By Drew Baldwin, news correspondent
Thursday, Oct. 5
No Jokes Improv is really no joke. The club is hosting an improv show Thursday for a night of laughs and fun. Lasting only an hour, the show is the perfect excuse to take a well-deserved break from studying for midterms and let loose. Since Thursday is an improvised show, there will be no themed content. However, if you’re itching for some spooky-themed improv, the troupe does take suggestions from the audience. If you’re interested in joining No Jokes, they meet at 8 p.m. every Thursday in 205 Hastings (the YMCA building). No Jokes has two troupes: one that performs, and one that serves as a safe outlet to practice improv. Though you have to try out to join the performing troupe, the practices are open to anyone hoping to hone in on their improv skills. 8-9p.m.; AfterHours; free
Friday, Oct. 6
You may have heard about the SoWa Open Market, open most Saturdays and Sundays in Boston’s South End. Now, SoWa Boston, an art and design district originally derived from the “South of Washington,” is also organizing monthly SoWa First Friday events. These are evenings where artists will open their gallery doors to the public and will take place every first Friday of the month. With over 70 shops, boutiques, galleries and showrooms, it shouldn’t be difficult to fill four hours with the endless supply of artwork to see and artists to meet. So whether you’re looking for a little bit of inspiration, want to meet some local artists or simply love art, SoWa First Friday will showcase all of the above. 5-9p.m.; 450 Harrison Ave.; free
Saturday, Oct. 7
Get ready to dig out those red and black hockey jerseys. Not only is it the first official weekend of men’s hockey, but it’s also the 20th anniversary of the Doghouse. Prior to the men’s hockey game, the celebration will take place in the Varsity Club, with free food and Doghouse apparel. The Doghouse is Matthews Arena’s official student seating section, established in 1997, and it is always filled with Northeastern students who are unrelenting in spirit and dedication to their teams. Cheer on your fellow Huskies as they play game two-of-two against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. Students can easily reserve their tickets on myNEU, and if friends or family want to join, ticket purchase is accessible at tickets.gonu.com. So come on out and support your huskies, and get a free t-shirt while you’re at it. 5-9p.m.; Matthews Arena; free for students
Sunday, Oct. 8
Marching bands, floats, performers and food — what more could you need? Celebrate Italian heritage this Columbus Day with a slew of events beginning at City Hall Plaza. The famous parade will proceed down Congress Street to State Street, wind through the North End’s cobbled streets and eventually finish its loop on Hanover Street. On odd-numbered years, the parade always begins in the North End at City Hall Plaza. The parade will showcase brass marching bands, military units, colonial militias, a plethora of themed floats, politicians and more. This has been an annual event since 1937 and is the largest parade in Boston, so show up to experience history. 1-3 p.m.; City Hall Plaza; free
Monday, Oct. 9
Rain or shine, this art festival will prevail. The Fenway Alliance will host Opening Our Doors, a day full of free cultural offerings such as music, art and more. You can start with a walking tour of Fenway, then take the trolley to Evan’s Way Park to join in on more fun. The festival will showcase an interactive dry-erase mural near the Christian Science Plaza and performances on our very own Krentzman Quad by Northeastern’s Spinning Arts Club and Kaliente Dance Group. Opening Our Doors has been an event since 2003, and has taken place almost every year since to promote the Fenway Cultural District. So come on out, learn to dance — maybe even with hula hoop — create some art and meet people from all over the city. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.; Christian Science Center; free
Tuesday, Oct. 10
The Husky Environmental Action Team just kicked off their annual month-long energy-saving competition between first-year residence halls, “Do It In the Dark.” Every few days, the group has organized events, open to all, that promote environmental sustainability. Tuesday night’s event is an Ecofeminism panel, which will explore the connection between the exploitation and degradation of the environment to the oppression of women. This is a relatively new source of activism with its numbers of supporters growing. Though the “Do It In the Dark” competition is aimed at first-year students, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in the environmental awareness events. 7p.m; Ell Hall; free
Wednesday, Oct. 11
The Roaring ‘20s are here in 2017. The MIT Lindy Hop Society meets every Wednesday to teach free swing dance lessons, followed by a social dance with music ranging from swing to blues to hip-hop. Lindy Hop is a partner dance, originating in Harlem, New York, and has been a quintessential dance in swing for years. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned veteran, taking a class or two could be the perfect date or a fun event to attend with friends. Or, even better, go by yourself and meet some new people — you do not need a partner to attend. 7:30-9 p.m. beginners; 9-11:30 p.m. social dance; 84 Massachusetts Ave.; free
