Events INSIDER: Feb 3-11, 2014

Giveaways & Features
Win: HANDICAPPING
Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: HANDICAPPINGThe Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St., Boston, MA, .
Win: Peter M. Floyd ‘s Absence
Got 2 pairs of tix to give away. Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Peter M. Floyd 's AbsenceBoston Playwrights’ Theatre, 949 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA, .
Win: Moonbox Productions presents: COMPANY
Got 5 pairs of tix to give away for Sunday 2/9 at 2pm . Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Moonbox Productions presents: COMPANYNancy and Edward Roberts Studio Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA: 527 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, .
Win: Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God
Got a of tix to give away Fri. Feb. 7, a pair for Sat. Feb. 8, and a pair for Fri. Feb. 14 . Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of GodApollinaire Theatre Company, Chelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet St., Chelsea, MA, .
Win: Moonbox Lights of Roberts with Sondheim’s Company
Got 5 pairs of tickets to giveaway for the 2/9/14 performance at 2PM. Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Moonbox Lights of Roberts with Sondheim's CompanyThe Nancy and Edward Roberts Studio Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, .
Win: Mission of Burma with Minibeast & Bugs and Rats
Got a pair of tix to giveaway. Email giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! Win: Mission of Burma with Minibeast & Bugs and RatsThe Regent Theatre, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA, .
Johnny’s Picks
Everybody’s Hero: The Jackie Robinson Story
Jackie Robinson’s story is fascinating and world changing, and was told wonderfully in ‘Ken Burns: Baseball’. This is a play (with music) about his life, struggles, accomplishments, and legacy, just in time for Black History Month. 7:30pm. Everybody's Hero: The Jackie Robinson StoryHibernian Hall, 184 Dudley Street, Suite 102 Roxbury, MA, .
Tewksbury Library Astronomy Club night
Want to gander into the final frontier but you’re unsure how? Confused by telescopes and how to find the North Star? The ‘Tewksbury Library Astronomy Club Night’ will point you in the right direction (Literally) and more, 2/4 7-8pm. Tewksbury Library Astronomy Club nightTewksbury Public Library, 300 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA, .
Hasty Pudding Man of the Year Parade and Awards
Kiefer Sutherland, the star of TV’s 24 and Touch, is the man of the year, and will parade through Harvard Square and take part in a cheeky awards ceremony! Hasty Pudding Man of the Year Parade and AwardsFarkas Hall, 12 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, MA, .
Snow Fest!
1-4pm. Snow Fest!Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse, One Circuit Drive, Roxbury, MA, .
Great Boston Couch Race
11am-5pm. Great Boston Couch RacePrudential Center Boston, MA, .
Chinese New Year Parade
This is the Chinatown festival where different lion dance clubs go door to door eating lettuce and throwing around fireworks. They go to every door to accept these ‘offering’, and the ground ends up literally covered with lettuce and fireworks shells! This is not the festival with stages for music and dance. That’s one’s in August. Chinese New Year Parade Boston, MA, .
Darwin Day
Every year on or around February 12th, people celebrate the birth of Charles Darwin and his great contributions to science. This week you can celebrate with the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy. Darwin DayCorner Bakery Cafe Warwick, RI, .
Merrimack River Eagle Festival
8:30am-4pm. Merrimack River Eagle FestivalMass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center, One Plum Island Turnpike Newburyport, MA, .
Salem State University Darwin Festival
Also Salem State University will host a series of lectures and films. It’s definitely a festival, but looks very academic rather than social. Salem State University Darwin FestivalSalem State University Salem, MA, .
Temple Con
This annual gamers convention turns Steampunk this year! You’ll find board games, live roleplaying, and performances such as the Adult-oriented Saucy Puppet Show. Temple ConThe Crowne Plaza Warwick, RI, .
Owl Prowl Adventures
6:30-8pm. Bundle up, get your flashlight, and go look for owls. 7-*;30pm. Owl Prowl AdventuresMass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary Natick, MA, .
Frederick Douglass Read-A-Thon
2-6pm. Frederick Douglass Read-A-ThonFirst Unitarian Church in New Bedford, 71 Eighth Street, New Bedford, MA, .
Easthampton Winterfest
. Easthampton Winterfestvarious locations Easthampton, MA, .
