Something for Everyone This Weekend

Stephen Knox (COM’12) (left) and Ethan Harlow (ENG’14) during a preseason practice on Nickerson Field. The men’s soccer team hopes to win its second home game tomorrow night versus the Seton Hall Pirates. Photo by Cydney Scott

Just a week into the semester and your professors have already loaded on the homework: 100 pages of Jane Austen to be read by Monday, a paper due next Thursday, a biology lab for Friday. But don’t spend all weekend in the stacks or locked up in your room studying. There’s lots to do both on and off campus this weekend.

Film aficionados won’t want to miss the annual Drive-In Movie, Terrier fans will want to catch the men’s soccer game, and for everyone, on Sunday there are a series of services and concerts commemorating the 10-year anniversary of September 11.

Below are more details and a full list of the weekend’s events.

Friday, September 9

Men’s Soccer vs. Seton Hall University
7 p.m.

Nickerson Field, 285 Babcock St.
Show your Terrier pride this weekend as the BU men’s soccer team takes on the Seton Hall Pirates in its second home game of the 2011 season. The seven-time America East champions, under the guidance of Neil Roberts, 2010 America East Coach of the Year, were selected as favorites to win the conference this year. Tickets are $5 for general admission, $2 for students, faculty, and staff without a sports pass, and free with a sports pass. Purchase tickets here.

Drive-In Movie
8 to 11 p.m.

BU Beach, aka Warren Alpert Mall, behind Marsh Chapel, 735 Comm Ave.
Join friends and fellow students in what has become a popular yearly tradition. This year’s Drive-in Movie, hosted by the Programming Council, is actually a double feature: first up, one of this summer’s most critically praised comedies, Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wigg, followed by The Hangover 2, starring Bradley Cooper. Admission is free; rain location is the George Sherman Union Metcalf Ballroom. Students are encouraged to bring beach blankets.

Live Band Karaoke with Jukebox Heroes
9 to 11:30 p.m.

BU Central, GSU lower level, 775 Commonwealth Ave.
Jam out to your favorite songs like a true rock star. This karaoke night features a live band, the Jukebox Heroes, based in the San Francisco Bay area. They’ll play the songs; you add the vocals. There will be food, prizes, and more, hosted by BU Central. Free with a BU ID.

Saturday, September 10

Boston Arts Festival
Noon to 6:30 p.m.

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, 105 Atlantic Ave., Boston
For those who’d like to explore the Boston arts scene, the annual Boston Arts Festival offers a two-day showcase of the best of the city’s visual and performing arts. With 60 juried artists on hand, it includes those working in ceramics, jewelry, painting and metalworking. Two stages will feature poets, dance, and music ranging from opera and R&B to jazz. The event takes place along Boston’s historic waterfront. A full list of artists and performers is here. The festival runs Saturday, September 10, from noon to 6 p.m. (visual artists) and 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. (performances) and on Sunday, September 11, from noon to 6 p.m. (visual artists) and 12:30 to 5:45 p.m. (performances). Admission is free.

To get to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, take the MBTA Green Line to Government Center, transfer to the Blue Line inbound, and get off at the Aquarium stop. Walk north on Atlantic Avenue past the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. The park is on the right.

Welcome Back Party: Trivia Night
9 to 11:30 p.m.

BU Central, GSU lower level, 775 Commonwealth Ave.
To welcome students back to campus, BU Central is hosting its annual Welcome Back Party. There will be food, trivia, prizes, and music. Free admission with BU ID.

R-Rated Hypnotist
11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

George Sherman Union, Metcalf Ballroom, 775 Commonwealth Ave.
Frank Santos, Jr., the R-Rated Hypnotist, is back by popular demand. Take part in the show or watch as your friends fall under Frank’s spell. Be sure to get there early—this event fills up quickly each year. Doors open at 11:30 p.m. and the show starts at midnight. Admission is free.

Sunday, September 11

Marsh Chapel 9/11 Observance
Noon

Marsh Plaza, in front of Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave.
Marsh Chapel Dean Robert Allan Hill and the University’s chaplains invite the BU community to gather on Marsh Plaza to observe the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The service will include music from various University ensembles, a poem and reflections from Robert Pinsky, a College of Arts & Sciences professor of English and former U.S. poet laureate, and remarks from President Robert A. Brown. It will be an opportunity for reflection and recollection of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001—including several BU alumni. The event is open to the public.

CFA’s Voices of 9/11
2 to 3 p.m.

Marsh Plaza, in front of Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave.
In their memorial presentation, Voices of 9/11, students from the College of Fine Arts School of Theatre will give voice to those who were affected by the tragedy, interweaving both text and music. Students will read selected excerpts from the New York Times “Portraits of Grief” section, a series of short obituaries of 9/11 victims that ran in the months following the tragedy. They will also read aloud stories from rescue workers and family members and quotations from world leaders rallying in support of the United States in the days following the attacks. The BU community is invited to attend this tribute in honor and remembrance of the victims of 9/11. Rain location is the Tsai Performance Center. The event is free.

Massachusetts Remembers September 11: Memorial Concert and Ceremony
3 to 5 p.m.

Hatch Memorial Shell, Charles River Esplanade
This two-hour memorial concert, sponsored by the nonprofit Massachusetts Remembers 9-11, will include readings, poems, prayers, and a time for reflection and remembrance, as well as performances by the Boston Pops Brass Ensemble and Children’s Chorus. Highlights will include performances of Oscar-winning composer John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and a series of patriotic songs, among them “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America.” Admission is free; gates will open at noon and early arrival is strongly recommended. All spectators will be asked to enter the Oval through bag-check and screening entrances. Lawn chairs are allowed.

To get to the Hatch Shell, take the MBTA’s Green Line to the Arlington stop or take an outbound Red Line train to the Charles/MGH stop. Walk down Arlington Street toward Beacon Street and cross the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge over Storrow Drive; the Hatch Shell is on the right.

9/11 Berklee Memorial Concert
7:30 p.m.

Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave.
Students and alumni from the Berklee College of Music will perform original songs and instrumental pieces as they pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The music will offer a wide range of genres and styles and will feature Berklee’s a cappella group Pitch Slapped and the school’s slam poetry team. Admission is $8 in advance (discount applied at checkout), $12 on the day of the show, reserved seating. More information or purchase tickets here.

To get to the Berklee Performance Center, take the MBTA Green Line to the Hynes Convention Center stop. Take a left onto Massachusetts Avenue and cross Boylston Street. The Berklee Performance Center is about 30 yards from the corner.

Davide Nardi can be reached at dnardi@bu.edu.