Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Literature
Scott McCloud Book Talk and Signing
McCloud is perhaps best known as the award-winning author of Understanding Comics, the illustrated guidebook to all things comics. Now he’s released a brand-new graphic novel. The Sculptor is chock full of beautifully toned images that tell the story of David, a man who strikes a deal with Death to be able to construct anything he wishes. With limited time left to live, he inconveniently falls into a creative rut and meets the love of his life.
$5, Thursday, February 5, 6 p.m., Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, harvard.com.
Art
ARCH Gallery Installation at Refuge Cafe
After only a year at 52 Everett Street in Allston, ARCH had to close its doors at the beginning of this year. The team behind the fine arts gallery insisted that ARCH wasn’t over though, that they’d continue to seek a new home and pop-up opportunities. This weekend, the gallery will host an opening party for its month-long installation at Refuge Cafe in Allston, a solo show by photographer Karen Jerzyk titled “Behind Your Eyelids, In Your Room.”
$5 suggested donation, Saturday, February 7, 7-11 p.m., Regufe Cafe, 155 Brighton Ave., Allston, archgalleryboston.squarespace.com.
Convention
Boston Globe Travel Show
After literally getting buried by consecutive winter storms, it’s possible you’re contemplating a trip to warmer climes. Enter the Boston Globe Travel Show, which takes place this weekend at the Seaport World Trade Center. In addition to presenting you with an abundance of winter travel destination ideas, the event will also have entertainment throughout the weekend, from live music and dance, to speakers like Arthur Frommer, and cooking demos.
$10, Friday, February 6, through Sunday, February 8, hours vary, Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, bostonglobetravelshow.com.
Music
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
You’ll never know you love South African a cappella until you see Ladysmith Black Mambazo in concert. First gaining international recognition through Paul Simon’s 1987 Graceland tour, the group has recorded dozens of albums and sold more than six million records. Their soulful harmonies are stunning, and—to borrow a line from Beyonce—flawless.
$28+, Saturday, February 7, 8 p.m., Sanders Theatre at Harvard, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge, worldmusic.org.
Film
Oscars-Nominated Shorts
By this point movie lovers have likely seem most if not all the major motion pictures nominated for Academy Awards, but have you seen the fantastic Oscar-nominated shorts? Each year the nominees—along with other highly commended shorts—are gathered into several collections, Live Action, Animation, and Documentary, so people can see the great work prior to the awards show. The Animation collection is perfect for families, with beautiful kid-appropriate stories about love, friendship, family, and even death, presented with far more sophistication than those Saturday morning cartoons.
Showing daily at Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, and select dates at the ICA in Boston. (The Coolidge is also showing 2014 Sundance Shorts.)
