The Weekender: March 11 to 14

Grab a cup of mango lassi at this weekend’s Halal-O-Topia, sponsored by the Islamic Society of Boston University. Photo by iStock/gorchittza2012

Eat, shop, go

The weekend starts out unseasonably warm and then moves into the 40s by Saturday (Bostonians still consider this tropical for this time of year). Be sure to get outside as much as you can. Indoors, you can stop by for a special Islamic-themed night at Marciano Commons hosted by the Islamic Society of Boston University, support a local BIPOC-owned beauty business, and check out a virtual comedy show by a student improv group.

Halal-O-Topia

The Islamic Society of Boston University is sponsoring Halal-O-Topia, featuring authentic cuisine from various Muslim cultures, to share with students what Muslims eat and the meaning behind their food. The menu includes Afghani bolani with yogurt and chutney, Egyptian vegan koshari, and mango lassi. In addition to the food, the group promises music, decorations, and a virtual fashion show.

Halal-O-Topia is Thursday, March 11, at Marciano Commons, 100 Bay State Rd. Dinner starts at 5 pm and students must have a green badge to enter.

Organic Bath Company

This local BIPOC-owned business was started by partners Gianne Doherty and Jay Weeks in 2014 after Doherty had a serious reaction to her favorite concealer. Weeks created a safe body butter for her (how’s that for love?) and that same formula is now the base for all of the company’s body butters. The shop sells items like skincare, body scrubs, and hand sanitizer and has been featured in Real Simple and Cosmopolitan and on Good Morning America. While all the company’s products can be purchased online, you can also visit the Seaport pop-up shop, on Seaport Boulevard, adjacent to Seaport Common and across the street from 105 Seaport Boulevard, if you’re out and about this weekend.

Labyrinth of Light

Feeling worried? Midterms have you stressed? Try “unwinding the mind” with the Labyrinth of Light in the Law Auditorium Courtyard this week. Projected onto the ground, students can follow the dark parts of the maze on a journey to meditation and self-awareness. A labyrinths is a tool for people to reflect on what their questions, goals, and concerns are by taking a few minutes alone to reflect. Try it out this weekend at BU, or look for other labyrinths around the city. 

Labyrinth of Light is every night through March 18, from 6 to 9:30 pm, at the Law Auditorium Courtyard. COVID-19 protocols such as masking and social distancing must be followed at all times. 

This Is My Brave College Edition Boston University

Three Boston-area college students will be speaking up and speaking loud about their experiences with mental health struggles this Thursday night. The virtual event aims to give hope to those in the audience either dealing with similar challenges or supporting loved ones. This is the second and final show of this series, so don’t miss out on the inspiring night whose intent is to remind us that sometimes it’s okay not to be okay.

This Is My Brave College Edition Boston University will be held virtually on Thursday, March 11, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Registration is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Register online here.

Liquid Fun Comedy Show

On Friday night, BU student improv group Liquid Fun is hosting a virtual comedy show called Practical Jokers. They promise lots of pranks and warn that the night will contain “scenes of graphic stupidity” among friends who  happen to do improv comedy together (a reference to the improv-based hidden camera TV show Impractical Jokers). Liquid Fun won the 2018-2019 New England Regional College Improv Tournament and normally hosts live shows in non-COVID times, so check out how all that translates to Zoom.

Watch Liquid Fun Presents: Practical Jokers on Friday, March 12, from 8 to 9:30 pm. Visit the group’s Facebook page.