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5 things to do this weekend, including a music photography exhibition and 'The Nutcracker'

After spending time at home with family over Thanksgiving, I’m always itching to get out of the house. If you’re like me and will be looking for a way to spend a little alone time this weekend, I’ve got your back. On Friday, the Greater Boston Stage Company will premiere its rendition of the classic tale “Little Women,” and the Boston Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker.” There’s also a new music photography exhibition at the Panopticon Gallery. If you want to stay in but still want to keep busy, the Boston Turkish Festival has an online photography exhibition showing through mid-December. Get details on everything going on this weekend below.

'Nothing But a Man' at Harvard Film Archive

Sunday, Nov. 27

Catch a special screening of a film that was once out of circulation. While it’s still out of DVD print, it was rereleased in 2012 by the Cinema Conservancy from a Library of Congress preservation. “Nothing But a Man” is a foundational movie about contemporary Black life. It tells the story of an African American railroad worker as he makes a life in Birmingham, Alabama. The movie is lauded as a masterpiece and director Michael Roemer’s most important film. A new restoration of the film will be released in 2023, but for now, head to the Harvard Film Archive to catch it in all of its glory on the big screen.


'Black and Whites of Anatolia'

Through Thursday, Dec. 15

The Boston Turkish Festival was founded in 1996 and is one of the largest Turkish festivals in the U.S. Events highlight the country’s cultural diversity, highlighting fine arts, dance, music, film and culinary arts. One of the festival’s highlights this month is “Black and Whites of Anatolia,” an exhibit by photographer Atilla Özkefeli. The shots are stunning portraits of everyday life—an elder smokes a cigarette on a park bench, a young accordion player holds her middle finger up for the camera and a pensive man gazes out of the window on a train ride. The best part is that all of the photos are available to view online. Early next month, the festival will continue hosting in-person and online events.

 

'Little Women: The Broadway Musical'

Friday, Nov. 25-Friday, Dec. 23

The classic book-turned-film returns to Boston as a play this week. Join one of the country’s most famous sister quartets — Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March — as they grow up in the war-torn United States. This rendition of Louisa May Alcott’s iconic novel is directed by Ilyse Robbins, who has also directed “All is Calm” and “The 39 Steps,” among many other shows at Greater Boston Stage Company. Liza Giangrande will make her Greater Boston Stage debut as Jo, Katie Shults will play Amy, Sara Coombs will take the stage as Meg and Abriel Coleman will also debut with the company as Beth. This New England tale is a perfect way to usher in the holiday season.

 

'Noiseland: The Music of Boston'

Through January

Although it’s sometimes overlooked, Boston is a music city. The Panopticon Gallery honors local music photographers and artists in the new exhibition “Noiseland: The Music of Boston.” The gallery itself is an homage to the city’s music scene as it’s located in Kenmore Square, home to beloved music venues, including the Rathskeller, aka the Rat, which was at the center of the Boston rock scene. The exhibition highlights photographers JJ Gonson (ONCE Somerville proprietrix), Paul McAlpine and Philin Phlash. You can expect both intimate and action shots of some of the most iconic musicians in recent history, including Kurt Cobain, Bowie and Elliott Smith.

 

Boston Ballet's 'The Nutcracker'

Friday, Nov. 25-Saturday, Dec. 31

For me, it’s hard to name a piece of culture more representative of the holiday season than “The Nutcracker.” As a little girl, my dad and I had a tradition of dressing up to go to our little community theater in Arkansas to watch it. The ballet is so sentimental, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. Starting this week, you can see Finnish ballet dancer and artistic director Mikko Nissinen’s “Nutcracker” at the ​​Citizens Bank Opera House. This performance has all of the works, including the mouse king, a fierce battle, dancing snowflakes and, my favorite, the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Headshot of Lauren Williams

Lauren Williams Arts Editor
Lauren Williams was an editor at WBUR.

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