Published June 3, 2010
Was your prom this awesome? Either way, you can do it all over again this Sunday at ArtProm in Somerville. (Joe Shabotnick/Flickr)
With so much going on in Boston every weekend, how does the culture lover choose, or even find, the best of what Beantown has to offer? Let Hubbub do some of the sleuthing for you.
June is here, and Boston’s arts scene in Boston is heating up. From mysterious dinner theater to an appearance by everyone’s favorite redheaded comedian, to proms, walks and clothing swaps supporting worthy causes, this is the weekend for mixing good deeds with good times.
Mystery Café Presents: Hell Of A Kitchen
- Saturday, June 5, 7p.m.
- Elephant & Castle Restaurant, 161 Devonshire St.
- $49.95/person
If you’ve ever wanted to dive into a game of Clue (and eat a delicious meal while you’re at it), you’re in luck. The Elephant & Castle hosts the opening of Mystery Café’s latest dinner theater show, which has been blending food and interactive theater since it’s opening at the Cantab Lounge in 1987. And who knows — you may even meet your match. “One of the things of which I am most proud is that […] the Mystery Café has been responsible for quite a few marriages,” writes founder and producer David Goldstein on the company’s website.
“Two of them have been between our actors and actresses and three of them have been between our actors and audience members. Talk about interactive theater!”
Celebrate National Doughnut Day all weekend long. Drooling yet? (Jana Mills/Flickr)
- Friday, June 4, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover, MA
The first Friday in June is National Doughnut Day, and what better way to celebrate than with, well, doughnuts? Smolak Farm’s homemade cider doughnuts, which come plain, sugared or cinnamon-sugared (I vote for one of each, personally), will be half-priced all weekend long. There will also be hayrides, batting cages, a petting zoo and of course, doughnut eating contests, so save room.
Swap your clothes for a cause this Sunday at the South End Open Market. (Photo courtesy of SoWa Sundays)
Take Off Your Clothes Swap @ SOWA Open Market
- Saturday, June 5, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, June 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- South End Open Market, 500 Harrison Ave.
- $8 admission
There’s never been a better time to clean out your closet. Head to the South End for a massive clothing swap, where your old too-small sundress is another girl’s new adorable beach cover-up. For every gently used item you trade, you get a coupon for one new item. All items that aren’t swapped will be donated to Boomerang’s thrift store to benefit the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
- Sunday, June 6, check-in at 7 a.m.
- Start and finish line at the Hatch Memorial Shell
Rally up a friend or three and walk though Boston for a cause. This 24th annual walk benefits the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, the oldest and largest AIDS action organization in New England.
Cashunt’s Bridal Dash: The Ultimate Bridal Scavenger Hunt
- Sunday, June 6, 1 p.m.
- The Great Hall @ Faneuil Hall
- Free
Brides looking for a stress reliever should consider this an alternative to massages for the whole bridal party. A two-and-a-half hour wedding-themed scavenger hunt around Boston, this mad-dash is customized to the bride and comes with a CD of all the photos and video of your game — perfect for the reception slide show.
- Saturday, June 5, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m
- The Center For The Arts At The Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville
- $10
Whether your prom was all about broken hearts or the best night of your life, it couldn’t hurt to get a do-over. Dust off your prom dress or tux, get a corsage, and boogy down to old-school hip hop and pop tunes, all to benefit the Somerville Arts Council and The Center For The Arts At The Armory.
Jam with one of R&B's leading ladies at the Orpheum. (H. Sanchez/Flickr)
Erykah Badu with Janelle Monae
- June 6, 7:15 p.m.
- The Orpheum Theatre, One Hamilton Place
- $53.50
R&B queen Erykah Badu is in town touring her latest album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh. Judging by the whole “Window Seat” music video controversy, there’s no telling what to expect from the singer-rapper, though we can count on it being fresh and new — just like her opening act, indie-pop-soul singer Janelle Monae.
- Friday, June 4, and Saturday, June 5, 8 p.m.
- Symphony Hall
- $20-$89
Remember one of Jazz’s most influential musicians of all time with the help of the Boston Pops and jazz and blues vocalist Dee Daniels. A must-see for any Jazz fan, the show will feature some of Ellington’s biggest hits, such as “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Mood Indigo,” “Solitude,” “In a Mellotone” and “Satin Doll.”
No T.V. contract? No problem. The Conan train pulls into Boston this weekend. (teamcoco.com)
Conan O’Brien’s “Prohibited” Tour
- Friday, June 4, 8 p.m.
- Wang Theater, 270 Tremont St.
- $39.50-$79.50
Conan’s not letting the whole contract thing keep him from being funny. His cross-country tour, aptly titled “The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour,” is a night of music, comedy, hugging and the occasional awkward silence sure to deliver on the laughs.
31st Annual Cambridge River Festival
- Saturday, June 5, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Memorial Drive between JFK St. and Western Ave.
- Free
Nothing feels more like summer in Boston than hanging out by the Charles. Soak up the waterfront views while listening to jazz, folk, Latin and world music performances at this free, family-friendly festival. There will also be dance, arts and crafts and more than 100 specialty food purveyors and local artists and vendors.