Dinner and a Movie Done Differently
by Nao Valentino on March 3, 2005 in Culture
Dinner and a movie - it’s the stereotypical, small town America date. Although most of us take comfort in this oh-so-predictable combo of activities, isn’t it time we spiced it up a little? These days, dinner at John Harvard’s and a sans-popcorn movie excursion at the Boston Commons Cineplex will run you around $50. This weekend, skip the restaurant wait times and movie ticket lines, and throw your Ben Franklin towards some dinner-and-a-movie alternatives.
On Sunday afternoons, you can visit the Kaji Aso studio and tea house. For $22pp you can spend two hours in a hand-built, authentic, Japanese tea house enjoying traditionally brewed Kyoto green tea and imported red bean pastries. The tea is served ceremonially, but the atmosphere is relaxed and you need not know the rules before hand. Just six people are allowed into tea house each Sunday, making this an intimate and tranquil affair.
However, the tea ceremony is not the highlight of this particular jaunt. The company of your host is the highlight of this experience. Mr. Aso, a poet, musician, painter, philosopher, not only serves you tea in the traditional style, but also engages you in worldly conversation that spans art, current events, politics, culture, travel, etc. A word of caution: You must sit on your knees for the entire two hour duration, so dress comfortably. Tea is from 4 - 6pm, but arrive early to peruse the art gallery and winter garden. 40 St. Stephen Street. (617) 247 - 1719 (reservations required). www.kajiasostudio.com.
Ever thought about spending a Friday evening at the Museum of Fine Arts? On the first Friday night of each month, the MFA holds a social event featuring a cash bar, a Tapas menu, exhibition highlights, live music, and an elegant lounge-like atmosphere. Free with a $13 student admission, MFA FirstFridays rotates musical guests between popular local DJs, jazz quartets, latin bands, and more. 5:30 - 9:30pm. 465 Huntington Ave. www.mfa.org.
fter checking out the ‘normal distribution’ and virtual volleyball exhibits located in the mathematics and electricity wings of the Museum of Science, start your Friday night off with a martini and an appetizer from the museum’s café. Then head over to the Museums five-story-tall, dome screened Mugar Omni Theater for an IMAX. Not into IMAX? Check out the Hayden Planetarium for a Laser Show coordinated to the rock tunes of Tool, Radio Head, and Pink Floyd. After the show, and weather permitting, you can visit the Gilliand Observatory for Friday night star-gazing via state of the art telescopes. The café is open until 10pm and exhibit halls are open until 9pm, $14pp. Omni Theater, $6, Laser Show, $6, stargazing is held from 8:30 - 10:30, free. Call ahead at (617) 723 - 2500 (museum and theaters), (617) 589 - 0267 (observatory). Schedules and tickets available on-line. www.mos.org.
Want to take the date to the next level? Hit up the Comedy Connection on Thursday nights to see Frank Santos, the R-rated Hypnotist. For $15pp, Frank’s show always includes a lollypop sucking contest, a strip tease contest, and other R or even borderline X-rated routines. Frank is a certified Hypnotist and a local celebrity who frequents the college circuit, Foxwoods Casino, and other local comedy joints. You can catch him at the Comedy Connection in Faneuil Hall. The club serves appetizers and desserts ranging in price from $4-$6. 8:30pm. (617) 248 - 9700. http://www.symfonee.com/comedyconnection/boston.
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