This is the weekend to see some art, music or theater, live and in-person, even if it means giving up on whatever critically acclaimed TV series you’re trying to catch up on. Unless that series is “Orphan Black” in which case just remember to change position on the couch once in a while so you don’t get bed sores.
| Thursday, May 8 – Boston Calling Block Party Series |
If nothing else, we have Occupy Boston to thank for demonstrating that Dewey Square would make a sweet place for food trucks and farmers markets and free concerts. Boston Calling’s Thursday night Block Party series in “the Dew” runs through September and kicks off tonight with the Swinging Johnsons (a reference to LBJ’s flip-flopping domestic policies, you weirdo). (5 p.m., FREE, 21+)
| Friday, May 9 – Boston Bike Week Festival |
Let’s take a moment to give thanks that we live in a place where Bike Week refers to bicycles and not Harleys — it’s all the tattoos and facial hair with none of the noise. Join in a commuter convoy Friday morning and get a free Boloco breakfast, or ride out that night with Boston Bike Party’s first birthday party trek from City Hall Plaza to an afterparty at Somerville’s Aeronaut Brewing Company. (7 a.m./8 p.m., FREE, all ages)
| Friday to Sunday, May 9-11 – Fort Point Open Studios |
If you missed open studios in Brookline, Cambridge or Somerville, this weekend in Fort Point is your next chance to feel like a cool, smart patron of local arts. More than 75 artists in the waterfront district will open their studios and galleries to visitors, in addition to public installations in the neighborhood and in Fort Point Channel. (4 p.m. Friday/noon Sat. and Sun., FREE, all ages)
| Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11 – Oz with Orchestra |
Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will accompany these weekend screenings of “The Wizard of Oz” at Symphony Hall. New technology allows the original vocals and dialogue to remain intact while a live orchestra performs the score, plus maybe one Pink Floyd song as a fun joke. (3 & 8 p.m., $24-94, all ages)
| Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11 – New England Animation Film Festival |
The biennial festival at the ICA showcases works by 19 New England filmmakers who employ a variety of animation techniques, from stop-motion to digital. Like all the best cartoons, the program contains material that may not be suitable for children, but whatever, so did “Ren and Stimpy” and our generation turned out, well, pretty horribly so maybe use discretion. (7 p.m. Sat./3 p.m. Sun., $5-10, all ages)
| Sunday, May 11 – Boston Theatre Marathon |
The annual ten-hour Boston Theatre Marathon at the Boston Center for the Arts features 53 10-minute plays by 55 local playwrights, produced by 54 New England theaters. Just like runners in an actual marathon, actors will take frequent water breaks and wear band-aids on their nipples to prevent chafing. (12 p.m., $25-35, all ages)
| Sunday, May 11 – “The Tempest” |
If maybe two hours of theatre instead of ten is more your speed, American Repertory Theater presents Shakespeare’s tale of shipwrecked aristocrats. The production features music by Tom Waits and magic by Teller (of Penn and Teller), popping in for a solo appearance like Andre 3000 doing a guest verse. (7:30 p.m., $25-125, all ages)
| Sunday, May 11 – Together 5 Opening Night Party |
A weeklong convergence of art, music, and technology — in a much cooler way than that annoying commercial with people making music on their iPhones — the Together festival kicks off Sunday with an opening night party and tribute to Frankie Knuckles at Middlesex Lounge. The rest of the week features exhibitions, panels, performances and parties around the city. (8 p.m., $5 or free with festival pass, 21+)
Photo credit: American Repertory Theater
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This article was provided by our content partner, The Boston Calendar.