Puppet Showplace Theatre Presents: “PHATASMAGORIA + UNRAVELING” by Puppet Pants and Shadow Girls Cult

Join us for a one-night double feature of thoughtful, mind-bending, and whimsical marionettes and shadow puppetry: PHANTASMAGORIA, by one-man marionette-building extraordinaire Puppet Pants, and UNRAVELING, by Henson Grant-awarded duo Shadow Girls Cult. &nbsp; Clowns, monsters, and mysteries amuse and interact with the audience in PHANTASMAGORIA. This marionette variety show features whimsical acts ranging from endearing to odd, set to an original score. Specializing in marionette making and manipulation, Puppet Pants delivers a wordless performance, fading into the background while in full view of the audience. &nbsp; Infused with elements of sci-fi, film noir, classic horror, and surrealism, UNRAVELING explores the inexplicable moments in time when we, and the world around us, seem to come apart. A series of shadow vignettes takes the audience on a journey through yearning, curiosity, and wonder, moving through fractured identity and grief, and ending with a dream sequence. Shadow Girls Cult uses a mind-bending blend of light techniques, old-school overhead projectors, shadow masks, and hundreds of intricate and layered shadow puppets to create an animated film-like experience. &nbsp;

Puppet Showplace Theater 

NEC Opera: Le Nozze di Figaro

The NEC Opera Department presents Mozart's classic comic opera, Le Nozze di Figaro, conducted by Robert Tweten and directed by Joshua Major. Artist(s) SUSANNA | Dani Zhang, Rena Maduro FIGARO | Zhanqi Wang, Jingyao Zhou COUNTESS | Sohyun Cho, Ziruo Li COUNT | Taewon Sohn, Nicholas Ottersberg Enriquez CHERUBINO | Brianna Davies, Mirah Johnston BARTOLO | Yiming Liu, Yuhao Zhang MARCELLINA | Spencer Bailen, Sara Zerilli DON BASILIO &amp; DON CURIZO | Yuan Du, Xiaofeng Hou ANTONIO | Liangyu Chen, Xingchi Dong BARBARINA | Jiyeon Chung, Jingmeng Su

Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano 

French pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, one of the world’s most respected pianists, makes a long-anticipated Celebrity Series debut with his signature intellect, expressiveness, and clarity. Join Aimard for an 88-key journey though the 24 keys of the preludes and fugues of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, where his insightful interpretation reveals the genius of Bach in thrilling new dimensions.&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NGhuZTM2cmtsYXA5ajhjZW4xdmEwa2FvNGUgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

NEC’s Jordan Hall

Puppet Showplace Theatre Presents: “Hao Bang Ah! Horse!” by Chinese Theatre Works

It’s the Year of the Horse! Join Horse for puppet skits, dances, songs, and Chinese sayings that celebrate the wit and wisdom of the Chinese Zodiac animals! Experience traditional Bu Dai Xi puppetry in Chinese Theater Works’s jolly, wild romp created in honor of the Lunar New Year. Plus, the show closes with a hands-on demonstration that makes this Chinese bilingual cultural experience accessible to even the youngest audience members! &nbsp; Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close — the artists speak Mandarin and English! Ever wondered how your name would be written in Chinese calligraphy?! After the show, the artists will be offering just that for a small fee. Join us in the lobby to enjoy coloring sheets inspired by the show, a dress-up station, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk! These activities are available after every performance, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm. &nbsp;

John Paul McGee Jazz Trio 

Pianist and organist John Paul McGee returns with his signature "Gospejazzical," a joyful and spiritually uplifting blend of gospel, jazz, and classical traditions. Performing on First Church Roxbury’s historic organ and later joined by his trio, McGee’s concert promises transformative music designed to uplift, soothe, and inspire audiences through innovative harmonies and engaging rhythms.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/eventedit/copy/MW12NGptdDIxb211bDE5dXZmZDVrZTBudmwgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt/bGdmZWluZ29sZEBnbWFpbC5jb20">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!&nbsp;</a>

First Church Roxbury

Joyce Yang, piano 

Blessed with “poetic and sensitive pianism” (Washington Post) and a “wondrous sense of color” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Grammy Award-nominated pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity, lyricism, and interpretive insight.&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NWJrM2F1NW11bWE5NWozam92ZmVrMDRjN2IgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

Puppet Showplace Theatre Presents: Vacation Week! “The Loose Caboose” by Harry LaCoste

A train engineer finds his caboose has disconnected and is stranded without an engine! To pass the time while waiting for the engine's return, the engineer peeks through the suitcases left behind to discover delightful puppet characters and enchanting musical stories. Join puppeteer, ukulele rockstar, and all around funny guy Harry LaCoste for this interactive family-friendly show that is sure to make you giggle! &nbsp; Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close! Plus, join us in the lobby to enjoy coloring sheets inspired by the show, a dress-up station, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk! These activities are available after every performance, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm. All ages welcome, especially enjoyed by ages 3 - 7. &nbsp;

Puppet Showplace Theatre Presents: Vacation Week! “Galapagos George” by Barefoot Puppet Theatre

Who is George? He's a tortoise, a giant Galapagos tortoise! Watch George grow up among lizards, sea turtles, and sea lions, along with hungry goats and dancing birds with blue feet. This show tells the true story of the last tortoise to be found on Pinta Island in the Galapagos archipelago. All the way from Virginia, Barefoot Puppets brings us an “uplifting eco-fable,” as described by The Smithsonian, that shares an important lesson about humans’ impact on the environment. This adorable show was awarded the UNIMA Citation of Excellence in 2005, the highest honor in puppetry arts. &nbsp; Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close! Plus, join us in the lobby to enjoy coloring sheets inspired by the show, a dress-up station, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk! These activities are available after every performance, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm. All ages welcome, especially enjoyed by ages 4 - 12.

