Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Tyrus Wong in Kite Studio from documentary Tyrus. Photo by Irene Poon Anderson.
CINEMA
Boston Asian American Film Festival
The three-day Boston Asian American Film Festival will feature 25 independent films under this year’s theme, “Call To Action.” “We wanted to focus on the fact that it was an election year,” says establishing festival director Susan Chinsen. “Asian Americans have one of the lowest turnout rates. We want people to consider their civic responsibility. When you consider yourself part of a community—be it a family or a school—your action has an impact. We highlighted stories where people were passionate and driven.” Chinsen says one event to look out for is the opening night’s screening of Tyrus Wong: Brushstrokes in Hollywood, a documentary by Pamela Tom, who was inspired by Boston’s Chinatown to create her first film.
Free-$10, October 20-23, Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston, and Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, baaff.org.
Photo by Pierce Jackson / Pathe Live
BALLET
Bolshoi Ballet’s The Golden Age
The Bolshoi Ballet of Moscow is bringing cabaret to Boston—but not on a stage. The Coolidge Corner Theatre will be screening a recorded performance of Bolshoi’s The Golden Age, captured live the week before. The production, performed exclusively on the Bolshoi stage, follows a love story set in Europe during the Roaring 20s. Choreographed by the legendary Yuri Grigorovich, who is “the company’s brightest flame” and “truest hope,” according to the New York Times, it’s bound to be a captivating experience, even if it’s not live.
$17+, Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m., Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Cambridge, coolidge.org.
Photo by Emma Trim
READING
Brit Bennett
In her debut novel, Brit Bennett delves into the complexities of motherhood with a narrative set in a contemporary black community in Southern California. The Mothers tells the story of a teen pregnancy, a love triangle, and the “What ifs” that follow after. Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House, called the novel a “masterful debut,” and Bennett a “brilliant and much-needed new voice in literature.”
Free, Friday, October 21, 7 p.m., Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., harvard.com.
Courtesy of the Head of the Charles Regatta
ROWING
Head of the Charles Regatta
The highly anticipated two-day rowing competition, the 52nd Head of The Charles Regatta, will be headlined by over 70 Olympians, 30 of whom medaled in Rio de Janeiro this summer. There will be nearly 11,000 competitors this year, and some big names to look out for include members of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Eight, gold medalists Mahe Drysdale and Kim Brennan (from New Zealand and Australia respectively), and Massachusetts-native, silver medalist Gevvie Stone. We’ve broken down the event for you in our guide as well as compiled some facts, pro tips and terms you’ll want to familiarize yourself with (like Cox Box, Engine Room and Power 10) before the big event.
Free, October 22-23, Charles River starting near BU Dewolfe Boathouse, 619 Memorial Dr., Cambridge and BU Sailing Pavilion, finishing at Christian Herter Park, hocr.org.
RAP
Lupe Fiasco
He might not be releasing the three albums he promised anymore, but Lupe Fiasco’s still coming to Boston. Many will remember the Chicago-based rapper from the mid 2000s; he appeared on Kanye West’s hit “Touch The Sky” in 2005, and released his debut record Food & Liquor in 2006, earning him three Grammy nominations, including Best Rap Album. His fifth and latest album, Tetsuo & Youth, which was released last year, has been praised as the “most focused, thoughtful and satisfying project he’s offered since 2007’s The Cool” by Pitchfork.
$35+, Sunday, October 23, 8 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., thewilbur.com.
