By Emily Huizenga, News Staff
Featured Event: Boston Facial Hair Fiasco
The Boston Facial Hair Fiasco is coming this Saturday, and bringing with it loads of beards, Jim Beam and rock ‘n’ roll. Tallboy, a Boston-based production company, is sponsoring the beard and beer-filled competition this Saturday. The concept is hairly – fairly – simple: Facial hair enthusiasts will pine for titles in categories like full natural, full groomed, freestyle, partial and fake (A+ game is recommended for this variety, which allows the use of arts and crafts.) Judges include Sandy Poirier of SHAG Rock Star Hair, Bert Mayer III of the Boston Beard Bureau and Carmen O’Connor of the band Bodega Girls, while bands Township, Black Helicopter and Coyote Kolb will supply music. Now’s the time to grow. As the event’s website says, “It’s beard season.” 69 Kilamock St.; 7 p.m. – 2 a.m.; $10 to attend, $15 to compete; churchofboston.com/club.
Thursday, Feb. 16
As part of “Do It In the Dark,” the Husky Environmental Action Team’s (HEAT) two-week energy saving competition for freshmen dorms, the group will screen “The 11th Hour” in West Village G tonight. The 2007 documentary displays the grave problems facing the planet’s life systems, and was created, produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. More than 50 politicians, scientists and environmental activists including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev contributed to the film, which addresses global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction and depletion of oceanic habitats. 106 West Village G; 6 – 9 p.m.; free; www.northeastern.edu/studentlife.
It’s kind of counter-intuitive that someone chilly can warm up with a cup of chili. Here in Boston, the fare is even warmer, as the third annual Boston Chili Cup adds the intensity of competition to an already spicy provision. Sponsored by Quincy Market bar Ned Devine’s, Corona and Don Julio, the friendly competition pits 16 local restaurants against each other for the honor of the 2012 Chili Cup. Tickets include all-you-can-eat chili and two drinks from Corona and/or Don Julio, and all proceeds benefit Community Work Services, an organization that helps folks transform their lives through employment. 1 Faneuil Hall Market Place; 6 – 10 p.m.; $20; www.neddevinesboston.com.
Friday, Feb. 17
Improv Asylum presents “Life Before Sext,” a show dedicated reminiscing about the days when things were just a little more simple. The Asylum ensemble will use on the spot tactics to explore modern troubles like bullying, being too far in debt and, a bit on the racy side, reliving one’s “first.” The cast has been known to take audience suggestions, sing an impromptu song or two and teeter just on the edge of out of hand. 216 Hanover St.; 8 and 10 p.m.; $22; www.improvasylum.com.
Saturday, Feb. 18
Brookline’s Hop to the Beat Dance Club calls itself Boston’s “Home of Happy Feet” and hosts a monthly Uptown Swing Dance event. This Saturday, the club will present a tropical dance party, where Hawaiian and festive attire is encouraged. The Love Dogs, a swing, jump blues and New Orleans R&B band, will supply snazzy live music. The club provides two other necessities for an evening of dance: A complimentary 45 minute lesson and functioning air conditioning. Both singles and couples are welcome, as well as beginners and experts. 1615 Beacon St., Brookline; 8:15 – 9 p.m. lesson, 9 p.m. – 12 a.m. dance; $15 with student ID; www.hoptothebeat.com.
Sunday, Feb. 19
On its website, the SoWa Vintage Market is christened “Boston’s weekly destination for antiques, vintage collectibles, art and many other one of a kind curiosities.” The indoor market flaunts a cool urban vibe and is located in the South End’s arts and media district. Oodles of vintage vendors riddle the market, offering antique fashions, home furnishings, jewelry, music, accessories, art, vintage paraphernalia and more. In addition to perusing retro finds, shoppers can enjoy groovy music by DJ John Warren and the occasional homemade snack generous vendors offer for free. The market is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the first Friday of every month from 5 to 9 p.m. 460C Harrison Ave.; Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; free; www.sowavintagemarket.com.
Monday, Feb. 20
Trivia on any night is fun. But holiday-appropriate President’s Day-themed trivia? Little could be more satisfying. Cambridge’s Oberon nightclub is hosting The Big Quiz Thing’s “Hail to the Trivial Presidential Quiz Spectacular” in honor of the holiday few people celebrate but many happily miss class for. With quirky questions like who was the first US president with a middle name? And what did Abraham Lincoln do at the urging of an 11-year-old girl? the quiz will not only test the mind, but fill it with loads of off the wall facts for next President’s Day. Need another reason to attend what The Onion called “way more than a middlebrow excuse to drink beer?” While admission is free, the grand prize is $200. 2 Arrow St., Cambridge; 8 p.m.; free; www.cluboberon.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 21
While most people try to trim down and get healthy this time of year, the folks at Quincy Market’s An Tain pub are only concerned with one part of the body being in shape: The drinking arm. The bar’s website encourages patrons to “forget about the carrot sticks you brought to work and keeping in line with whatever miserable resolution you’ve made for yourself” and head out for $4 20 ounce Guinness pints, offered every Tuesday since January. The special is in preparation for Boston’s infamous St. Patrick’s day – 35 days of Guinness training. 31 India St.; noon – 2 a.m.; $4 Guinness pints; www.yelp.com/biz/an-tain-boston.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Boston University hosts its annual creative writing faculty reading, an evening where distinguished professors and administrators showcase personal work. This year’s reading will feature Dan Chiasson, a poetry editor for The New Yorker, and Sigrid Nunez, author of “Sempre Susan” – a memoir of writer and activist Susan Sontag. Regular faculty members will share as well, including Rosana Warren, author of five books of poetry, Robert Pinksy, the only three-time US Poet Laureate, and National Book Award winner Ha Jing. Boston University Photonics Center Auditorium; 7 – 9 p.m.; free; www.bu.edu/writing.
Have an event coming up? E-mail the details to [email protected].
Events may be canceled or rescheduled. Call ahead to confirm.
