SAT 7/11 to WED 7/15: The Tall Ships in Boston

 

 

Various Times 

Sail Boston: Tall Ships 

at Boston Harbor, along Boston Seaport and Charlestown Navy Yard 

FREE 

Over 40 tall ships are returning today and sticking around until Wednesday. It's quite a sight to these amazing boats even when their sails are down. Many of them allow you to coma aboard and look around, and there will be a festival area near Yankee Lobster. (It might be lame, but there will be a beer garden.) 

I have walked around in previous years, and I was astounded by the sheer amount of rope on each vessel... 

Special tip if you go Saturday: The ICA is offering free admision, and their exhibit level has an awesome view of the harbor. 

 This Boston.com article was the most informative link I found. 

 

Schedule:

SAT 7/11 

9am to 4pm: Parade of Sail 

5pm to 10pm: Public Boarding of Ships 

9:15pm: Fireworks 

SUN 7/12 to WED 7/15 

10am to 10pm: Public Boarding of Ships 

WED 7/15 

9:15pm: Fireworks

 

Full schedule on Sail Boston.

The 23 most unique and thoughtful gifts under $10

It's the gift-giving season, and this listicle seemed very "Cheap Thrills" appropriate:

In this gift guide, Filter staff and contributors recommend inexpensive treats that feel like they should cost more than they do. They’re all things that really make life a bit easier or more joyful – for example, a sauce that transforms Tuesday-night dinner, a sleep mask that upgrades red-eye flights and a passionately recommended lineup of toys picked by kids, for kids.

We don't have to spend a lot of money to make people happy! I'd enjoy receiving some socks or incense or chili crisp. (But cash is preferred.)

Bike Around Boston for Free in 2025 ($20 Credit)

It's been a while since I've posted, but this is easy to write up. (Maybe it's the beginning of new era...)

If you ride BlueBikes or thinking about it, just get the app on your phone. I won't explain everything, because you can figure it out.

Basically I saw a promo code on Do617 for a $20 credit that lasts until the end of the year.

The promo code? Enter "code BLUECROSSMAMBTA in the Rewards section of the Bluebikes App".

One ride is really $3.13, and a day pass is $10.63 -- so I don't know what happens if go over $20.

What you can get safely is *6 one-time rides* or a *day pass and 2 one-time rides*.

See on you on the bike paths, friends!

SAT 6/2 & SUN 6/3: Stuff I Might Do

So, maybe this will be the beginning of the next phase... This is mainly posted for an audience of two for this weekend. We'll see where we go and what we do... Maybe have a beer at City Hall Plaza?

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SAT 6/2

11am to 6pm
Cambridge Arts River Festival
at East Cambridge Waterfront, from Lechmere Canal Park to Longfellow Bridge
FREE

There is more entertainment and fun other than these stages that both have solid lineups (I'm a fan of The Silks).

Folk & Roots Stage

Noon -- Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards
1pm -- Kalliope Jones
2pm -- Sean Staples & Friends
3pm -- Alastair Moock
4pm -- The Novel Ideas
5pm -- The Blue Ribbons

Rock, Indie, Alternative Stage

Noon -- Abbie Barrett
1pm -- The Low Cards
2pm -- Ali McGuirk
3pm -- The Silks
4pm -- The Curtis Mayflower
5pm -- Julie Rhodes

SAT 6/2

11am to 4pm (unless otherwise noted)
Historic New England: Open House Day
at Various Locations (in MA, NH, ME, RI, CT)
FREE / No registration required

You might be surprised at how many historical & architectual landmarks are owned by this preservation organization.

"...Learn about the people who lived in stone-enders, urban mansions, rural estates, and working farms during free guided tours at Historic New England’s house museums."

You can check out the list, but some of the Eastern MA standouts are the Gropius House (Lincoln), Beauport (Gloucester, 10am to 4pm), and the Lyman Estate & Greenhouses (Waltham, 10am to 1pm).

SAT 6/2

2:30pm to 8:30pm
Big Gay Dance Party
at Union Sq Plaza, Somerville (nexus of Somerville Ave, Washington St, Bow St)
FREE

Do they need to say more than "Big Gay Dance Party"? The only other thing is that it's open to all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.

SAT 6/2

5pm to 9pm
Boston Roller Derby: All Stars Double Header
at Simoni Ice Rink, 155 Gore St, Cambridge (Twin City Plaza)
$13 advance / $16 door

In the home-opener, 2 local teams take on NY & NJ...

4pm -- doors open
5pm -- Boston B Party vs Gotham Girls Grand Central Terminators
7pm -- Boston Massacre vs Garden State Ironbound Maidens

This is top-notch spectator sports, folks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SUN 6/3

10am to 4pm
SoWa Open Market
at 460 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)

11am to 5pm
Central Flea
at University Park, 91 Sidney St, Cambridge (Central Sq)

Noon to 5pm
The Automatic Flea
at The Automatic Food & Drink, 50 Hampshire St, Cambridge (Kendall Sq)

Feel like shopping?

