The Weekender: November 9 to 12

Photo by Christopher Robinson courtesy of the ICA Boston

November 9 to 12

November’s chilly wind and colorful trees have brought a festive feel to the city, and before we know it the holiday season will be upon us. Stay warm this weekend by exploring the city’s indoor offerings, from jazz concerts to drag brunches to a sustainable clothing swap. This weekend guide has you covered with events that will warm you from the inside out.

Pablo Milanés’ Legacy 

Start the weekend off on a musical note with a tribute to Pablo Milanés. A prolific composer, vocalist, and guitarist, Milanés pioneered Nueva Trova, a Cuban music style combining political lyrics and folk music. Though Milanés died in November 2022, his soulful music lives on, inspiring people in Cuba and beyond. To honor his legacy, Berklee College of Music will bring to Boston Miguel Núñez, Milanés’ pianist and executive director, and Pavel Núñez, who has performed with Milanés. The celebrated artists will perform with student musicians. The show will also feature some student arrangements.

Thursday, November 9, at 8 pm, at the Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave. Advance tickets start at $15; tickets are $20 at the door.

Ariana Benson x Black Pastoral 

Nature, history, and identity converge in ecopoet Ariana Benson’s debut collection, Black Pastoral (University of Georgia Press, 2023). Benson, the 2022 Cave Canem Poetry Prize winner, will read from her collection this Thursday, accompanied by a Q&A session. Come hear how this exciting poet explores Black people’s complex relationship with nature. There’s also a book signing afterward, and attendees can buy a copy of Black Pastoral. Still can’t get enough? Sign up here for a one-on-one writers workshop session with Benson, from 2 to 5 pm on Friday, November 10.

Thursday, November 9, from 7 to 8:30 pm, at the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground. The event is free and open to the public.

Divas Live! 

Spend a night with music giants of the 20th century right in the heart of Cambridge. The city’s Jazz Foundation presents Divas Live! a celebration of music by Thelonious Monk, Roberta Flack, and Nina Simone. The music of these artists will be performed by a range of talented local musicians, including critically acclaimed jazz singer Dominique Eade, Grammy-nominated artist Farayi Malek, and Berklee Professor Gabrielle Goodman, accompanied by the Ron Savage Trio. Whether you’re a music connoisseur or just looking for some quality live tunes, stop by this show for a taste of local talent and musical history.

Friday, November 10, at 8 pm, 41 Second St., Cambridge. The event is preceded by a concert bar reception at 7 pm. Tickets start at $35.

BU Closet Clothing Swap

Whether you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe or just need to get rid of old clothes, BU Closet has you covered. This community-organized club sets up regular clothing swaps around campus for students to turn in gently used clothing they no longer need, while also picking up new pieces. To donate clothes, drop your garments off at one of the designated locations around campus (see full list on the organization’s Instagram). Then, come to the Kilachand Common Room Saturday afternoon to pick up something new among the collection of donated clothes.

Saturday, November 11, from noon to 2 pm, in the Kilachand Common Room. The event is free and open to members of the BU community.

Shrek Drag Brunch 

Looking for extra guests at your Saturday brunch? Head over to Summer Shack, where Shrek and the rest of his DreamWorks gang will join you—in drag, of course. Hosted by Neon Calypso, this brunch event promises to bring laughter, culture, and a healthy dose of nostalgia to your Saturday morning meal.

Saturday, November 11, at 11 am and 2 pm, at Summer Shack, 50 Dalton St., Boston. Buy tickets here.

Public Innovation Trail Tour 

Tired of hearing about Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party in every local tour? Check out the Public Innovation Trail Tour, a new way of exploring the city. Focused on incredible local innovations, this trail winds around Boston’s numerous schools, institutions, and museums. Whether it’s showcasing innovations in science, medicine, entrepreneurship, or technology, the tour promises to unearth stories of Boston’s greatest thinkers while also inspiring participants. If you don’t have time for a guided tour, the website offers audios for each location so you can learn in your own time.

Saturdays from 2 to 3:15 pm. Tours start at the Kendall Square Marriott, 50 Broadway, Cambridge. Buy tickets here.

Affirmations for a New World Featuring Sweet Honey in the Rock

This weekend, multigenerational performers will come together at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston for Affirmations for a New World, an inspiring musical show by composer and alum Bill Banfield (STH’88). The performance features legendary a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock, Jazz Urbane’s Imagine Orchestra, and students from the Longy School of Music of Bard College.

Saturday, November 11, at 8 pm, and Sunday, November 12, at 4 pm, at the ICA Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston. Tickets for nonmembers go on sale on Thursday, November 9.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show 

Bizzare, quirky, and pleasantly outrageous, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1973 musical and cultural classic. The movie is an iconic part of LGBTQ+ history; the “shadow cast” play (a live reenactment of the film while it plays) is a lively performance that demands audience participation. Eager to experience this night of theater, rock ’n’ roll, and laughter? Come to the Central Square Theater’s show this weekend, where a talented cast will put on an entertaining performance during a screening of the beloved musical. 

Screenings and performances run through November 26 at the Central Square Theater, 450 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Tickets start at $21.