Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/charlo-maurer/)
Charlo is retired from her careers as a financial advisor and a speech-language pathologist. She is a trombone player in a brass band and a lover of horses and board games. She is a mother, a wife, a sister, a gardener, and an avid soup cook. She grew up in a small Ohio college town, but has thrived in this special New England city. She will be bringing us the weekly Watertown Weekend Fun column, so look for her choice of weekend activities, and you might just find yourself getting out in our great community more often.
Have you heard of Galentine’s Day? Feb. 13th is now a day to celebrate women’s friendships, and in town you can take your friends to a Galentine doughnut decorating party at Blackbird Doughnuts. Fun! This is the week of the winter Olympics, and the library is offering a place to watch with others on a few days this week including Friday afternoon.
I am guessing you are truly missing the extreme cold weather, so how about signing up to do a polar plunge at Arsenal Yards on Saturday? That will make you plenty cold again. It is a fund-raiser for the Special Olympics, and it should be almost as fun to watch as to actually take the plunge. After getting soaking wet there, you could head over to the library’s maker space to make a hand-sewn valentine sachet for your loved one. Our maker space is not all about high tech!
You might all be feeling the need for some meditative time this weekend after last weekend’s doozy of a snow storm. If so, head over to Artemis Yoga on Saturday afternoon for a few free introductory classes. They can help you work out the kinks in your back from too much shoveling. Taking in an exhibition of art with the theme Contemporary Landscapes, might also be calming. The opening reception is on Thursday, but the show will be up until March, so it will be there for your enjoyment this weekend.
This winter weekend starts off with two events that highlight bringing more light to our winter days. On Friday night at the Watertown Center for Healing there is a special dance called a Biodance which is about bringing together music, movement and positive feelings. Then on Saturday afternoon, the River of Light Lantern Parade is happening at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. It was so beautiful last year. I highly recommend going to see it or even better, bringing your own lantern to join in the parade.
I have a diverse group of entertainments for you this weekend, with an emphasis on international culture, and including with a restaurant recommendation. Have you heard that a wonderful Ethiopian restaurant opened in Watertown Square last year? Start out your Friday exploring that delicious cuisine at Lalibela on Spring Street. On Saturday evening there is a music performance at Restaurant Chulo with Nepali singer Ram Krishna Dakhal. Sunday there is a play at the Mosesian called “The Miraculous Journey of Edward the Rabbit.”
It is the first weekend of the new year; many of us may be thinking about simply relaxing at home, reading a book, doing a puzzle or catching up on our laundry. But there are some events of note that could get you to put on your coat and step outside. On Friday evening, there is an inauguration party for all our newly elected town representatives. Let’s go celebrate with them! Saturday afternoon, you could go stretch your legs at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s introductory tour. Even if you have walked there before, the tour can be informative.
This weekend’s solstice marks the point where days stop getting shorter and begin gaining sunlight. Hoorah! We are also in the middle of Chanukah, and Christmas is on its way, in case you hadn’t noticed. These December days are perfect for going to see art, especially if you want to procrastinate on your gift shopping. If you haven’t seen the Gorky show at the Armenian Museum, head on over this weekend.
The New England Watercolor Society’s show at The Mosesian Center for the Arts includes “Boatyard at Sunset” by Rick Osann. Let’s make this a weekend dedicated to arts and crafts! A few days ago I went to the reception of the watercolor show at the Mosesian, and it is truly worth a visit. The art has been collected from around New England and it’s fantastic. On Friday evening there is an LGBTQ+ drop in at the Hatch Maker Space.