By Emily Huizenga, News Staff
Featured Event
Harvard Square’s third annual Some Like it Hot Chili Cook-Off is a chance to indulge in hearty food, relish fierce competition and engage in community camaraderie just in time for the biggest game of the year. This Saturday, 10 of the square’s hottest restaurants will gather at DeGuglielmo Plaza (in front of Crema Cafe on Brattle Street) to cook up batches of their favorite chilis for hungry attendees to sample and vote for the winner. Some varieties include a meatless five bean chili from Grendel’s Den, a short rib chili from UpStairs on the Square and a traditional chili from Fire and Ice. For those craving something crunchy or chilly, Trademark Tours will be serving chips and salsa and JP Licks will offer a special chili-themed ice cream. DeGuglielmo Plaza, Harvard Square; 1 – 3 p.m.; free; www.harvardsquare.com.
Thursday, Feb. 2
Improvisers and poets from New York will team up with improvisers and poets from Boston tonight for an evening of, well, improv and poetry. The event is called “Kiss Punch Poem” and goes like this: First, the audience writes a poem together. Then, the performers improvise scenes inspired by the audience’s poem. Next, a poet performs one of his or her own poems. Then more improv. Then more poetry. As the website says, the whole night ends up alternating between “improv inspired by poetry and poetry inspired by improv,” ultimately yielding an original poem written on the spot and based on the entire evening. It’s all happening at Improve Boston in Cambridge. 40 Prospect St., Cambridge; 8 – 11 p.m.; $10, kisspunchpoem.com.
Friday, Feb. 3
Tennessee Williams’ widely unexplored erotic thriller “Green Eyes” is making its Boston debut this month at the Ames Hotel. Unpublished for almost 40 years, the play delves into the impact of war through the sexual fantasies of a newlywed couple on their honeymoon – and literally takes place in a honeymoon suite. Consequently, space is limited to 25 seats per show and has been selling out consistently. Desire and violence intertwine in this psycho-sexual performance, which stars acclaimed New York City actress Erin Markey. 1 Court St.; 10 p.m.; 18+; $35; www.companyone.org.
Saturday, Feb. 4
Bob Marley’s birthday isn’t until Monday, but the party planners at Cambridge’s Middle East nightclub want to celebrate early with the third annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash this Saturday night. The reggae-filled show will feature world music artist iLa Mawana, the maker of groove music who played with Matisyahu this past September. Dynamic virtuoso of the guitar Van Gordon Martin Band will also be performing, doing everything from slapping his guitar like a bass to playing mind-bending reggae, soul and R&B solos. 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 8 p.m.; 18+; $13 advanced, $15 day of show; www.mideastclub.com.
Sunday, Feb. 5
Tryst restaurant in Arlington is serving up a new take on brunch inspired by the past. The chefs at Tryst have devised the retro brunch: A collection of throwback cuisine that features items like steak and eggs, house-made creme-filled delicacies (distinctly reminiscent of a Twinkie) and decadent French toast. Those 21 and up may opt for the Leave It to Beaver cocktail, while anyone looking to recover from a slightly less than wholesome Saturday night might give the “Father Knows Best” Headache Powder a try – the secret ingredient is Ovaltine. In addition to the classic concoctions, Tryst features a live jazz combo that creates a retro vibe with music from the ’50s and ’60s. 689 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington; Sat. and Sun. 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; price varies with order; www.trystrestaurant.com.
Monday, Feb. 6
Coast-to-Coast Career Fairs will be in Boston this Monday hosting a job fair featuring more than 400 positions and one convenient chance to network. Employers from departments like sales, marketing, customer service, administrative work, accounting, financial services, banking, retail, insurance and more will come ready to conduct on the spot interviews, offer career tips and maybe even hire an employee or two. Coast-to-Coast requires all attendees register on its website before attending the fair, and recommends brushing up on especially interesting employers in order to make a knowledgeable first impression. Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers, 50 Park Plaza; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.; free; www.coasttocoastcareerfairs.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
Sebastian Seung, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and rising star in neuroscience, will visit the Harvard Bookstore this Tuesday to discuss his new book “Connectome: How the Brain’s Wiring Makes Us Who We Are.” His book explores not only the basis of personality, identity, intelligence and memory, but also mental afflictions like depression, autism and schizophrenia, and even hints at the possibility of humans uploading their brains into a computer – thus making them effectively immortal. 1256 Massachusetts Ave.; 7 p.m.; free; www.harvard.com.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
The university will lend a helping hand to all students grasping for a place to live. Its hosting the fifth annual Apartment Fair, a chance for house-hunters to meet tons of approved real estate agents in one convenient location. Students can pick the professionals’ brains about Boston neighborhoods, rental costs and the realty process in a relaxed, novice-friendly environment. Plus, there will be snacks. Indoor Quad, Curry Student Center; 4 – 7 p.m.; free; www.northeastern.edu/studentlife.
Have an event coming up? E-mail the details to [email protected].
Events may be canceled or rescheduled. Call ahead to confirm.
