Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Morgan Berg was crowned Miss Boston 2013 last year. (Photo via Dustin Rennells/missboston.org)

Jazz It Up
Catherine Russell at Scullers

Russell was born to perform jazz and the blues. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Talent runs in the family, as Russell’s voice has been described as a “soulful instrument that radiates interpretive power yet remains touchingly vulnerable.” Her repertoire features a selection of songs from the 1920s through the present, all with her own interpretation, but always bursting with soul. Fun fact: Russell lends her voice to the Grammy award-winning soundtrack for the HBO Drama Boardwalk Empire.

$30+, February 14, 8 p.m., Scullers Jazz Club, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, 617-562-4111, scullersjazz.com.

Big Laughs
Mike Birbiglia at the Wilbur

Award-winning filmmaker, author, and comedian Mike Birbiglia returns to the stage to share cringeworthy moments you’ll laugh hysterically at. Time magazine called Birbiglia “master of the personal, embarrassing tale.” But better yet, he’s a master at making you feel OK about how awkward you are too. Birbiglia is best known for his film, Sleepwalk with Me, a tale of his own hilarious but dangerous sleepwalking incidents.

$35, February 14 and 15, 9:55 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, 617-248-9700, thewilbur.com.

+21 Weekend
Boston Wine Expo

Boston is a very passionate city, but besides sports, one of Boston’s other big passions is vino. The city has one of the largest wine markets in the nation and to celebrate, the Boston Wine Expo returns with more food and wine from some of the greatest wine-growing regions of the world. The show will host more than 185 wineries from around the world along with treats from popular Boston restaurants and food vendors. Praise Dionysus!

$85+, February 15-16, Seaport World Trade Center & Seaport Hotel, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, 617-385-5368, wine-expos.com.

The Pageant Games
Miss Boston and Miss Cambridge Pageant

The Miss Boston Scholarship Organization is a nonprofit organization run by all volunteers. The purpose of the pageant is to provide scholarships to young women between the ages of 17-24. Contestants will compete in interview, talent, swimsuit, and evening gown segments, and there are a lot of talented young ladies participating this year—one contestant sang the National Anthem for the Pats, one designed clothing for Shanghai Fashion Week, and another has experience operating a nuclear reactor. Er, BRB, gotta go find my own talent now—does power-napping count?

$30+, February 16, 5 p.m., Omni Parker Hotel, 60 School St., Boston, 617-227-8600, missboston.org.

Chocoholics Anonymous
Boston’s Original Chocolate Tour

Forget Hershey’s, did you know the first chocolate factory in the U.S. was in Massachusetts? This weekend, sample  some of the finest culinary landmarks in Boston including visits to the Top of the Hub, the historic Omni Parker House Hotel, and the Langham. Save room for the last stop: an all-you-can-eat-chocolate-goodness-buffet. By the end of the day, you’ll be able to list Chocolate Connoisseur as one of your talents—for whenever you decide to run for Miss Boston (see previous).

Reservations required, $75, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., Trolley Stop Store at the corner of Boylston & South Charles Streets, 617-269-7010, trolleytours.com.