Boston Event Calendar

May 2010

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The Boston Event Calendar for May 2010 features fun activities as summer draws nearer.

May is when Boston begins to truly blossom again after the long cold New England spring.  It's the perfect month to enjoy outdoor Boston events again. 

If you're visiting Boston, hop on a Boston Duck Tour to view the city from land and water.  Or go on a cruise to the Boston Harbor Islands.  Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park . . . or just go on a Fenway Park tour. 

Saucer magnolia trees along Comm Ave and Marlborough Street in Back Bay put on a spectacular display, and tulips and daffodils grace the Public Garden.  Throughout Boston's neighborhoods, pots of blooming flowers appear on doorsteps and in window boxes.

Add an event to the Boston Event Calendar for May 2010

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  April   l  June  l  Other Months

 

Gala at the Ritz

When:  Saturday, May 1, 6:30pm
Where:  The Ritz-Carlton, on Boston Common
Cost:  Tickets to this black-tie fundraiser are $300, or $2,500 for a table of 10, with other options available as well
More information: Shakespeare on the Common website  

Dance and dine the night away after a cocktail reception at the Ritz-Carlton on Boston Common.  A live big band and auction add to the excitement in this special event to benefit Boston's beloved Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, stagers of the popular Shakespeare on the Common.

 

Gilding demonstration at Paul Revere House

When:  Saturday, May 1, 1pm-4pm
Where:   Paul Revere House, Boston's North End
Cost:  Free with admission to the museum:  $3.50 adults; $1 children 5 - 17 years; $3 seniors and college students
More information:  Paul Revere House website   

Professional gilder Nancy Dick Atkinson demonstrates how to apply thin sheets of gold leaf to wooden ornaments, just like craftsmen did during Paul Revere's time.

This is the first in a series of fascinating Saturday demos and events here throughout the month of May. 

Others include:

May 8 - Revolutionary War Medicine - reenactment by medical historian Ed Page of how to treat a battleground bullet wound in 1775
May 15 - Storyteller Joan Gatturna portrays Deborah Sampson, a female Revolutionary War soldier
May 22 - Gary Gregory demos the techniques used by Revere to engrave and print his incendiary broadsides and political cartoons, called "propaganda" by the Brits.
May 29 - Geoffrey Blake, a master silversmith from Old Newbury Crafters, shows how to produce silver flatware by hand, just like Paul Revere did.

Paul Revere's house is on Boston's popular Freedom Trail.  If, for example, you're in the Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall area (another Freedom Trail stop), just follow the red line of the trail over to the North End where you'll find his house - an 8-10 minute walk.

 

Top Secret at the Boston Children's Museum

When: Through May 31st
Where:  Boston Children's Museum, located in the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood
Cost:  Included in museum admission

Kids of all ages will enjoy the Boston Children's Museum's special new exhibit, "Top Secret: Mission Toy."  You can find out what makes tops turn, why string is fascinating, and explore dolls, balls, robots, puzzles, and secret de-coding devices - plus make your own toy!

 

Marine Week in Boston

When:  May 3-9
Where:  Various locations in Boston
Cost:  Free
More information: U.S. Marines website  

The United States Marines will hold their 2nd annual Marine Week in Boston to honor and recognize the contributions of Marines, including those from Boston and their families, with equipment displays, volunteer work, concerts, and other appearances.

To see some of the Marine Corps' vehicles and equipment, stop by Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston Common, Copley Place, and Charlestown Navy Yard from 10am - 6pm on May 3-6.  Copley Place will also host a traveling exhibit from the National Museum of the Marine Corps on May 4 - 9.

Head to the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade on May 6, where the Marine Corps band will give a rousing concert at 7pm.  Or, on May 9, stop by the Charlestown Navy Yard to see more equipment and hear musical performances during a Mother's Day celebration on May 9.

 

Free Monday Night Movies

When:  Mondays throughout May, 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 features movies by local film makers during May as part of the year-long Made in Massachusetts film series.  Specific films haven't been announced yet - so bookmark this page and check back later!

