By Emma Dangel By Emma Dangel | June 20, 2019 | Lifestyle,
Now that the kids are out of school, it’s time to start thinking of ways to get them off the couch and out of the house again (or maybe to plan a night out on the town without them!) If you’re looking for a change of pace in your summer routine, read ahead for 10 things to do in Boston this weekend, with or without the kids.
Chefs in Shorts
Now in its 22nd year, Chefs in Shorts is a can’t-miss event for any food lover in or around the city. Enjoy a night of rare, sizzling competition on June 21, as over 40 of Boston’s top culinary talents all gather in one place during this outdoor summer barbeque at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. Plus, you can indulge in delicious food guilt-free all night, knowing your support will benefit Future Chefs, a local nonprofit which helps students gain experience and find careers in the culinary arts. Attendees will also be able to vote for their favorite dish. Tickets $90, June 21, 7-10 p.m., Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd., Boston, seaportboston.com
Cirque du Soleil - CORTEO
A night with the Cirque du Soleil is perfect for kids, or for date night. CORTEO is a joyous procession, the story of a festive funeral parade as imagined by a clown. The show is a marriage of acting and acrobatics, full of fun, comedy, humanity and spontaneity. Get lost in the magic and the mystery of the carnival in this beautiful celebration of life and artistry. Tickets starting at $45, Through June 30, Agganis Arena, 925 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, cirquedusoleil.com
Slap Out Epilepsy Hockey Clinic
The Epilepsy Foundation New England has announced their second Slap Out Epilepsy fundraiser, a hockey clinic for young players ages 7 to 15. New York Rangers star Chris Kreider, Olympian Chanda Gunn and others will join the foundation this year at the Phillips Andover ice rink. Gunn, a former U.S. Olympic goalie and epilepsy advocate, heads the Young Leaders Network of the Epilepsy Foundation New England. Bring your little hockey fans and come out to show support for a great cause. Attendance at the clinic includes a practice jersey, two raffle tickets, motivational speakers, on-ice skills stations with professionals, picture and autograph opportunities, as well as snacks and drinks. Tickets $126, June 22, 9 a.m. - noon, Harrison Rink, Phillips Academy, 254 S Main St., Andover, Mass., classy.org
International Yoga Day
Kimpton Marlowe is launching an overnight yoga-themed package so that guests can stay committed to their yoga practice on International Yoga Day even when travelling. The package features an exclusively curated wellness experience created in partnership with international yoga instructor Candace Moore of YogaByCandace. It includes an overnight stay in a deluxe guestroom, a specially curated health and wellness box, a signed copy of Moore’s book Namaslay, and yoga mat rollout service so you don’t have to bring your own. A 60-minute video Vinyasa Yoga session with Candace is also included. Rooms starting at $329 per night, Available starting June 21, Kimpton Marlowe Hotel, 25 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge, Mass., hotelmarlowe.com
Chocolate and Wine Tour of Beacon Hill
Who doesn’t love chocolate and wine? Put the two together for a deliciously memorable Boston experience on the Tipsy Chocolates wine tour of Beacon Hill. Enjoy a 90-minute walking tour along the “chocolate trail,” checking out local chocolate artisans, and learning about the history of the chocolate business in Massachusetts. The tour ends with a wine and chocolate pairing, put together by a sommelier and a chocolate expert. It also includes one chocolate martini, two Italian and two French wines, and several single-origin, boozy-inspired chocolate samples. $74 per person, 21+, June 22, Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Boston, tipsychocolates.co
Tiffany Jenkins
Best known for her viral Facebook videos, Tiffany Jenkins is touring as a public speaker to candidly share her struggles with addiction, depression and anxiety. Head to The Wilbur on Thursday to hear her speak and to be among the first to receive Tiffany’s book, High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life (exclusive signed book packages available). Tickets $37-$87, June 20, The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, thewilbur.com
Ariana Grande
Following the release of her latest album, Thank U, Next, Ariana Grande is on tour for the summer and coming to Boston this Saturday. The pop princess took the world by storm earlier this year, with hit singles “God is a Woman,” “No Tears Left to Cry” and the iconic “Thank U, Next.” All of your favorite summer jams are sure to be included in the setlist this weekend, including a special performance by Grande of "The Wizard and I," a popular song from the musical Wicked in honor of the show’s 15th anniversary. Tickets from $191, June 22, at TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, tdgarden.com
Hannah Gadsby
Comedian Hannah Gadsby is bringing her show Douglas to the Shubert Theatre stage as part of her first ever U.S. tour. Gadsby, who is originally from Tasmania, rose to world-wide recognition with her award-winning stand-up show Nanette, making it the first Australian Netflix Original comedy special. If you’re a fan of stand-up comedy, don’t miss out on the chance to see this show and find out what all the hype overseas is about. Tickets starting at $43.75, June 20, Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston, bochcenter.org
Citizen Kane
If you consider yourself a movie buff, head to the Brattle Theatre this weekend for a showing of Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane. A classic American drama following the life of wealthy publisher Charles Foster Kane, played by Welles, the film was released in 1941 and was nominated for nine Academy Awards that year, winning Best Original Screenplay. Considered by many to be the best film ever made, Citizen Kane is a must-see whether you’ve seen it a thousand times or never before. June 22, at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, Mass., brattlefilm.org
Nantucket Film Festival
Founded in 1996 by year-round islanders and siblings Jill and Johnathan Burkhart, the Nantucket Film Festival is now one of the premier destination film festivals in the world, attracting visitors from all over. This year, the festival is featuring critically-acclaimed films such as Yesterday, The Farewell, Toy Story 4 and Maiden. The festival boasts an impressive celebrity lineup, including Saturday Night Live alums and stars like Jane Curtin and Heidi Gardner, who will receive the award for Creative Impact in Television, as well as participating in a Comedy Roundtable event you won’t want to miss. For a more intimate experience, consider joining the NFF’s Legacy Circle, which includes exclusive benefits such as invitations to private dinners with celebrity guests and award-winners, as well as reserved seating, ticketless entry and first access at each screening. Join the Legacy Circle for $3,000, through June 24, Nantucket, Mass., nantucketfilmfestival.org
Photography by: Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil