Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Pat’s Drive-In, Tuscon, Arizona by Jim Dow is one of the many pieces that will be on sale this year / Photo courtesy of Robert Klein Gallery, Boston and Janet Borden Gallery, New York

ART
SMFA Art Sale

Held every November, this year’s art sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts promises to offer more beautiful pieces created by SMFA students, alumni, faculty, and affiliated artists. “The SMFA Art Sale is a great opportunity to find beautiful, exciting artworks and support up-and-coming student artists,” says planning committee co-chair Lee Essex Doyle. All works are priced individually by the artists, with 50 to 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting student scholarships. The works will be displayed in a gallery on a rotating basis, so Doyle advises to stop by more than once as “new treasures are revealed each day.” The large variety of artists and works assures that there’s something suitable for everyone’s taste, making it the perfect place to get some early holiday shopping done for the art lover in your life.

Free to attend, Thursday, November 19, through Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 230 Fenway, smfa.edu/art-sale.

Panels, talks and demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend. / Photo by Joni Lohr

FOR THE HOME
Boston Home Décor Show

A new show introduced by Tony Fusco and Robert Four, the Boston Home Décor Show will feature a wide range of programming including guest speakers, exhibitor booth talks, and demonstrations such as “Creating Your Dream Home,” a panel showcasing design possibilities, and “What They Don’t—or Won’t—Usually Tell You,” a panel of interior designers sharing their secrets to success. All events are included with the ticket price. The Boston Home Décor Show kicks off Thursday night with a Gala Preview which will benefit DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS.

$125+ for gala preview on Thursday, November 19, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $15 for weekend shows, free for children under 12, Friday, November 20, 1-8 p.m., Saturday, November 21, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, November 22, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston, bostonhomedecorshow.com.

Boston Beer Summit Harvest Fest / Photo Courtesy of FestPics

DRINKS
Beer Summit Harvest Fest

“The Beer Summit’s ubiquitous pretzel necklaces, old-school cover bands, and mix of beer fans young and old make us nostalgic for the days when Boston was a beer-festival pioneer,” we wrote after crowning it this year’s Best Booze Festival. Boston Beer Summit Harvest Fest is one of the longest running craft beer tasting events in New England and, with more than 60 breweries pouring more than 200 beers, it’s a dream come true for every fan of the hoppy, effervescent beverage. Although the spotlight is on local talents, brews from around the country and overseas will also be available for your consumption. “This fall’s Harvest Fest will feature one of our most exciting brewery lineups yet,” says Mike Munnelly, co-owner of Beer Summit. With seasonal brews and old favorites, Harvest Fest features everything from big names like Samuel Adams to smaller local franchises, and it’s all under one roof for your enjoyment.

$55, Friday, November 20, 6-9:30 p.m., Saturday, November 21, 12:30-4 p.m. and 5:30-9 p.m., The Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Ave., Boston, beersummit.com.

Boston Chocolate Tours Truffle Making Workshop / Photo by Katherine Henry

SWEET TOOTH
Chocolate Truffle Making Workshop

Calling all chocoholics—there’s a workshop in town just for you. Hosted by chefs from Boston Chocolate Tours, this truffle-making workshop will train you in the artistry behind this sweet, indulgent treat. Filled with everything from champagne to peanut butter, the delectable creations are yours to take home and enjoy—and you’ll be leaving with a lot. “Participants leave the workshop with 15 to 20 truffles, depending on the size they make,” says Samantha McDuffee from Boston Chocolate Tours. “They will have the opportunity to roll [their truffles] in toppings like cocoa powder and coconut, as well as dip their ganache in our tempering machine.” It’s truly an afternoon spent in chocolate paradise, as guests are greeted with “gourmet sipping chocolate,” a kind of heaven-sent creation similar to hot chocolate that substitutes powder for the real, rich treat melted into milk. Adult guests are invited to kick these up a notch with drinks ordered at the bar before or during the workshop. This two-and-a-half-hour course requires nothing but a sweet tooth, so bring your friends and get ready to pipe, coat, and mold your way to truffle expertise.

$75, Saturday, November 21, 12 p.m., Elephant & Castle Restaurant, 161 Devonshire St., Boston, bostonchocolatetours.com.

Hurling photo by Peter Mooney on Flickr/CreativeCommons

SPORTS
Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival

For the first time since 1954, hurling returns to Fenway Park in a face-off between two of the sport’s top teams: Dublin and All-Ireland Finalist Galway. The national game of Ireland, hurling is similar to field hockey and believed to be the world’s oldest field game. Players use a wooden stick called a hurley to hit a small ball called a sliotar (pronounced “slitter”) through their opponent’s goalpost. Traditionally, the ball can be hit either above the crossbar for one point or below it into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for three points, but the players at the Fenway Hurling Classic will be playing a modified version. Called “Super 11’s,” teams will be reduced to 11 players and points will only be awarded if the ball is hit under the crossbar. Celebrate your Irish heritage (or pretend you have some) by cheering on this exciting, fast-paced game and joining the accompanying Irish Festival, which comes complete with food, music, dancing, and a post-game performance by Dropkick Murphys.

$25-45, Sunday, November 22, 11 a.m., Fenway Park, boston.redsox.mlb.com.