 

Return of the Swans

When:  May 4, 11am
Where:  Public Garden
Cost:  Free
Closest T station: Green Line/Arlington
If you drive:   Boston Common Garage

Welcome the return of Romeo and Juliet, the Public Garden's resident swans, from the Franklin Park Zoo where they spend the winter.  A parade led by a brass band departs at 11:30am from the corner of Beacon and Charles Street near the Make Way for Ducklings statue and ends up at the Lagoon 15 minutes later, for the official Return of the Swans ceremony. 

The Four Seasons Hotel provides refreshments, and other entertainment such as face painters and readings of Make Way for Ducklings by Boston Park Rangers rounds out the event - an annual ritual that truly marks the beginning of spring in Boston!

 

Opening Night for the Boston Pops

When:  May 4, 8pm
Where:  Symphony Hall, 301 Mass Ave., Boston's Fenway neighborhood
Tickets:  $40 - $119
Closest T station: Green Line/Symphony
If you drive:   Parking garages in Fenway
More information:  website; 617-266-1492  

Join Conductor Keith Lockhart and guest performers Doc Severinsen, Idina Menzel, and Michael Chertock on the opening night and gala 125th anniversary celebration for the 2010 Boston Pops season at Symphony Hall.  Sit at the tables on the orchestra level, and order food, beer, and wine from the famed Pops Kitchen to enjoy during the concert.

Idina Menzel will also perform during concerts on May 5th and 6th.  Star-studded performances continue throughout the month, with appearances by John Williams, Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Maureen McGovern, and more. 

 

Boston LGBT Film Festival at the MFA

When:  May 6-16
Where:  Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston's Fenway Neighborhood
Closest T station: Green Line/Museum
Cost:  $10 general admission, except for opening/closing nights, which are $12/$15; festival passes also available for $96 and $175
More information:   MFA website

The Museum of Fine  Arts hosts the 26th annual LGBT Film Festival, showcasing an eclectic selection of LGBT cinema from around the world with special focus on films from Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.  Highlights include Sundance Award winner Undertow, New England premiers of Rivers Wash Over Me and Children of God, and a documentary filmed in and around Boston on LGBT aging, Gen Silent.

 

European Flavor from the Waltham Symphony Orchestra

When:  May 8, 8pm
Where:   Kennedy Middle School Auditorium, 655 Lexington Street, Waltham
Parking:   Free, on-site
Tickets:  $25 adults, $20 seniors/students
More information:  781-642-1050; Waltham Symphony Orchestra website

Get ready to enjoy an evening of European music by Bartok, Chausson, Hauserman, Boyadjian (world premiere), Enesco, and Khatchaturian, with Patrick Botti conducting.  Guest violinist will be Bayla Keyes.

 

Ducklings Day Parade on Boston Common

When:  May 9, 12 noon; registration begins at 10am
Where:  Boston Common, across from the Massachusetts State House at the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial
Closest T station: Red and Green Lines/Park
Parking:  Boston Common Parking Garage
Cost:  $25 per family; includes pre-parade entertainment, a duckie toy for each child, snacks, and cake
More information:   Friends of the Public Garden website

Retrace the path of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their 8 offspring as they encounter adventures along the way to their new home in Boston's Public Garden, based on beloved children's book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCluskey.  Children and their family members are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Ducklings characters and join the annual parade, led by the Harvard University Marching Band, Boston's Mayor Menino, and his grandchildren. 

"Officer Michael," provided by the Boston Police Department, makes sure that everyone gets safely across Beacon and Charles Streets, just like in the book.  Since 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the Ducklings Day Parade, cake will be served at the end of the parade. 

 

Lilac Sunday 2010 at the Arnold Arboretum

When:  May 9; activities from 10am - 4pm; Arboretum open from dawn to dusk
Where:  Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Jamaica Way, Boston
Closest T station: Orange Line/Forest Hills; follow the signs to the Arboretum, about a 10 minute walk away.
Parking:  Street-side parking spaces are quite limited, don't count on finding any available on Lilac Sunday
Cost:  Free
More information:  617-524-1718; website

The Arnold Arboretum's large lilac collection puts on a gorgeous show of color and fragrance in May.  Visit on Lilac Sunday to enjoy family-oriented activities - or any time during early-to-mid-May to experience the intoxicating scent of these gorgeous lilacs.

 

Diana Ross at the Wang Theatre

When:  May 15, 7:30pm
Where:  Wang Theatre, in Boston's Theatre District
Closest T stations: Green and Red Lines/Park
Ticket information

Considered one of the top female American entertainers, singer Diane Ross kicks off her "Greatest Hits" cross-country summer tour in Boston in what is sure to be a spectacular evening.

