Let’s all share a brief moment of silence for October… Hello, November! The foliage is disappearing, the air is getting chillier and the sun just keeps setting earlier as we inch our way closer to winter. But Québec’s office of tourism is on a mission to get us to a new season as early as this Friday when they transform Seaport into a winter wonderland. November is also National Hip-Hop History Month so you know we’ve got you covered there. But our list is eclectic enough to also include a play, a fashion show and a film festival. So just keep on reading.
Thursday, Nov. 2
Who says Boston’s not fashionable? (Answer: GQ in 2011.) Every Thursday, the Liberty Hotel’s lobby transforms into an interactive fashion show to highlight the work of Boston designers. This time, the spotlight is on HOUSE OF JAX. The company, founded by Jaqueline Guelli, began as a skincare brand in 2017 but has grown to produce home decor and, of course, fashion. DJ Skoolyahd will kick off the free event at 9 p.m. with some record spinning. Then, models will strut for three rounds through the lobby-turned-fashion runway at 10 p.m. for a total of four looks.
Friday, Nov. 3
Québec’s tourism department is taking over the Seaport this Friday. They’ll be bringing us a truncated version of their 70-year-strong Winter Carnival, which brings in nearly 400,000 people annually. Our Boston version of the festival may be smaller, but we’ll still get to experience a few of their traditions first-hand, like ice sculpting, DJ performances in front of an ice bar, snowball corn hole, and an appearance by Québec’s iconic snowman mascot, Bonhomme. The free festival is open to people of all ages. It kicks off at 11 a.m. and goes until 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 4
November is National Hip-Hop History Month. The sub-culture began 50 years ago and goes beyond rap to include DJing, break dance and graffiti. Boston Public Library will host a block party this Saturday at Codman Square to celebrate the occasion. The free all-ages event will feature portable DJ duo A Trike Called Funk spinning records that compel people to move, maybe show off a headspin if it’s in your wheelhouse, and a graffiti workshop. The festival begins at 2 p.m. and goes until 4 p.m.
Through Nov. 15
The annual Boston Jewish Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The event, which celebrates the Jewish experience, was founded in 1989 by filmmaker Michal Goldman. It holds the claim of “largest film-based organization in New England,” with over 15,000 annual members. Some of the notable documentaries screening this year include “Remembering Gene Wilder,” “Rabbi on the Block” and “Resistance – They Fought Back.” You can purchase a pass to the entire festival for $360 or individual passes to either stream or watch movies in person throughout Greater Boston for $16.
Through Nov. 12
Newsflash: Shakespeare is dead! The playwright’s work has influenced countless shows, musicals and pieces of media throughout time. But in Lauren Gunderson’s “The Book of Will,” we see what happens when London stages are cluttered with poorly ripped off and plagiarized versions of “Hamlet” and “Macbeth” just three years after William Shakespeare’s death. And, how his artist friends try their best to preserve his legacy. Elliot Norton award-winning director Bryn Boice leads this pay-what-you-Will show by Hub Theatre Company at the BCA Plaza Theatre. Donations of new and gently read children’s books will also be collected at each show for local charities.
