The Weekender: January 30 to February 2

Photo via Unsplash/Tran Huy
January 30 to February 2
You might be saying good riddance to January by this point, and that’s OK. February kicks off this weekend, and we have a bunch of celebratory, free, and interesting activities both on campus and off. From cultural celebrations for Black History Month and Lunar New Year to an art exhibition to a new bookstore, there’s plenty happening around Boston to keep this weekend full. Don’t miss these exciting events.
Lunar New Year Celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at the MFA, which has an impressive collection of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean artwork. There will be lion dance performances, art tours, talks, drop-in art-making, and other activities to ring in the new year.
Thursday, January 30, 5 to 10 p.m. The MFA is free for all BU students; there is special pricing to this event for the general public, with a $5 minimum pay-what-you-wish general admission.
Opening Reception for Constituent Parts Exhibition
Check out the new College of Fine Arts exhibition Constituent Parts, a collaboration between alums Cathy Della Lucia (CFA’17) and Nicholas Anthony Mancini (CFA’17), who met as MFA students in 2015. The exhibition, focusing on the artists’ interpretation of shape, color, texture, and space and featuring modular sculptures and paintings, will run through March 7, with an opening reception on January 30.
Opening reception Thursday, January 30, 6 to 8 pm, 808 Gallery, 808 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; free and open to the public.
Cinematheque: An Evening with Shuchi Talati
The BU College of Communication film and television department’s first Cinematheque of the semester is January 31. The program brings accomplished filmmakers to campus to screen and discuss their work. Friday’s guest is Indian filmmaker Shuchi Talati, who is known for exploring important themes of gender, sexuality, and South Asian identity in her films. She plans to discuss both her creative process and the impactful stories she tells through her films. Her coming-of-age drama Girls Will Be Girls premiered at last summer’s Sundance Film Festival, earning both the Audience Award and a Special Jury Award.
Friday, January 31, 7 to 9 pm, Kenmore Classroom Building, Room 101, 565 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. The event is free and open to the public.
Sound Icon Performs Works of Sarah Nemtsov
German composer Sarah Nemtsov wraps up her residency at the BU Center for New Music with a concert featuring Boston’s Sound Icon performing her compositions. Nemtsov’s music combines a multitude of genres, from Renaissance and baroque music to jazz and rock.
Friday, January 31, 8 to 10 pm, CFA Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; free and open to the public.
Museum of Science Black History Month Celebration
On Saturday, February 1, the Museum of Science kicks off its celebration of Black History Month. Catch a special screening of ReRooted, a virtual production about the ongoing discussion surrounding natural hair, celebrating the rich roots of African heritage. You can also meet and talk to a scientist and watch special dance performances. At 5 and 8 pm, there will be free screenings of the 2018 Marvel blockbuster hit Black Panther, starring Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 and was nominated for an Oscar posthumously. Reserve your tickets here.
Saturday, February 1, all day, Museum of Science, One Science Park, Boston. Purchase tickets, $31 for adults, online.
Meet Your Local Authors Event at Lovestruck Books
In the mood to read some romance novels in preparation for next month’s Valentine’s Day? Lovestruck Books, Cambridge’s newest, women-owned bookstore focused solely on romance genres, is hosting local authors Peggy Jaeger, C. W. Rose, Kim Swizz, and Cecilia Tan. Meet the four authors, buy their books, and have your copies signed. The bookstore has a café, a wine bar, and a gift shop.
Sunday, February 2, 2 to 4 pm, Lovestruck Books, 44 Brattle St, Cambridge. The event is free but requires a ticket.
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