Sneak Peek -- SAT 11/1 & SUN 11/2

Dia De Los Muertos aka Day of the Dead -- much cooler than Halloween in my opinion. There's some cool things going on this weekend. Have fun... Be safe... Wooden stake for vampires, silver bullets for werewolves...

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SAT 11/1

10am to 6pm
Annual Boston Vegetarian Food Festival
At Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston (near Roxbury Crossing T)
FREE

Yes, there are a lot of free samples with over 100 exhibitors. Yes, there is way too many people.

Unfortunately the main room is crowded like the Green Line after a Red Sox game. I don't feel like wading through humanity for 5 minutes to try some gourmet organic ice cream. If you go, your best chance at enjoying yourself is to go at 10am. Go early!

Maybe I was in the wrong mood, but I didn't think it was something I have to visit every year. They really should find a bigger venue if they're going to keep this a free event. (Organizers, you can contact me for ideas...)

SAT 11/1

10am to Noon
"The Migraine Brain, from Concept to Bookshelf": Discussion
at Grub Street HQ, 160 Boylston, 4th floor, Boston (Boston Common)
$5

For all you writers wondering how to get published: Dr. Carolyn Bernstein (neurology) and journalist Elaine McArdle collaborated on a book about migraines. McArdle and their agent will talk about the process from "alpha to omega". Learn how to get your ideas into the marketplace (and learn a bit about migraines)...

SAT 11/1

2pm & 8pm
Anna Myer and Dancers, "Street Talk Suite Talk"
at Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd, Dorchester (near Upham's Corner)
FREE

This piece fuses rap, hip-hop, contemporary dance, and music for violin. Imagine 7 spoken-word/rappers and 7 dancers interacting with a sole violinist. Myers said, "In a world that is often fragmented and distrustful, Street Talk, Suite Talk forges bonds between these diverse worlds, with all working to create a common vision."

Jennifer Dunning (NY Times) wrote: "Anna Myer’s choreographic voice is quietly bizarre, but it is all her own. [She] seems to look at dance -- and life -- from a slightly wry but affectionate distance. And what she sees becomes transformed into odd yet affecting imagery…"

Watch an excerpt of the creative process on YouTube.

SAT 11/1

7:30pm & 9pm
"Aeschylus' Agamemnon"
at Alpert Mall, 735 Comm Ave, Boston (BU campus / behind Marsh Chapel aka BU Beach)
FREE

After the Fall of Troy, the king of Argos returns to his land intrigue and treachery awaits him. This is the first in Aeschylus' oldest intact trilogy (485 BC), and he's one of the earliest pillars of Greek theatre.

There's also a "Fire Poi" show at each performance.

"Dress warmly and bring a blanket."

SAT 11/1

8pm to 11pm
La Tuza, Convertibles Unplugged
at Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

La Tuza is probably the premier Mexican roots band in Boston. (I know of no other local Mexican roots band, but they're very good.) The Convertibles Unplugged is a group of Berklee students playing pop/rock en espanol (um, with acoustic instruments).

The first event of Berklee's month-long Latin Culture Celebration.

SAT 11/1

9pm
The Shills, This Car Up, Thick As Thieves, Left Hand Does
at Middle East - Upstairs, 472 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$9 / 18+

You don't have to hear a Halloween tribute to rock this weekend.

SAT 11/1 and SUN 11/2

Noon
Nor'easter Film Festival
at Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St, Brookline
$10 all seats

Take a chance and watch a program of shorts from New England filmmakers. There's a different lineup each day. The total running time is slightly under 2 hours on Saturday and slightly over 2 hours on Sunday. Also take into account that someone will be hosting in between films.

SAT 11/1 and SUN 11/2

Noon to 6pm
South Boston Open Studios
At Various Locations in Southie
FREE

Noon to 6pm (SUN: 5pm)
Open Studios
at Waltham Mills, 144 Moody St, Waltham
FREE

When I lived in Waltham, it was a fun afternoon walking through the old mill buildings and seeing the different artist studios. I'd encourage you to go to whichever spot is closer to you and see some cool, locally-made art. I can't help it -- I love talking to creative people!

In Southie, it's really not that far of a walk from Broadway T to all four locations, and you could head towards Andrews or take a bus up Broadway from the furthest studio.

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SUN 11/2

11am
"Let The Right One In"
at Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

Usually the Sunday Morning Eye Opener series is not free, but you they let you sneak in every now and then. I'd probably go every week, if I could get out of the house before noon on Sundays...

See this acclaimed Swedish vampire film before it opens in 2 weeks (at Kendall Sq Cinema). It was a big hit at various festivals and won "Best Narrative Feature" at the Tribeca Film Festival.

You know this is going to be better than the American remake coming out next year.

SUN 11/2

4pm to 6pm
Tzompantli: Day of the Dead Remembrance
at Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Am not sure what exactly is going on, but these Forest Hills things are usually cool, and it's a beautiful place (especially around Lake Hibiscus where these celebrations occur).

Enjoy a program of music and dance in English & Spanish. You can bring offerings (e.g. photos, flowers, mementos, and traditional sugar skulls) to place on a decorated candle-lit altar for departed loved ones. La Pinata, a Latin American youth group will perform.

They suggest to "Dress warmly. Bring a flashlight." But I don't think you'll need a flashlight...

(Do you know the Tower Street shortcut from Forest Hills T?)

SUN 11/2

6pm to 9pm
Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead Fiesta
at Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Ave, Cambridge (Harvard campus)
FREE

I had a good time when I went a couple years ago. There are Dia de los Muertos displays plus music as well as free food & drinks. All you have to do is call 617-495-2269, and leave your name and the number of guests. I don't know how long they're accepting RSVP's, so I'd do it as soon as possible...

There's "family fun" from 1pm to 4:30pm that's regular museum admission ($9 / $7 seniors & students / $6 ages 3 - 18 / Free under 3) except for a "sugar skull workshop" that's $5 per person.

SUN 11/2

9pm
Phantom Buffalo, Earth People Orchestra, Real Life Time Machines
at Milky Way Lounge, 403 Centre St, Jamaica Plain
FREE / 21+

Phantom Buffalo is my new favorite band from Maine. If you love The Shins, Phantom Buffalo will be right up your alley. (Mojo magazine listed their last CD in their top 50 of '05.) Earth People Orchestra are an indie-rock big band (or chamber orchestra) of gentle goodness. Real Life Time Machines are wild purveyors of their own angular rock that's been coined "cosmic punk".

You're getting an extra hour thanks to Daylight Savings, so go out on Sunday night.

SUN 11/2

Late Night
Daylight Savings Change

Don't forget to "fall back" before you go to sleep! (but don't hurt yourself...)