Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Photo by Shinobu Ikazaki

THEATER
Pippin at the Boston Opera House

Pippin makes its triumphant return to Boston for a two week stand at the Opera House. The show was the third A.R.T. production from artistic director Diane Paulus to move to Broadway and win Tonys. Her production of Pippin won a total of four Tony awards, including Best Musical Revival and Best Director, and set a pattern of A.R.T. shows functioning as Broadway tryouts, with more recent examples being their productions of Finding Neverland, Waitress, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Pippin premiered in 2012 in Cambridge before heading to New York in 2013. Telling the story of a young prince as he attempts to find the meaning of his existence, the show, which features high-flying acrobatics and an original score by Stephen Schwartz, has been called “A Pippin for the 21st century” by the New York Times. So if you missed the initial Cambridge run (or loved it so much you can’t wait to see it again), now’s the time to enjoy some big time homegrown theater.

Tickets from $40 to $150, February 2-14, showtimes vary, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, boston.broadway.com.

Last year’s winning bowl from Chef Julie King of Villa Mexico Café

FOOD
“Burrito Bowl V” at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake

Who has the best burrito bowls in town? You be the judge. Just because the Patriots aren’t headed to the Super Bowl this year doesn’t mean you have an excuse to mope indoors. Instead, make your way to the fifth annual “Burrito Bowl” at Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake. Join some of Boston’s best chefs as they compete to determine the best burrito bowl in the city. Each bowl will be created to reflect the city of their favorite NFL team, so you may see some Patriots action after all. Attendees and judges taste test each dish to determine the winner, who will then receive the coveted, candy-filled “Supreme piñata” as a prize. “It’s a fun way to spend the Saturday before the Super Bowl,” says Chef Brian Poe of Poe’s Kitchen. “In New England we’re known for stretching out the celebration, so if we’re going to do a Super Bowl party on Sunday, we may as well do one on Saturday to get ready for it.” “Reffing” the competition will be NESN’s “Dining Playbook” co-host Jenny Johnson, Zagat Boston editor Scott Kearnan, and Tom O’Keefe of @BostonTweet.

$20, Saturday, February 6, 1-3:30 p.m., Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake, 384 Boylston St., Boston, eventbrite.com.

Photo courtesy of Debby Krim

ART
SoWa First Fridays

Support local art this friday at the SoWa Arts District. During the SoWa First Fridays event, over 60 artists from a wide range of genres will come together to present their latest works as they welcome the public into their gallery spaces. A variety of artistic disciplines will be showcased, from paintings, textiles, and sculptures, to photography, jewelry, and more. Among the featured artists is Debby Krim, a member of the SoWa Artists Guild. Having opened her photography studio during many First Fridays, Krim says the event is a great way to get the community involved in fine arts and fine crafts. “It creates this really great symbiotic relationship between the artists, galleries, and public,” says Krim. Stop by First Fridays this weekend at the non-profit’s location in the South End.

Free, Friday, February 5, 5-9 p.m., 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, sowaboston.com.

‘400 Days,’ Photo courtesy of the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival

FILM
Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival

Take a dive into sci-fi this weekend at the 41st Annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival. Around since the 1970s, the Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival is the oldest genre festival in the country. The ten day fest is divided into two parts, with the first nine days showcasing curated and submitted films from around the world. The final day consists of a 24-hour marathon film event dubbed “The Thon.” Around fifty features and fifty shorts will be shown at the festival, with films coming from as close as New England to as far away as Switzerland, Turkey, and Japan. The lineup includes nine world premieres and seven United States premieres. Additionally, attendees may participate in a series of Q&A sessions, masterclasses, and workshops, such as a Film Financing seminar. “This is a festival that is adventurous. If you love film, this is the place to go to, because you’re going to films that you may not see ever again,” says Garen Daly, the event’s director. Friday kicks off with 400 Days, The Survivalist, and Mafia: Survival Game.

Individual film tickets are $12.50 online and $15 at the door, $125 for a Festival Pass, February 5-15, begins Friday at 5pm, Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville, bostonscifi.com.

MARKET
Local is for Lovers Valentine’s Day Market

Calling all couples and singles: Somerville Local First’s Local is for Lovers Market series is back this weekend at Arts at the Armory. The market comes just in time for Valentine’s Day and could be a pretty awesome precursor to your love-filled week. The event is managed by Somerville Local First, a network of locally owned and independent businesses in the area. The non-profit organization aims to build an awareness of the benefits of purchasing locally. Over thirty vendors will display ceramics, candles, jewelry, soap, perfume, apparel, and more. The free market takes place in the Armory building in Somerville.

Free, Sunday, February 7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Ste 1-C, Somerville, somervillelocalfirst.com.