Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Carnival Costume Parade photo by Andrew on Flickr/Creative Commons
CULTURAL BASH
Cambridge Carnival
Cambridge Carnival—an annual celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, spectacle, and revelry—returns for the 23rd time this year. Expect masqueraders on parade in homemade costumes of the finest feather plumage and sparkliest gems dancing to the beat of the steel drum, as well as vendors offering Jamaican, Indian, Caribbean, and traditional concession food fare. Adults don’t get to have all the fun—at the Cambridge Carnival Kidfest children learn about Caribbean culture through interactive games, activities, and face painting.
Free, Sunday, September 13, 12:30-6:30 p.m., between Central and Kendall Square, Cambridge, cambridgecarnival.org.
Amy Stewart Photo via Wikimedia Commons
LITERARY COCKTAILS
Amy Stewart at the Harvard Book Store
Prefer your literature with a bit of liqueur? Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist, reads from her latest novel, Girl Waits with Gun, at Harvard Book Store. Known for “making gardening exciting, even a little dangerous,” Stewart ventures into the realm of historical fiction, highlighting the regrettably forgotten story of one of America’s first female deputies. Lest you forget her boozy roots, Stewart’s 1920s-inspired “Automobile” cocktails will be served at the event.
Free, Friday, September 11, 7 p.m., Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., harvard.com.
John Hodgman Photo by cajunjoel on Flickr/Creative Commons
COMEDY
John Hodgman at the Wilbur Theater
Recently retired as resident deranged millionaire of The Daily Show, Brookline native John Hodgman kicks off his comedy tour “Vacationland” at the Wilbur Theatre. Hodgman reflects on the survivalist struggles of the elite, delivering his signature brand of snobbish humor with ukulele in tow.
$31, Saturday, September 12, 7 p.m., Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., thewilbur.com.
A live performance at CollegeFest. / Courtesy Photo
BACK-TO-SCHOOL
CollegeFest
The annual CollegeFest returns to Fenway’s green with free goodies, grab-bags, and ticket giveaways from sponsors like L.L. Bean, Jeep, S.A.L.T., and the Sox themselves. It’s not all smash and grab—live music acts from Notoriety, Call Security, Catching Moons, and others will play all day. Your student I.D. is the only golden ticket you need to get into this swag party.
Free with college student I.D., Saturday, September 12, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, collegefest.com.
Somerville Dog Festival by kenji ross on Flickr/Creative Commons
DOG DAY AFTERNOON
Somerville Dog Festival
Is your dog ready to up its game? With hopes of promoting healthy and responsible pet ownership, the Somerville Dog Festival offers free use of obstacle courses, training sessions with professional dog trainers, and even doggie theater. For the more competitive pooch and owner, there’s the “best trick” contest and the opportunity to break a Guinness World Record for most dogs in one place!
Free, Sunday, September 13, 10 a.m-3 p.m., Trum Field, Somerville, somdogfest.org.
