By Megan O’Brien, deputy inside editor
Event of the Week: Tuesday, Oct. 20
Anna’s Taqueria commemorates 20 years of serving Boston with a Fan Appreciation Day this Tuesday. Tacos are buy one get one free. Guests can enjoy complimentary chips and salsa and sip on samples of hibiscus tea and horchata. For every burrito sold, $ 1 will go to ReVision Urban Farm, a community-based urban agriculture project that grows produce and provides other foods to ReVision Family Home, a shelter for young mothers and children. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., local student a cappella groups will perform at various locations. All Anna’s Taqueria locations; 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; free.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Scents of Gouda, cheddar and Gruyère will fill the air of Downtown Crossing when the New England Cheese Festival takes over Roche Bros. The supermarket chain is spotlighting over 100 cheeses from 40 local cheese makers by making them available for sale through the month of October at select stores. Cheese makers include Pineland Farms and Silvery Moon from Maine, Vermont Farmstead, Narragansett of Rhode Island, Vermont Nut Free and Massachusetts’ Great Hill Creamery. Attendants have the opportunity to meet some of the cheese makers and participate in a wine and cheese pairing. Ten cheeses will be available for tasting at Thursday’s event. 8 Sumner St.; 4 – 8 p.m.; free.
Friday, Oct. 16
For the next 10 days, the ninth annual Boston Palestine Film Festival (BPFF) will feature work from directors around the world that offer views of Palestine and its history, culture and geographically dispersed society. Starting off the screenings is “Eyes of a Thief” by Palestinian-Jordanian filmmaker Najwa Najjar at the Museum of Fine Arts, the festival’s partner. Najjar will be in attendance and hosting a post-film discussion. New to BPFF this year is a cabaret-style show entitled “Palestinians, Live!” Set to instrumental Middle Eastern music, it recounts personal stories shared by local Palestinians. To find specific film locations and times, visit www.bostonpalestinefilmfest.org. $5 – $15.
Saturday, Oct. 17
If it feels like Halloween just can’t come fast enough, expel some of that anticipation at Boston’s Pumpkin Festival this weekend. Illuminated floating pumpkins, a costume parade, magic tricks and scary stories will give this festival its spooky theme. Attendees can decorate luminary bags and set them along the perimeter of the Boston Common Frog Pond. Drop a jack-o’-lantern of less than 8 inches in diameter off at a station in the park and watch it be lit and sent across the water. Post-float, pumpkins will be composted by the Boston Natural Areas Network. The rain date for the Pumpkin Festival is Sunday, Oct. 18. 38 Beacon St.; 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.; free.
Sunday, Oct. 18
This Sunday, join in a run along the Charles River hosted by the City Sports’ Harvard Square store. Prepare for a fall marathon and experience the benefits of group fitness. Runners of all paces and abilities are welcome, with options to shorten the 20-mile route. The run is led by pacers, who, along with City Sports staff, can provide tips about marathon training before the run. There are water stops along the way and post-run refreshments are provided, . City Sports Insiders who participate will receive $1 in rewards for every mile they complete. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge; 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; free.
Monday, Oct. 19
Every Monday afternoon, members of the public are welcome to attend a “Flash Drawing” session at Faneuil Hall Marketplace’s Open Air Art Studio, part of the center’s new outdoor area. The quick and informal lessons will cover a variety of different art styles including perspective, still life, portraits and more. All art supplies are provided by Faneuil Hall. Those who are unable to attend an afternoon Flash Drawing session can stop by the art studio any day between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to create their own artwork for free. The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 1 Faneuil Hall Square; noon – 1 p.m.; free.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Get creative at GrubStreet Wednesday afternoon during its monthly Brown Bag Lunch Writing Series. Bring food in a lunch bag, mingle with fellow wordsmiths and take part in writing exercises at the Boston-based creative writing center. No RSVP is required. This session is led by Dariel Suarez, a Cuban-born writer who has taught creative writing at the Boston Arts Academy and Boston University. His writing has appeared in numerous journals and magazines, including the Michigan Quarterly Review. He has published a short-story collection and is currently finishing revisions on a novel. 162 Boylston St.; 12:30 – 1:15 p.m.; free.
Photo courtesy jeffreyw, Creative Commons
