While Massachusetts businesses and cultural institutions remain partially open amid reopening rollbacks, many residents are continuing to stay home due to the coronavirus pandemic amid new orders and advisories from Gov. Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. With that in mind, this week’s BosTen offers a mix of in-person and virtual things to do this weekend. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in the BosTen Facebook group, or email us at tips@boston.com.
Warm up with Ramen Thursdays at Oak & Rowan
It’s not like there’s a wrong time for ramen, but cold, blustery winter nights are definitely a great night for ramen. Enter Ramen Thursdays at Fort Point’s Oak & Rowan, where you can pick up a piping hot bowl of ramen with or without meat, and with the choice to dine in, pick up, or order delivery. The ramen options change each week, so be sure to check their website for the latest iterations.
Learn about worldwide holiday traditions with ‘A Christmas Celtic Sojourn’
For 17 years, Brian O’Donovan’s live stage spin-off of his weekend WGBH radio show has entertained audiences and informed them about the musical and historical Celtic, Pagan, and Christian traditions associated with Christmas through poetry, singing, fiddle playing, and dancing. This year, the show will be virtual-only, with WGBH partnering with the six area theaters to bring six unique performances to audiences. You can buy tickets to any of the six, which will stream at 7:30 p.m. from Dec. 15 to 20, and then watch them on-demand from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2. For more information or to buy tickets, visit the show’s website.
Pick up holiday cookies at a pop-up bakery
This week, Rochambeau Café transformed into Sugar Chef Holiday Bakery, a pop-up shop boasting holiday cookies, French macarons, brioche bread pudding, and other sweet delights from pastry chef Michele Fadden. Pop into the bakery until Dec. 23 from noon to 6 p.m. daily. for pre-made items, along with holiday cookie decorating boxes for some DIY fun.
Sing along with the Christmas Revels
For the first time in 50 years, the annual Christmas Revels show will not take place in Harvard’s Sanders Theatre. Instead, a small group of performers will take part in a virtual presentation, taking viewers through the archives of past Revels shows. Among the performers this year are world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Revels artist-in-residence David Coffin, and Revels directors Patrick Swanson and George Emlen. The show will be available for purchase and on-demand viewing starting Friday through Dec. 31 on the Revels website.
Peek behind the scenes of the critically acclaimed new documentary ‘City Hall’
Would you believe that one of the year’s most critically acclaimed movies is a four-and-a-half-hour documentary about the day-to-day workings of Boston’s government? Legendary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman left nothing to the imagination with his 46th film, which follows Mayor Marty Walsh and a host of other public servants as they go about every part of their jobs, giving viewers a look at the type of constituent service that is mostly invisible but nonetheless essential for a functioning city. Prior to GBH airing “City Hall” in its entirety on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m., Wiseman and Mayor Walsh will join GBH President Jon Abbott for a virtual discussion of the film on Friday at noon. Pre-registration for this free event is required and can be completed on the GBH website.
Stream a new locally-filmed boxing film with “Jungleland”
Last week, the Boston-filmed action-thriller “Ava” was among Netflix’s top ten most popular streaming options, despite poor reviews from critics. If you’re looking for another new release filmed locally with better word-of-mouth buzz, check out “Jungleland,” which stars Jack O’Connell (“Skins”) and Charlie Hunnam (“Triple Frontier”) as a bare-knuckle boxer and his brother/manager who owe money to the mob and must transport a young woman (Jessica Barden, “Penny Dreadful”) en route to a battle royale that will clear their debt. The plot is a familiar one, but the brotherly bond between O’Connell and Hunnam elevates “Jungleland” considerably. Filmed in Fall River, New Bedford, Raynham, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, and Taunton in 2018, “Jungleland” is now available to rent on Amazon and other on-demand platforms.
Eat your way through the Camberville Hot Dog Crawl
It’s back! The annual Camberville Hot Dog Crawl has returned for a fourth year, this time sporting some very COVID-friendly measures. Through Dec. 20, participants are invited to order a hot dog — takeout or delivery only — from three participating eateries: Roxy’s Grilled Cheese in Allston, Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Inman Square, and Buenas at Bow Market in Somerville. Post photos of your hot dogs on Instagram or on the crawl’s Facebook page (don’t forget to use the tags @cambervillehotdogcrawl and #CambervilleHotDogCrawl), and, once you’ve consumed all three hot dogs, direct message @cambervillehotdogcrawl with your posts and stories to be entered in a raffle. Though honestly? You’re already a winner if your weekend revolves around eating hot dogs.
Recall the holidays of yesteryear with an Ella Fitzgerald Christmas special
Mariah who? More than 30 years before Mariah Carey recorded the modern-day holiday anthem “All I Want For Christmas,” Ella Fitzgerald became a December fixture with her 1960 holiday album “Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas.” This Friday at 10 p.m., PBS will celebrate the late jazz singer’s legacy with a televised special starring Vanessa Williams, with appearances by Dee Dee Bridgewater, Norm Lewis, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Nova Payton, Dave Detwiler, and Morgan James. If 10 p.m. is past your bedtime, you can also find the special streaming on-demand on the PBS website.
Visit Santa (virtually) at Gore Place
Mall visits to Santa Claus are not recommended this year for obvious reasons. But if you want to give youngsters the joy of seeing Kris Kringle, Gore Place will be streaming a Virtual Tea with Santa this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from his “workshop” in the carriage house. Order early and the Trustees will send along recipes for sugar cookies and spiced cocoa you can enjoy with Santa’s games, sing-alongs, and story time. Tickets are available on the Gore Place website.
Apres Ski at Nathálie
If your skiing plans were canceled this year, at least you can still après ski. On Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Nathálie Wine Bar in the Fenway will throw its very first après ski event, encouraging guests to bundle up for the outdoor/indoor shindig. For $50, patrons will enjoy “COVID-safe” shot skis, mulled wine drinks, fondue with winter vegetables, smoked fish hand pies, braised beef cheeks, potatoes, German beer, and a classic Yule log. To channel a mountain top ski lodge, there will be fake fireplaces — and everyone’s invited to wear their finest ski attire.
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