Nine Can’t-Miss Events During ArtWeek Boston

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Arts amateurs and connoisseurs alike are invited to take part in ArtWeek Boston, a week dedicated to curated events and artistic experiences throughout the area. With events priced at $50 or less, and many free events, ArtWeek—which kicks off Friday—aims to make the culture, creativity, and diversity of Boston affordable and accessible to all, while helping Boston’s economy and raising awareness about the city’s arts scene.

Here are nine picks for can’t-miss events during ArtWeek Boston. For more, visit artweekboston.org.

1.

Photos and Hair-Dos

Love formal up-dos but not sure how to coif just right? Well, Anita Kurl Hair Salon is offering couture hairstyling appointments to make your hair look extra special. At this event, a professional photographer will showcase couture up-styles and formal hairstyles on models, and will even leave a few photo shoot slots open for ArtWeek attendees. The processed photos and final beauty shots will be live streamed around the store to prove that hairstyling is truly an art.

$50, Friday, April 25, 1 p.m., Anita Kurl Hair Salon, 1661 Washington St., Boston, more info.

2.

Fork and Tune

What do you get when you combine music and food? The answer is Fork and Tune, a unique dining experience that uses music as its muse for a seven-course meal. This menu is designed to showcase spring’s freshest ingredients and to evoke the rhythm and themes of—wait for it—Prince’s Purple Rain. The meal will be served at a communal table, and guests of all ages are welcome.

$40, April 25, April 27, and May 4, 7 p.m., Treats on Washington, 379 Washington St., Boston, more info.

3.

Boston Ballet Workshop Series

Kids and teens 8-18 can learn all about dance at the Boston Ballet’s free ballet workshops during ArtWeek. There’s a workshop on how to design your own dance costumes, what it takes to lead an arts organization, the connection between sports and dancing, and the music of dance.

Free, Saturday, April 26, Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St., Boston, more info.

4.

Ready SETs Go: Fashion Photography

For all you aspiring Arbuses and Leibovitzes, you can participate in a photo shoot led by Boston-based fashion photographer Younes Sphinx, the cofounder of Boston Studio Photography and the owner of Pravda Models International. Workshop attendees will learn techniques in photography, lighting, and styling, all while participating in an actual photo shoot set at Restoration Resources in Boston.

Free, RSVP required, Saturday, April 26, 3 p.m., Restoration Resources, 1946 Washington St., Boston, more info.

5.

Feria de Abril

Get a taste of Spain right here in Boston as the Boston Arts Consort puts on “Feria de Abril,” an event modeled after Spain’s popular April festival. The Democracy Center in Cambridge will be filled with music, dancing lessons, churros, and scenes from Entre Sevilla y Triana.

$15, Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m., The Democracy Center, 45 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, more info.

6.

StoriesLive High School Scholarship Story Slam

Hear the stories of local students from seven Massachusetts high schools as they shares their poems and narratives for a chance to win $5,000 in scholarship prizes. And start thinking about your own best (or worst) high school memories, because attendees will get the chance to tell one-minute personal narratives about their high school exploits as well in between the main events.

Free, Saturday, April 26, 1 p.m., Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston, more info.

7.

Latin American Classical Music Series Concert at IBA

Join the IBA (Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion) for its sixth annual classical musical concert solely dedicated to Latino composers. The event will celebrate and showcase Latin American classical music from multicultural string and percussion ensemble Di eVano, acclaimed Puerto Rican harpist Lizary Rodríguez, and celebrated Mexican master guitarist Zaira Meneses.

Free, Sunday, April 27, 4 p.m., Villa Victoria Center for the Arts at IBA, 85 West Newton St., Boston, more info.

8.

Inside the Studio with Boston Sculptors

Come to this event for a behind-the-scenes look at how Boston sculptors work and develop their ideas. The event offers an experience you won’t be able to find in commercial art galleries and museums, including a presentation demonstrating how each sculptor responds to sites and engages audiences, a chance to meet the artists, and a Q&A session.

Free, Tuesday, April 29, 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 3, 3 p.m., Boston Society of Architects, 290 Congress St., Boston, more info.

9.

Music That Makes You Dance, Music That Makes You Think

This event will make your body and brain cells move as you hear awesome new music influenced by the Afro Cuban dance tradition, as well as western classical and South Indian music. Musical guests include the Amber Flute Quartet, members of the New England String Quartet, and other guest artists who will perform the music of award winning composer Igor Iwanek.

Free, Sunday, May 4, 8:30 p.m., Boston University Art Gallery Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, more info.

ArtWeek Boston for spring 2014 runs from Friday, April 25 through Sunday, May 4. For more information, visit artweekboston.org.