Culture Calendar: Eight Must-See Arts and Entertainment Events in June 2014
Image courtesy of the ICA
1.
NONFICTION
In 2006, antiquarian map dealer E. Forbes Smiley III pleaded guilty to stealing 97 maps—worth almost $3 million collectively—from institutions including Harvard, Yale, and the Boston Public Library. In The Map Thief, local author (and Boston magazine contributor) Michael Blanding unfolds the rest of the story. As it turns out, Smiley used much of the money to buy properties in tiny Sebec, Maine, with the goal of transforming the town into his vision of a perfect New England village—a controversial effort that divided residents.
Out June 2. $27.50, Gotham Books.
2.
FINE ARTS
Jim Hodges’s shimmering installations, sculptures, and mixed-media works—crafted from iridescent head scarves, stones, thread, and glass butterflies—take center stage at the ICA’s “Give More Than You Take” exhibition, a retrospective of the artist’s work over the past three decades. The sheer variety of materials on hand promises to make the show feel like one variegated, ethereal dream.
June 4 through September 1, The Institute of Contemporary Art, 617-478-3100, icaboston.org.
3.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ever wax nostalgic on the pinhole and plastic toy cameras of yore? Turns out professional photographers do, too. With events at five local galleries, the second annual Somerville Toy Camera Festival celebrates the evocatively imperfect shots that only dinky lenses like Lomos and Brownies can capture.
June 5 to June 28, somervilletoycamera.org.
4.
THEATER
Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin, a novel in verse about a dandy and the woman he spurns, has been a cornerstone of Russia’s cultural life for 180 years, and Tchaikovsky’s opera version has been around for more than a century. All the more surprising, then, that the tale has never been adapted directly for the stage—until now. The Vakhtangov State Academic Theatre of Russia’s production comes to ArtsEmerson complete with lavish staging, Russian and French folk songs, and a massive stable of 45 actors.
June 6 and June 7, Cutler Majestic Theatre, 617-824-8400, artsemerson.org.
5.
ROCK MUSIC
In 2013, Morrissey published his long-awaited Autobiography—then had to cancel tour dates due to illness. This year may also be a roller-coaster ride for fans, as news swirls around his next album…and his retirement. Perhaps that’s why his concert at the Boston Opera House has long been sold out. The former Smiths frontman puts on a cracking live show, so contact a ticket reseller and Moz’ll make sure there’s a light that never goes out.
June 7, Boston Opera House, 617-259-3400, bostonoperahouse.com.
6.
ORCHESTRA
The Boston Pops closes out the season in style with Gospel Night, conducted by guest maestro Charles Floyd and featuring the Boston Pops Gospel Choir. This year, the star attraction is the vocal group Take 6, which has produced bestselling gospel albums for 25 years.
June 14, Symphony Hall, 888-266-1200, bostonpops.org.
7.
FESTIVAL
As if you needed a better excuse to eat a rack of ribs on City Hall Plaza, this year the Phantom Gourmet is adding a little extra musical spice to its annual barbecue festival, in the form of a reunion by old-school hip-hop icons Salt-N-Pepa. The ladies “Shoop” it up with “Push It” and “Whatta Man” on June 20 before making way for hometown heroes the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, who will take the stage for singer Dicky Barrett’s birthday the next day.
June 20 to June 22, City Hall Plaza, phantomgormetbbq.com.
8.
FILM
The Nantucket Film Festival returns with a full slate of flicks, from Pixar shorts to Rory Kennedy’s documentary about the last days of the Vietnam War to Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age drama Boyhood. Aaron Sorkin, Oscar winner for A Few Good Men and The Social Network, will be honored at this year’s Screenwriters Tribute.
June 25 to June 30, nantucketfilmfestival.org.
