friday from 6:30 until 9:30 a.m., Nicole Harrington of Catalyst Restaurant (Cambridge) will be on hand with a seasonal variety of signature baked goods and doughnuts. Treats are available until supplies last, and the events are walk-in only (no reservations). — Jacqueline Cain
Rock out with Boston Arts Academy students
Join the Boston Arts Academy in celebrating both today’s champions and yesterday’s iconic entertainers during its Champion Reception at The Commons at Roxbury Community College. In attendance to receive this year’s BAA honors on Feb. 4 will be Gov. Charlie Baker and Maristela Rapo of Giving The Glam, a non-profit that provides incredible prom experiences for underserved urban and suburban high school seniors. During the reception, attendees will enjoy the premiere of BAA Rocks! — a student performance full of inspired dance, music, theatre, fashion, and visual arts that celebrates Boston’s rock band legends (we’re looking at you, Aerosmith, Boston, The Cars). The BAA Rocks! show will be aired online during a ticketed virtual show on Feb. 5. To purchase tickets to the reception, email Caitlin Durkin at [email protected]. — Cheryl Fenton
Settle in for some string stretching in Natick
You could get away with saying that one thing Mike Dawes and Yasmin Williams have in common is that they play fingerstyle acoustic guitar. But there’s so much more bonding them and their music, it’s no surprise that they’ll be playing on a double bill at The Center for Arts in Natick this Friday at 8 p.m. Each is a guitar master and each has a unique, rather unconventional approach to presenting instrumental works. England-based Dawes is known for playing lead, rhythm, bass, and percussion parts all at once, via strumming, picking, banging on the guitar wood, and stomping a foot. Virginia native Williams plays her guitar in the traditional manner, but often brings in alternate tunings or lays her guitar down across her legs for some lap tapping, sometimes even making use of a small hammer to strike the strings. They’ll be performing two separate sets at TCAN, but rumor has it that in recent shows, they’ve taken to sharing the stage for a couple of numbers. — Ed Symkus
Enjoy ‘rhythm, rhymes, and reparations’ at a BHM poetry slam
Join DiDi Delgado, one of the cofounders of Black Lives Matter Cambridge, for a slam poetry competition this Saturday at 7 p.m. in celebration of Black History Month. “40 Acres & A Slam: a night of rhythm, rhymes, and reparations” gives eight slam poets a chance to win up to $300. There will be three rounds of competition, with three finalists competing for cash prizes ranging from $75 to $300. All funds from the poetry slam go to 40 Acres & A School, a project run by Delgado that plans to purchase, reclaim and build out a Black Liberation Epicenter in New England. Tickets are free, but there is a suggested donation of $10. — Marta Hill
Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with the Trustees
With a snowy mix expected to hit Massachusetts on Friday, planning an outdoor excursion for Saturday or Sunday may be just the ticket. Luckily, the Trustees offer both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails at a number of their properties, providing an invigorating form of exercise only available when the weather cooperates. If you don’t have the proper equipment, showshoe rentals are available at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Notchview in Windsor, and Rocky Woods in Medfield. For a full list of trail-rich properties and pricing options, visit the Trustees website. — Kevin Slane
Soothe your soul with the High Falutin’ sounds of Gracie Curran
Winthrop native Gracie Curran’s impactful vocal stylings have elicited enthusiastic comparisons to myriad masters of the human voice. Since assembling the High Falutin’ Band — which currently includes bassist Geoff Murfitt, guitarist Chris Hersch, and drummer John Medeiros — in 2010, Curran and co. have released two albums (2013’s “Proof of Love” preceded “Come Undone”), won the 2014 Boston Music Award for Blues Artist of the Year, and served as a house band at Rum Boogie Café on Beale Street in Memphis. In 2015, Curran was named “Most Charismatic Entertainer” by the New England newsletter The Blues Audience. So if you’re in the need of a good soul-soothing, or just a dose of good-ol’ life affirmation, then get your tix for Gracie Curran & the High Falutin’ Band’s Feb. 6 show at Bull Run now. And be sure to arrive early enough to catch the opening set by “Boston’s Queen of the Blues,” Toni Lynn Washington. — Blake Maddux
Catch ‘Moonlight’ with the Black History Month Film Festival
Now in its second year, The Boston Globe’s Black History Month Film Festival offers a mix of new and classic films throughout the month of February to celebrate the culture, lives, and creativity of Black Americans. Interested viewers can visit the film festival’s website in order to RSVP to virtual screenings, which will be available on demand ahead of a virtual panel discussion featuring Globe writers and editors, filmmakers, and talent. This weekend, catch an at-home viewing of 2016 Best Picture Oscar winner “Moonlight,” then join the Globe on Monday at 3 p.m. for a discussion with Harold Steward, Gary Bailey, Eugene Scott, and Nick St. Fleur. — Kevin Slane
Ring in the Chinese New Year with Berklee
Kick off the Year of the Water Tiger with a Chinese New Year concert at Berklee Performance Center this Thursday at 8 p.m. Now in its 11th year, the annual concert features Berklee students singing, dancing, and performing Chinese music from multiple genres. Tickets can be purchased either at the door or in advance on the Berklee Performance Center website. — Kevin Slane
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