Great Rotary Ice Fishing Derby
I’ve got no interest in fish but would be curious just to see ice fishing. Can’t go? They have webcams! Great Rotary Ice Fishing DerbyLake Winnipesaukee Meredith, NH, .
Find 16 New England Regions on Twitter
Hey! I’ve split my Twitter feed into 17 regions so that you can REALLY get just the events close to home, or pick what you like. Please check it out and add me to a ‘Twitter list’ too (google it). Find 16 New England Regions on Twitter All Over, , .
Get the 2014 New England Guide
Mention my website to friends and get my 2013 New England Guide, with 1,200 off-beat destinations including dinosaur footprints, zoos, ziplines, where to go stargazing, and where to find an indoor water park in December! Get the 2014 New England Guide All Over, , .
Also Fun
Boston Beanpot Hockey 2014
February 3rd and 10th, Boston’s coolest hockey tradition continues, the beanpot hockey tournament! Check it out and see the best and brightest players of Hockey in New England. Boston Beanpot Hockey 2014TD Bank North Garden Boston, MA, .
Build Your Own Monster Puppet at Puppet Showplace
Puppets don’t get enough love. They’re not just for kids, you know! This intro class for adults will teach you how to make your very own moving-mouth puppet with rod arms, like the ones on the Muppet Show, just in time for the new Muppet movie! 2014:Tuesdays, 6:30-9pm. Build Your Own Monster Puppet at Puppet ShowplaceThe Puppet Showplace Theatre Brookline, MA, .
COLLISION20:bilocate
An entire art exhibit based on things smashing into other things, with a techno-twist? Beam me up Scotty! Cyber Arts exhibits are always wild – hell, one time they used electricity to turn plankton colors. Plankton! 6-9pm. COLLISION20:bilocateBoston Cyberarts Gallery, 141 Green Street, Jamaica Plain, MA, .
Rewire: Digital Cosmopolitans in the Age of Connection
7pm. Rewire: Digital Cosmopolitans in the Age of ConnectionHarvard Square Coop, 1400 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA, .
The Boston Globe Travel Show
. The Boston Globe Travel ShowSeaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA, .
Boston Globe Travel Show
If you’d like to travel but aren’t sure where to start, start here. I haven’t been but I bet it’s a real eye-opener about how to stretch your money, if you don’t need total luxury. And they’ll include celebrity chefs and live animal shows for god knows what reason. Boston Globe Travel ShowSeaport World Trade Center Boston, MA, .
Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival
Featuring both classics and new films, this festival is a liberal mix of decent stuff and total schlock, which I guess is kind of the point. It all culminates in a 24-hour movie marathon on the 18th! Keep checking their website for a list of films The festival is definitely happening, but for some reason they are STILL finalizing their schedule! Boston Sci-Fi Film FestivalSomerville Theatre Somerville, MA, .
Animal Nature opens at the Washington St Gallery
6-8pm. Animal Nature opens at the Washington St GalleryWashington St Gallery Somerville, MA, .
Lunar New Year Celebration at the MFA
. Lunar New Year Celebration at the MFAMuseum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, .
Beyond Bubbie’s Kitchen
. Beyond Bubbie's KitchenBack Bay Events Center Boston, MA, .
Third Annual A-Town Jazz Festival
4pm. Third Annual A-Town Jazz FestivalArlington Center for the Arts, 41 Foster Street, Arlington, MA, .
Snowshoe Tours at the DeCordova Museum
The DeCordova, my favorite museum in New England, is giving a snoeshow tour. You get a lesson by a trained Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS) instructor. Make reservations in advance! Snowshoe Tours at the DeCordova MuseumdeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Rd Lincoln, MA, .
Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival
Chocolate and ice sculptures? I’ll bite! Yum! Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture FestivalSalem Main Streets Salem, MA, .
The Dolley Madison Ball
7-10pm. The Dolley Madison BallSalem Old Town Hall, 20 Front Street, Salem, MA, .
Irish Dance Class with Michela Summa
. Irish Dance Class with Michela SummaDance Studio, O’Keefe Sports Complex, 225 Canal St., Salem, MA, .
Northeast International Auto Show
. Northeast International Auto ShowRhode Island Convention Center Providence, RI, .
Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo
Nothing to do? How about the zoo? Roger Williams Park offers half price admission January through February thanks to its ‘Winter Wonderdays’ promotion. Winter Wonder Days at the Roger Williams Park Zoo Providence, RI, .
