Johnny’s List of Quirky Boston Events: 05/31/06 Extra

Every week I get the Weekly Dig, a free magazine, and there’s usually one or possibly two events I hadn’t heard about that are worth considering. Lately though I’ve been getting tired of all the badmouthing and sassy attitude. Let me put it this way. Dissing people isn’t challenging. You don’t get to be proud of your talents if your primary talent is insulting people. Sometimes it’s fun but they need to tone it down a few notches and keep it tongue-in-cheek.

Anyway, you don’t have to read the Dig because I do it for you and excise the occasional nugget. This week’s nugget is an arts festival in JP on thursday followed by a block party. JP First Thursday. www.jpcentresouth.org, at Centre & South Streets in JP. Art opening 6-8pm. Salsa block party 8pm.

Here are the things the Dig didn’t list. The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival is happening this weekend. It might make a good excuse to visit Vermont. Jun 2 – 11. www.discoverjazz.com. In Burlington, VT.

Not forgetting to insert something weird in this week’s blog, take a peek at The Quilters’ Connection 29th Annual Quilt Show. Fri 10-6, Sat 10-6, Sun 10-3. Seems to be the bigging quilting event regionally, which is not saying much since only 150 quilts are on display. But the online pics are stunning. www.quiltersconnection.org/qshow.shtml. Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA.

Gay pride week is June 2 – June 11th. See www.bostonpride.org for all the events and activities.

Also — alert! I have finally (after about 3 years) locked down the actual time and location of a Chinatown festival. They never post anything to the Web, it’s frustrating but I’m pretty sure this one will actually happen (the last one I went to, I was exactly one week late). Chinatown Spring Festival, June 4th, all throughout Chinatown, 10am-5pm. Free.

Double alert! Next week also is the Scooper Bowl, which is the world’s largest ice cream festival. It’s a fundraiser for Jerry’s Kids held at Boston City Hall Plaza in Boston. You know, next to the Government Center T Stop and right across from Fanueil Hall. Group discounts available. Tue 11:30-6, Wed 11:30-8, Thu 11:30-6. I went once and it was awesome. For $7 you can stuff yourself sick with ice cream

Also this weekend is Aids Walk Boston. June 4th. www.aac.org. And there’s an event happening next Wednesday that I’m saving as a surprise. It’s happening again late this summer so don’t sweat it, I’ll tell you later.

See my earlier post about New Hampshire.