People sure are making a fuss over this whole “Rapture” thing. Some folks are scared (quick poll: which is worse: being sucked up naked in the sky to hang out with THE BIG GUY or being left behind?), some hope to meet their maker, and the rest are (presumably) looking forward to Memorial Day weekend and the 4th of July. Worried about being left behind? Don’t be. This weekend is full of awesome.
Friday, May 20
“FEAST: A Celebration of Food” at the Brickbottom Artists Gallery
12 – 5 p.m.
The current Brickbottom exhibition, “FEAST: A Celebration of Food” is a visual exploration of the things we eat. The exhibiting artists have used photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media to examine and discuss the subject.
Mayor’s Bike Ride at City Hall Concourse
1 – 2 p.m.
Mayor Curtatone will be leading a bike ride today in celebration of National Bike Month and the Mayor Fitness Challenge . The hour long ride will depart from the City Hall Concourse; the route is designed to draw attention to Somerville’s bike lanes and sharrows.
Wayfaring Strange: An Offbeat Song Swap at the Center for Arts at the Armory
7: 30 – 11 p.m.
Joe Kowan returns to swap more songs at the Armory, and this time he’s brought his friends Leesa Coyne, Davina Yanetty, and Nick Zaino with him. They will be performing in the Armory Cafe swapping each other’s acoustic songs. Talk about “sharing is caring,” eh? Doors are at 7:30; music starts at 8 p.m. Beer, wine, and other light refreshments will be available for purchase; cover is $7 at the door.
Ryan Fitzsimmons at Bull McCabe’s
10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Ryan Fitzsimmons is a local (transplant), much lauded folk artist who plays gigs all over the region and has even graced the stage of the Newport Folk Festival. He’s also a wee bit dreamy. Bull McCabe’s is an unpretentious Irish bar with tasty food, great pours (as if I needed to tell you), and somehow manages to consistently book great talent on that tiny stage of theirs. Need I say more?
Saturday, May 21
“FEAST: A Celebration of Food” at the Brickbottom Artists Gallery
12 – 5 p.m.
PorchFest 2011
12 – 6 p.m.
Get excited, people: Somerville porches are being reclaimed this weekend: PorchFest is upon us! For six hours this Saturday, porches will not just be used for bike storage, nor will stoops solely exist for swigging back bottles of beer (not that I’m knocking it). Music will be wafting out from over 75 porches across the ‘Ville; the acts will be as varied as you can imagine (bollywood funk, Americana, Balkan, gospel, glam rock, you name it). Although PorchFest is not original to Somerville, it’s been brought to our front door (snicker) by the City of Somerville and the Somerville Arts Council; check out the SAC website for maps and information regarding the time, location, and genre of the porch performances.
Sunday, May 22
Spring Fever Market at the Center for Arts at the Armory
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
It’s back! The Spring Fever Market triumphantly returns to the Armory this Sunday morning, bringing with it live music, craftspeople, and of course, the booths of food vendors hocking their wares. Whether you’re looking for chicken pot pies, fresh, organic produce, wine, artisan cheese, breads, or chocolate, you can probably find what you’re looking for at the Spring Fever Market.
Top Shelf Flea Market III at the George Dilboy VFW Hall
12 – 6 p.m.
An Affordable Wardrobe is bringing the vintage fashion and fun back to the Dilboy. The third installment of the TSFM boasts a wide array of vintage men and women’s clothing, books, housewares, music, furniture, and sundry random objects (and maybe even vintage bicycles!). Vendors will include Artifaktori Vintage, Carmen & Ginger, Newton St Vintage, NimCo, The Red Velvet Shoe, Fredricka, Gypsy, Swamp Rabbit Books, Bobby from Boston, JA Outfitters, and of course, An Affordable Wardrobe. There will be a cash bar with beer; admission and parking are free.
Bicycling Historic New Somerville
1:30 – 4:15 p.m.
The Somerville Bicycle Committee presents it 10th annual Historic Bike Tour. The theme will be identifying some of the newest, and in many cases, expanded historic districts in the city. The ride, which will be escorted by Somerville police, will depart from City Hall, meander through East Somerville, Winter Hill, Powderhouse, and terminate at the Somerville Museum. A $3 donation is requested.
“FEAST: A Celebration of Food” Closing Reception at the Brickbottom Artists Gallery
5 – 7 p.m.
The closing reception of “FEAST” will include a raffle fundraiser to support the Brickbottom Artists Association. Prizes will include gift certificates to The Independent, the River Street Whole Foods, ArtEpicure Cooking School, and Emma’s Pizza. The art of several Brickbottom artists will also be donated to the raffle.
