Free Things to Do in Boston, September 2013
Photo by bradalmanac on Flickr
South Shore Conservatory’s Family Festival
The Conservatory’s biannual festival is a jam-packed 90 minutes of artistic exploration for the whole family. Choose between participating in theater games, singalongs, Suzuki method musical instrument demonstrations, dance lessons, or, better yet, try to fit a bit of everything into your festival visit.
September 7, 10-11:30 a.m., 1 Conservatory Drive, Hingham, sscmusic.org
Cambridge Carnival International
The 21st annual Cambridge Carnival International is a Caribbean-style event that draws as many as a hundred thousand to Kendall Square for South African and island culture-infused experience. A costume parade and competition kicks off the afternoon, followed by calypso, reggae, salsa, Cuban and Brazilian music, as well as dancing and drumming demos. The Cambridge Carnival KidsFest offers traditional fair-like fun for kids with face-painting, stilt-walking, and arts and crafts.
September 8, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Kendall Square, cambridgecarnival.org
Greater Boston Theatre Expo
The BCA Cyclorama will host the first ever, free Greater Boston Theatre Expo, a chance to meet representatives (directors, actors, playwrights, set designers, and the like) from an impressive list of over 50 Boston theatre companies. Visit the expo to talk about upcoming productions, scour for giveaways, and say you were one of the first to attend what will likely become an annual Boston event.
September 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 539 Tremont St., stagesource.org
Cooking Demo with the Author of ‘EATS’
Newbury Street favorite Trident Booksellers and Cafe will play host to cookbook author Mary Rolph Lamontagne, whose recipe-packed “EATS” (which stands for “Enjoy All the Seconds”) will teach you to transform some headed-for-the-trash leftover veggies into a cumin-scented cucumber and cabbage slaw. Learn more about storing and savoring your produce and try your hand at a new recipe.
September 15, 7 p.m., 338 Newbury St., tridentbookscafe.com
South End Open Art Studios
The United South End Artists will open up their (artistic) homes to the public for the 27th consecutive year. The nonprofit, made up of artists who work and live in Boston’s South End, will open up all of the major art studios in the neighborhood. Take advantage by meeting the artists, chatting them up about their work, and participating in studio demos on letterpress printing, photography, and paper-quilting. For a map of participating galleries and studios, visit an information table at Wareham Street and Harrison Avenue or at The Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street.
September 21-22, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. each day, South End, useaboston.com
Allston Village Street Fair
The Parents and Community Build Group of Boston will host its annual Allston Village Street Fair, a celebration of neighborhood, community, and the cultural diversity of the full-time and student residents of the Allston area. The all ages event includes an international food court, gives aways, street art murals, and two outdoor stages with performances by the Lizzi Borden Band, Melanie Lynx, and Gretchen and the Pickpockets, among others. The day-long affair is touted as “Boston’s Urban Mardi Gras.”
September 22, 12-6 p.m., 34 Harvard Ave., Allston, allstonvillagestreetfair.com
Greek Fest Boston
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral presents a tented festival on cathedral grounds: costumed Greek folk dancing, Greek music, and best of all, delicious Greek pastries and traditional fare, over the course of three days. (Lots of balloons, clowns, and crafts for the kids, too!)
September 27-29, 12-8 p.m. each day, 514 Parker St., bostoncathedral.org
Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival
This Berklee-hosted festival is said to be the city’s biggest block party. The fourth annual celebration of Boston’s musical talent will center on the theme “Jazz: The Next Generation,” with performances by some of Berklee’s best, including Grammy award-winning Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun, and Grammy-nominated trumpeter Christian Scott. (The Grammys love those Berklee kids.)
September 28, 12-6 p.m., Columbus Avenue between Massachusetts Avenue and Burke Street, beantownjazz.org
Circle the City’s Open Parks Day
Boston’s Open Parks, Open Streets initiative Circle the City will host Open Parks Day, closing off Blue Hill Avenue from Dudley to Warren Streets to cars. People, however, will be more than welcome, and are invited to enjoy fitness clinics, yoga, dancing, music, walking tours, and healthy treats. The whole family can enjoy this active, al fresco Sunday afternoon.
September 29, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Blue Hill Ave., bostonusa.com
