Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Photo via Top Gun/Facebook
Art
Common Art Exhibition: Art of Boston's Homeless
Even for the most avid art enthusiasts, this exhibit is an uncommon one. Every Wednseday, Emmanuel Church on Newbury Street opens its doors to those who live in shelters, spend their nights on park benches, and occupy street corners. The church's program “Common Art” offers those living on the streets of Boston an escape from everyday hardship and an outlet to express professional artistic skills. Drawings and paintings by 10 of the artists in the program are currently on display and for sale at Athan's Bakery in Brookline. Stop by this weekend to enjoy the art and grab a coffee. You might even end up taking a work of art home with you.
Free, daily, 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Athan's European Bakery, 407 Washington St., 617-783-0313, athansbakery.com, ecclesia-ministries.org/common-art
Movies
Top Gun in IMAX 3D
Do you feel the need? The need for speed? Then this is the weekend Top Gun fanatics have been waiting for. On Friday, Top Gun comes out in IMAX 3D, putting you right into the cockpit. The 1980s classic mixes the dangerous drama of a school of fighter pilots with the forbidden teacher-student romance that made us all fall in love with Tom Cruise. So grab your Goose and head to the theaters because we know you haven't lost that lovin' feelin'.
Adults $18 (prices vary), Friday, February 8, AMC Loews Boston Common 19, 175 Tremont St., 617-423-5801, imax.com
Dance
Shen Yun at Boston Opera House
Still in New Year's mode? Well fret not. Ring in another year with the Chinese New Year this Sunday. If you can't drive all the way out to the Peabody Essex Museum for its Lunar New Year festival, then celebrate at the Boston Opera House by experiencing the Shen Yun beauty of Chinese Dance. With five shows in Boston this weekend, the Shen Yun Performing Arts group is bringing classical Chinese music and dance to the world, and with it, traditional Chinese culture.
$50+, Friday-Sunday, February 8-10, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., 617-259-3400, shenyun.com
Music
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Confusion is the resounding reaction upon first hearing this name, but that feeling quickly fades with the beautiful serenades of the group. On Saturday, Ladysmith Black Mambazo will perform a blend of native South African sounds with uplifting Christian Gospel at Sanders Theatre. The group has worked with Paul Simon and other stars, contributed to The Lion King II soundtrack, and has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards. One cannot help but smile at the joy and comedy that this lighthearted group brings to its deep music.
$32+, Saturday, February 9, 8 p.m., Sanders Theatre, 45 Quincy St., 617-496-4595, worldmusic.org
Science
Design Zone
Channel that inner nerd this weekend and head to the Museum of Science for the opening of the Design Zone exhibit on Sunday. Think you have what it takes to make utterly addicting arcade games, beats people can't get out of their heads, or a roller coaster that you can go upside-down in without falling out? This exhibit gives you an interactive look into the fields of art, music, and engineering and what makes all those things tick.
$19+, Sunday, February 10, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, 617-723-2500, mos.org
