The Weekender: September 30 to October 3

October has arrived, which means fall is well underway. We’ve curated a selection of events happening around Boston this coming weekend, like farmers markets, virtual mindfulness meditations, and a free arts and crafts event on campus.

Pho Viet’s

Originally located inside of Allston’s Super 88 food court, Pho Viet’s relocated its flagship a mere stone’s throw down the street, occupying the space that used to be Taqueria El Barrio. The family-run restaurant boasts awards for the best banh mi and Vietnamese food in Boston. With authentic offerings—such as pho, vermicelli, rice plates, vegetarian options, and Vietnamese iced coffee—it’s worth it to drop by and see for yourself if the spot truly lives up to the hype. 

Pho Viet’s, 1022 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline, is open 11 am to 8 pm Sunday and Monday, 11 am to 8 pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 am to 8:30 pm Friday and Saturday, closed Tuesdays. Delivery is available through Grubhub and Uber Eats, up to an hour before close.

SOWA Vintage Market

If you’re looking for vintage goods to spice up your wardrobe or dorm, the weekly SOWA Vintage Market is the place to shop. The market brings in fresh new ware every week, like clothing, jewelry, eyewear, furniture, and art. When you’re done with shopping, check out the farmers market, artist market, food trucks, and a beer garden for those 21-plus.

SOWA Vintage Market, 450 Harrison Ave., lower level, Boston, is open 4 to 8 pm, the first Friday of every month, and 11 am to 4 pm every Sunday.

BU Farmers’ Market

The Farmers’ Market, hosted by BU Dining for over a decade, has returned for the new semester. The market features a lineup of local women-owned and minority-owned vendors, where you can shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meals that require little to no preparation—easy to make in a dorm room. This year’s market welcomes longtime vendor Marshall’s Farm Stand, as well as new vendors like Be Real, which sells edible and bakeable cookie dough, and the Happy Cactus, which sells cacti and succulents.

The BU Farmers’ Market, GSU Plaza, 11 am to 3 pm, every Thursday through October 28.

Four-Week Mindfulness Series

Settle into the new semester and meet new people with some guided meditation sessions, organized by Student Health Services Wellness & Prevention. No prior experience is required, and the weekly sessions are sure to help you manage workload stress, relax, focus more easily, and connect with fellow students. The four-week virtual series is free and open to all BU students.

The Four-Week Mindfulness Series, held remotely on Zoom, is from 8 to 9 am on Thursdays through October 28. Register here.

Lanterns & Lollipops

The BU Arts Initiative launches its First Friday series on October 1, with events scheduled for the first Friday of the month. Kick off your weekend and prepare for the arrival of autumn by decorating a lantern to take home, then grab a few sweet treats with friends. The event is free and open to all BU students.

Lanterns & Lollipops, 775 Commonwealth Ave., Suite 201, 4:30 to 6 pm Friday, October 1.

Josef Albers Formulations: Articulation Exhibition

The College of Fine Arts Stone Gallery has a new free exhibition, Josef Albers Formulations: Articulation, through December 12. One of the most influential artists for his work in color theory, German abstract painter Albers was also an art educator, who taught in the famous Bauhaus school. Albers believed that everyone saw color differently, and therefore it is abstract, as its perception is relative and not definite. He encouraged his students to question the colors they saw and challenged them to see endless color possibilities.

Josef Albers Formulations: Articulation, is at the CFA Stone Gallery, 855 Commonwealth Ave., first floor, 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Friday, through December 12.