Get Out Chat with Courtney Hollands
September 4, 2008
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Boston.com's Courtney Hollands is a shopaholic and a music junkie with a penchant for tapas, chai, and Hall & Oates dance parties. She answered your questions about what to do this weekend.
Courtney_Hollands: Hi everyone: Meredith Goldstein is out this week, so I am holding down the fort here at the events chat.
Courtney_Hollands: I am the senior producer for Boston.com's Things to Do section and boy, do I have some ideas for you. Let's start with our weekend picks: http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/weekend_picks/
Courtney_Hollands: Some Red Hook IPA or a little Ryan Adams for you, my dears? Who has questions?
420kid__Guest_: any good venues for hiphop this weekend
Courtney_Hollands: Hi kid: If you have a hundred clams to spare, you can get into Diddy's Black and White party Friday night at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods. DJ S&S is spinning.
Courtney_Hollands: If you're lucky, you might get a glimpse of the Puff himself.
Courtney_Hollands: Also: Salem's Radio Scotvoid is at ZuZu Sunday night. http://www.mideastclub.com/
Courtney_Hollands: Apparently he mixes electronica and trip-hop via laptop. Sounds interesting...
420kid__Guest_: where is a good place to take a date out to eat and meredith are you single??
Courtney_Hollands: Mere is out this week, kid. Get with the program. And an events guru never kisses and tells.
Courtney_Hollands: But for romantic date spots, I heart Grotto on the backside of Beacon Hill: http://www.grottorestaurant.com/
Courtney_Hollands: Delicious gnocchi.
Courtney_Hollands: Then, take a stroll down Charles Street and stop in for a drink at the Liberty Hotel.
Courtney_Hollands: Your date will think you are hip.
hey__Guest_: Hi there, what's your ideal night out? start to finish in boston? looking for some new plans ... not too into clubs. more drinks/dinner/drinks (low key)/maybe some dancing/love walking on a nice night. thanks.
Courtney_Hollands: Whoa -- that's a broad question. But I like it :) I know I will forget about 100 things and then regret not mentioning them in this answer, haha.
Courtney_Hollands: Where do you live? Or are you willing to travel for a good time?
Courtney_Hollands: The reason I ask is because lately, I've been all about Inman Square in Cambridge. Easy parking (well, I can walk there from my house in Somerville, too), a little quieter than say, Kenmore Square, or downtown, and a little quirkier.
Courtney_Hollands: Dinner at East Coast Grill, or maybe Ole (Upscale Mexican that is worth the price. Try the guac, trust me!).
Courtney_Hollands: Drinks at Bukowski's -- I love a good beer bar and they have enough Belgiums to keep me happy for a few rounds. The Inman Square location is much more open and airy than the Boylston Street area location.
Courtney_Hollands: Top it off with ice cream at Christina's or a show at Ryles or the Lily Pad. Divine.
Courtney_Hollands: OK -- well if you havvvve to stay south of the river...
hey__Guest_: Thanks. I was thinking more Boston, maybe Beacon Hill ...
Courtney_Hollands: Just kidding -- I love Beacon Hill.
Courtney_Hollands: I suggested Grotto to a previous chatter. I really do think it is a hidden romantic gem.
Courtney_Hollands: If you are looking for the Charles Street ambiance but want to do it a little on the cheap -- split a pizza with your date or friend at Figs.
Courtney_Hollands: http://www.toddenglish.com/
Courtney_Hollands: Or I'm also a huge fan of the Paramount: http://www.paramountboston.com/
Courtney_Hollands: If it's a nice night, you could walk across the Common to the movie theater, too.
yachtie__Guest_: I'm looking to go for drinks and dinner with some friends in the south end this weekend .. any suggestions?
Courtney_Hollands: Ahoy, yachtie: The South End is still filled with wonder for me because it's such a trek from Somerville, haha.
Courtney_Hollands: Toro is a personal favorite: http://toro-restaurant.com/
Courtney_Hollands: The house special is: MaÃz Asado con Alioli y Queso Cotija (Grilled corn with alioli, lime, espelette pepper and aged cheese)
Courtney_Hollands: It sounds strange, but it is a true lesson in decadence -- delicious. Plus, the drinks are all tasty, too.
Courtney_Hollands: Also, just went to Pops for the first time a month ago. I had the gnocchi and sat on the porch. And I was happy: http://www.popsrestaurant.net/
Brenda__Guest_: Is there any free, outdoor music this weekend?
Courtney_Hollands: Hi Brenda -- you wouldn't be Shannon Doherty from "90210: The Horrid New Class" under a screen name, by chance?
Courtney_Hollands: I digress.
Courtney_Hollands: This is kind of a cheat, but the Bank of American Pavilion -- technically open air, right? -- has an awesome lineup this weekend.
Courtney_Hollands: http://www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/496
Courtney_Hollands: My Morning Jacket on Saturday and Ryan Adams on Sunday. Yeehaw!
Courtney_Hollands: Also -- and this is a little think-outside-the-box as well: On Friday night, you can catch "Red Heroine," a 1929 silent sword fighting film for free at the Chinatown Gate.
