Things To Do In Concord

This week’s lineup begins and ends with nostalgia, from a classic summer fair to a '90s-flashback cruise. In between, you can take in live outdoor theater, learn to line dance, and sample coffee-infused cocktails. Don’t forget to check Groupon first for more cool things to do in Boston. The Bolton Fair Lancaster | Saturday, August 9–Sunday, August 10 Although the 132-year-old event advertises itself as “an old-fashioned agricultural fair,” it certainly embraces modernity. Case in point: the larger-than-life monster trucks and local rock bands. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of classic carnival rides, adorable animals, and oxen pulls to satisfy traditionalists. (318 Seven Bridge Rd., Lancaster; $10; buy tickets here) Shakespeare on the Common: Twelfth Night Downtown | Sunday, August 10, 7 p.m. Don’t miss the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s last performance of Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare’s merry comedy that centers on love, shipwrecks, and cross-dressing. (Parkman Bandstand in Boston Common; free) Faneuil Hall Marketplace's Hoedown at the Hall Financial District | Sunday, August 10, noon Break out the cowboy boots and spurs for Sunday’s kid-friendly hoedown at Faneuil Hall. Attendees can play corn hole, learn to line dance, listen to live country music, or marvel at the whip tricks of Jack the Whipper. (4 S. Market St.; free) SoonSpoon Caffeinated Cocktails Pop-Up Seaport District | Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 p.m. Who says cocktails make you sleepy? Audubon’s Tyler Wang joins forces with Josh Gerber and Hannah Epstein of 1369 Coffee House to shake up three caffeinated cocktails that bring out the vibrant, earthy flavors of various javas. (WeWork Fort Point, 51 Melcher St.; $30; buy tickets here) Saved by the Boat 2014 Financial District | Friday, August 15, 8 p.m. Social Boston Sports is bringing back big hair, scrunchies, and Hammer pants for a '90s-themed cruise. The all-night event begins with an optional karaoke pre-party at Hong Kong Boston (65 Chatham St.) and ends with an after party at Howl at the Moon (184 High St.). The cruise itself features a cash bar and a dance floor fueled by '90s hits. (Cruise departs from Rowes Wharf; $30; buy tickets here) Bolton Fair image from Facebook; Shakespeare on the Common image from Madeleine Ball (Flickr)

Boston has so many wonderful neighborhoods, and Fort Point is one of my favorites. This area of South Boston extends east from Fort Point Channel towards the new construction of the Seaport District. The mix of converted brick warehouses and modern glass buildings creates a unique atmosphere that feels both historical and contemporary. Art and Design A stroll along Fort Point Channel offers stunning views of downtown Boston from across the water. As you walk along the channel, pause to rest on the unusual benches that dot the walkways.  The 17 innovative public benches are the semi-finalists in Design Museum Boston’s Street Seats competition, in which designers from 23 countries around the world participated. Some of my favorites are reminiscent of wharf poles or sail rope. The Design Museum offers guided tours twice a month, and each bench is accompanied by text that explains the designer’s vision. The Fort Point neighborhood has been home to artists for decades, and many of the buildings are still zoned as artist live/work spaces. During open studio events in the fall and the spring, the studios’ doors open to visitors. You can get a feel for the neighborhood’s artists all year long at Made in Fort Point, a shop showcasing the diversity of Fort Point residents, offering paintings, photographs, sculptures, stationery, jewelry, and other wearable art. The gallery features a different local artist each month, giving visitors a more in depth view of an individual’s work. The Fort Point Arts Community also arranges shows of area artists at 300 Summer Street, and the Design Innovation Gallery at Factory 63 features rotating exhibits highlighting Boston’s creativity in design, engineering, and technology. Finally, don’t forget that the Institute of Contemporary Art is just a few blocks away, and hosts exhibitions, concerts, and more in its striking waterfront location. Fort Point Food and Drink After a day of gallery hopping, Barrington Coffee is a perfect place to stop in for a recharge. They serve amazing coffee and espresso drinks made from beans roasted at their Berkshire location. I especially love the Barrington Gold espresso blend and the India Kalledevarapura blend, which is grown under fig trees in the Western Ghat mountains. In addition to being delicious, all the coffee they roast is sustainably grown and traded at a fair price. Enjoy your caffeine fix from the beautiful wooden bar, and watch the world go by. For a little something sweet, stop in at Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery, for a home-style molasses cookie or a piece of rich chocolate cake. If an Asian gastropub piques your interest, then check out Ming Tsai’s new restaurant Blue Dragon. The easy-to-share tapas and well-stocked bar have made it a neighborhood favorite already. Nearby, Barbara Lynch has your evening covered with her restaurant Sportello and cocktail lounge Drink. Sit at Sportello’s modern counter for an Italian play on a classic diner, serving delicious handmade pasta and trattoria-inspired dishes. After dinner, cap off your exploration of Fort Point by heading downstairs to Drink for a well-crafted cocktail. Explore deals on other things to do around Boston.

Make “relaxation and fun” your mantra this week, beginning with a yoga class on Spectacle Island. Then, soak up live jazz, soul, or musical theater before capping the week off with a movie on the Esplanade. As always, check Groupon first for more fun things to do in Boston. Yachting & Yoga Fort Point | Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. to noon Karma Crew Yacht Charters kicks off the weekend on a relaxing note, beginning with an hourlong boat ride to Spectacle Island. There, participants will stretch through a 40-minute yoga class, followed by a salad from Sweetgreen packed with local, organic ingredients. (Fan Pier Marina, 1 Marina Dr.; $29; buy tickets here) Cambridge Jazz Festival Cambridge | Sunday, July 27, noon to 6 p.m. Two-time Grammy winner Terri Lyne Carrington headlines the festival, but early-comers can take in the jazz-flute stylings of Fernando Brandão and the swing- and R & B-influenced rhythms of percussionist Ron Savage. (University Park Commons on Sidney Street; free with Cambridge Jazz Festival button) Ashanti Munir & Sistah Soul Franklin Park | Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. Soul singer Ashanti Munir joins Sistah Soul for an all-ages outdoor concert in the park. The event caps off a full day of free interactive dance and hip-hop classes for kids, which will be taught by Stajez Dance Company. (450 Walnut Ave., Playstead ballfields between the zoo and the stadium; free) Finding Neverland Cambridge | Through September 28 Kids and adults who refuse to grow up will delight in the American Repertory Theater’s world-premiere musical, based partly on the 2004 hit film. With musical numbers penned by British pop star Gary Barlow and choreography from So You Think You Can Dance’s Mia Michaels, the show is set to deliver catchy beats and high-flying feats. (Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Cambridge; $25+; buy tickets here) Men in Black 3 at the Hatch Shell The Esplanade | Friday, August 1, at sunset Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return to the Hatch Shell’s big screen thanks to WBZ’s Free Friday Flicks. Bring some popcorn or a picnic to enjoy this laugh-a-minute sequel, and try your hardest to forget all about Men in Black 2. (47 David G. Mugar Way; free)   Photos from Annette Brown, Evgenia Eliseeva (American Repertory Theater), and BU.edu