Boston Event Calendar

February 2010

On the Boston Event Calendar for February 2010, you'll find a great mixture of indoor plus even some outdoor activities. 

If you're visiting Boston during February, get theater or comedy show tickets, check out the local repertory movie theaters for interesting film series, and plan at least one Boston museum visit.  Catch a Bruins or Celtics game at the Garden - or the famous Bean Pot rivalry on February 1th and 8th among Boston's top college teams. 

Most important - don't forget to make brunch or dinner reservations for Valentine's Day in your favorite Boston restaurant! 

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  January   l   March  l  Other Months

Do you know about or sponsor an interesting event this month?  Add an event to the Boston Event Calendar for February 2010

Boston Beanpot Hockey - Round 1

When:  Monday, February 1, 5pm (Finals on February 8)
Where: TD Garden, Boston
Closest T station: Orange and Green Line/North Station
Parking:   Garages near TD Garden
Check out: Boston Beanpot Hockey Tickets

Rival hockey teams from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern University clash on the ice annually in the Boston Beanpot Tournament.  Traditionally held on the first two Monday nights in February, the event has entertained fans since 1952.

Round 1 on February 1st pits BC against Harvard, and BU against Northeastern.

Free Monday Night Movies

When:  Most Mondays throughout February, at 6pm
Where: Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Copley Square, Boston
Cost:  Free
Closest T station: Green Line/Copley
More information:  617-536-5400; BPL website

The Boston Public Library's year-long Made in Massachusetts film series of movies filmed in Boston and other spots around the state features Romance as its theme for February.  Watch your favorite heart-warmer to keep away the winter chill.

February 1 - Starting Over recounts a newly divorced man's search for love among wary single women.  Enjoy scenes filmed at the old Boston Garden (next to the new TD Garden).  

February 8 - Sabrina, a romantic comedy, is about a gorgeous young woman, the daughter of a chauffeur for a wealthy family, who returns from Paris and dazzles the family's two sons.  Lots of lush scenes on Martha's Vineyard.

February 22 - Next Stop Wonderland follows the destined-to-be-together romance of a man and woman who overcome many hilarious obstacles on their path to true love.  You'll see Boston scenes from Commonwealth Avenue, the Copley Plaza Hotel, the New England Aquarium, the Public Garden, and the South End, as well as parts of East Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Somerville.

Strangely missing from this romantic lineup is Love Story, with scenes filmed at Harvard and other parts of Cambridge - but you can rent it from Netflix or pick up a cheap copy from Amazon.

Boston Sci-Fi Film Festival

When:  February 5 - 15
Where:   Somerville Theatre, Davis Square, Somerville
Closest T station: Red Line/Davis
Parking:  Don't even try to park on the streets around Davis Square, where parking police move at the speed of light and a ticket will cost you $50.  If you're coming from a distance and need to drive, park instead at the Alewife parking garage next to the Route 2 and Route 16 intersection, only 1 stop away from Davis Square
Cost:  $8 for a single ticket; $52 for fanatics attending the "24-hour 'Thon'"; $77 for entire Festival (what's the name for someone more extreme than a fanatic?)
Reservations/more information:  617-901-7280; website

2010 marks the 35th anniversary of this popular sci-fi film event.  Sci fi fanatics come from all over the Boston area and the rest of the country to watch and talk about old classics and the newest offerings.  

A highlight of the Festival is the 24-hour Marathon on President's Day Weekend.  Starting at noon on Sunday, February 14, somewhere between 12 and 14 feature films plus cartoons and vintage movie trailers will play non-stop during a 24-hour period.

Boston Beanpot Hockey - Finals

When:  Monday, February 8, 5pm
Where: TD Garden, Boston
Closest T station: Orange and Green Line/North Station
Boston Beanpot Hockey Tickets

Intense rivalries among hockey teams from Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern University continue in the Finals of the Boston Beanpot Tournament. 

Will BU win their 30th Championship since the competition began in 1952?  The Finals promise plenty of excitement on the ice!

Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour

When:  Thursday, February 11, 8pm
Where:   Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave, Back Bay, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Hynes
Cost:  $39 - $49
Reservations/more information:  617-482-6661; website

The Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour brings together four veteran performers in the prime of their careers - violinist Regina Carter, vocalist Kurt Elling, guitarist Russell Malone, and master pianist Kenny Barron - for a rousing evening of swing, soul, and invention.

Love is in the Air at the MFA

When:  Saturday, February 13, 3pm - 4:30pm
Where:   Museum of Fine Arts (Remis Auditorium), 465 Huntington Ave, Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Museum
Cost:  $20 for MFA members, students, and seniors; $25 for general admission; $5 extra for front-of-the-house seating
Tickets/more information:  617-369-3306 website (go to Calendar)

Romantic songs from Gershwin, Sondheim, and others will warm your heart - and hopefully your beloved's - during this special Valentine Day concert featuring soprano Nancy Armstrong, baritone Robert Honeysucker, Laura Jeppesen on the viola da gamba, and Daniel Stepner on the baroque violin.  Remember to bring chocolates!

A Comedy Duo from Boston Baroque

When:  Saturday, February 13, 8pm
Where:   Jordan Hall (New England Conservatory), Fenway, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Symphony
Cost:  $25 - $73
Reservations/more information:  617-482-6661; website

Although many side-splitting comedy clubs call Boston "home," Boston Baroque doesn't usually fall into this entertainment category since it specializes in, well, baroque music - normally far removed from improv or stand-up routines.  But this BB program revolving around two 1-act comedies aims to have you laughing. 

