Editor’s Note: Welcome to V3 Weekend, Vanyaland‘s guide to help you sort out your weekend entertainment with curated selections and recommendations across our three pillars of Music, Comedy, and Film/TV. It’s what you should know about, where you need to be, and where you’ll be going, with us riding shotgun along the way.
Music: ArtBeat Festival 2022
We’re pretty much at the peak of summer, which means every weekend is a great chance to be outside and (maybe, hopefully) off our screens. Last Saturday we headed down to Medfield to party at Bellforge, and this Saturday (July 16) we’re staying closer to home for ArtBeat, Somerville’s annual multicultural arts festival in Davis Square. There are a bunch of notable live performances, including Genie Santiago (pictured), TIFFY, Dutch Tulips, Senseless Optimism, Nectarine Girl, and others, with a full slate of diverse programming and entertainment and approximately 100 craft, community, and food vendors. This year’s ArtBeat theme is “Rise,” and here’s what that means, via organizers:
“Things are looking up, lifting — rising. At this year’s ArtBeat Festival we invite artists of all kinds and community members to interpret the ‘rise’ theme in myriad ways. Literally, let’s think about what’s above us — the sky, stars, trees, cranes, birds, and buildings. And figuratively, how might ‘rise’ resonate? What’s beyond us, what’s within reach? What trends and stats are rising in Somerville? How might we rise to further our dreams and goals, and rise up to fight inequality? Whether it’s dancers leaping upwards, singers hitting high notes, a sculptor crafting a lofty installation, or a community group calling for social change and a rising up — we can’t wait to see your interpretations of this theme. It’s time to RISE Somerville!”
ARTBEAT 2022 :: Saturday, July 16 across Davis Square in Somerville MA :: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., free, all-ages :: Full schedule and more info
Comedy: Nantucket Comedy Festival at Dreamland Theatre & White Heron Theatre
OK sure, we talked about staying closer to home up top, but that mid-July itch always seems to include a trip down to the Cape and the islands, and Nantucket brings the laughs this week with the Nantucket Comedy Festival, which kicked off Wednesday and runs to Saturday (July 16). Here’s what Vanyaland Comedy editor Jason Greenough had to say about it in Mic’d Up, and hit the link to see what’s stacked up for Friday and Saturday, including Boston vs New York comedy smackdown:
“Serving up a healthy dose of the old school legends with the premiere of Don Gavin’s new stand-up special, and meshing it with a refreshing splash modern crop of comedy power that continues to pour out of the commonwealth and the surrounding areas (including New York, as seen during the Boston vs. NYC showdown hosted by ESPN’s Bob Ley). There’s quite a lot packed into these few days on the island, but the best part is there’s a little bit of something for everyone.”
NANTUCKET COMEDY FESTIVAL :: Through Saturday, July 16 at Dreamland Theatre, 17 S. Water St. St. in Nantucket, MA & White Heron Theatre, 5 N Water St. in Nantucket, MA :: Various times, $20 to $125 :: Event and info page
Film/TV: Don’t Fall Asleep: ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Marathon
In 2022, nothing is scarier than the real world, and once-terrifying figures like Freddy Krueger simply now come off like your misunderstood uncle who stayed up all night and grew his fingernails too long. So this weekend we’re headed to Uncle Fred’s house (don’t tell mom!) to spend the overnight with Coolidge Corner Theatre’s Don’t Fall Asleep: A Nightmare on Elm Street Marathon. It kicks off Saturday night (July 16) just before midnight and runs 12 hours to noon Sunday, showing seven films: A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984); A Nightmare On Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge; A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors; A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master; A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child; Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare; and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Shit, you had us at Don Dokken warning us to stay awake at like 4 a.m.
Anyway, here’s word from the Coolidge: “If you think you’ll get out alive, you must be dreaming! It’s an Elm Street all nighter! Experience terror beyond your wildest dreams as we screen seven films from the Nightmare on Elm Street series, all from 35mm prints! There’s no better way to experience Freddy Krueger’s gory full story than while fighting off your own sleepiness in a theatre filled with his fans! Remember, the only thing to fear is fear HIMSELF! All of you dream warriors will receive a limited edition event thermos for bottomless cups of coffee! A must for battling Freddy from midnight until noon. What a rush!”
DON’T FALL ASLEEP: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET MARATHON :: Saturday, July 16 at The Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St. in Brookline, MA :: 11:59 p.m., $40 :: Coolidge event page