By Maggie Cassidy
With the temperature dropping and finals fast approaching, students deserve a little time off. Thankfully, the city is teeming with things to do this holiday season. Check out these events to tide you over until The News returns with its weekly event calendar Jan. 10.
MFA for the Holidays
The Museum of Fine Arts is gearing up patrons for the season with “MFA for the Holidays,” a long list of holiday-themed events from Wednesday, Dec. 5, to Sunday, Dec. 9. Every day from 10 a.m. to noon, carolers will be strolling various galleries while the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble plays holiday music in the West Wing Entrance. Never seen Halalisa singers or klezmer musicians? Halalisa means “celebration” in Zulu, and the group will perform world holiday music from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Klezmer is a Jewish musical tradition, and klezmer musicians from MIT will perform from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Both events take place at the Lower Rotunda. And don’t forget to take advantage of the holiday sale, with 20 percent off at the MFA Bookstore ‘ Shop Saturday. For a full listing of events, visit www.mfa.org; 617-267-9300.
‘The Urban Nutcracker’
For an old school play with a new school twist, check out “The Urban Nutcracker,” playing Friday through Dec. 16 at John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley St. The BalletRox dance company celebrates its seventh annual showing of the event, which “fuses ballet, swing, hip-hop and urban tap with the classical score of Tchaikovsky and the pulsating beat of Duke Ellington,” according to www.balletrox.org. Tickets range from $20 to $55; visit the box office at 180 Berkeley St. or call 877-548-3237.
Santa Speedo Run
For the past three years, dozens of scantily clad Santas have run through the streets of Boston to raise money for charity. Think of Northeastern’s underwear run, but with Santas, Speedos and a good cause. This year it takes place Dec. 15, with registration at 10 a.m. and the run kicking off at 1 p.m., starting and ending at Lir, a restaurant at 903 Boylston St. with a course that weaves around Newbury and Boylston streets. Anybody can run in or watch the event, but runners are asked to raise at least $250 in donations. The Santa who brings in the most cash wins a ski weekend for two, courtesy of the WAAF 104.1 radio station. Visit www.santaspeedorun.com or email [email protected] for more information.
’25 Questions for a Jewish Mother’
If you’re getting ready to see Mom for the holidays, perhaps “25 Questions for a Jewish Mother” will get you in the mood. Actress Judy Gold and playwright Kate Moira Ryan traveled across the country interviewing Jewish moms for five years, and turned their findings into the play, which shows at the Wimberly Theatre, 527 Tremont St., Dec. 18 through Dec. 31. Tickets go for as much as $50, but there are also cheap seats in the back for $10 ; 617-266-0800.
‘Reindeer Monologues’
Another play, “Reindeer Monologues,” may even get diehard cynics in the mood for the holidays. A benefit for the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, the monologues are performed by eight actors – but don’t bring your five-year-old cousin. The play promises to deliver naughty comedy Dec. 19 through Dec. 30 at the Piano Factory’s Factory Theatre, 791 Tremont St.. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door; www.reindeerinboston.com; 617-247-9777.
A Holiday Hip-Hop Showcase Feat. Sanat and Savin Ill
Need a little hip-hop in your holidays? For those with tighter wallets, the Middle East will be hosting Sanat Kumara, a local rapper who released his debut album, Destiny, in August, and Savin Ill, a seven-piece alternative band with hip-hop influences, Dec. 22 for a holiday performance. Admission is 18+; $10; 617-492-9181.
