Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Including the Boston Ballet's Romeo and Juliet, virtual reality at the ICA, and more.


ICA First Friday: Virtual Reality

Photo by Caitlin Cunningham

TECHNOLOGY
First Friday: Virtual Reality

With its featured exhibition, Art in the Age of the Internet, 1989 to Today, the Institute of Contemporary Art has focused on the intersection of art and technology this spring. Keeping with that theme, this weekend’s First Friday allows visitors to marvel at the exhibition and delve into a virtual reality art pop-up. The techno theme is set to heat up the night’s entertainment through performances from synth pop band Bearstronaut, DJ Knife, and more.

$15, Friday, Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, icaboston.org.

Press photo of Chinese Man

Photo by Leo Berne

MUSIC
Chinese Man

Originally from the south of France, the band is known for their blurring of multiple genres. Various hip-hop, funk, reggae, and jazz influences make for an eclectic fusion to keep your toes tapping this weekend. Expect to hear trip-hop music off Chinese Man’s most recent album, Shikantaza.

$28, Friday, Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Boston, crossroadspresents.com.

"Romeo and Juliet" at Boston Ballet

Photo by Liza Voll. Courtesy of Boston Ballet

DANCE
Romeo and Juliet

Parting is such sweet sorrow: This is the last weekend Boston Ballet is portraying the infamous star-crossed lovers through impeccably performed dance. Choreographed by John Cranko and set to Sergei Prokofiev’s score, the production possesses an emotional undercurrent, capturing the romance and tragedy of Shakespeare’s classic work.

Through Sunday, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, bostonballet.org.

Boston Public Library

Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library

BOOKS
Boston Public Library Book Sale

The City-Wide Friends of the Boston Public Library, a community-based organization set out to support the local library system, is ready to fulfill your novelistic needs this weekend. Stop by the Central Library in Copley Square for deals on your favorite books from romance to fantasy. Looking to get some old books off your shelf? The library also accepts donations of books at the sale.

Saturday, Central Library in Copley Square, 700 Boylston St., Boston, citywidefriendsbpl.org.

Maks, Val, and Peta tour photo

Photo courtesy of Confidential Tour

DANCE
Maks, Val, and Peta Live on Tour: Confidential

You’ve seen Peta become a two-time Mirror Ball champion, Val snag the prize with Rumer Willis during the show’s ten-year anniversary, and Maks win the trophy with Olympian Meryl Davis in 2014. Now, see these Dancing with the Stars dancers be the stars themselves, and bring their fiery moves on tour. Expect emotional performances interweaved with honest stories about family bonds and relationships.

$50+, Friday, Wang Theater, 270 Tremont St., Boston, bochcenter.org.