SUN 6/3

2pm to 6pm
SomerStreets Carnaval
on Broadway, from McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Ave (East Somerville)
FREE

Most of East Somerville will be a big street party with music & performances & arts & crafts & food & dunk tank!

SUN 6/3

10am to 4pm
Herbstalk 2018: Herbal Marketplace
at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville (Winter Hill)
FREE -- Costs for classes

I wonder if one could find a super-fresh herb and use it as inspiration for a meal? Like maybe even go to Boston Public Market afterwards for more fresh ingredients?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FRI 6/1 to THUR 6/14

Various Times
"2001: A Space Odyssey": Remastered 70mm
at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville
$15

Who knows how these things happen... For the 50th anniversary, Christopher Nolan oversaw the creation of a new print from the original negative. Maybe my special lady wants to see old, weird sci-fi in the next week?

(Recreational marijuana is legal, right?)

TUES 4/4: Free Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Today

I may get this blog going again soon, but let's enjoy some enjoy ice cream today...

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Noon to 8pm
Free Cone Day
at participating Ben & Jerry's stores
FREE

On a dreary day, a free ice cream can lift the spirits. We might even want a pick-me-up on a sunny day.

I have seen long lines in past years when the weather has been crappy, so be ready to delay your gratification for a few minutes.

It's one per customer, although I know a guy who visited more than one location in a day... (Harvard Sq, Newbury St, Natick, etc -- it can be done.)

Exposing new flavors is one of the reasons for Free Cone Day, so I might as well share them: Cocoa Loco, Frozen Flakes, Fruit Loot, Truffle Kerfuffle, and Chocolate Cherry Garcia (Chocolate Ice Cream with Cherries & Fudge Flakes)...


(And don't worry about Ben & Jerry when chowing down on your cone -- they sold to a giant conglomerate years ago.)

Labor Day Weekend CTB Calendar: 9/2 to 9/5

Happy Allston Xmas! You scavenge around Allston along with a new wave of students or simply view the massive trash piles.

Lots of cheap music options this weekend with a little bit of film, fireworks, and miscellaneous cheap thrills..

Weekend CTB Calendar: 8/26 to 8/28

I will try to have a weekend summary up on Friday.

I can't give much of a recommendation to the Red Bull boat race on Sunday after the generally disappointing Flugtag last weekend, but some people might be into it...

SAT 8/20 & SUN 8/21: Top 5 Cheap Thrills

Inching towards greatness, my friends...

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SAT 8/20

Noon to 7pm
Red Bull Flugtag Boston
at Hatch Shell, Storrow Dr, Boston (Charles River Esplanade)
FREE

What may appear to be a ridiculous competition of engineering and gumption actually ...is pretty much that. There is a 45 year history of flugtag, and Red Bull has been hosting competitions around the world for 25 years.

Thirty teams will shove one of their own into the Charles River. Ostensibly they will all try to glide as far as possible from the 28-foot floating platform. The real fun will be the spectacular failures, and there will be great art-pieces flopping in style.

SAT 8/20 & SUN 8/21

Various Times
9th Annual Boston GreenFest
at City Hall Plaza, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Saturday — Noon to 10pm
Sunday — Noon to 6pm

GreenFest mainly consists of information booths, but it doesn't hurt to get educated in between environmentally-sound amusement. Be open to those who have some ideas to improve the planet and maybe let us live here a few more years.

There are musical performances the whole time and a film-fest inside City Hall. You might even take a spin in an electric car or electric bicycle.

SAT 8/20 & SUN 8/21

2pm
The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged)
at Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville (near Union Sq)
FREE / Donations welcome

Teen troupe doing one of the most difficult balancing acts related to Shakespeare — three actors performing a rollicking remix of every play that he wrote. (At least, the plays attributed to The Bard and only the plays we know about...)

SAT 8/20

3pm
4th Annual Boston Fuzzstival
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$20 advance / 18+

The second day of the annual Fuzzstival is over $10, but you get 19 bands for slightly more than a buck per band. It's more than garage & psych rock, so get ready a major sonic assault.

