5 Things To Do This Weekend, From Hip-Hop To Ballet To Internet Cats

I spent the last week galivanting around Ireland and the U.K., feeling slightly ashamed that Boston’s museums aren’t free, which seems to be the norm over there. But I also came away with an even deeper appreciation for the cultural vibrancy of my hometown, which I think is represented well in this week’s picks.

'Art In The Age Of The Internet' | Through May 20 | ICA, Boston

I went to see the Institute of Contemporary Art’s current exhibition on opening night and it was truly something to behold. In fact, I found the exhibit, which explores the impact of the internet on art, a little overstimulating. But it won me over in certain moments on the sheer strength of its quirk, and the questions it asked about the relationship between technology and creativity were all too relevant. (Here's a list of the other institutions exploring the intersection of art and technology.)

Wicked Queer Film Festival | Thursday, March 29 - Sunday, April 8 | Boston-Area Theaters

Now in its 34th year, Wicked Queer (formerly the “Boston LGBT Film Festival) offers a deep and varied survey of contemporary LGBT cinema. With everything from documentaries to feature-length films to international shorts, the packed schedule is sure to deliver pretty much every night of the week-long event.

Jörg Widmann’s 'Partita' | Thursday, March 29 - April 3 | Boston Symphony Hall 

The BSO presents the American premiere of world-renowned composer Jörg Widmann’s “Partita,” a contemporary nod to the work of Bach and Mendelssohn. And Yo-Yo Ma makes a cameo in Strauss’ “Don Quixote.” (Here's more on the composition from music critic Keith Powers.)

The Pull Up | Friday, March 30 | ONCE Ballroom, Somerville 

After a year’s hiatus, the all-local hip-hop showcase The Pull Up returns. Hometown favorite Latrell James celebrates the release of his new single, “Okay,” and headlines a packed bill of Boston up-and-comers. (While you're thinking about hip-hop, you should check out my deep dive into challenges local artists have had establishing a base in Boston.)

Boston Ballet's 'Romeo & Juliet' | Through April 8 | Boston Opera House

The Boston Ballet has staged John Cranko’s “Romeo and Juliet” before, but never with such visual panache. In this stunning interpretation of Shakespeare’s beloved play, Boston audiences will be treated to costumes and sets by the acclaimed German stage designer Jürgen Rose, who designed the original 1962 production by the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany.