What to do this weekend
Making plans? Short on ideas? No worries. See June Wulff's picks for the top things to do around the Hub this weekend. Now get out and go to it!
[Honk! Festival in Somerville; Topsfield Fair; "A Day in Pompeii" at the Museum of Science]
WEEKEND
Honk if you love music: Six years ago, a new species was discovered in Davis Square that has its own language and a mission to celebrate the good times and fix the bad ones. The species is made up of activist street bands who come from near and far for the HONK! Festival. Boston’s urban tribal brass band, the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, honks first. Sept. 30 from 10 p.m.-midnight (Through Oct. 3), rain or shine. Most events are free (Friday’s 10 p.m. kickoff concert at Johnny D’s in Davis Square is $10). Davis Square, Somerville; Harvard Square, Cambridge; Boston Harbor. 617-383-4665. http://honkfest.org
Step right up: It’s officially fall because its time for the Topsfield Fair and our favorite event, the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off (load in starts at 2 p.m.). Also on today’s roster is Jonathan Sarty and his White Mountain Boys (1 p.m.) and Phil Vassar (7 p.m.). Sept. 30 from 1-11 p.m. (through Oct. 10 from 10 a.m.-11 p.m.). $10, $12 (weekends), free under 8. Topsfield Fair, 207 Boston St., Topsfield. 978-887-5000. www.topsfieldfair.org
FRIDAY
AUDRA MCDONALD: Raves pretty much follow this four-time Tony winner everywhere she goes. So we feel confident that a Celebrity Series concert by the “Private Practice” star, currently finishing up her run in the ART’s Broadway-bound production of “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” will be a winner. Oct. 2, 5 p.m. Tickets: $35-$83. Symphony Hall. 888-266-1200. www.bso.org
Silly Mel:The show’s song titles make us giggle; Mel Brooks makes us guffaw. Giggle and guffaw at “Young Frankenstein,’’ the award-winning musical with “Transylvania Mania,’’ “He Vas My Boyfriend,’’ and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.’’ Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. (through Oct. 2). $32-$62. Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester. 877-571-7469. www.thehanovertheatre.org
SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Let’s get surreal: Coloring outside the lines is encouraged at the Peabody Essex Museum’s “Weekend Festival: Surreal and Absurd.” In conjunction with the exhibit “Man Ray | Lee Miller, Partners in Surrealism,” visitors can make a wacky hat, surreal collage, random poem, surreal landscape, and also tour the exhibit. Oct. 1 and 2 from 10:30 a.m-4:15 p.m. Free with museum admission of $15, $13 seniors, $11 students, free under 17. Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St., Salem. 978-745-9500. www.pem.org
SATURDAY
Brought to you by the letter C: Is it just a coincidence that food served at Cape Cod Cranberry Day begins with the letter “c’’? Cranberry crisp, clam chowder, and chili are waiting for you in the historic jam kitchen. Oct. 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free ($4 for dessert, chowder, or chili). Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road, East Sandwich. 508-888-6870. www.thorntonburgess.org
Ballet up to the barre: There are at least four reasons to see “Broken Shadows” by Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre. Three are the ballets exploring the dark side: “Isle of the Dead,” “Circles,” and “Sound Secrets.” The fourth is that JP Licks in Harvard Square provides free sweets at all performances. Tonight at 8 (through Oct. 30). $38. Sanctuary Theatre, 400 Harvard St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-354-7467. www.ballettheatre.org
SUNDAY
THE BANGLES: The harmony-drenched pop group is hitting the road behind “Sweetheart of the Sun,” its first new album in seven years. So expect to hear a few contemporary tunes splashed among hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Eternal Flame.” Oct. 4, 8 p.m. Tickets: $29.50. Wilbur Theatre. 800-745-3000. www.ticketmaster.com
Pompeii and circumstance: We spent an unforgettable day in Pompeii a few years ago and can’t wait to return for “A Day in Pompeii” at the Museum of Science. This day is Aug. 24, AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the ancient Roman city under volcanic ash for more than 1,700 years. Artifacts include gold jewelry, statuary, carbonized bread, and merchants’ scales. Oct. 2 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Through Feb. 12). $27, $25 seniors, $24 ages 3-11 (reservations recommended; timed ticket includes separate ticket for exhibit halls to be used within six months). Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston. 617-723-2500. www.mos.org
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.
