Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend
Photo provided by Cirque Dreams Holidaze.
CIRCUS
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Have you ever seen a gingerbread man flip midair? Or toy soldiers marching on tight ropes? Cirque Dreams Holidaze will have you dazzled with disbelief. The energetic holiday spectacular has something everyone will love. It’s both a Cirque show and a broadway musical. Broadway Director Neil Goldberg transforms the holiday show concept, with more than 300 costumes, 20 acts, and 30 performers from 12 different countries, into a holiday extravaganza. With six performances in Boston, the show is not one to miss. Be sure to check out our interview with Goldberg, too.
$43+, December 9-11, Boch Center, Shubert Theater, 265 Tremont St., Boston, bochcenter.org.
The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. Diller Scofidio + Renfro Architects. Photo by Iwan Baan.
ART
Community Day
Need a break from all the holiday shopping? The Institute of Contemporary Art is celebrating 10 years on the Waterfront and they’ve got a day packed full of events. Performances, art-making, talks, and better yet, refreshments, will definitely relieve some holiday stress. Take in the view from the harbor and be sure to snap the perfect Instagram photo and use #ICA10. If you’re coming from East Boston, catch the free shuttle bus to and from Zumix at 260 Sumner St.
Free, December 10, The Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston, icaboston.org.
Photo by Leann Mueller.
MUSIC
Chris Botti
Escape from the cold this weekend with the smooth sounds of Chris Botti. The Grammy Award-winning instrumental artist will be sure to warm you up with sounds from your favorite classics, including “What a Wonderful World” and “Over the Rainbow.” You may recognize his jazzy sound from performances and recordings with some other big names, such as Sting, Lady Gaga, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, and John Mayer. Catch him at one of his three performances this weekend.
$50+, December 8-10, The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, thewilbur.com.
Photo provided.
PUB CRAWL
SantaCon
Ho, Ho, Ho! Guess who’s coming back to town? Santa, and lots of him. SantaCon is back in Boston this holiday season. Last year more than 2,000 Santas hit the streets of Boston for the crawl. So dust off that Santa suit and wrangle up your elves for the free pub crawl. Santas are encouraged to bring their toy sacks and make a donation to Toys for Tots at Game On Fenway and Engine 33, Ladder 15 Fire Station on Boylston Street. And don’t forget to bring those cookies to munch on. Check out the group’s Facebook page for a full schedule and detailed list of guidelines.
Free, December 10, noon, starts at Game On, 82 Lansdowne St., Boston, santacon.info.
Photo courtesy of IFC.
FILM
Woman Inherits the Earth the Films of Laura Dern
You may know Laura Dern as Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park or the titular character in Citizen Ruth, or possibly from one of the many other films where she embraced strong and complex roles. Dern has played women who can’t be defined throughout her blockbuster career. You can catch some of Dern’s most classic roles through the film series that debuts this weekend. And if you’re entertaining guests this holiday season, take them to matinee screenings of Jurassic Park on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Nothing says holiday spirit like watching Newman from Seinfeld get taken out by that dinosaur again.
$25, December 8-31, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, mfa.org.