Winterfest Amherst
12-6pm. Winterfest AmherstCherry Hill Golf Course, 323 Montague Rd., Amherst, MA, .
Take a Closer Look: Tour the Research Library
10am. Take a Closer Look: Tour the Research LibraryOSV Research Library Sturbridge, MA, .
Be Mine: Chocolate and Valentines
. Be Mine: Chocolate and ValentinesOld Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, MA, .
Dartmouth Winter Carnival
This particular winter carnival is a weekend-long, athletic romp. Dartmouth Winter CarnivalDartmouth College Hanover, NH, .
Murder Mystery at The Governor’s Inn
Why are Gonzo’s hands covered in blood? Be a part of a very intriguing musical evening. This year, the Mystery Dinner is also a tribute to the Muppets Show! All Fridays-Saturdays 6:30pm until March 23. Murder Mystery at The Governor's Inn Rochester, NH, .
Keene Ice and Snow Festival
On your way to go skiing? This free festival includes ice carving and snow sculpting. 10am-4pm. Keene Ice and Snow FestivalDowntown &Central Square Keene, NH, .
Mythical Mile
11am. Mythical MileCoronis Market to Newport High School Newport, NH, .
Valentine’s Day
Project Cupid Date Auction: Boston’s Best Bachelors and Bachelorettes
6-10pm. You’ll find bachelors and bachelorettes up for ‘auction’ at this charity fundraiser for cancer. People still do this? I’m happy to let you know about a good cause, but it IS being held at one of the more unsavory bars in the area, so beware. Project Cupid Date Auction: Boston's Best Bachelors and BachelorettesThe Estate Boston, MA, .
Performance
Review: Handicapping by James McLindon
Win tickets to Fresh Ink Theatre’s ‘Handicapping’! E-mail giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win, and keep an eye out for our review, too! Review: Handicapping by James McLindonThe Factory Theatre Boston, MA, .
Review: HAIRSPRAY, The Broadway Musical
Enter to win a pair of tickets to ‘Hairspray’ at Wheelock college! Message giveaways@eventsinsider.com to win! ‘Hairspray’ is a fantastic musical about a big-boned girl with bigger dreams in the 1950s. This is quite the iconic show, too. The film versions transcend time and place and culture and even gender (with Jon Waters and John Travolta playing a woman in each of the films), via music, dance, and progressive thought – keep an eye our for our review Tuesday. Review: HAIRSPRAY, The Broadway MusicalWheelock Family Theatre, 200 The Riverway, Boston, MA, .
Review: The Color Purple
The tour-de-force drama comes to the Speak Easy Stage, keep an eye out for our review. Review: The Color PurpleSpeakEasy Stage Company, 539 Tremont Street, Boston, MA, .
Review: Insignificance
Marilyn Monroe meets Einstein meets Joe DiMaggio, meets…John F. Kennedy(?!) in this comedy about our oft-spinning moral compass. Check out our review! Review: Insignificance Cambridge, MA, .
Review: The Whipping Man at Arsenal Center for the Arts
‘The Whipping Man’ juxtaposes Passover with Civil War era drama to great effect. This intelligent and likely heartbreaking play comes to The New Rep 1/25 – 2/16. 'The Whipping Man' at Arsenal Center for the ArtsArsenal Center for the Arts Watertown, MA, .
CWT Advanced Ensemble in MACBETH
. CWT Advanced Ensemble in MACBETHCharlestown Working Theater, 442 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, MA, .
Witness Uganda
Press Opening is on Wednesday, February 12 @ 7:30pm. Witness UgandaLoeb Drama Center Cambridge, MA, .
The Clark Sisters
8:15 pm. The Clark SistersBerklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA, .
iLa Mawana w/ Rocky & The Pressers and Dom Lacolla & Elephant Gang
. iLa Mawana w/ Rocky & The Pressers and Dom Lacolla & Elephant GangChurch of Boston Boston, MA, .
iLa Mawana Bob Marley Tribute 2.7
. iLa Mawana Bob Marley Tribute 2.7Church of Boston, 69 Kilmarnock Street, Boston, MA, .
Two Wrongs by Scott Caan
. Two Wrongs by Scott CaanAtlantic Wharf Boston, MA, .
