By Samantha Chase
One of the greatest things about living in the city is that there is always something going on! The arts scene is very varied and there are so many options that anyone can find something they’re interested in. Although a lot of arts and entertainment events can appear expensive, there are lots of options to help reduce costs for college students. The Suffolk Performing Arts Office also often offers discounted tickets to popular shows. Follow @instaramsu to hear all about PAO offers as they happen.
Click on the links provided to learn more about the programs and events, and check back at The Suffolk Voice often for reviews, updates, and other relevant articles!
Movies To See
1. Dolittle (January 17)
A reimagining of the classic film in the crazy Dr. Dolittle can speak to animals. This newest rendition features Robert Downey Jr. in the titular role.
2. The Gentlemen (January 24)
This newest crime movie, featuring Matthew McConaughey, Henry Golding, and Guy Richie, tells the story of a British billionaire as he attempts to sell his empire. When word gets out it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.
3. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn) (February 7)
The highly anticipated film featuring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is finally here. Gotham City goes crazy when its most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, targets a young woman. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya team up to take Roman down.
4. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You (February 12)
The sequel to the beloved Netflix original To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before follows Laura Jean through her new relationship with Peter Kavinsky, and all the angst and heartbreak that comes from being a high school teenager.
5. Emma (February 21)
Handsome, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless queen bee without rivals in her sleepy little town. This newest adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved classic is a glittering satire of social class and romantic missteps.
6. The Invisible Man (February 28)
Trapped in a violent, controlling relationship with a wealthy and brilliant scientist, Cecilia Kass (Kate Moss) escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding. But when Cecilia’s abusive ex (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), commits suicide, Cecilia suspects his death was a hoax. This haunting film based on the beloved novel by H.G. Wells reveals the dark side of human sanity, as Cecilia desperately tries to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.
Museum Exhibits
Tschabalala Self: Out of Body
Tschabalala Self (b. 1990, Harlem, New York) creates large-scale figurative paintings that integrate hand-printed and found textiles, drawing, printmaking, sewing, and collage techniques to tell stories of urban life, the body, and humanity. The artist’s first Boston presentation will represent personal avatars, couplings, and everyday social exchanges inspired by urban life: they are reflections of the artist or people she can imagine meeting in Harlem, her hometown.
Dates: Jan. 20 – July. 5
Location: Institute of Contemporary Art
Admission: Free with Suffolk ID
For more information: https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/tschabalala-self-out-body
Theater
Mean Girls
Tina Fey’s Tony award-winning Broadway musical, based on the always-popular 2004 Lindsay Lohan film, is hitting the road on its first national tour. Fun songs, witty lines, great characters…this one has it all. It might be a classic high-school conundrum, but we guarantee you won’t mind seeing how this one plays out!
Dates: Jan. 28 – Feb. 9
Location: Boston Opera House
Ticket Offers: $25 – $35 student rush tickets 2 hours before show
For more information: bostonoperahouse.com
Cake
Conflict collides with confection when Della, a traditional Southern baker, reunites with her deceased best friend’s daughter, Jen, in preparation for Jen’s wedding. Della is forced to question her strongly-held beliefs when she is asked to bake Jen’s dream wedding cake for her and her future wife. Questions of morals, judgment, and family swirl around them all in this heartfelt and deliciously funny new play.
Dates: Jan. 10 – Feb. 9
Location: Lyric Stage Boston
Ticket Offers: about $37
For more information: https://www.lyricstage.com/productions/the-cake/
Sweat
Based on interviews with the residents of Reading, Pennsylvania, a group of close friends struggle to stay connected when their factory is at risk of collapse. In a neighborhood bar, each of them reaches for their piece of the American dream. Can their friendships survive this test? Nottage weaves a tale of trust and doubt, longtime bonds and short-term possibilities.
