Sneak Peek: SAT 12/5

I was going to post a bunch of local/independent shopping options for the weekend and beyond. Maybe it'll happen in the middle of the night...

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SAT 12/5

10am to 5:30pm
Chocolate Open House & Tour
at Taza Chocolate Factory, 561 Windsor St, Somerville (near Union Sq)
FREE

This is the best chocolate I've ever tasted. I took a tour earlier this year, and it was pretty cool. I got turned around when I visited, but this is the Google version of the entrance.

As with most of these events, it's less crowded at the beginning of the day.

Saturday-only online 10% discount -- OHW2009 -- enter code during checkout.

SAT 12/5 & SUN 12/6

10am
New England Model Train Expo
at Best Western, Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough
$7 / $6 seniors / FREE - under 12 / FREE - scouts in uniform

Sat: 10am to 5pm
Sun: 10am to 4pm

This is farther than I usually list, but I haven't thought about model trains in years. I really wanted a set at one time. Aficionados must already know about this, but maybe someone out there is also amused by this. Maybe you know a kid that might like to go...

The cost covers admission for both days. (The PDF flyer was informative.)

SAT 12/5 & SUN 12/6

Noon to 5pm
Annual Hyde Park Open Studios
at Various Locations, Hyde Park
FREE

Unlike other Hyde Park events, there's no chance of seeing the Mayor. It looks like most of the locations aren't too far from Cleary Square...

SAT 12/5

Noon to 6pm
Tabula Rasa Art Project
at All Asia Cafe, 334 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Before I went inside All Asia, I was expecting it to be a real dump. It turned out to be a real dump with a certain charm. Four blank canvases will be set up around the place, and anyone can add something. Art supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring whatever you like.

"DJ Supreet will be hanging and tuning around 3pm to 6pm."

SAT 12/5

1pm to 6pm
Small Frozen Yogurt w/ Topping
at Red Mango, 334 Mass Ave, Boston (Symphony Plaza)
FREE

I guess Pinkberry is arriving next year, but another fro-yo chain is making its splash on what might be a warm December day? I saw another site list different hours, but the above info is from the Facebook page, for what it's worth.

I may not go out of my way for an all-natural nonfat frozen yogurt, but supposedly the "first 200 guests get a free Red Mango t-shirt and goodie bag." They also make probiotic iced teas, so I think that means it'll help you do your business...?

Feat: DJ Tamer Malki

SAT 12/5

The Raging Teens (Midnight), The Swinedells (11pm), Wicked Whiskey (10pm), Preacher Jack (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10

The Raging Teens are hosting a "Holiday Hoedown". This rockabilly powerhouse doesn't play out much these days, but I think they've done holiday-time shows in the past. It's going to be a rollicking good time all the way through with the The Swinedells' version of early-R&B, the pyschobilly sounds of Wicked Whiskey, and Preacher Jack -- the original boogie-woogie/rockabilly king of the North Shore.

SAT 12/5

9:30pm
Hooray For Earth, Magic Magic, Mystery Roar
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$9 / 21+

For some reason I don't get too excited about Hooray For Earth, but I recognize that they blend rock and electronic elements in a way that a lot of people should dig. (Maybe it's because I don't like the name -- and I'm not alone -- or even their previous name, "Raymond".) Mystery Roar is dancey electro-pop stuff. I really like Magic Magic, so what the heck do I know?

>DJ Die Young will spin between sets to kick things up a notch into a full-fledged dance-rock party.