By Sara Tucker, News Staff
Entry of the Week: Thursday, Sept. 5
Welcome back to Boston! In honor of the return of college students and the second day of classes (but probably really just because it was a logical date), Pinkberry will welcome Bostonians to its new location in Davis Square. While the grand opening isn’t technically until Friday, anyone who stops by between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday will receive a free sample of the tasty treats available at Pinkberry. So take a friend and explore a new part of the city. If free froyo isn’t motivation enough, then what is? 263 Elm St., Somerville; 5:30-8:30 p.m.; free; pinkberry.com.
Friday, Sept. 6
Head out to Somerville for the Greek Festival at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Boasting some of the best Greek food in the city, the festival will include dishes like loukoumades, roast lamb, souvlaki, diples, moussaka, pastichio and Greek gyro. Festival food and activities can be found under the tent behind the church. Live Greek music will play Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. Friday night will feature one of the most popular Greek American bands, Orfeas. 29 Central St., Somerville; 5-11 p.m.; free; greekboston.com/greekfestivals.
Saturday, Sept. 7
If you’re not interested in the Boston Calling Music Festival going on downtown all weekend, consider the Jamaica Plain Music Festival. This event was created to celebrate Jamaica Plain and its residents by assigning one rule: the participating bands must have at least one member that lives or works in Jamaica Plain. The festival started out small in 2010, but fans and residents have expanded the festival, and this year there will be 22 bands playing between 12 and 7 p.m. This third annual event is open to the public (even those from outside JP) and is free. Sponsoring cafés will serve food all afternoon. Pinebank Field, Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain; 12-7 p.m.; free; jpmusicfestival.com.
Sunday, Sept. 8
Celebrate African traditions and culture this weekend at Cambridge Carnival International. Organized completely “by the community, for the community,” according to the event’s website, Carnival International aims to celebrate not only African culture, but diversity around the world. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. and is a parade of masqueraders and dance troupes who will walk the streets of Cambridge in costume. Aside from the parade, the carnival has several stages on which dance groups, steel drum bands, international groups and DJs will show their stuff. 1 Kendall Sq., Cambridge; 12-7 p.m.; free; cambridgecarnival.org.
Monday, Sept. 9
Curious about the history of this great city? Interested in the old architecture, or maybe the new? Head to the Old State House downtown for a guided walking tour of the city that will traverse the Freedom Trail from Faneuil Hall to Boston Common, all while providing interesting information about the history and architecture around the city. A few highlights include: the old and new State Houses, the site of the Boston Massacre, Park Street Church, King’s Chapel, the site of the First Schoolhouse and the Famine Memorial. The route also passes some great locations for shopping and eating. Catch up with a guide at the corner of State and Congress Streets at 10 a.m. for a morning stroll, or 6 p.m. for a glimpse of the downtown rush hour. Consider buying tickets online in advance. Corner of State and Congress; 10 a.m. or 6 p.m.; $15; bostoncitywalks.com.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
For those who haven’t yet had a chance to view Boston from above, consider riding the elevator at the Prudential up to the very top floor – to the Skywalk Observatory. Located on the 50th of the Prudential tower, just a short walk from campus, the observatory is the only 360 degree view of the city of Boston. The observatory is only open until late October, so visit now before the city is covered in snow and the highest point around is the top floor of International Village. Spend a few hours at the Prudential Center after a visit for some shopping and dining – in addition to Newbury Street, the Pru is one of Northeastern students’ favorite locations for shopping. 800 Boylston St.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; $13 with college ID, $15 without; prudentialcenter.com.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
For those who would rather spend their time shopping than learning about culture or architecture, the Summer Street Plaza will have its 5th annual Summer Street Arts Market this Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market is one of Boston’s largest art markets, and vendors will set up in the plaza under white tents for a whole day of shopping. Vendors will offer items from large paintings and hand-crafted sculptures to jewelry, trinkets and scarves. Summer Street Plaza is located directly across from the Downtown Crossing T stop, and it’s absolutely free to browse the market. Summer Street Plaza; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; free; downtownboston.org.
