FRI 7/1: Free MFA Day -- plus future Friday Fun

Photos can be clicked to get a slightly larger idea about the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA.

By the way, at least some cheapness through Saturday is listed on the calendar.

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FRI 7/1

10am to 9:45pm
"Free Fun Fridays"
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (Fenway)
FREE

One of my favorite philanthropic initiatives over the last couple summers has to be "Free Fun Fridays".

The Highland Street seems to believe there is value in providing cultural experiences to the people that might not otherwise enjoy them. I agree!

They're starting off the next 9 Fridays of free fun with a bang.

If you're not heading out of town, it's a great chance to see the Chihuly exhibit. FYI: I didn't check to see if there's another 'free day' before it closes in August.

You might (or might not) enjoy the colors and shapes in photos, but the detail and scale must be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

If you haven't been to the MFA since the Arts of the Americas wing opened, an entirely new visit is in store. It may not be a sublime epiphany, but there is a lot more to see than ever before.

Throughout the day there will be guided tours, videos & talks about Dale Chihuly, entertainment & glassblowing demonstrations during the day, and the MFA Summer Fridays 21+ mixer in the courtyard from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.

All free! That's more than $20 in savings...

Keep in mind that over 11,000 showed up for last year's free MFA day, and it wasn't the Friday before Independence Day.

As for Free Fun Fridays in general:

Unlike previous years, there will be 4 options each week through FRI 8/26 all around the Commonwealth.

(This Friday, people on the Cape can get into the Edward Gorey House and the Heritage Museums & Gardens for free. And people are free to roam the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford.)

There are links and more detail on the site, but here's a list:

FRI 7/8

Plimoth Plantation (Plymouth, duh)
Worcester Art Museum (no comment)
Cape Cod Museum Of Art (Dennis)
New England Historic Genealogical Society (Back Bay)

FRI 7/15

Museum Of Science (Science Park)
Higgins Armory Museum (Worcester)
The Discovery Museums (Acton)
Garden In The Woods (Framingham)

FRI 7/22

Franklin Park Zoo (Dorchester)
The Sports Museum (TD Garden)
Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge)
Peabody Essex Museum (Salem)

FRI 7/29

Boston Children's Museum (Seaport)
American Textile History Museum (Lowell)
New Bedford Whaling Museum (New Bedford)
Shakespeare On The Common (Boston)

FRI 8/5

Institute Of Contemporary Art (Seaport)
Cape Cod Children's Museum (Mashpee)
Springfield Museums
Concord Museum

FRI 8/12

JFK Library & Museum (Columbia Point)
Arnold Arboretum (Jamaica Plain)
Tanglewood (Lenox)
Stone Zoo (Stoneham)

FRI 8/19

Boston Harbor Islands (Free ferry)
Children's Museum (Easton)
USS Constitution Museum (Charlestown)
Basketball Hall Of Fame (Springfield)

FRI 8/26

Old Sturbridge Village
New Repertory Theatre (Watertown)
Berkshire Museum (Pittsfield)
Ecotarium (Worcester)

There's also a PDF schedule available.