By Mary Whitfill, editor-in-chief
Thursday, July 17
You may have seen him generating laughs on a plethora of Comedy Central shows, such as the star of MTV’s “Guy Code,” “Girl Code” and “Guy Court,” or portraying President Obama in a number of College Humor sketches, but now is your chance to have Jordan Carlos tickle your funny bone in real life. Laugh Boston, also featuring Jamie Roberts (“Law & Order,” “Fan Nation”) and Jay Nog (“Guy Code”), will bring Carlos to the Westin in Boston for an evening of fun. With credits including “The Colbert Report,” “Nurse Jackie” and “Live at Gotham,” this show is sure to give you a break from real life with a ton of laughs. 425 Summer St.; 10 p.m.; $20.
Friday, July 18
The annual ArtBeat Somerville festival is taking over Davis Square again this year, but with a new theme for all creative participants. The festival, which will feature over a dozen bands and dance troupes, is themed “hatch” – a spin on the idea that Somerville is a place for dreams and arts to grow and for ideas to hatch. Over 75 craft vendors will allow local DIY-ers the chance to show off their creations, and musicians will fill the square with their original music as dancers move with the beat. This free event is a two-day affair with a full performance schedule available online. 1 Davis Square, Somerville; 6 – 10 p.m.; free.
Saturday, July 19
Prove that you were seriously wronged when you turned 11 and your Hogwarts acceptance letter didn’t come by showing off your knowledge of the wizarding world at White Horse Tavern. Winners of the anticipated Harry Potter Quiz will be awarded the muggle equivalent of galleons, knuts and sickles and the more people who attend, the larger the reward. The quiz will feature questions about both the books and movies, and only the most knowledgeable will survive to the end. However, leave your self-correcting ink and spell checking quills at home – no cheating tolerated. 116 Brighton Ave., Allston; 3 p.m.; $5.
Sunday, July 20
Evenwhen we grow up, we never lose our love of being fooled and two of Boston’s greatest magicians will pool their talents at an intimate magic and comedy show to provide an evening of child-like entertainment. Only 50 guests will be admitted into this sophisticated but light-hearted event where drinks are flowingall night. As soon as guests enter the library of The Hampshire House they will be sucked into surreal situations such as teleporting to impossible locations, watching objects vanish and reappear, experiencing telepathy between themselves and the magicians and more. 84 Beacon St.; 7:30 p.m.; $45.
Monday, July 21
One of the only bands to still demand a dramatic cult following almost 50 years past their granddebut, The Beatles are a band of legend and now is your opportunity to pay homage to one of their most popular albums. The Brookline Music School is recruiting fans of the Fab Four to participate in the Sgt. Pepper Project, a place for musicians to honor the musical icons. Singers, guitarists, bassists, drummers, string and woodwind players are all invited to three rehearsals before an impressive performance recreating the famous record: “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” The first rehearsal takes place on July 21 and the performance will be held on Aug. 1. 25 Kennard Rd., Brookline; 5 p.m.; $67.
Tuesday, July 22
The golf may be mini, but the cause is big: join Eaton Vance employees for an evening of cheap mini golf to raise money for the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. An iconic charity with famous supporters such as Ben Affleck and Donald Trump, the Jimmy Fund raises funds to support adult and pediatric cancer care. Since 2000, Eaton Vance, a Boston-based investment firm, has raised over $760,000 for cancer care. Participants will play nine holes of mini golf and participate in a 50-foot putt challenge, as well as being entered into drawings with prizes ranging from baseball caps to Red Sox tickets. This totally affordable event is your chance to support a great cause without breaking the bank. 2 International Place; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; $10.
Wednesday, July 23
Meet someone in the blink of an eye and hope for a romantic comedy attraction after an evening of speed dating at the Mass Ave Tavern. The casual Back Bay club will offer a singles event that will hopefully lack the weirdos and awkward eye contact. The event boasts of a speakeasy vibe, with one reviewer claiming it was a “little like leaving modern-day Boston behind and somehow landing in an episode of ‘Mad Men.’” Sharpen your one liners and practice batting your eyelashes in hopes of stealing a strangers attention and landing your very own Don Draper. 94 Mass. Ave.; 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.; $29.
Photo courtesy Joe Haupt, Creative Commons.
