Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Blue Feather, c. 1948 Alexander Calder. © Calder Foundation, New York/Art Resource, NY, via PEM.org.
Art
Calder and Abstraction: From Avant-Garde to Iconic
Forty of Alexander Calder’s kinetic metal works will go on display this weekend at the Peabody Essex Museum in an exhibit that celebrates the artist’s contributions to abstract modern art. The sculptures in the collection were created from the 1930s to 1960s, and comprise mobiles, stabiles, and maquettes that challenged traditional techniques. The geometric and playful pieces will remain at PEM until the new year.
$18 regular admission, Saturday, September 6, 2014, through January 4, 2015, Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 161 Essex St., 978-745-9500, Salem, pem.org.
History
100 Objects, 100 Stories, 100 Years at Fruitlands Museum
To celebrate its centennial anniversary, Fruitlands will open a publicly curated exhibit of its 100 most popular items from its five collections: the Land, the Shakers, the Transcendentalists, the Native Americans, and American Art. Objects range from a 4,000-year-old soapstone bowl, Thoreau’s desk, and items related to Little Women author Louisa May Alcott, including letters, childhood toys, and—why not?—clippings of her hair.
Free admission on Saturday, September 6, with opening reception 1-3 p.m.; $12 regular admission, September 6, 2014, through March 29, 2015, Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard, 978-456-3924, fruitlands.org.
Music
Rock and Roll Yard Sale
Leave it to Somerville to host a Rock and Roll Yard Sale. Touted as “not your grandma’s yard sale!”, the annual event hosted by What Cheer Records and Vintage of Providence will have, as the name implies, records and vintage, as well as DIY handmade goods and other fun things. They’ll also have some live music to help get you in the spirit of buying vinyl, obviously.
Free to attend, Sunday, September 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Union Square Plaza, 90 Union Square, Somerville, rockandrollyardsale.com.
Theater
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner at Huntington Theatre
Based on the screenplay by William Rose, the movie Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) starring Sidney Poitier is adapted for the stage with Malcolm-Jamal Warner—you remember him from the Cosby Show—starring as John Prentice. Guess Who tells the story of the Drayton family, and what happens when two white parents are introduced to their daughter’s black fiance.
$25+, Friday, September 5, through October 5, Boston University Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave., Boston, 617-266-7900, huntingtontheatre.org.
Gaming
Madden and NFL Kickoff Party at the Microsoft Store
As part of the launch of the Xbox One Madden NFL 15 Bundle and the beginning of football season, Microsoft Stores across the U.S. will host Madden kickoff parties on Saturday with giveaways and photo opps. Remember: Gronk is back (cc: Paul Wahlberg) and don’t be a rage monster.
Free to attend, Microsoft Store in The Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston, microsoftstore.com.
