SUN 6/3: Festivals, Chili, Music

I hope you have a great day whether the sun is shining or not!

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SUN 6/3

11am to 4pm
World Oceans Day Celebration
outside New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston (Waterfront)
FREE

Although we should think about the condition of the big blue part of the planet, it's a good time to celebrate "World Oceans Day" a few days early with a boat-load of activities and demonstrations on the Aquarium's wharf as well as education for children of all ages.

You don't need to be a kid to enjoy seafood samples & demonstrations (including trying to shuck oysters); I suspect most kids don't like seafood.

Play around with kelp, worms, and remote-controlled submersibles while listening to sea shanties. If sea shanties aren't your bag, some people will get away with free harbor cruises (first come, first serve).

"Please Note: Admission to the Aquarium is not included."

SUN 6/3

11am to 5pm
"The Hot, The Mild, and The Spicy": Chili Showdown & Square Dance
at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St, Jamaica Plain
$7 suggested donation

If other chili showdowns are any indication, get there earlier than later for fresh tastings of all the batches. Since it's JP, I wouldn't be surprised if half of the 12 or so of the competitors are vegetarian -- and thoroughly delicious.

Of course there will be square-dancing to live music, because that's a how a Jamaica Plain chili party to benefit the 2nd Annual Music Fest should be.

If not a square dance, perhaps a stop around the corner at the Green Roots Festival (below)...

SUN 6/3

Noon to 4pm
Carnaval & FossFest
at Broadway, from Pennsylvania Ave to Temple St, East Somerville
FREE

It would be disappointing if it rained on East Somerville's Carnaval since the stretch of Broadway isn't the most glamorous section of town. It's said that several thousand people partied with entertainment on stage and street, international foods found in the 'Ville, and general multi-culti funkiness that makes this town special.

And Foss Fest is like a part of Carnaval at the park with a bunch of great rock for the picking -- whatever the schedule may be: The Grownup Noise, Mike Hastings Band, Tumbleweed Company, or The Lights Out.

Other Somerville streets will be closed off on a monthly basis between now and October for pedestrians of all stripes to frolic, but the first and last ones are the most interesting.

SUN 6/3

Noon to 5:30pm
Green Roots Festival
at Southwest Corridor Park, about 100 Boylston St, Jamaica Plain (outside Stony Brook T)
FREE

Schedule:

Noon -- Melodeego
12:45pm -- Second Line Social Aid & Pleasure Society Brass Band
1:45pm -- Ritmo en Accion
2:45pm -- Paa Seck Diery Band
3:45pm -- Bloco AfroBrazil
4:45pm -- La Piñata

The Bikes Not Bombs folks actually host a post-bikeathon party that is fun for all. Besides operating a bike shop, their mission is to provide bicycles as a tool for social & economic change globally and locally. The bands are even using a pedal-powered sound system, which won't stand alone in innovation to try through the pedal-power gallery.

It would not be a festival without food vendors, information tables, and kids' activities.

Think about buying a few raffle tickets to support the cause.

SUN 6/3

2:30pm to 5pm
Queen's Jubilee Street Fair
outside Old State House, 206 Washington St, Boston (Government Center)
FREE

In celebration of QE2's 60th anniversary on the throne, Anglophiles can enjoy a little cake and entertainment at the monarchy's headquarters in MA before the Revolution. The afternoon includes Shakespeare excerpts, a British brass band, and Red Coat reenactors.

SUN 6/3

9pm
Marc Pinansky & The Bored Of Health, Keith Pierce
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
FREE

On most Sundays, Marc Pinansky of Township freely serves up acoustic songs at Precinct versus the big rock of his current band. I suspect The Bored of Health might be the stand-up bass and steel-guitarist in this clip.

One of the Keith Pierce's finest moments might be at the Rumble when the Mellow Bravo frontman walks out of the club and finishes the last song on top of a car -- very cool move. I suspect the acoustic Keith will give good tuneage without perching himself on a heap of metal.