Scientist-Turned-Comedian Tim Lee
. Scientist-Turned-Comedian Tim LeeSomerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA, .
Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God
. Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of GodChelsea Theatre Works, 189 Winnisimmet Street, Chelsea, MA, .
Comedy on Tap: Puppets in Love
5pm. Comedy on Tap: Puppets in LoveThe Burren Somerville, MA, .
All You Need is Myth: An Immersive Journey Through the Mythology of the Beatles
8pm. All You Need is Myth: An Immersive Journey Through the Mythology of the BeatlesSomerville Theatre Somerville, MA, .
The Regent Theatre and Somerville Local First Present: Mission of Burma
7:30pm. The Regent Theatre and Somerville Local First Present: Mission of BurmaRegent Theatre Arlington, 7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA, .
Travel
Campfire Dining
How creative! Restaurants in Eastman, New London, Newport, Hanover, and Lebanon bring food samples to 6-8 outdoor bonfires, and you follow the tiki torches to each via snowshoe or cross-country skiing. It’s just a 2-hour drive from Boston and provides hours upon hours of delicious delights. 11am-1pm. Campfire DiningEastman Cross Country Grantham, NH, .
World Championship Sled Dog Derby
. World Championship Sled Dog Derby Laconia, NH, .
Stonewall Farm’s Frozen Farm Fest
11am-3pm. Stonewall Farm's Frozen Farm FestStonewall Farm, 242 Chesterfield Rd, Keene, NH, .
Winter Fun Week
Mansfield, CT has a week’s worth of winter festivities including family board game night, a diving competition, a puppet slam, and so much more. I’d go! Bring a puppet! Winter Fun Weekdowntown Mansfield Mansfield, CT, .
Stagecraft: 50 Years of Design at Hartford Stage’
Take a wonderful tour of historical props, costumes, and various set pieces from 50 years of Hartford’s legendary theatrical run. Stagecraft: 50 Years of Design at Hartford Stage'Hartford Stage Hartford, CT, .
EagleWatch Season & Winter Boat Cruises
Take a scenic cruise in Essex, CT with an eye toward spotting American bald eagles. the $40 admission includes access to the museum’s exhibits, too! 10am. EagleWatch Season & Winter Boat CruisesConnecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, .
Charles Darwin Birthday Celebration and Lecture
There are lots of events between now and next week in celebration of Darwin Day. This is the one for those of you who like to wine and dine. There will also be trivia! Charles Darwin Birthday Celebration and Lecture Norwalk, CT, .
Eagle / Winter Wonderland Cruise
. Eagle / Winter Wonderland CruiseEagle Landing State Park, 1 Marine Park, Haddam, CT, .
Bousquet’s Ice Fishing Tournament
8am-1pm. Bousquet's Ice Fishing TournamentValley Springs Sportsman’s Club North Grosvenordale, CT, .
U.S. National Toboggan Championships
. U.S. National Toboggan ChampionshipsCamden Snow Bowl Camden, ME, .
Biddeford WinterFest
I love these small towny winter fests. They’re tiny but full of good cheer! Biddeford WinterFest Biddeford, ME, .
Chocolate Extravaganza
. Chocolate ExtravaganzaKennebunk Town Hall Kennebunk, ME, .
Caribou Winter Carnival and Snowmobile Festival
Can it be a festival if it spans 4 weeks? I think we’ll take what we can get in Maine in the winter. Snowmobile racing, broomball tourney, snow sculptures, and more. Caribou Winter Carnival and Snowmobile FestivalDowntown Caribou Caribou, ME, .
Ellsworth Winter Carnival
Here’s another one in Ellsworth. Ellsworth Winter Carnival Ellsworth, ME, .
Milton Community Winter Festival
This winter carnival falls into the low-key, community spirit category. Probably a good bet for families! Milton Community Winter Festivalvarious locations Milton, VT, .
Milton Community Winter Festival
. Milton Community Winter FestivalBombardier Park Milton, VT, .
USSA SuperTour/Dartmouth Winter Carnival
. USSA SuperTour/Dartmouth Winter CarnivalCraftsbury Outdoor Center, 535 Lost Nation Rd., Craftsbury, VT, .
Woodstock Vermont Film Series
. Woodstock Vermont Film SeriesBillings Farm & Museum, Route 12 & River Road, Woodstock, VT, .