5 Things To Do This Weekend, Including The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival And Cambridge Carnival

I know everyone wants to hold on to summer, but I’m here for the soon to be incoming fall atmosphere. Plus, retail stores have already put out their spooky items. To celebrate the almost-end-of-summer, I’ve already gotten myself a mustard colored knitted blanket. Now that I’m looking at the events list for the week, I’ve realized I’m pretty well prepared for some of the events, like the secret concert or outdoor storytelling event that encourage you to bring your own blanket. In case you’re not ready to bust out a blanket yet, I’ve rounded up a few other events this weekend, including a film festival, Carnival celebration and block party.

The 16th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival is happening now! Due to the ongoing pandemic, it will be a hybrid model and most films will be available to watch online. If you’re a fan of movie shorts like I am, you can’t miss the short films juried competition — the shorts will be available to watch on Saturday, Sept. 11. The film I’m most excited to stream is “Identifying Features” set in Mexico about a mother who lost contact with her son as he immigrated to America.

I don’t typically like surprises, but if it involves new music, I’m in. For the first Secret Sounds Boston show, there will be three 30-minute sets from Boston artists — except you don’t know who you’ll see perform or where, just that it’s somewhere in Harvard Square. After you register and 36 hours before the concert, they’ll disclose the location. The concert is BYOB and BYOP+B (bring your own pillows and blankets for seating!). Proof of vaccination is required.

Artists For Humanity celebrates its 30th anniversary creatively with an outdoor-indoor block party. The AFH EpiCenter will join with A Street park in order to house an event showcasing talent from other organizations like Masary Studios, Urbanity Dance, The Boston’s Children’s Chorus and more! Throughout the night, there will be an exhibit located inside AFH featuring artwork created by teens that’ll be up for sale. There will also be a dance lesson from Urbanity, and food and drink will be available. If you still have a burst of energy, there will be an after party at Midway Artist Studios at 7:30 p.m.

Head to the Hyde Bandshell for a “fall themed” night of storytelling from featured tellers Kurt Mullen, Don Picard, Rose Saia and Harold Cox. There will be an open mic as well, so if you have a true story in mind, you could put your name in the draw to share yours. Each slot allows for five minutes of storytelling focused on “fall” in any sense of the word — could be the season, literally falling, figuratively falling in love, or anything your mind can connect to the word. The bandshell is just one block from the Newton Highlands Green Line T stop. Folks are encouraged to bring their own picnic dinners and libations.

This year’s Cambridge Carnival will celebrate the theme of emancipation — the emancipation of isolation of the past 18 months and progress in emancipation as a result from the Black Lives Matter movement. The event includes a parade that begins at River Street and heads toward Massachusetts Avenue and then onto Main Street before coming to an end at the corner of Albany Street featuring lively costumes, steel bands and other music. Of course, you’ll need to hydrate and eat some food to keep your energy up and Comfort Kitchen Boston will be on hand to make that happen. Kids are welcome and there is stilt walking and face painting that they can enjoy.