The Weekender: October 17 to 20

Photo by Joe Eitzen/Unsplash

October 17 to 20

BU’s annual Family & Friends Weekend is here! It’s finally time for your loved ones to come see BU in all its glory. Once you’re done cleaning your dorm room—making your bed, doing laundry (hopefully, not for the first time)—you’re ready to stack an itinerary to welcome your visitors. In need of some inspiration? This Weekender’s got you covered.

Head of the Charles Regatta

Over 12,000 global athletes come each year to compete at the Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest three-day rowing event. Whether or not rowing is your thing, it’s a quintessential New England activity for local or tourist—and the BU campus has a front-row seat to the action. Find great views of the race from the BU Beach, the BU Bridge, or the DeWolfe Boathouse. The BU men’s and women’s teams, as well as BU alumni, will compete throughout the weekend. Read our story Friday to find their race times.

Friday, October 18, through Sunday, October 20. Find a complete racing schedule here. 

A Family & Friends watch party will be held Saturday, October 19, from 10 am to noon, George Sherman Union Ziskind Lounge, 775 Commonwealth Ave., second floor.

Luz & Leyendas

The children’s theater show Luz & Leyendas tells the story of a girl in the Andes embarking on a dreamlike journey of self-discovery, featuring Andean musical instruments and shadow puppetry. Spectacle Collective, the nonprofit behind the inventive performance art, was founded by Amy Meyer, a College of Fine Arts lecturer in dramatic literature, Jessica Cooper (CFA’17), Alyssa Lawson (CFA’18), and Subaiou Zhang Carter (CFA’21).

Friday, October 18, through Sunday, October 20, at Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Black Box Theatre, 539 Tremont St., Boston. Find showtimes and buy tickets here.

Rumors by Stage Troupe

An elegant dinner party gets so rudely interrupted by a gunshot wound and a missing spouse. Chaos ensues. This story of outrageous gossip, mistaken identities, and cover-ups is the plot of Neil Simon’s Rumors. Brought to you by Stage Troupe, BU’s oldest and largest extracurricular performance group, Rumors is one of the organization’s mainstage productions, one of three for the fall 2024 season. Stage Troupe works to bring theater arts to the BU community, regardless of major. The organization’s aim is that each member finds themself via artistic expression, while also holding clear values of excellence, leadership, and professionalism.

Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, 8 pm, and Sunday, October 20, 2 pm, Tsai Performance Center, 685 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Tickets are $13 for students and $18 for the general public; buy them here.

Welcome Home at BU Dance Theater

The latest performance from the contemporary dance company Boston Moving Arts is about comfort and relief in stressful times. Welcome Home is a collection of movements meant to convey belonging—perfect for the ever-homesick Terrier. Described on its website as “the warm embrace of things safe and familiar,” this performance features the work of fellow Bostonians contributing to the city’s artistic sphere.

Friday, October 18, and Saturday, October 19, 8 pm, at BU Dance Theater, 915 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Tickets are $30 and are available here. 

Non-Alcoholic Beer Garden: Notoberfest

Finally, a clean way to partake in Oktoberfest, without any of the nasty aftereffects. Dray, a nonalcoholic beverage marketplace, is hosting the country’s first sober beer garden to celebrate “Notoberfest”—or saying no to alcohol this fall season. Abstaining never felt so fun, as Dray will provide all of the nonalcoholic beers, wines, and cocktails for free.

Saturday, October 19, 11 am to 10 pm, 1420 Soldiers Field Rd., Brighton.