Stage 1: Doug Tuttle (12:15am), Quilt (11pm), Major Stars (10pm), Ghost Box Orchestra (9pm), Black Beach (8pm), BoyToy (7pm), Painted Zeros (6pm), Jaw Gems (5pm), Sunwatchers (4pm), Bat House (3pm)

Stage 2: Mini Dresses (11:45pm), Las Rosas (10:30pm), Zip-Tie Handcuffs (9:30pm), Ravi Shavi (8:30pm), High Pop (7:30pm), Way Out (6:30pm), Weakened Friends (5:30pm), Milk (4:30pm), Beach Toys (3:30pm)


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SUN 8/21

2pm to 6pm
SomerStreets: "Seize the Summer"
at Holland St, from Davis Sq to Teele Sq, Somerville
FREE

Feat: School of HONK, Matt Heaton & the Outside Toys, Pat & the Hats, Big Big Buildings, Todd Thibaud & the Royer Family Band, Esh Circus Arts, etc

Loitering in Davis Square is not a bad choice on many days. It doesn't hurt that the city is blocking a mile of road with music, art, games and more.

Wear your swimsuit to brunch, then head to the "90ft obstacle course water slide" that's open to everyone who is ready for good, wet fun.

Rain or shine.

Weekend CTB Calendar: 8/19 to 8/21

I'm not going to write much here, because I might actually give a more detailed post tomorrow.

I do have to say, "FLUGTAG!?!?!"

TUES 8/16: National Rum Day -- in Cambridge

6pm to 8pm
National Rum Day: Tasting Pop-Up
at Zinc Apartments Outdoor Terrace, 22 Water St, Cambridge (near Lechmere)
FREE w/ RSVP / 21+

You can celebrate National Rum Day anywhere, nowhere, or in your kitchen; however there is a nearby spot where it won't cost you anything.

The beautiful thing about this sampling is that the all of these rums were distilled within Route 128 with the furthest site being about 80 miles away.

When celebrating Rum Day, it's worth noting that Boston had a rich rum history before the Civil War (i.e. part of the slave economy), but don't let history ruin every rum & cola or mojito.

Much like everything else made, bought, or sold in America before 1860; many people suffered while others partied. Perhaps we should appreciate that we have made progress in the last 150 years -- AND that local jobs are being created (with wages) by getting sloshed on locavore liquor.

It sounds like 5 local rums will be available at the top of the apartment building. Who knows how many people live in this building, but most will probably try to muscle in.

Reserve your spot and taste spirits from Privateer (Ipswich, MA), GrandTen Distilling (Boston, MA), Deacon Giles Distillery (Salem, MA), Short Path Distillery (Everett, MA), and New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery (Winchester, NH).

Extra points for anyone who says "Happy Rumadan" to a stranger on the terrace...

PS: The CTB Calendar is currently updated through Friday...

Weekend CTB Calendar: 8/12 to 8/14

Ignore that I'm still slacking after a week's vacation -- there is cheap fun to be had!

Weekend CTB Calendar: 8/5 to 8/7

Still in Maine, and - believe it or not - I didn't sit at the keyboard all week.

Remember this is the last weekend for Shakespeare on the Common... If you're going to be at Assembly Row on Friday night, the screening of "Good Will Hunting" is also giving away swag like Rubik's cubes...

There are some good bands as well as women wrestling on Saturday... And a wide variety of free fun on Sunday...

Weekend CTB Calendar

There is a lot of good, cheap fun this weekend! Go out and enjoy while I'm in Maine.

"Two See or Not Two See": Free Outdoor Shakespeare in Boston & Chelsea

Othello, Boston Common, 2010

Cyrano, O'Malley Park, 2010

Now Thru SUN 7/31

8pm to 10:30pm
"Hamlet": Apollinaire in the Park
at Port Park, 99 Marginal St, Chelsea
FREE

Wednesdays to Sundays -- 8pm

"Bring Lawn Chairs or Blankets and come ready to move with the action!"

Now Thru SUN 8/7

Various Times
Shakespeare on the Common: "Love's Labour's Lost"
at Parkman Bandstand, about 165 Tremont St, Boston (Boston Common)
FREE

Tuesdays to Saturdays -- 8pm
Sundays -- 7pm
Saturday 8/6: Extra Matinee -- 3pm

We usually get only one free Shakespeare production per hot, humid Boston summer. The Bard asked whether one can desire too much of a good thing, but we can handle a double-shot of classic theatre al fresco.

The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company has been performing in Boston Common for two decades. There is high production value with big, stylized sets and actors who have appeared on Broadway and TV. Although "Love's Labour's Lost" is not one of the most accessible comedies in the body of work, this is always a delightful way to sit in the park for a couple hours.

On the other hand, I watched Apollinaire's thoroughly entertaining version of "Cyrano" a few years back in a different Chelsea park. The actors were wearing period costumes, but it was a bare-bones affair. I am seriously considering hopping on the #111 bus to catch their inventive approach to the travails of our favorite moody Danish prince. Instead of set changes, the audience will watch the drama move to 10 different locations in the park.

