By Emily Huizenga, News Staff
Featured Event: Boston Restaurant Week
Boston Restaurant Week is an opportunity to try some of Boston’s best fares for the lowest fares. Restaurants offering all sorts of cuisines, from tapas to sushi, Argentinean to Moroccan, will be offering tasty prix fixe menus for lunch and/or dinner for an incredible bargain: two-course lunch for $15.12, three-course lunch for $20.12 and three-course dinner for $33.12. Kicking off this Sunday, the “week” extends from March 18-23 and March 25-30 and includes spots all over Boston – from the Financial District to Back Bay. Check out the website to browse all the delicious options, preview the menus and make reservations. Sure beats the dining hall. Locations vary; March 18 – 23, 25 – 30; $15.12 for two-course lunch, $20.12 for three-course lunch, $33.12 for 3-course dinner; www.bostonusa.com.
Thursday, March 15
It costs $1.50 to wash a load of laundry in most residence halls. The price goes up to $3 if you want to dry, too. For the same price, you could get six – that’s right, six – tapas at Masa Restaurant on Tremont Street. The Mexican/Spanish eatery offers 50 cent tapas every Thursday, which includes small plates of Crisp Yucca Fries, Grilled Chorizo and BBQ Slow Cooked Lamb Springrolls with Guiajullo Bourbon BBQ sauce. If that isn’t exciting enough, Masa also provides free salsa lessons (the dance, not the dip) from 8-9 p.m., though the dance floor stays open until midnight. For anyone over 21, mojitos might be a good way to loosen up pre-Latin shimmy. 439 Tremont St.; 8-9 p.m. salsa lessons; 50 cent tapas; masarestaurant.com.
Black Crowes fans should head out to T.T. the Bear’s Place for a long-overdue Robinson fix. Though lead singer Chris is out touring with his band, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood, his brother, singer and guitarist Rich Robinson is busy pursuing a solo career. He was in Boston in November for the debut of his most recent album, Through a Crooked Sun, and signed copies at Newbury Comics. Tonight he plays alongside singer-songwriter Amy LaVere, who is also flying solo after her guitarist joined Hold Steady last year. 10 Brookline St., Cambridge; 8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show; $16; www.ttthebears.com.
Friday, March 16
Billed as a science-fiction, fantasy, gaming and anime convention, the annual Harvard gathering, Vericon XII, is bigger than ever with three days of panels, demos, signings, tournaments and guest speakers. Events range from “Anime Room Friday” to “Open Gaming: The Fellowship of the Gamers,” and famed science fiction novelist Vernor Vinge will be speaking among many others. If that isn’t motivation enough, everyone’s favorite “Goosebumps” author R.L. Stine will also attend. The 12th incarnation goes down at locations throughout Harvard all weekend, with both weekend and day passes available for purchase at the location. Sever Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge; $25 weekend pass, $10 Friday and Sunday, $15 Saturday; www.vericon.org.
Saturday, March 17
Question: How many hipsters does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Psh, you haven’t heard? The man credited with being the catalyst of the hipster movement through his “Vice” column, “Dos & Don’ts,” and hundreds of other contributions to the very modern magazine is Gavin McInnes. McInnes will discuss his new book “How To Piss In Public” in the midst of his book-reading/comedy tour, sharing insight on everything from elaborate moustaches to candy-colored fixed gears. Plus, he’s Canadian. See the “Godfather of Hipsterdom” this Saturday at Middle East Upstairs. 480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 6 p.m.; $8 advance, $10 day of; 18+; www.mideastclub.com.
Sunday, March 18
The South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade is listed as the second-largest parade in the country, with up to one million TV viewers every year. Kicking off on West Broadway, it’s close in both distance and time. The parade route is three miles long and takes almost two and a half hours from start to finish, so attendees have plenty of time to soak up the many bands, Star Wars stormtroopers, military units, clowns and politicians. There’s a good chance there’ll be some Guinness at nearby bars, too. Parade begins on West Broadway, ends at Dorchester Avenue; 1 p.m.; free; www.southbostonparade.org.
Monday, March 19
Who doesn’t love New York? Anyone who loves Tiffany “New York” Pollard of VH1’s “I Love New York” and “Flavor of Love” should head over to Blackman Theater. The reality TV star and actress will be here in honor of RSA’s annual Sex Week, a week-long series of lectures and games giving students the chance to explore their sexuality (like we need one). The event is free and features a lecture, Q&A and meet and greet. Tickets can be reserved online on myNEU. Blackman Theater; 8:30 p.m.; free; neu.universitytickets.com.
Tuesday, March 20
It’s peanut butter jelly time, peanut butter jelly time… More than 3,000 peanut butter jellies, that is. PB Jam is one of Northeastern’s largest community service events and is taking place this Tuesday in the West Addition of Curry Student Center. All students are invited to come make 3,000 PB&J sandwiches for homeless shelters around Boston. This is not your mother’s PB&J assembly, folks. Those with a peanut allergy must note there will be open jars of peanut butter at the event. West Addition, CSC; 7-9 p.m.; free; www.northeastern.edu/studentlife
Wednesday, March 21
Increasingly available at farmers’ markets, local farms and gourmet shops, eggs offer nutritional benefits and delicious flavor. Plus, they’re great with sausage and cheese on an English muffin the morning after a night out. In “The Fresh Egg Cookbook,” author Jennifer Trainer Thompson serves up 101 creative recipes for enjoying and celebrating the versatility of eggs. The book is packed with fun photos of chickens and food, advice for raising chickens and tons of eggciting spreads, scrambles, omelets, stratas, frittatas, quiches and casseroles. In addition to discussing her new book, Thompson will lead a cooking demo and provide free samples. 338 Newbury St.; 7 p.m.; free; tridentbookscafe.com.
Have an event coming up? E-mail the details to [email protected].
Events may be canceled or rescheduled. Call ahead to confirm.