 

Secret Garden Tour in Beacon Hill

When:  May 20, 9am - 5pm, rain or shine
Where:  Beacon Hill; hostess booths will be at the corners of Charles and Mt. Vernon, and Charles and Chestnut Streets
Closest T stations: Green and Red Lines/Park
Cost:  $30 advance reservations (see website for deadline), $35 day of the event
More information:  website

Once a year on the third Thursday in May, a dozen Beacon Hill residents open their gardens, normally hidden from view behind wrought-iron fences and high brick walls, to the public for a special "Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill" self-guided tour.  These exquisite shade gardens range from simple to elaborate.  Get ready to lust over gorgeous designs, perfect plants, beautiful ornamentation, and a gracious living environment.

Want to stay nearby?  Excellent choices include the Beacon Hill Inn and Bistro right in the neighborhood, pet-friendly Liberty Hotel just across Cambridge Street, and Taj Boston overlooking the Boston Public Garden.

 

Crooked Still at the Sanders Theatre

When:  May 22, 8pm
Where:  Sanders Theatre, corner of Cambridge Street and Harvard Square, Cambridge
Closest T stations:   Red Line/Harvard
Tickets:  $22 - $28
More information:   617-876-4275; website

Enjoy rousing tunes drawing on traditional music, bluegrass, and folk music.  Band members include Aoife O'Donovan (vocals, guitar, baritone ukulele, piano, glockenspiel), Brittany Haas (5-string fiddle), Gregory Liszt (banjo), Tristan Clarridge (cello, fiddle), and Corey DiMario (double bass, tenor guitar).

 

Peter Wolf at the Wilbur Theatre

When:  May 25, 8pm
Where:  Wilbur Theatre
Closest T stations:   Green and Red Lines / Park
Tickets:  Check availability

Famed rocker / R&B musician Peter Wolf, lead singer off and on since 1967 for Boston's great J. Geils Band, appears solo in a special performance at the Wilbur Theatre.  He'll be playing songs from his new Midnight Souvenirs album - and no doubt old favorites as well.

Peter Wolf and the J. Geils Band will also join Aerosmith, another legendary Boston band, for what is sure to be a memorable performance on August 14.

 

Free Admission to the John F. Kennedy Historic Site on Memorial Day Weekend

What: Family activity
When:  May 28 - 30, 10am - 4:30pm
Where:  83 Beals Street, Brookline
Closest Boston public transportation: Take the MBTA Green Line C to Coolidge Corner, or the Green Line B to Babcock St.
Cost: Free

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, was born in this green-shingled house in nearby Brookline on May 29, 1917.  The National Park Service will celebrate what would have been his 93rd birthday with cake, piano music by Benjamin Warsaw (noon - 4pm), and free admission to his birthplace, where you can see original artifacts such as photographs and the family bassinet.

 

Small Ships Boston

What: Family activity
When:  May 29, 9am - 4pm
Where:  Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston
Closest Boston public transportation: Take the MBTA Ferry from Long Wharf on the Downtown Waterfront direct to the Charlestown Navy Yard for the bargain rate each way of $2, or $1.70 with your Charlie Card
Cost: Free

As part of the Society of Miniature Ship Collector's Easy Coast meeting, a special exhibit of miniature model ships will showcase the evolution of this fascinating hobby.   In addition to viewing a lot of small model ships from various periods, you'll get to see how they're actually produced.  Then, if you've become fascinated by this little-known hobby, you can wander over to sales tables and start your own collection!

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ICA Boston - Design a City!

What: Family activity
When:  May 29, 10am - 4pm
Where:  Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Boston), 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 2 adults per family with children 12 and under.

Learn about ICA's unusual architecture, and tour the building.  Envision Boston's future by manipulating a city model created by MIT urban designer James Rojas.  Join a hands-on design workshop led by other MIT urban designers in the Art Lab at 2pm.  Make sketchbooks or an architectural hat. 

If you bring your lunch and the weather cooperates, you can enjoy a picnic from the ICA's grandstand overlooking Boston Harbor.

Quick Links:  Boston events calendars:  April   l  June  l  Other Months

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