A romantic comedy penned by a very young Mozart features a charming shepherdess determined to corral her problem lover.  The second comedy, Cimarosa's The Music Director, lampoons the antics of a pompous conductor.

Valentine's Day

When:  Sunday, February 14
Where:  Boston restaurants

Remember to make reservations for a special Valentine's Day brunch, lunch, or dinner  for you and your love at your favorite Boston restaurant.  Favorite romantic spots like Top of the Hub (617-536-1775), Sel de la Terre (Long Wharf - 617-720-1300; Back Bay - 617-266-8800; Natick - 508-650-1800), and Radius (617-426-1234) fill up quickly - so book early.

Planning to head for Chinatown to celebrate?  Keep in mind that Chinese New Year (the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar) falls on February 14 this year, so you may find a lot of competition for tables, especially for Dim Sum on Sunday morning.

Disney's the Lion King

When:  February 16 - March 21
Where:   Opera House, Theatre District, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Park
Lion King Tickets

The Lion King returns to Boston in the magnificent Opera House.  These shows usually sell out - so the link above is for StubHub, usually the best source of tickets, especially when you want good seats.

The Running of the Brides

When:  Friday, February 19, 8am - 8pm - 1 day only!
Where:  Hynes Auditorium, 900 Boylston Street, Back Bay, Boston
Closest T station: Green Line/Hynes Auditorium
More information (including a must-see video): Running of the Brides

Getting married and want a discount designer bridal gown?  Filene Basement's special bridal gown event attracts thousands of future brides and helpers who stampede in the moments the doors open and grab deeply-discounted gowns off the racks, hoping to find the dress, and bargain, of a lifetime. 

Line up early to get first pick - but don't worry if you don't.  With as many as 3,000 gowns to choose from, some choices remain throughout the day.   Check out my 6 tips about how to get the perfect gown.

New England Boat Show

When:  February 20 - 28; Saturdays 10am - 8pm, Sunday Feb 21 11am - 6pm, Monday - Friday 12 noon - 8p, Sunday Feb 28 11am - 5:30pm
Where:  Boston Convention and Exposition Center, 415 Summer Street, South Boston Waterfront
Closest T station: Silver Line from Red Line/South Station
Cost: $13 adults, $7 children 6-12 years old, children 5 and younger free
More information: Boat Show website

The Northeast's biggest boating event has something for everyone.  Seminars, presentations, and exhibits cover everything you need to know about owning a boat.  But the biggest attractions are, of course the boats (you'll see powerboats and fully rigged cruising sailboats up to 50') and over 350 exhibits of accessories. 

No wonder this show attracts 40,000+ visitors each year!

Coming to Boston for this event and need a hotel?  Check out South Boston Waterfront hotels near the Boston Convention and Exposition Center.

Chinese New Year Lion Dance Festival 2010

When:  Sunday, February 21, 10am - 5pm
Where:  Chinatown, Boston
Closest T station: Orange Line/Chinatown (or walk over from any Downtown Boston T station
Cost: Free

Chinese New Year for 2010 falls on February 14, but celebrations take place for a couple of weeks before and a couple of weeks after as everyone welcomes the Year of the Tiger. 

Most spectacular is the Lion Dance Festival.  Local kung fu groups take turns performing this special dance throughout Chinatown, visiting all the businesses.  The first dance kicks off at the corner of Harrison and Essex, and the fun continues throughout the day.

Note: Traditionally, this is a noisy celebration with drums, gongs, cymbals, and even firecrackers that bother some babies and young children - so if your youngsters don't like loud noises, this may not be their favorite Boston Event for February!

Madame White Snake at the Cutler Majestic

When:  February 26, 7:30pm; February 28 3pm; March 2, 7:30pm
Where:  Cutler Majestic Theatre, Boston Theatre District
Closest T station: Green Line/Park
Tickets: $29 - $132 + fees; 617-824-9944; www.maj.org

Based on a Chinese legend dating back to the 7th century about a powerful snake demon who changes into a beautiful woman in order to experience love, this exciting world-wide premier also marks the first Boston appearance of soprano Ying Huang in the title role and tenor John McVeigh, who plays Xu Xian, the scholar who falls in love with her but comes to question her real identify.  Sung in English with subtitles projected in Chinese.

The opera is set in Hangzhou, a sister city to Boston.  After its world premier in Boston, the production will go to Beijing, China for its international premier at the Beijing Music Festival.

ICA Bird Watch

What: Family activity
When:  Saturday, February 27, 10am - 4pm
Where:  Institute of Contemporary Art, 100 Northern Ave, South Boston Waterfront
Closest T station: Red Line/South Station (about a 10 minute walk to ICA), or take Silver Line from South Station
Cost: Free for up to 2 adults per family with children 12 and under

Explore how contemporary artists use familiar shapes and forms in new ways by looking at how artists Roe Etheridge and Roni Horn depict birds in their pieces.  Use ICA's binoculars to look for birds inside and outside of ICA, and create your own wearable, bird-inspired puppets.  Professional bird handlers in the Art Lab will even show you live birds that you can sketch.

Also check out Things to do in Boston in February

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  January   l   March  l  Other Months

More Boston Events for February 2010

See events added by others:

February 7:  Boston's only Musical Children's Theatre Presents The Frog Prince ... A Musical!

February 23:  ICycle 4 - Stationary Bike-a-thon in Dewey Square, Downtown Boston

Know about a great Boston Event for February?

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