Dates: Jan. 31 – Mar. 1
Location: Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA
Ticket Offers: $20 min
For more information: https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/season/2019-2020/sweat/
Suffolk Events
Sexual Assault Prevention Night
Suffolk University’s Women’s Advocacy Club is hosting a self defense class taught by SUPD. Join them for food, music, and educational opportunities for sexual assault awareness and prevention!
Date: Jan. 21 from 6:00 – 8:30pm
Location: Sawyer Stoll Room
For more information: check out @su_wac on Instagram
A Workshop With Memoirist Jaquira Díaz
The Suffolk University Poetry Project presents a workshop with memoirist Jaquira Díaz. The award-winning author was born in Puerto Rico, and her work has been published in Rolling Stone, the Guardian, The Best American Essays 2016, and more. The event showcases Díaz’s first novel, Ordinary Girls, and will be a generative workshop for any Suffolk student or faculty member who wants to join.
Date: Jan. 21 from 4:00 – 5:00pm
Location: Room 100 of 73 Tremont
Winter Welcome Back
If you’re on campus on Friday, Program Council has an event for you. Start the semester with winter themed activities and games!
Date: Jan. 29 from 1:00 – 3:00pm
Location: 3rd floor of Sawyer
For more information: check out @suffolkpc on Instagram
Documentary Film Discussion with Ken Eng
Keng Eng is a documentary filmmaker currently promoting two films: My Life in China, and another documentary about the Museum of the Chinese in America – an ongoing initiative in New York City to find the museum a permanent home. The Journalism Department, in conjunction with the Suffolk Historical Society and RamCam, will be hosting a conversation for the broader student body, where Eng will show clips and talk about his documentary filmmaking.
Date: February 6th from 12:15-1:30pm
Location: Poetry Center
For more information: email Suffolk Historical Society at suhistorical@gmail.com
Asian American Association’s Cultural Showcase
This annual event is an opportunity for Suffolk’s AAA to showcase various traditional and modern Asian cultures. This year’s theme is Lunar New Year, and they will be bringing in a celebrity guest of Asian background – whose identity is to be revealed on Friday – to share their experiences.
Date: Feb. 7, doors open at 5:30pm
For more information: check out @aaa.suffolk on Instagram
Social Justice Summit
The Social Justice Summit works through education and deliberate dialogue to empower attendees to disrupt oppression in our society and assist them in creating affirming environments on and off of their college campuses. To achieve this, SJS offers a variety of workshops and presentation sessions as well as a keynote speaker that address the Summit theme in addition to intentional opportunities for social community building and networking for attendees.
Date: Feb. 7 from 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Sargent Hall
Register Here: https://suffolk.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_511zhQz8Ne8OGvX
Asian American Fashion Show
Suffolk Asian organizations are coming together to present the Asian American Fashion Show! This is a semi-formal event, and hor d’oeuvres will be served to those in attendance. Anyone who wants to show off their cultural attire is welcome to show off their traditional or modern attire by walking the runway!
Date: Feb. 20 at 7:00pm
Location: Samia Cafe
For more information: check out @aaa.suffolk on Instagram
Other Events
Iranian Film Festival
Iran is renowned for producing some of the most spectacular and groundbreaking films in the world. Each year, film curators from the MFA; the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art; and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, work together to curate this compelling festival offering a range of perspectives by contemporary Iranian filmmakers.
Dates: Jan. 16 – Jan. 26
Location: Museum of Fine Arts
For more information: https://www.mfa.org/series/the-boston-festival-of-films-from-iran
Ice Skating
Bundle up and enjoy a fun afternoon with your friends on Frog Pond! The tickets are relatively cheap, although you do have to rent skates. Go at night to skate under the holiday lights!
Times: open Mon 10:00-3:45pm; Tues-Thurs 10:00-9:00pm; Fri-Sat 10:00-10:00pm; Sun 10:00-9:00
Location: Frog Pond
Ticket Offers: $6 admission; $12 skate rental
For more information: https://bostonfrogpond.com/
Have you been to one of these events? Let us know in the comment section or on social media. Check back next month for more happening in Boston this winter!