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10 things to do in Boston this weekend
BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest things to do in Boston.
Welcome to BosTen, your weekly guide to the coolest events and best things to do in Boston this weekend. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter here. 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].
Laugh it up with Ari Shaffir at The Wilbur
Like fellow Jewish comic Alex Edelman (who recently did a series of shows in Boston), Ari Shaffir grew up with Orthodox Jewish parents and talks about being Jewish in his act (notably in his most recent stand-up special, “Ari Shaffir: Jew.”) Unlike Edelman, Jewish grandmothers may not want to squeeze his cheek and call him bubula after seeing his set. In fact, The Wilbur’s website notes that “this is a dirty show. It’s not completely offensive but definitely some parts are offensive. So don’t bring that one friend in your friend group who makes that tsk noise a lot.” Consider yourself forewarned. (Thursday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston; $39-$302) — Peter Chianca
Feel the romance at the Coolidge
February is a month for romance, and thanks to the Coolidge Corner Theatre, you don’t have to pack all your lovey-dovey feelings into 24 hours on Valentine’s Day. The Brookline theater will be screening eight classic cinematic love stories throughout the month of February during its “Destination: Romance” repertory programming. The fun starts this Thursday with Gene Kelly’s 1951 classic “An American in Paris” and continues on Sunday with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner’s action-adventure “Romancing the Stone.” Highlights throughout the month include a marathon of Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy on Feb. 11, the British romance “A Room With A View” on Feb. 14, and James Cameron’s “Titanic” on Feb. 27. (Thursday, Feb. 1 through Tuesday, Feb. 27 at various times; Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline; $13.50-15.50) — Kevin Slane
Catch the final weekend of ‘Moulin Rouge!’
Nearly every night of the Broadway touring production of “Moulin Rouge!: The Musical” has played to packed audiences at the Citizens Bank Opera House, with crowds turning up for the intricate production and over-the-top songs that would make Baz Luhrmann proud. This weekend marks the final four days of the movie musical adaptation’s Boston’s run, and there are still tickets available for multiple performances, with Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. curtain offering the best variety of seat choices. (Thursday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 4 at various times; Citizens Banks Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston; $120 and up) — Kevin Slane
Take a themed tour of the Arnold Arboretum
This Saturday, head to Jamaica Plain for a specialized tour of the Arnold Arboretum based on the works of influential park designer Frederick Law Olmsted. The hour-long tour, which departs from the Bussey Street Gate at 2 p.m., will dive into the many works of Olmsted, considered the father of landscape architecture and designer of close to 500 public spaces in North America, including New York City’s Central Park and Boston’s Emerald Necklace. A National Historic Landmark and a world renowned model for others around the world, the Arnold Arboretum is the only arboretum he designed. During the stroll, docent Bill Beizer will explain the park’s elements that reflect Olmsted’s landscape design philosophy. (Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.; Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston; free) — Cheryl Fenton
Feel the beat at ‘Drum Tao’
“Drum Tao” is no ordinary drum circle. Consider this show, which comes to the Berklee Performance Center this Friday at 8 p.m, a visual and sonic tour de force. Presented by Global Arts Live, this performance sets the stage on fire with explosive taiko drumming and acrobatic choreography. An intensely physical performance and a feature of Japanese culture for the past 1,500 years, the term “taiko” refers to both the drum itself and the percussive music it creates. So strenuous are the physical demands of this art form, these skilled drummers actually train as athletes. (Friday, Feb. 2 at 8 p.m.; Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston; $40 to $69) — Cheryl Fenton
Take a walking history tour of the African American Patriots Freedom Trail
To celebrate Black History Month this February, the Freedom Trail walking tours will offer special African American Patriots Freedom Trail tours on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month. A costumed guide will lead visitors on a tour past places like the Granary Burying Ground and the Boston Massacre site, ending at Faneuil Hall, and telling stories about famous early African Americans like Phillis Wheatley and Crispus Attucks. The tours will depart Faneuil Hall at 10:45 a.m, and tickets are available online. (Saturday, Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4 at 10:45 a.m.; Faneuil Hall, Boston; $8-17) — Natalie Gale
Visit ‘Wordplay,’ a text-inspired exhibit at the ICA
This week, the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston debuted a new exhibit in its Kim and Jim Pallotta Gallery called “Wordplay,” which draws mostly from the contemporary museum’s permanent collection to feature art that uses text. Highlighting the similarities between looking at art and reading, “Wordplay” shows how artists rely not just on images but also on words to convey — or change — their meanings. While words have played a role in art for centuries, “text art” as a genre is a contemporary art concept, emerging with conceptual art of the ‘60s. The exhibit will feature works by pioneering artists like Jenny Holzer and Glenn Ligon, along with newer, never displayed acquisitions by artists like Kenturah Davis, Taylor Davis, Joe Wardwell, and Rivane Neuenschwander. The works in “Wordplay” use words for philosophical or political messaging, to reference other artists or icons, or to construct identity. (Now through Dec. 1 at various times; ICA, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston; $15-20, free for ages 18 and under) — Natalie Gale
Pick the Lunar New Year flower market
The Lunar New Year falls on February 10 this year, but celebrations are already underway across Boston. Starting this Friday, the annual Lunar New Year flower market will open at the China Trade Center. Visit the pop-up store daily through Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to find a selection of flowers, decorations, and more special items for the new year. — (Friday, Feb. 2 through Friday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; China Trade Center, 2 Boylston St., Boston; free) — Natalie Gale
Celebrate Tết in Boston
Celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year this Sunday with Tết in Boston, the annual celebration in the Seaport. Held at Flynn Cruiseport Boston from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and organized by the Vietnamese American Community of Massachusetts (VACM) and the New England Intercollegiate Vietnamese Student Association (NEIVSA), the event rings in the Year of the Dragon with a day of cultural performances, live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities. Advance tickets cost $3 each. (Sunday, Feb. 4 from 10:30-5 p.m.; Flynn Cruiseport, 1 Black Falcon Ave., Boston; $3) — Natalie Gale
Race over to the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix
You don’t have to wait for Marathon Monday to see some of the nation’s most accomplished runners showcase their speed in Boston. The New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, which was held annually at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center until 2023, has changed venues to the Track at New Balance in Brighton, where competitors will attempt to make history this Sunday. Nine world records and 16 American records have been broken throughout the competition’s history, and this Sunday athletes like sprinter Noah Lyles and Olympic medalist (and Mass. native) Gabby Thomas will attempt to do the same. For those who can’t make it to the event in person, select races will be broadcast on NBC from 4 to 6 p.m. (Sunday, Feb. 4 from 2-6 p.m.; The Track at New Balance, 91 Guest St., Boston; $30-70; all ages) — Kevin Slane
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