Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Major League Quidditch / Photograph by Tom Powers, courtesy of Major League Quidditch
WEIRD SPORTS
Major League Quidditch Finals
Potter fans and Muggles, now’s your chance to witness a real-life Quidditch game! Head down to Harry Downes Field in Brookline on Saturday afternoon to watch the Major League Quidditch East Division final game this weekend, featuring a showdown between the Boston Night Riders (ranked #1 in the Division) and the New York Titans (#2). Spectators are welcome to come clad in costume. “This is the most anticipated matchup of the MLQ season,” says Amanda Dallas, league chair of Major League Quidditch and player for the New York Titans. “On paper, the Boston Night Riders and the New York Titans are the strongest teams in the league and the series is anyone’s to win. … Spectators should expect a high-energy, hard-hitting series featuring some of the best players in the world.”
Free, Saturday, August 8, 3-6 p.m., Harry Downes Field, 317 Pond Ave., Brookline, facebook.com.
CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
Aeronaut Brewing Company Field Day
“Drink local”? Easier said than done, as many American brewers source hops from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. But Four Star Farms is trying to change that for Boston-area brewers: They’re leading a local hops revolution, and you can help—with a weekend field trip. This Saturday, join Aeronaut Brewery for a full day of live music at this outdoor benefit concert, featuring Americana and bluegrass in the morning, and funk and surf music at night. Bands like The Funky Bubblers, The Big Spender Trio, Erlenmeyers, and many others will be performing on multiple stages all day long. And of course, there’ll be plenty of Aeronaut beer, as well as food trucks. Visitors can also take a tour of the farm. All Field Day ticket proceeds go toward creating a new hop field at Four Star Farms. Don’t want to drive? They even have a shuttle bus.
$10+, Saturday, August 8, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Four Star Farms, 496 Pine Meadow Rd., Northfield, aeronautbrewing.com.
GROUP RUN
Energy Run Boston
Don’t go out for just any old run this weekend. On Saturday morning, start your day with Energy Run Boston, a scenic 3.5 mile run through the city while testing out a brand new pair of Adidas running shoes. Hosted by Boston Marathon Adidas RunBase, this fun group run sends you on a mission to view four of Boston’s different historical landmarks. Don’t forget your phone—take creative pictures of each landmark you visit and upload them through social media using the hashtag #energyrunbos for a chance to win some cool prizes. You might even find the unicorn.
Free, Saturday, August 8, 9-10 a.m., Boston Marathon Adidas RunBase, 855 Boylston St., Boston, bostonrunbase.com.
SCIENCE
Boston FABFest
If your eyes light up at the thought of getting your hands on a portable laser cutter you can operate with your phone, we’ve got just the event for you this weekend. Inventors, kids, engineers, teachers, artists, DIY hobbyists—everyone is welcome at FABFest, a hands-on, educational event for all ages. This weekend, roll up your sleeves and participate in interactive workshops that explore the STEM concepts behind digital fabrication in all fields, including food, fashion, and medicine. You can even compete in “The Nerdy Derby,” where you can build your own tiny cars and race them. Don’t miss the 3D Printer Party Mash, where 3D printer aficianados from over the world will be printing everything from fashion pieces to party snacks.
Free, Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, August 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St., Roxbury Crossing, fablabfestboston.org.
ART
Pop-Up: Franklin Art Grove
Put your phone down, unplug for a bit, and step outside for some fresh air and temporary art installed in Franklin Park’s Wilderness Picnic Grove. This Pop-Up series, created by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, installs temporary art throughout many neighborhoods in Boston. This month, visitors to Franklin Park can enjoy performance art and sculptures, all inspired by the theme “endurance.” While the art will be there all month, this opening weekend will feature a discussion panel and artist-led youth workshops, as well as food trucks, music, and dance performances.
Free, sculptures displayed August 8-31, opening weekend event Saturday, August 8-Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Franklin Park, 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston, publicartboston.com.
