Goings-on This Weekend at and around BU

The fall semester is officially under way. You’ve moved in, said good-bye to family, and begun classes. It’s time to let go of the stress of Move-in and the start of classes and relax, and have some fun. We’ve put together a list of events guaranteed to help you unwind, from a comedy show featuring stars from NBC’s Saturday Night Live and BU’s annual Terrier Tailgate to music festivals and even an R-rated hypnotist.

Friday, September 5

Friday Night Live

Cheeks will burn and eyes will water as two of the stars of Saturday Night Live perform at BU. Aidy Bryant—best known for her SNL character Morgan, the ignored and desperate Girlfriends Talk Show cohost—will perform along with recent SNL alum Nasim Pedrad, whose spot-on impersonations of Kim Kardashian and Ariana Huffington made her a star before her departure.

Friday Night Live runs from 10 p.m. to midnight in Metcalf Hall, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave. The event is free with a BUID.

Boston Calling Music Festival

This popular three-day, two-stage festival returns to City Hall Plaza today through Sunday, and the lineup is guaranteed to have you rocking out to the hottest musical acts. Scheduled performers include New Zealand breakout Lorde, whose hit single “Royals” dominated airwaves last year, indie-rock band the National, and hip-hop artist Nas playing alongside the Roots. Couldn’t scrap together the cash for a VIP ticket? No worries. You can still buy day passes ($49 to $59). BU Central, which is offering all ticketholders with BU IDs access to a special VIP section with free seating, snacks, and games. The festival features food trucks, two beer gardens, and music by nearly two dozen groups.

Boston Calling is at City Hall Plaza today, Friday, September 5, through Sunday, September 7. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Music ends at 11 p.m. Purchase tickets here. By public transportation, take any MBTA Green Line trolley to Park Street and walk up Tremont Street to City Hall Plaza. The festival is rain or shine.

Astronomy after Hours

Reach for the stars at this weekly event hosted by the Museum of Science’s Gilliland Observatory. Ascend to the museum’s parking garage roof, where trained staff members will take you on a celestial tour. You’ll see planets, stars, the moon, and other astronomical phenomena—all for free.

Astronomy after Hours is held from 8:30 to 10 p.m. each Friday, weather permitting, at the Museum of Science, One Science Park, through November 21. Call the museum at 617-589-0267 after 5:50 p.m. to find out if the event is taking place. By public transportation, take any MBTA Green Line inbound trolley to Park Street, transfer to a E trolley outbound to Lechmere and get off at Science Park. The museum is across the street from the station.

Saturday, September 6

SPLASH

Eager to find out what clubs and extracurricular activities BU offers? Stop by SPLASH, BU’s annual student activities fair. With more than 450 student-run organizations on campus, there’s something for everyone—from athletics to social justice, cultural clubs to religious life, and more. If it’s happening at BU, you’ll find it here. Representatives from the various organizations will be on hand to answer your questions. With free food and giveaways, the event is a guaranteed good time. Held last year on Cummington Mall, it returns this year to its historic home on Nickerson Field.

SPLASH is at Nickerson Field, 285 Babcock St., from noon to 2 p.m. In the event of rain, the event will move indoors to the Track & Tennis Center, 100 Ashford St.

Jamaica Plain Music Festival

Easily accessible by public transportation, the Jamaica Plain Music Festival is a must for local music fans. Now in its fourth year, the event’s attendance has grown, but it stays true to its local roots. To be eligible to perform, at least one member of a group must live or work in JP (as the neighborhood is commonly referred to.) The daylong free festival kicks off at noon and will feature performances by 21 local artists and bands, as well as an assortment of children’s activities and food trucks.

The Jamaica Plain Music Festival is held from noon to 7 p.m. at Jamaica Pond, 507 Jamaica Way, Jamaica Plain. By public transportation, take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Copley. Walk up Dartmouth Street to Back Bay Station and take an outbound Orange Line train to Green Street. Walk down Green to Center Street, cross, and take any side street down to Jamaica Pond.

R-Rated Hypnotist

Feeling sleepy? Then you might want to avoid this event. Noted R-rated hypnotist Frank Santos, Jr. returns to campus for what has become one of the year’s most popular events. Laughs are provided courtesy of the brave, oblivious audience members under Santos’ spell. The event is free.

R-Rated Hypnotist runs from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in the George Sherman Union’s Metcalf Hall, 775 Commonwealth Ave.

Sunday, September 7

Women’s Soccer, Field Hockey and Men’s Soccer Games and the 7th Annual Terrier Tailgate

It’s time to root for your fellow Terriers. In a rarity, BU hosts three separate games Sunday and it’s all capped off with the annual Terrier Tailgate on Nickerson Field. The day kicks off with the women’s soccer team hosting San Francisco at noon, followed by the field hockey team hosting Pacific at 3 p.m. at New Balance Field. The men’s soccer team wraps up the Terrier sports marathon against Brown University at 7 p.m. at Nickerson.

The highlight of the day’s events will be the Terrier Tailgate at 6 p.m. at Braves Plaza, next to Nickerson Field, which features free food, music, games, and prizes. It’s a great way to cheer on the Terriers as they launch their fall season.

The BU women’s soccer team hosts San Francisco at noon at Nickerson Field, 285 Babcock St. Tickets are $5 for the general public, $2 for faculty, staff, and students without a BU sports pass, free for students with a BU sports pass. The field hockey team hosts Pacific at New Balance Field, 286 Babcock St., at 3 p.m. Tickets are free. The men’s soccer team takes on Brown University on Nickerson Field at 7 p.m. Tickets to that game are also free. The Terrier Tailgate runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Braves Plaza, adjacent to Nickerson Field. Admission is free for all.

Cambridge Carnival International

For nearly a quarter of a century, the Cambridge Carnival International has been a city fixture, drawing thousands of spectators. The daylong free festival highlights the sights, sounds, and tastes of Africa and the Caribbean and includes ethnic foods, four live music zones, various craft vendors, and a grand costume parade.

The Cambridge Carnival International is held in Kendall Square, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, in Cambridge from noon to 7 p.m., rain or shine. By public transportation, take any inbound Green Line trolley to Park Street, transfer to a Red Line outbound train to Alewife, and get off at the Kendall/MIT Station.

Paula Sokolska can be reached at ps5642@bu.edu.