Your Boston Weekend: Feb. 19–21
BOSTON — With so much going on in Boston every weekend, how does the culture lover choose, or even find, the best of what Beantown has to offer? Let wbur.org do some of the sleuthing for you.
Mardi Gras kicked off in style this week, so naturally the weekend of Feb. 19 to 21 is chock full of Big Easy-themed events.
Henri Smith New Orleans Friends and Flavours – Fundraiser for Katrina – Mardi Gras
- Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight
- Latitude 43 Restaurant and Bar
- $10
Rogers Street meets Bourbon Street with New Orleans-born Henri Smith and his band. The evening kicks off with a “Big Easy” dinner menu followed by music and dancing. Proceeds go to the Cape Ann YMCA youth service mission to New Orleans.
- Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Parade kickoff at Main Stage in Phillips Square
- Free and open to the public
Watch the traditional parade as lion dancers visit storefronts and homes in celebration of the Year of the Tiger. Presented by Chinatown Mainstreet, Mayor Thomas Menino and members of the Chinese communities of Boston and New England.
- Friday 5:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Seaport World Trade Center
- $10/day, free for children under 18
This year’s show features cultural and travel advice presentations, music and food showcases featuring destinations worldwide. Discounts, prizes, passport services and more are available on the expo floor all weekend.
Opening: “Late Nite Catechism 3: ‘Til Death Do Us Part”
- Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday 3 p.m.
- Club Café
- From $55
The latest in the uproariously funny series of plays featuring “Sister” and her lessons on marriage, life and death. Class participation is highly encouraged.
- Friday and Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m.
- Amazing Things Arts Center in Framingham
- $23, $22 for students/seniors, $20 for members
The all-male version of the highly successful musical comedy Nunsense, starring local talent.
- Saturday 7 and 9:45 p.m.
- The Wilbur Theatre
- $29 to $39
The Emmy-nominated comedian from Saturday Night Live and In Living Color performs one night only at the Wilbur.
14th Annual New England Model Engineering Show
- Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Charles River Museum of Industry
- $6, $4 for children 6 to 12, free for children under 6
See operating scale models of engines, clocks, tools and more, and meet the craftsmen who built them.
15th Annual Celebrity Chefs Culinary Program – Thomas Frost and Chris Chafe: A Taste of Bermuda
- Saturday 1 to 3 p.m.
- Fairmont Copley Plaza
- $60, $51 for BCAE members
Presented by the Boston Center for Adult Education, Chefs Frost and Chafe will demonstrate fundamental techniques and tricks to creating great Bermudan food. Attendees can sample food and drinks as well as chat with the chefs.
21st Annual Boston Wine Festival Jazz Brunch – Mardi Gras
- Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Atlantic Room at the Boston Harbor Hotel
- $75
Enjoy a Cajun-inspired meal prepared by Chef Daniel Bruce and wines specially paired with Big Easy flavors. A live New Orleans jazz band will add authentic flair.
- Saturday 6 to 10 p.m.
- House of Blues
- $20
Featuring Top 20 DJ Joe Bermudez, proceeds towards the evening’s admission goes to benefit Samaritans suicide prevention organization.
Bourbon Street Blowout – Mardi Gras Pub Crawl
- Saturday Noon to 5 p.m.
- Kicks off at Ned Devine’s/Parris
- Faneiul Hall and surrounding areas
- $15 or $25 for two
A New Orleans-style pub crawl featuring specialty drinks, King Cakes, costumes, and lots and lots of Mardi Gras beads. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
- Saturday 2 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Grand Lodge of Masons
- $20 and $25
- 5+
A new musical based on the book by Harry Allard and James Marshall about a misbehaving elementary school class, presented by the Boston Childrens’ Theatre.
- Sunday 2 p.m.
- Omni Parker House Hotel
- $20
Nineteen young local women compete for the title of Miss Boston, scholarships, prizes and the chance to compete at the Miss Massachusetts pageant in July.
Did you attend one of our recommended events last week? Have a suggestion for next week’s calendar? Leave us a comment or send your suggestion to glevy@wbur.org.
