Things to do in Boston this weekend: March 28-31, 2024

Welcome to BosTen, your weekly guide to the coolest events and best things to do in Boston this weekend. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter here. 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 [email protected].

Learn the life of an art curator at the ICA

As part of the museum’s Author Talk series, join ICA’s Ellen Matilda Poss Director Jill Medvedow on Mar. 28 for a conversation with writer, curator, and podcaster Helen Molesworth on her new book, “Open Questions: Thirty Years of Writing about Art.” Known as a dynamic and influential voice in the art world, Molesworth dives into three decade’s worth of essays gathered from exhibition catalogs and art publications. Tickets are available online at 10 a.m. on Mar. 26 and are limited to two per person. (Thursday, March 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; 25 Harbor Shore Dr., Boston; free) — Cheryl Fenton

Meet a local author in Charlestown

Charlestown native Daniel J. Davies will hold court for a local audience on Thursday when he visits the Charlestown branch of the Boston Public Library to talk about hits newest, thriller, “Bombmaker.” The book follows interrogator Emma Ripley, who is tasked with wresting information from a dangerous bomb maker named Georges Subdallah. Held in a secret detention center for years, Emma must unpack Georges’ complex history, and learn why a model US citizen would turn against his country. (Thursday, March 28 from 6-7:30 p.m.; 179 Main St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

See the ocean’s importance at the Aquarium

This probably isn’t news for anyone paying attention, but our ocean faces significant threats from human activity. What’s less widely known are the precise ways that the health of our oceans directly affects human life as well. On Thusday, science communicator and TV personality Danni Washington, host of the nationally syndicated science series “Xploration Nature Knows Best” — will visit the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre to discuss our relationship to the ocean and how all of us can share these compelling stories to affect real-world change. (Thursday, March 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; 1 Central Wharf, Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Share some laughs at the Boston Comedy Festival

Boston has long been a hotbed of comedy, giving starts to comics like Bill Burr, Jay Leno, Pete Holmes, and Janeane Garofalo over the decades. Now in its 24th year, the Boston Comedy Festival celebrates both veteran comedians with roots in the area as well as up-and-coming talents on the Boston comedy scene. This year’s fest will honor stand-up Tony V., who has consistently headlined rooms in Boston for 40+ years. Names like Kevin Nealon and D.L. Hughley will be on hand at venues across the greater Boston area during the five-day festival, which also features dozens of comics vying to win a cash prize as the festival’s stand-up champion. Tickets for remaining shows, which are split between City Winery and the Berklee Performance Center, are available on the BCF website. (Now through Saturday, March 30 at various times and locations; $25 and up per show) — Kevin Slane

Ride the ‘Korean Wave’ at the MFA

Between award-winning films and shows like “Parasite” and “Squid Game” and chart-topping K-pop artists like BTS and BLACKPINK, South Korea has seen its influence on global culture grow by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The phenomenon even has a name — hallyu, or Korean Wave — which is the subject of a new exhibit at the MFA opening this week. Explore approximately 250 objects — including costumes, photographs, videos and props — that define the rise of hallyu, including a scale-model recreation of the bathroom from “Parasite” and a suit worn by Psy in the music video for global hit “Gangnam Style”. The exhibit also explores the history behind this cultural explosion, going back 100 years to when Korea was building a national identity almost from scratch following occupation by Japan. A separate ticket for this required, though MFA members can see it for free. (Now through July 28 at various times; 20 Museum Rd., Boston; $10-27) — Kevin Slane

‘Leave No Trace’ at the newly expanded Coolidge Corner Theatre

After years of construction and fundraising, the newly expanded Coolidge Corner Theatre is open for business. The $14 million addition includes two new theaters, an expanded lobby, and an education center for classes and private events. To celebrate, the non-profit theater is hosting a number of special screenings, including a showing of 2018’s “Leave No Trace” on Thursday followed by a Q&A with director and Cambridge native Debra Granik. Visitors who want to fully explore the new additions should stop by next Saturday, April 6, when the theater will host an open house from 9-11 a.m. (Thursday, March 28 at 7:15 p.m.; 290 Harvard St., Brookline; $12.50-15.50) — Kevin Slane

Celebrate Japanese pop culture at Anime Boston

Fans of Japanese pop culture, get ready for the Northeast’s largest anime convention. Anime Boston, which typically sees over 25,000 attendees each year, heads to the Hynes Convention Center and the Sheraton Hotel from Friday to Sunday this weekend. The weekend is jam-packed with anime, manga, gaming, panels, cosplaying events, live music performances, special guest appearances, fashion shows, workshops, and social activities. Special guests this year include “Naruto’”star Maile Flanagan, along with other voice actors like Michelle Ruff, Alejandro Saab, Cristina Vee, Hayden Daviau, and Zeno Robinson. (Friday and Saturday, March 29-30 from 8:30-8 p.m. and Sunday, March 31 from 8:30-1 p.m.; 900 Boylston St., Boston; $35-105) — Natalie Gale

See ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

The North American tour of the iconic Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s “The Greatest Show On Earth” will bring a 360-degree experience to Agganis Arena at Boston University starting this Thursday. A globally diverse cast of 75 performers from 18 countries will be led by Lauren Irving, Alex Stickels, and Jan Damm, who guide audiences through the interactive and immersive experience as Aria, Stix, and Nick Nack. Expect never-before-seen stunts, such as The Triangular Highwire, where performers balance on bikes and more on three 25-foot-tall wires connected in a triangular formation, and The Double Wheel of Destiny, where acrobats perform back-and-forth leaps and somersaults “atop two simultaneously spinning apparatuses suspended 30 feet above the ground and moving at incredibly high speeds.” (Thursday, March 28 through Sunday, April 7 at various times; 925 Commonwealth Ave., Boston; TK) — Kristi Palma

Dig the sound of Shovels & Rope at The Cabot 

Whether on stage (as an opening act for, e.g., Justin Townes Earle, Hayes Carll, and The Felice Brothers) or in the studio (recording covers for their “Broken Jukebox” series with — among others — Brandi Carlisle, Rhett Miller, M. Ward, and Sharon Van Etten), the Charleston, S.C.-based husband-and-wife duo of Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent have rubbed shoulders with some of the most admired names in Americana and alternative folk. Although they are not promoting new material on their current tour — which visits the Cabot on Saturday along with Al Olender — they will surely be showcasing 2022’s “Manticore” and possibly providing a sample of what’s to come. (Saturday, March 30 at 8 p.m.; 286 Cabot St., Beverly; $35.25 – $58.50) — Blake Maddux

RSVP to ‘Mrs. Krishnan’s Party’

The Indian Ink Theatre Company brings this intimate show to the Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre at the Paramount for just two weekends starting this Thursday. The immersive show follows Mrs. Krishnan at her DJ tenant’s house party, and it even includes cooking food live on stage (which the audience gets to sample at the end). Tickets are going fast, and some shows are already sold out, so be sure to grab your seat before they’re all gone. (Now through Sunday, April 7 at various times; 106 Boylston St, Boston; $25-92.50) — Natalie Gale

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