Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Think the Head of the Charles Regatta is the only event in town? Think again. Check out beer fests, ballet, Mad Max, and more.

Dancers of the Spellbound Contemporary Ballet / Courtesy Photo

Dancers of the Spellbound Contemporary Ballet / Courtesy Photo by Gaia Michelangelo Copia

DANCE
Spellbound Contemporary Ballet

The Head of the Charles Regatta isn’t the only display of astounding physical prowess in town. This weekend, Spellbound Contemporary Ballet offers the opportunity to bring the past into the present with beautiful, languid movement, as they take on Antonio Vivaldi’s composition “Le Quattro Stagioni” (“The Four Seasons”). Choreographer and artistic director Mauro Astolfi knows that the modern interpretation isn’t for everyone, but hopes “that the audience will immerse themselves in a world without explanation and without meaning … where each of them can find their own meaning, their feelings, and their emotions.” Hear something old while watching it through new eyes at the Shubert Theatre.

$60-$75, Friday, October 16, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 8 p.m., Citi Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, 617-482-2595, celebrityseries.org.

MUSIC & MEMOIR
Elvis Costello

In his new memoir, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink, Elvis Costello reveals the man behind the music—and the many inspirations behind the man. This week, pop culture historian Peter Guralnick will interview the artist at a special Berklee Performance Center event. Expect their conversation to wend through the history of British punk to new wave (from which Costello emerged) and his famous collaborations with Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney, and Tony Bennett, among others.

$35-$38 (includes signed copy of book), Saturday, October 17, 7 p.m., Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, 617-266-7455, berklee.edu.

Posters of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

Poster of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome novelization cover

THE BINGE WARRIOR
Mad Max Saga

Once in a blue moon, a weird cult movie franchise achieves massive popularity. Such was the fate of the awesome and strange Mad Max series. Considering the runaway success of latest incarnation Mad Max: Fury Road, and it might be easy to lose sight of the humble beginnings of this dark indie gem. Be reminded at the Brattle Theatre with double features on Friday and Saturday, and a special quadruple marathon on Sunday. Get reaquainted with (or meet for the first time) Feral Kid, Toecutter, Lord Humungus, Aunty Entity, Master Blaster, and the best of Max’s companions: the Australian Cattle Dog* that looks totally hardcore even with a red bandana tied around its neck.

$9-$18, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 16-18, Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, brattlefilm.org.

*FUN FACT: The Australian Cattle dog used for the film was picked up from the pound one day before it was set to be euthanized. Also, when the original Mad Max movie came out in the U.S., they redubbed all the Australian slang with American slang. Because we didn’t understand what “very toey” meant.

A selection of Bantam Cider

A selection of Bantam Cider / Photo by Olga Khvan

DRINKS
Drink Craft Beer’s Beer & Cider Fest

In this fall flurry of beer fests, you may wonder: What about ciders? You’ll find plenty of apple libations as Drink Craft Beer’s Beer & Cider Fest, where 25 breweries and cideries are bringing more than 80 craft creations for this Best of Boston-winning festival. Among the crafters are local favorites Aeronaut Brewing, Bantam Cider, Clown Shoes Beer, and Slumbrew. But don’t drink on an empty stomach: Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Tenoch Mexican, and Union Square Donuts will all be available for maximum noshing.

$50, Friday and Saturday, October 16-17, Space 57, 200 Stuart St., Boston, drinkcraftbeer.com.

Kids at MICE / Courtesy Photo

Kids at MICE / Courtesy Photo

MORE THAN MARVEL
Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo

Forget Stan Lee for a moment (just for a moment, calm down!). This weekend, the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) wants to remind you that the comic book world doesn’t just exist to be made into superhero franchise movies. Highlighting the work of unsung comic heroes, the expo will host guest speakers such as Jennifer Hyden, creator of the autobiographical graphic novel The Story of My Tits; Lucy Knisley, known for her travel-and-food-themed works; Diary Comics’ Dustin Harbin; and Ryan North, creator of Dinosaur Comics and writer for Adventure Time and The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Also on display is an art exhibit featuring more than 30 different comic artists and their work. As MICE’s Dan Mazur describes it, the collection features everything “from crazy-cute to dark and arty, great new graphic novels, and the kind of alternative material you will not find in your local comics store.”

Free, Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, University Hall at Lesley University, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, micexpo.org.