5 Things To Do This Weekend, From Seadragons To Lion Dances

February 14, 2019

Amelia Mason

Things are continuing to heat up in February as cultural organizations launch their winter/spring programming. Plus, Boston rings in the year of the pig:

'Fire and Light: Otto Piene in Groton, 1983 - 2014' | Through June 2 | Fitchburg Art Museum

The German-born artist Otto Piene, who died in 2014, dazzled the world with his illuminated, tech-minded creations. For much of his life he lived in nearby Groton; now, the Fitchburg Art Museum presents the largest solo U.S. exhibition of his work. (Listen to Andrea Shea’s feature on the exhibit.)

Otto Piene's light cubes illuminate the walls of the gallery at the Fitchburg Art Museum. (Hadley Green for WBUR)

Weedy Seadragons | Now | New England Aquarium, Boston

The delicately beautiful (and extremely adorable) weedy seadragons return to the New England Aquarium this week, in a cleaned up and refurbished tank. These particular seadragons were born in 2017 and have been maturing behind the scenes.

One of the weedy seadragons at the New England Aquarium. (Courtesy NEAQ)

'Analogy Trilogy' | Through Sunday, Feb. 17 | Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

The famed Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company presents "Analogy Trilogy" at the ICA. Drawn from oral histories and W.E. Sebald’s novel “Emigrants,” “Analogy Trilogy” is a modern dance piece in three parts that explores history, memory and trauma through the stories of three characters. (Here's more on the upcoming performance.)

'Nat Turner in Jerusalem' | Through Feb. 24 | Hibernian Hall, Roxbury

In 1831, Nat Turner lead a rebellion of enslaved and free blacks in Virginia, killing more than 50 people. He was later tried and put to death; “Nat Turner in Jerusalem” offers a nuanced portrait of the rebel the night before his execution. (Read more from The ARTery's contributor Jacquinn Sinclair on the production.)

Brandon G. Green as Nat Turner. (Courtesy Nile Scott Shots)

Lunar New Year Parade | Sunday, Feb. 17 | Chinatown's Phillips Square

Every winter, lion dance troupes lead a colorful parade through Boston’s Chinatown in celebration of the Lunar New Year. The festivities kick off at 10 a.m., and if you need a break from the cold, two different organizations are hosting free, family-friendly activities, like dumpling-making classes and calligraphy demonstrations.

The ARTery's Weekend Preview