Weekend Highlights in Cheapness & 2 More Weeks of CTB Calendar

There is a good chance that I will get back to full-on coverage of the local cheapness. In the meantime, these are some of the highlights through the weekend:

The Outside the Box Festival (7/14 to 7/17) offers way more than the headliners like Smash Mouth, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and Zap Mama. Walk around the Common to enjoy loads of performers on various stages. I remember catching Atlas Genius last year, and it was great time.

As a music lover and game enthusiast, I like the sound of the Late Risers' Club Rock n' Roll Trivia Party (7/14). Yes, the trivia will be music-related, and the crowd will might even include some local rockers.

The new Cheap Thrills Boston rules now allow for events that cost slightly more than $10 when it feels special. There is a great rock show (7/14) featuring The Coathangers, L.A. Witch, Shepherdess, Gravel. If you check out one band, give The Coathangers a long listen.

ArtBeat (7/15 & 7/16) is one of the best annual music & arts festivals we have in the area. Festival Betances (7/15 to 7/17) is another one; the greased pole competition on Sunday is fun to watch.

We used to have to drive up to Wilmington to see Boston Roller Derby. Now they roll in Cambridge for part of the season -- including "Home Team Season Opener" (7/16). Yes, it's worth more than $10.

For those who see two paths and take the one less traveled, think about the Annual Boston Poetry Marathon (7/15 to 7/17) where each wordsmith only gets 8 minutes. There is a musical after-party on Friday too.



More to come...

CTB Calendar: First 10 Days of July

As I get back on the Cheap Thrills horse, I have some fun for the next week or so on the calendar.

This guy is heading to the Cape tomorrow morning. If I don't post anything in the next couple days, I want to share my idea for watching the fireworks on July 4th:

The roof of this MIT parking garage that should have a good, elevated view. You can't park there, but you should be able to walk up there with a chair and cold beverages...

Stay tuned...

FRI 6/24: Dance Party on Mass Ave

Photos from TAS & Phoebe Sinclair

In case you are reading, consider this as the beginning of a "soft return" that will probably happen at the beginning of July...

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7pm to Midnight
Annual City of Cambridge Dance Party (FB Link)
in front of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Cambridge stops the traffic to get down and boogie, and all are welcome. Cantabrigians welcome everyone for dancing in the street until the clock strikes 12, and there should be a few happy pumpkins by the end... I have to believe Prince will be a prime booty-shaker, and David Bowie might be represented...

I have joined the fun in the past; there's an uninhibited atmosphere that might come from the big crowd of all ages. It may also be a good time to express that people shouldn't have to be afraid to dance together.

There are bars in either direction, if you would like to "hydrate" before you gyrate.

Weekend Calendar: 3/6 to 3/8

It's "Spring Forward" weekend, so does that mean some bars may be open until 3am on Saturday night...?

Friday: First Friday of the month means art is South End including photos of street art. There's a film premiere at the wall-climbimg place in Somerville, and I'd like to go just to walk around. Yes, Hallelujah The Hills is playing downtown tonight at a non-rock club!

Saturday: Years ago I made fun of the Somerville Maple Syrup Festival, but my townie neighbors don't quite evoke the pastoral charms of somewhere in Vermont... I do like standing outside the Old State House and taunting the Brits at the Boston Massacre Reenactment. We shouldn't have to encourage young women to pursue STEM careers, but I guess we do. Among all of the good music tonight, the Mardis/Tardy Gras Ball is where heart will be even if my booty doesn't get there.

Sunday: If you still haven't been to Chinese New Year celebration, Harvard Square is doing their thing. Someone told me about a 'organizing meeting' to take action about the MBTA's horrible, awful, maddening winter service -- and all are welcome to join.

And did you know March 8 is International Women's Day? Some arty people in JP knew!



More to come...

Weekend Calendar: 2/27 to 2/29

Not a bad weekend ahead of us, cheap-thrills-wise. I hope to have some more detailed opinions up before Friday morning.

If you count Thursday, there will be *two* indoor sightings of Keytar Bear. Most Medeski, Martin & Wood fans would pass Keytar Bear's Thursday gig to see a free perforamance by Medeski with the NEC Jazz Orchestra.

Friday: It's a good night for music, especially at Oberon with multimedia elements and at Cuisine en Locale with free tacos for early-birds.

Saturday: During the day, you can have winter fun at Franklin Park or support clean energy in Boston Common.

Sunday: Chinatown's New Year celebrations will be muted this year, but Quincy's event might be more animated although it's in a high school gym. If you plan ahead, there are $8 advance tix (at box office, $10 online) for Berklee's salute to Disney music...



More to come...

2/23 to 2/26: Calendar Updated

Howdy, folks.

Am working on getting a timely weekend post, but I did find some early-week cheap thrills. Expect more updates by tonight Thursday...