Tony Siqi Yun, piano 

Still in his early 20s and only two years out of Juilliard, Canadian pianist Tony Siqi Yun is already making waves as a soloist and recitalist. Praised for his refinement, muscular sound, and intimate expressivity, Yun has “an emergent big personality” (Philadelphia Inquirer) that makes him a pianist you’ll want to experience firsthand.&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=Mm1lazZibXA4cG5vOGNhbXVoOGNoNmIybDMgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

Groton Hill Music Center

Joshua Bell, violin 

Beloved violinist Joshua Bell stands among the most celebrated artists of our time, captivating audiences with his virtuosity for nearly four decades. Renowned for his animated stage presence and “lucid, energetic, and compelling” (Bachtrack) interpretations, he draws audiences closer to the music with deep emotional connection and undeniable charisma.&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NWw2bjY5Y2Rtc2JzZHFtZzhjcWRlazVxY2UgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

Symphony Hall

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 

Beauty, grace, strength: these are the hallmarks of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. For more than six decades, the magnificent Ailey dancers have inspired us, touched our hearts, and invited us to joyously clap along with them as they take their curtain calls in the beloved Revelations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; Thursday, April 30, 8pm&nbsp; Friday, May 1, 8pm&nbsp; Saturday, May 2, 2pm&nbsp; Saturday, May 2, 8p&nbsp; Sunday, May 3, 3pm&nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=MTdhcWtydTE0cHRyYjg5bGVmaTYwZHZpNTQgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a> - April 30, 8pm&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NnVmc2w3c3FybmVicWZsNHQwcjR1M2ZzODggY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a> - May 1, 8pm&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=M2Rmbzd0MmRtNjJwMGNwZDdtbzM3aTRxYmsgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a> - May 2, 2pm&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=MmZwMjZkY2l0bzJqYXNvajh1MG1lOGF1ZmIgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a> - May 2, 8pm&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NTgzbjY5M3M4amV0a3RubXB1MDZtN2dhbGogY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a> - May 3, 3pm&nbsp;

Boch Center Wang Theatre 

Lisa Batiashvili, violin and Giorgi Gigashvili, piano 

Beloved by audiences worldwide for her “fearless…tonally rich and technically immaculate” (The Guardian) playing, violinist Lisa Batiashvili returns to the Series after her acclaimed 2023 performance alongside pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Gautier Capuçon. Don’t miss your chance to witness an artist who effortlessly blends delicacy with intensity and lyricism with precision in a rare duo recital with Giorgi Gigashvili.&nbsp; Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=MHZjNzBzZzl0OHFvbGY1ZGh2NGI4aXV2Mm4gY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

Zahili Zamora & Friends 

Pianist Zahili Zamora offers a captivating preview of her forthcoming album, a dynamic fusion of classical piano, jazz, and Afro-Cuban rhythms.&nbsp; With extraordinary improvisational skill, Zamora weaves these influences into a deeply personal yet universally relevant narrative—one that speaks to healing, resilience, and the transformative power of creativity.&nbsp; <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NTJuazlsdnNhaGQ1ajBjaGo2MnY0bTM1bzQgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>&nbsp;

Arlington Street Church 

Chucho Valdés and His Royal Quartet 

The legendary Chucho Valdés and His Royal Quartet of next-generation standouts, heard on the 2024 album Cuba &amp; Beyond, pay homage to Chick Corea and Mozart, play American blues and Cuban folksongs with an Afro-Latin twist, and apply a playful, creative, and surprising approach to every selection.  Single tickets will go on sale on January 8 at noon.  <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&amp;tmeid=NDU1OWRwMGIwcmI2ODU2OGV2YWo5MzA5dnYgY2VsZWJyaXR5c2VyaWVzMTkzOEBt&amp;tmsrc=celebrityseries1938%40gmail.com">Click here to add to your Google Event Calendar!</a>

Berklee Performance Center

Puppet Showplace Theatre Presents: “Dig Down Deep: A Cave Adventure” by CactusHead Puppets — World Premiere!

What if your safe, cozy place suddenly changed? Meet the Story Miners, who have been busy delving underground with a pick axe and shovel to unearth stories to share with the audience! You’ll meet Jamie, who loves to visit their very own cozy little cave. There, Jamie plays, makes up stories, and talks to a friendly Echo, and everything is familiar and as it should be. But one day, change follows them even to the cave, and Echo is missing! When Jamie sets out to get things back to normal, they soon discover that what goes on in their cave is more extraordinary than they ever imagined! &nbsp; Be among the first to see this world premiere from CactusHead Puppets. Using both big and small puppets, a cool cave set piece, shadow puppet bats, real science facts, and a dash of humor, CactusHead Puppets weaves a tale full of imagination and sweet poignancy about the tricky experience of learning to embrace change. &nbsp; Stay after the show to meet the artists and see the puppets up close! Plus, join us in the lobby for a puppet craft inspired by the show, and enjoy a dress-up station, coloring sheets, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk! These activities are available after every performance, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm. All ages welcome, especially enjoyed by ages 4-10.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

joyraft.host12850

Experiences