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: Commonwealth Festival at City Hall Plaza
It makes sense that a free, all-ages, all-inclusive hip-hop festival takes place in the heart of Massachusetts’ capital, and that’s what’s going down this Saturday (October 12) as the inaugural Commonwealth Festival descends on City Hall Plaza. Featuring headliner Cousin Stizz, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and Vanyaland publisher Redefined team up for a bold lineup of performers, including V faves kei, Michael Christmas, and more. “We always dreamed about the next level beyond the local venues and throwing a festival of our own for the city,” says Stizz via the Bellforge Arts Center RSVP page. “We’re bringing out some of our favorite artists in the city, along with some super special guests… The best part is, it’s free and open to the public. We’re trying to celebrate the community this fall and showcase all that makes this place as special as it is. Commonwealth Fest is by us and for us, and the way I see it, this is gonna be something that can grow and live forever.” Peep the full lineup below.
COMMONWEALTH FESTIVAL :: Saturday, October 12 at City Hall Plaza in Boston, MA :: noon to 8 p.m., all ages, free admission :: Event info and set times
Comedy: The Comedy Studio Street Party
It sure has changed a lot over the years, but for some, there’s still magic to be found on a cool autumn Sunday in Harvard Square. This weekend, we’ll also find some much-needed laughs, as The Comedy Studio hosts a free, all-ages Street Party with a very solid lineup. Here’s Mic’d Up with the good word: “The legendary local venue has been back on its feet for a few weeks in their new location, but now it’s time to celebrate the new chapter. With an all-out bacchanalia of food, beer, entertainment and an X Factor-style comedy competition judged by Gary Gulman, Eugene Mirman and Jenny Zigrino, there’s no shortage of fun to be had on JFK Street. Plus, admission is free, so it checks all the boxes for a proper holiday weekend rager.”
STREET PARTY :: Sunday, October 13 at The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St. in Cambridge, MA :: 2 to 6 p.m., free admission :: Event info
Film/TV: A Nightmare on Elm Street at Alamo Drafthouse
A few days ago we were lazily flipping through the basic cable channels and stumbled upon A Nightmare on Elm Street, and we realized that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Wes Craven’s 1984 horror classic. Which means it’s a bloody good time to revisit the sharp charisma of Freddy Krueger on the big screen. Alamo Drafthouse serves up that chance tonight (October 11), as part of the Seaport cinema’s Time Capsule 1984 series. Here’s the word: “A Nightmare on Elm Street inspires dread in the way that it plays with the audience’s perceptions of illusion and reality, leaving us ever unsure if what we’re witnessing is the dream of a frightened teenager or their very real and gruesome death. And Robert Englund’s Fred Krueger is a cinematic killer like no other. He’s no hockey mask-wearing jock lumbering down the street. Freddy is clever and stylish and ethereal, and once you close your eyes and drift off to sleep, he’s all-powerful.” It’s worth getting off the couch for.
‘A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET’ :: Friday, October 11 at Alamo Drafthouse, 60 Seaport Blvd. in Boston, MA :: 9 p.m., $14.49 :: Event page and tickets