5 things to do this weekend, including The Big E and Museum Day

Can you believe we’re halfway through the month of September? It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year, and I plan on savoring every minute of it. It’s the perfect time to check out new art exhibitions, catch a concert or just take a stroll through town. For this weekend’s roundup, we’ve got a little bit of everything to do, from art workshops to a sci-fi opera. Check out our event recommendations for this weekend below.

This new opera blends live staging and virtual reality to take the audience on a tour through space and time. The story is a meditation on colonization, confronting human impulses to conquer. It was inspired by the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock and the landing of the space probe Philae. Robots and Sumerian gods meet in this otherworldly opera. [Interested in more classical music events? Check out our fall guide here.]

This fair is over a century old, and this year they’re back with a long list of rides for kids and adults, live music and food for a jam-packed two weeks. This weekend, Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys will perform as well as country singer Brantley Gilbert will take the stage at the Big E Arena. There are also a slew of emerging acts on The E Stage as well as some familiar names (like Everclear and the Alley Cats) performing on the Court of Honor Stage. The festival has more new food offerings than ever before, with vendors selling burgers, kebabs, vegan fare and more.

Museum day is a unique opportunity in which participating museums across the United States are open to the public. Participating cultural centers and museums will all be free this Saturday to those who download a ticket. It’s an initiative that promotes equity in the arts and the perfect opportunity to visit smaller exhibitions in your area. In Boston, the Museum of Natural History, Harvard Art Museums and many more are participating. You can find the full list of museums here.

Fabiola Méndez’s “Afrorriqueña” is a tribute to African influences in Puerto Rican culture. Méndez and her band used inspiration from Puerto Rican poets and writers from the past to craft this new project, featured as part of the Celebrity Series of Boston. Get to the Arlington St. Church early to catch Méndez’s short film, “Negrura,” which features interviews with Latinx Bostonians. [Fabiola Méndez was a member of the 2021 ARTery 25 cohort. Learn more about her here.]

This new exhibition by Doménica Dillon encourages all of us to experience child-like wonder again. Although it’s open to all ages, it’s a nod to adults' inner children. The opening reception is in Worcester this Thursday from 6-10 pm. It’s a free event with sweets, a cash bar, games, music and the main attraction: a bouncy house. This exhibition is a place to let go, feel free and reflect on little you.