Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S “TWO GENETLMEN OF VERONA.” PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
Music
Summer Arts Weekend
A summer of free concerts in Boston continues! Last week, Ted Cutler brought live performances to the Boston Common and City Hall Plaza with Outside the Box. This week, WGBH, Citizens Bank, and the Boston Globe are joining forces to bring live performances to Copley Plaza with Summer Arts Weekend, an event they’re hosting for a second consecutive year. Join the celebration of Boston’s vibrant arts community and enjoy performances by Noe Socha, Preservation Jazz Hall Band, Red Baraat, Airborne Comedians, 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, and more. The festival is free, but if you’re looking for something more intimate, you can purchase tickets to special After Dark events, which will include exclusive performances from the artists—including unique collaborations and special guests—in a relaxed cocktail party setting.
Free, Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28, Copley Square, boston.com
Obstacle Course
Urban RAID Boston
Ever wanted to scale a cargo net outside of Mayor Menino’s office? Believe it or not, you’ll have a chance to this Saturday, when Urban RAID turns the city of Boston into a giant obstacle course. Participants in the 5K obstacle race will complete 10 challenges—including water barriers, marine hurdles, monkey bars, and more—set up in parts of Downtown Crossing, Faneuil Hall, and City Hall Plaza. And don’t forget the unofficial final challenge—walking up the stairs at Faneuil Hall Marketplace to the after-party at Ned Devine’s, where free celebratory drinks will be provided by Shipyard Brewery.
$65 advance registration fee, $75 on-site, Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m., starts at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, raidevents.com
Outdoor Theater
Shakespeare on the Common: The Two Gentlemen of Verona
For a few weeks now, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has been staging The Two Gentlemen of Verona at the Boston Common—and this weekend is your last chance to catch a free performance. Experience Shakespeare as Shakespeare meant it—in open air. This is the tale of two friends attempting to find fortune in Milan. It’s full of treachery and temptation and is sure to have you at the edge of your lawn chair.
Free, Thursday, July 25, and Friday, July 26, 8 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday, July 28, 7 p.m., commshakes.org
Festival
Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts
Celebrate Puerto Rican culture this weekend at the 46th annual Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts. On Friday, come out for Youth Night to see performances by Latino artists. Saturday is International Night, a celebration of all Latino nationalities. And on Sunday, head to the South End to catch the start of the parade, ending at City Hall Plaza and featuring a special appearance by boxing champion Miguel Cotto.
Free, Friday, July 26, to Sunday, July 28, City Hall Plaza, parade route begins at noon on Sunday at Villa Victoria on Washington and W. Dedham Streets in the South End and ends at City Hall Plaza, facebook.com
Family Fun
Futures at Fenway
This Saturday, celebrate minor league baseball in a major way with the 8th Annual Futures at Fenway event. At noon, Red Sox Double-A affiliate Portland Sea Dogs will take on Washington Nationals Double-A affiliate Harrisburg Senators, followed by a performance by KIDZ BOP. Bring the whole family out for some fun—and we really do mean the whole family, as for the first time ever, dogs will be allowed inside the ballpark, where they will be provided with rest areas, water bowls, and canine-friendly activities.
$5-30, Saturday, July 27, noon, Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, boston.redsox.mlb.com
