By Megan O’Brien, deputy inside editor
Event of the Week: Saturday, Oct. 31
Nocturnal New Englanders flock to Coolidge Corner Theatre every year for the annual overnight Halloween Horror Marathon. Advertised as “12 hours of monsters, mayhem and masks,” the event will begin with a performance by progressive-rock Northampton band Dust Witch. At midnight, the marathon will kick off with a double feature of “Trick ‘r Treat” and a to-be-announced film. Following the two movies, marathon goers have the option of sticking around for an additional four films, one of which is “Halloween II” and three of which are still unannounced. Those who attend in costume have the opportunity to win a prize. 290 Harvard St., Brookline; midnight – noon; $20 – $25.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Harvard Square kicks off its Harvard Scare weekend on Thursday evening with a celebration of the revamped Bow and Arrow district, hosted by the Harvard Square Business Association. Follow Halloween-themed balloons and signs to the intersection of Bow and Arrow streets to the newly renovated assortment of shops and nightlife. Local businesses like Boston Burger Company, Follow the Honey, Salt & Olive and others will be giving free samples. Secondhand clothing store Oona’s will have garments available for sale on its outdoor patio. Funk, soul, jazz and world-fusion quintet Scubaphone will provide live entertainment. 1201 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 5 – 7:30 p.m.; free.
Friday, Oct. 30
The Boston University (BU) Physics Department will set out to prove one of Newton’s principle laws with its 11th consecutive year of Halloween-themed fun at its annual Pumpkin Drop. On Friday afternoon, batches of pumpkins will be thrown off of BU’s Metcalf Science Center rooftop to a slovenly demise. The drop begins at 12:30 p.m., but guests are advised to arrive early to take part in Halloween activities like guessing the weight of the largest pumpkin and munching on festive snacks. Registration for a costume contest will be open until 15 minutes before the event – extra points will be awarded for creativity and detail, so dress to impress. 590 Commonwealth Ave.; 12:30 p.m.; free.
Sunday, Nov. 1
With his camera, Keith Ellenbogen strives to bring underwater photography to new levels of detail. As Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Center for Art, Science & Technology’s visiting artist, his works have been curated into an exhibit at the university titled “500 P.S.I.,” opening this Sunday and available for daily viewing until May 1. Ellenbogen captured images of marine life, hoping to foster an emotional connection between creatures and viewers. As part of his residency, Ellenbogen will team up with physicist Allan Adams to develop advanced and crisp camera systems to photograph aquatic life. MIT Center for Theoretical Physics 4th Floor, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; free.
Monday, Nov. 2
The Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will play a concert on Monday, the first since the orchestra’s European tour last summer. The event is free and open to the public. The program will begin with Mikhail Glinka’s “Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila” and will be followed by three differently styled pieces, including Claude Debussy’s “La Mer” and Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.” Igor Stravinsky’s “Violin Concerto” will be played by Ayano Ninomiya, a member of the Grammy Award-winning Ying Quartet. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. 301 Massachusetts Ave.; 7:30 – 10 p.m.; free.
Tuesday, Nov. 3
Every Tuesday evening is Dirty Water Saloon night at Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge. The Jamaica Plain venue offers a social night of two-step, line dancing and West Coast swing for the LGBT community and its allies. No dance experience or partner is necessary. The evening begins with a 45-minute two-step lesson, followed by a line dance instructional. Additional two-step tutorials are available during an open dance. The event boasted a country vibe when it began in 2010, but now has evolved to showcase a variety of music genres including Americana, blues and rock. 284 Amory St., Jamaica Plain; 7 – 10 p.m.; $10.
Wednesday, Nov. 4
Starting Wednesday and continuing through Nov. 16, the Boston Jewish Film Festival will screen more than 50 films of the narrative, documentary, animated and experimental genres and videos pertaining to Jewish culture, history and experiences. Films presented in previous years, like “The Pianist,” have gone on to be nominated or win Academy Awards and other major awards. This non-competitive festival attracts artists from all over the globe. In addition to film showings, the 12-day event offers entertainment ranging from pre-screening music to post-screening dance performances and surprise film events. Locations vary; times vary; $4 – $37.50.
Photo courtesy Surian Soosay, Creative Commons
