What to do this weekend
Making plans? Short on ideas? No worries. See June Wulff and Courtney Hollands's picks for the top things to do around the Hub this weekend. Get out!
[Wool Days at Sturbridge Village; Charles Square Farmers Market; the crowd at Bootie Boston]
WEEKEND
'Susurrus': You won't sit in a theater; there are no actors; there's no stage. At "Susurrus" by David Leddy you'll use an MP3 player, wear headphones, follow a map (all provided), and walk about a mile on paved pathways around the Boston Public Garden. This sensual reinterpretation of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" features snippets about opera, botany, and memorial benches. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. in 20-minute intervals each day (through June 5). $25 (umbrella and directions provided; recommended for ages 16 and older). Boston Public Garden (pickup headphones on Boylston Street between Charles and Tremont streets). 617-824-8000. artsemerson.org
FRIDAY
Rap Mashup Spectacular: This special edition of Bootie Boston features all rap mashups from spinsters BC, McFly, Lenlow, Spencer 4 Hire and Jabulani. DJ Scrizzle will spit live rhymes at midnight. And, get there early. The first 50 people in the door get copies of BC's Jay Z-Brian Eno mashup CD, "Another Jay on Earth." 9 p.m. Tickets: $5. 21+. Good Life. 617-451-2622, bootiemashup.com/boston
Felice Brothers: Think you know this folksy band of brothers and friends from the Catskills? Think again. The Brothers' newest album "Celebration, Florida" (their first with Fat Possum) is still steeped in the Dylan-esque Ameicana that characterized the group's early work but also explores edgier and more experimental territory. Tap your toes to tunes like "Fire at the Pageant" and "Honda Civic" at Friday's show. 8 p.m. $15. 18+. Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave. 800-745-3000. brightonmusichall.com
The Machine: We love the phrase "Floydian experience" which is what you get at this Pink Floyd show. For 20 years, this New York-based band has performed the Floyd's 16-album legacy and is known to play entire albums at their shows. 8:30 p.m. $25-$37.50. The Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 800-745-3000. thewilbur.com
SATURDAY
Metal vs. Punk II: Find out "which genre is more gnarly" (their words) at this Thrashachusetts show. The bulging bill features The F.U.'s, Bring the Knife, the Bad Lieutenants, Led to the Grave, Krylls, and Hannaford and the Heartstoppers. Our ears are ringing just thinking about it. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12. 18+. Middle East Upstairs. 617-864-3278, mideastclub.com
Asparagus Festival: Your goody bag is a bunch of freshly picked Verrill Farm asparagus; your outdoor lunch is asparagus themed, and Steve Verrill will take you to the asparagus field and talk about the history, planting, and picking of the crop. 11 a.m. $25 (Reservations required by May 26). Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Road, Concord. 978-369-4494. verrillfarm.com
'Pottages and Pippin Tarts: The Surprising Story Behind a Typical Diner Meal': What does New England cooking mean to you? Baked beans, chowduh? In their book, "Northern Hospitality: Cooking by the Book in New England," Kathy Fitzgerald and Keith Stavely cover almost 400 historic New England recipes. Take a culinary history tour with the authors at this talk and check out the exhibit, "Night Road," by photographer John Woolf. 2 p.m. Free. National Heritage Museum, 33 Marrett Road, Lexington. 781-861-6559. nationalheritagemuseum.org
Lori McKenna: You know this Stoughton musician as Lori, but she was named Lorraine, as was her mother who died when the award-winning folk singer/songwriter was 7. McKenna pays tribute to her mother on her new release, "Lorraine," and performs with Sean McConnell at a benefit for the Nature Connection. 8 p.m. $30, $35 at the door. Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts, 40 Stow St., Concord. 978-369-2585. nature-connection.org
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Wool Days: Thanks to the lanolin in the wool, sheepshearing is one of the few chores that improves farmers' hands. Watch the sheep get their annual haircuts, catch sheep herding demonstrations, and check out the antique sock-knitting machine (see website for schedule). 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday. $20, $18 seniors, $7 ages 3-17. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. 800-733-1830. osv.org
SUNDAY
Charles Square Farmers Market: With the cost of gas and your busy schedule, do your shopping at this nearby market. Massachusetts and New Hampshire farmers schlepping fresh goodies to Cambridge include Grateful Farm, Stillman's Farm, and Formaggio Kitchen. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine (Sundays through Nov. 20; Fridays from noon-6 p.m. June 3-Nov. 18). Charles Hotel lower courtyard, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617-864-2942. charleshotel.com
'One Fine Sunday in the Funny Pages': Do you have questions about a favorite cartoon strip? At Sunday's reception you can see original artwork from more than 130 nationally syndicated strips and meet some of the cartoonists. Attendees include Garry Trudeau of "Doonesbury," Jeff Keane of "Family Circus," Ray Billingsley of "Curtis," Lynn Johnston of "For Better or For Worse," Dan Piraro of "Bizarro," and Richard Thompson of "Cul de Sac." 2-4 p.m. Free (reservations required). Boston Center for Adult Education, 122 Arlington St., Boston. 617-267-4430. bcae.org
Howlin' Hoe-Down: Share an 86 oz. "bucket" of booze with friends and you'll be ready to sing along with the dueling pianos at this downtown spot. The performers will play anything from Lady Antebellum to Lady Gaga, but organizers say no Billy Ray Cyrus requests, please. Bummer, "Achy Breaky Heart" fans. 7 p.m. No cover. 21+. Howl at the Moon. 617-292-4695, howlatthemoon.com
Contributors
Stephanie Callahan is a native Bostonian who loves cooking, traveling, spa treatments, and being on the ocean.
Milva DiDomizio is a New England native who's fond of cooking, singing, and Boston's arts and culture scene.
Swati G. Sharma is a Somerville resident and is a fan of city living, exploring Boston’s nightlife, and dancing.
Emily Sweeney is a Boston native who goes out all over, from Irish pubs in Southie to the roller rink in Dorchester.
