Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Spectacle Island, photo courtesy of Boston Harbor Cruises
FERRY RIDE
Boston Harbor Islands Opening Weekend
There may not be time for a tropical island getaway, but maybe you can do the Massachusetts equivalent. Tucked away in the Boston Harbor, there are 34 islands that make up the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Soak in spectacular views of the skyline as you cruise to Georges or Spectacle Island for the park’s opening weekend of the season. Georges Island houses a historic Civil War-era fort and Spectacle Island boasts sandy beaches and lush hiking trails. Not sure where to start? Try our guide to the islands.
Free, ticket booth opens 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 7, ferry leaves from Long Wharf North, 66 Long Wharf, Boston, bostonharborislands.org.
Image of Wayne Brady Provided
COMEDY SHOW
Wayne Brady
Wayne Brady has no shortage of talent—he’s a singer, actor, TV personality, and, of course, comedian. His notable work includes hilarious appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, his own Emmy award-winning talk show, a starring role on Broadway, and spur of the moment improv raps. If you’re a fan of improv, his show is probably one you’ll want to see.
$45-$65, 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 6, The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St, Boston, thewilbur.com.
Learn swing dancing at South Station as part of ArtWeek Boston, photo courtesy of ArtWeek Boston
FESTIVAL
ArtWeek Boston
Explore all the art Boston has to offer with the closing weekend of ArtWeek Boston. The bi-annual festival includes over 100 events showcasing a broad range of creative arts, like dance, theater, fashion, poetry, visual art, and music. Sue Dahling Sullivan, chief strategic officer at the Citi Performing Arts Center, the organization that hosts the festival, says that it “puts creativity at center stage and makes it affordable and accessible for everybody.” Over 65 percent of the events are free, and 95 percent are under $25. Check out the Boston Theater Marathon—50 ten-minute plays produced in just ten hours—take a tour of Cambridge’s own public art, or see a documentary film. You can even learn to swing dance in South Station.
Prices vary, Sunday, May 8, locations vary, artweekboston.org.
Persona, Photo by Noah Weber
OPERA/THEATRE
Persona
In this adaption of the 1966 Swedish film, a famous actress inexplicably becomes mute and is put under the care of a nurse. Beth Morrison, the show’s creative producer, says, “It’s a psychological drama, for sure.” Persona pushes the boundaries of theatre and opera, exploring dark, psychological ideas like madness and death. Morrison explains that there is an underlying current of jealousy—the nurse starts to project the mute actress’s life onto her own. The Wall Street Journal raved that the show “was hauntingly insidious, pulling the listener inexorably into this vampire-like romance.”
$5-$15 (includes museum admission), Thursday, May 5, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way, Boston, gardnermuseum.org.
Tango Glories, photo courtesy of The National Center for Jewish Film
FILM FESTIVAL
Jewish Film Festival: Tango Glories
Now in its 19th year, the National Center for Jewish Film shares some examples of the rich Jewish cinematic history. The ICA is hosting Tango Glories, an Argentinean film focusing on a man who expressed himself solely through tango lyrics, and his epic love story. According to Lisa Rivo, Co-Director of the National Center for Jewish Film, the Boston Tango society will be giving a live demo before the film. If one movie isn’t enough, they have films through May 22 all over the city.
$12-$14, Saturday, May 7, Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, icaboston.org.