Keeping Tabs: What to do around town
The holidays are tough and, at times, we need distractions. Here are list of events happening (though not necessarily holiday-themed events) in town that include dance, a wind ensemble, an antique show, star gazing (without the cold) and a chance to sing-a-long to Mary Poppins...the movie. Not the person. Mary Poppins isn't real. Sorry.
Taylor made: There have been lots of great dance teams - Fred and Ginger, Gene Kelley and Jerry the Mouse, Patrick Swayze and Baby (no one puts her in a corner, by the way). The Celebrity Series and Paul Taylor Dance Company have also proven to be a great match. This is the 13th season the former is presenting the latter. The Paul Taylor Company returns to the Shubert Theatre, where they'll present Boston premieres of "Troilus and Cressida (reduced)" and "Lines of Loss," as well as Taylor classics, "Aurele" and "Esplanade." Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Tickets: $42-$62. Call: 800-447-7400.
<p style="text-indent: 0in">Zyde-GO: Do you want a fun way to burn a few calories after your annual Thanksgiving Day carbo-load? Head over to the Knights of Columbus in Arlington (15 Winslow St.), where dancers have been having a great time cutting lose to the sounds of Zydeco. The Thanksgiving Day Gala Dance features the music of Slippery Sneakers. There's a 7:15 p.m. lesson, followed by three hours of laid-back, fun-loving dancing. Nov. 24. Suggested donation: $15.
Music at MIT: And contrary to what you might think, the music has nothing to do with math or science and everything to do with a wind ensemble and a world premiere. The MIT Wind Ensemble will perform "Dreams and Fantasies: A Celebration of Creativity." The hefty program includes seven pieces that mix the new with the old. The ensemble will perform Charles Ives' "Old Home Days" and William Schuman's "When Jesus Wept." But the program will also have world premieres from MIT's Forrest Larson ("Seabird Fantasy") and three works from composer-in-residence Dana Wilson, including the Boston premiere of "Avatar." OK, that last one is totally going to be about an online computer game. Friday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. at Kresge Auditorium at MIT in Cambridge. Tickets: $5. Call 617-253-2826.
Star Gazing: The sky has been there since the dawn of time and it's still a fascinating and enigmatic aspect of our world. See it in a different way at the Museum of Science's "Winterlight: Stars and Symbols of the Solstice." The planetarium show aims to take you around the world and back in time, showing you how the night sky has always been a way to tell stories and for men to get to first base on a date. Seriously, works every time. The show will also reveal "the meaning of our most treasured holiday symbols," which means that, finally, we may discover who started that annoying give-a-fruitcake-as-a-gift tradition that still refuses to die. Nov. 27 to Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m. at the Museum of Science in Boston. Tickets: $7-$9. Call 617-723-2500.
Chim Chim Cher-Ee: Come dressed up as your favorite character from "Mary Poppins" (extra points to whoever shows up as a bird demanding to be fed), and sing the songs from the musical at a unique event that sounds like the family version of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." At "Sing-a-long Mary Poppins," patrons will be treated to a restored print of the classic 1964 film that will have onscreen lyrics (do you really need them?) so everyone can sing along. A movie host will be on hand to lead the audience with a bag full of props, and those dressed in costumes will march across the stage. Nov. 23-25, Friday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. at the Regent Theatre in Arlington. Tickets: $12-$15, $10 for groups of 10 or more. Call 781-646-4849.
Port of call: Now that Halloween is over, all the wackos have left Salem. Well, most of them, anyway. This is a calmer time to visit that quaint city by the sea that's steeped in history. And the "35<sup>th</sup> Annual Antiques Show" at the Peabody Museum is a good reason to return. About 30 dealers from New England and across the U.S. will showcase exceptional silver, furniture, paintings, porcelain and jewelry. The serious buyer may spend $125 to get into the Nov. 23 Preview Party for the chance to see and buy the really good stuff. On Nov. 24 and 25, it's just regular museum admission: $13, adults. Proceeds from the event benefit the museum's education and outreach programs. Call 866-745-1876.