Courtney_Hollands: The Devil Music Ensemble will provide a live soundtrack: http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/weekend_picks?pg=3
Courtney_Hollands: A friend just submitted this question via IM: Who, in your opinion, will best portray Gov. Palin on SNL now that Tina Fey has left the cast?
Courtney_Hollands: Though this isn't technically a nightlife question, F, how about Kristen Wiig: http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/bios/Kristen_Wiig.shtml
Courtney_Hollands: Discuss.
Courtney_Hollands: Also, Tina Fey is hosting this weekend's SNL. But it's a rerun. So no Palin, unforch.
Dusty__Guest_: If tropical storm hannah rolls through this weekend, what are some good indoor activities to do during the time that would be spent outside playing pickup football games?
Courtney_Hollands: So, I take it you are an outdoorsy guy/gal.
Courtney_Hollands: If puddle-jumping just isn't your sport, how about indoor rock climbing?
Courtney_Hollands: Metro Rock in Everett is pretty cool: http://www.metrorock.com/
Courtney_Hollands: Indoor roller skating, anyone? http://www.chezvousskate.com/
Carl123__Guest_: Any good rock shows this weekend?
Courtney_Hollands: Well, Carl, I am psyched for the aforementioned My Morning Jacket show at the Bank of America Pavilion.
Courtney_Hollands: Also, the bizarro local rockers with the hardest name to pronounce or spell ever, Pfefftiffuff, are at PAs Lounge in Union Square on Saturday: http://www.paslounge.com/
Courtney_Hollands: You may be scared. Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/pftf
Courtney_Hollands: Also, the bizarro local rockers with the hardest name to pronounce or spell ever, Pfefftiffuff, are at PAs Lounge in Union Square on Saturday: http://www.paslounge.com/
Courtney_Hollands: A San Fran super group of sorts is playing the Middle East on Saturday: Magic Christian.
Courtney_Hollands: The band includes members of Blondie, the Flamin Groovies, and Plimsouls, and they are all about the Kinks, Rolling Stones, etc: http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/weekend_picks?pg=8
Dusty__Guest_: Also i'm rooting for Casey Wilson as Sarah Palin, based alone on her performance in the skit with Amy Pohler as Christian from Project Runway.
Courtney_Hollands: Dusty, point taken. I loved that skit. Pure genius. But not sure Casey Wilson did anything for me.
Courtney_Hollands: It will be interesting to see who they pick. Kristen is more biting and edgy. Casey is a little more awshucks -- which could help her in the bid to play an Alaskan gov.
MaryMary__Guest_: my parents are coming into town this weekend - we have dinner reservations sunday, but saturday night is open -- what's a good place that's not exactly downtown, preferably on the water, that would be a good spot to take them for drinks and apps?
Courtney_Hollands: Tavern on the Water in Charlestown has loverly views: http://www.tavernonthewater.com/
Courtney_Hollands: The deck gets crowded but it should be fine for a drink and apps. The rowdy crowd comes later on ;)
K-Dog__Guest_: Weather looks great, but since its after Labor Day, I'm guessing a lot of the typical outdoor events around town are done for the season. What's good outside at night?
Courtney_Hollands: Well, K-Dog, I mentioned the films at the Chinatown Gate above. Those are happening all weekend. Why not get some sweet and sour pork and dim sum to go and camp out under the stars for some kung fu cinema? http://calendar.boston.com/boston-ma/events/show/84828873-films-at-the-gate
Courtney_Hollands: Also -- and this isn't technically at night -- but I'm jazzed for the Rock n' Roll Yard Sale in Union Square on Saturday.
Courtney_Hollands: Here's my take on it: http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/gallery/weekend_picks?pg=10
oates__Guest_: I'm going out with the girls this weekend - we all like fun cocktails and cheezy music .. where should we go?
Courtney_Hollands: Oh, oates: Your screename is so dear to my heart.
Courtney_Hollands: And your kiss is on my list, etc.
Courtney_Hollands: Anyways, we have a great gallery on where to dance each night of the week on Boston.com: http://www.boston.com/thingstodo/nightlife/gallery/dancearoundtheclock
Courtney_Hollands: Personally, I have a hate-hate relationship with Fanueil Hall -- though you can always have fun at bars like Coogans and Ned Devines.
Courtney_Hollands: If, and only if, you are traveling in a big group and have already enjoyed a few drinks, haha.
Courtney_Hollands: Seriously though, a relatively recent dance spot for me is Redline in Harvard Square. I thought the crowd there skewed a little older (like mid-30s) but it was actually a nice mix of 20-somethings and 30-somethings.
Courtney_Hollands: http://www.redlinecambridge.com/
Courtney_Hollands: DJ Inkognito spins on Saturday night -- funk, soul, hip-hop, etc
Courtney_Hollands: And last time I was there, I definitely rocked out to CeCe Peniston's "Finally"
Courtney_Hollands: OK, friends and scenesters -- if you have any more questions, please email me at chollands@boston.com. I'm off to reheat some red curry for lunch, jealous? Have a nice weekend.
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