Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

This weekend in Boston: guitar-playing birds, million-dollar cars, and Farsi films.

Celeste Boursier-Mougenot freeport 007

Courtesy of Celeste Boursier-Mougenot (Photo by Lyndon Douglas/lyndondouglas.com)

Art
Celeste Boursier-Mougenot

A Lucky Strike-smoking French musician-artist hosting an exhibit where tiny birds play the guitar. No, this isn’t the premise of a Wes Anderson film. It’s a new exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum featuring the work of artist Celeste Boursier-Mougenot. “Freeport [No. 007]” involves zebra finches playing Les Paul and Gibson guitars. The show has garnered international acclaim from showings in London and New York.

$18, Saturday, January 18, through April 14, Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem, pem.org.

Cars
New England International Auto Show

In recent years, the New England Auto Show has transformed into a Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend tradition. More than 500 cars will be showcased, with brands like GMC and Chevrolet presenting their latest models. Notable areas to check out are “Million Dollar Mile,” the luxury car section of the show, and the Ride & Drive program, which will allow convention visitors to test drive new cars.

$12, Thursday, January 16, through Monday, January 20, Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St., Boston, bostonautoshow.com.

Design
Green Patriot Posters Exhibition

Graphic design and environmental preservation have never looked so good together. The Green Patriot Posters exhibit is kicking off its national tour this Friday at the Design Museum of Boston. Inspired by World War II propaganda ads, the posters aim to raise awareness of global climate change. The exhibition will tour for two years, with stops in Portland, Berkeley, and Chicago.

Free, Friday, January 17, through May 31, 315 on A, 315 A. St., Boston, designmuseumboston.org.

Movies
Boston Festivals of Films from Iran

Experience the best of Iranian cinema this weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts. This film festival centers on the censorship struggles that filmmakers in Iran encounter. According the MFA film curator, Curtis Long, the collection of Farsi films strive to “operate with a dreamlike logic and imagery.” Highlighted films include Discontent, Fat Shaker, and Parviz.

$25, Friday, January 17, through Sunday, January 26, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, mfa.org.

Food
Somerville Winter Farmers Market

Just because SOWA is gone for the season doesn’t mean you can’t get your fill of locally grown produce. The Somerville Winter Farmers Market hosts New England vendors with fresh locally grown products. Best of all? It’s indoors. There will also be live entertainment and kids’ activities to keep children busy while you get your shop on.

Free, Saturday, January 18, 9:30 a.m., 191 Highland Ave., Somerville, facebook.com.

 

What have we missed. Share more fun events happening this weekend in the comments below.