Weekend CTB Calendar

There is a lot of good, cheap fun this weekend! Go out and enjoy while I'm in Maine.

"Two See or Not Two See": Free Outdoor Shakespeare in Boston & Chelsea

Othello, Boston Common, 2010

Cyrano, O'Malley Park, 2010

Now Thru SUN 7/31

8pm to 10:30pm
"Hamlet": Apollinaire in the Park
at Port Park, 99 Marginal St, Chelsea
FREE

Wednesdays to Sundays -- 8pm

"Bring Lawn Chairs or Blankets and come ready to move with the action!"

Now Thru SUN 8/7

Various Times
Shakespeare on the Common: "Love's Labour's Lost"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common)
FREE

Tuesdays to Saturdays -- 8pm
Sundays -- 7pm
Saturday 8/6: Extra Matinee -- 3pm

We usually get only one free Shakespeare production per hot, humid Boston summer. The Bard asked whether one can desire too much of a good thing, but we can handle a double-shot of classic theatre al fresco.

The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has been performing in Boston Common for two decades. There is high production value with big, stylized sets and actors who have appeared on Broadway and TV. Although "Love's Labour's Lost" is not one of the most accessible comedies in the body of work, this is always a delightful way to sit in the park for a couple hours.

On the other hand, I watched Apollinaire's thoroughly entertaining version of "Cyrano" a few years back in a different Chelsea park. The actors were wearing period costumes, but it was a bare-bones affair. I am seriously considering hopping on the #111 bus to catch their inventive approach to the travails of our favorite moody Danish prince. Instead of set changes, the audience will watch the drama move to 10 different locations in the park.

Weekend Highlights in Cheapness & 2 More Weeks of CTB Calendar

There is a good chance that I will get back to full-on coverage of the local cheapness. In the meantime, these are some of the highlights through the weekend:

The Outside the Box Festival (7/14 to 7/17) offers way more than the headliners like Smash Mouth, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Zap Mama. Walk around the Common to enjoy loads of performers on various stages. I remember catching Atlas Genius last year, and it was great time.

As a music lover and game enthusiast, I like the sound of the Late Risers' Club Rock n' Roll Trivia Party (7/14). Yes, the trivia will be music-related, and the crowd will might even include some local rockers.

The new Cheap Thrills Boston rules now allow for events that cost slightly more than $10 when it feels special. There is a great rock show (7/14) featuring The Coathangers, L.A. Witch, Shepherdess, Gravel. If you check out one band, give The Coathangers a long listen.

ArtBeat (7/15 & 7/16) is one of the best annual music & arts festivals we have in the area. Festival Betances (7/15 to 7/17) is another one; the greased pole competition on Sunday is fun to watch.

We used to have to drive up to Wilmington to see Boston Roller Derby. Now they roll in Cambridge for part of the season -- including "Home Team Season Opener" (7/16). Yes, it's worth more than $10.

For those who see two paths and take the one less traveled, think about the Annual Boston Poetry Marathon (7/15 to 7/17) where each wordsmith only gets 8 minutes. There is a musical after-party on Friday too.



More to come...