Safari #24: New Year's Lion Dances in Chinatown

According to our calendar, we're nearly three months into 2011.  However, if you're looking at the Chinese calendar, the new year began on February 3rd.  In Chinese communities around the world, celebrations have been taking place in the form of festivals and parades.  One such celebration happens every year right in Boston's very own Chinatown.

Firecrackers, banging gongs, and excited crowds drew me to Chinatown to watch the new year's lion dances.  These traditional dances are performed to bring good luck and fortune to local businesses and to showcase the martial arts skills of the lion dancers.  Kung Fu practitioners from local martial arts schools compete in the hopes of receiving a prize from each business.

Vegetables and fruit are left dangling from outside the doors of each business, enticing the lions to visit.   Two dancers perform the dance, with one controlling the head and the other controlling the tail.  Three musicians playing cymbals, drums, and a gong and accompany the lion.  To top it off, a little Buddha escorts the lion as it visits each business throwing firecrackers and causing mischief.

If you're interested in visiting Chinatown for next year's lion dances, here are some tips:

• Drink Tea and Eat Dim Sum.  Since you're in the heart of Chinatown, visit a local restaurant to partake in Yum Cha, which is the tradition of drinking tea and eating small plates of rich foods like pork dumplings, noodles, or chicken feet (if you please).
• Take Your Time.  The dances last all day (typically 10am to 5pm) with different martial arts troupes making their way through the neighborhood.
• Bring Earplugs.  If you're sensitive to loud noises, you may find the firecrackers to be a little intense.
• Check out Banksy's Graffiti.  Update - it's no longer there.  As is the nature of graffiti art, it was painted over.  Yes, the one and only put one of his stenciled images on a wall in Chinatown.  The graffiti is located on Essex St between Washington St. and Harrison Ave.

Safari #23: The MFA's New Wing - in Context

Context is everything - the time, the place, and the setting working together to bring you a well-rounded understanding of an object or event.  I recently visited the new Art of the Americas wing at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) alongside a docent from Context Travel, a company that specializes in unique tours which do exactly that.

I had the pleasure of taking a stroll through the new wing with Tricia Hastings, an engaging and knowledgeable docent who made the experience of visiting the new wing take on a different dimension. In the three hours I spent with Tricia, I learned more about the museum than all of my individual visits combined.

As a non-Massachusetts native, Tricia's tour of the John Singleton Copley gallery was incredibly informative for me.  While Copley was initially known for his idealized portrait paintings of wealthy Bostonians, his political tendencies came to light in his famous portrait of Paul Revere who appears to foreshadow the coming revolution.  Placed near the portrait is Revere's Sons of Liberty Bowl, which was brought to the MFA thanks to contributions from local school children in 1949.  As a courtesy to young viewers, the bowl has been placed on display at the eye level of a child - a nice touch.

If you're looking for a more than meets the eye view of local art and other Boston sights, be sure to visit Context's website for more information.  With spring just around the corner and potential guests heading to town for a visit, there's no better time than the present to plan your outings now.

Other Thoughts:

• Don't miss the Behind the Scenes Galleries.  These special galleries are located on each floor in the rear of the new wing and offer a more detailed installation based upon a theme from one of the larger viewing rooms. 
• Note the furniture arrangement in the new displays.  To allow viewers to come into closer contact with objects, museum designers created displays that would mimic the interiors of the day including, furniture, textiles, and lighting.   
• Learn more about the MFA's benefactors.  With updated displays and informational kiosks, it's easier than ever to learn more about how the museum acquired its famous pieces and the individuals who selflessly donated them.

*If you have time, visit the 3rd floor of the new wing and view the modern art.  In the photography room, you'll have the opportunity to view my favorite piece - Edward Weston's Pepper no. 30

Safari #22: The Swapaholics

You bring a bag of gently used items (clothing, accessories, shoes, and housewares, etc) to exchange for other items at little or no cost.  It sounds unbelievable.

The above scenario describes a "swap," where retail therapy, recycling, and charity all come together.  Last Thursday, I attended a clothing swap at the Arts at the Armory in Somerville compliments of the Swapaholics, an group dedicated to inexpensive thrifting and low cost fashionable style.

For $10 (discounted ticket cost) and a small bag of clothes, I walked away with some awesome finds including a puffer vest, pencil skirt, trail running shoes, and a blouse - all in excellent condition.  At the end of the event, all remaining items were donated to charity.

Interested in swapping?  You should be.  Check out the following sites to learn more:

• Visit the Swapaholics. Follow them on Twitter (@swapaholics) and learn more about their organization and upcoming swaps. 
• Check out Swap.com - List items you have and items you want, and get swapping with other users for the cost of shipping.  Pretty cool.
• Start Local.  If you're not ready to swap on a larger scale, organize a swap of your own with friends.

*Swapaholics logo borrowed from the website. 

Safari #21: Axiom Gallery

Some things are definitely worth waiting for - and I've been waiting a long time to visit the Axiom Center for New and Experimental Media in Jamaica Plain.  Located at the Green Street T stop on the Orange Line, Axiom probably isn't what you're expecting in an art gallery.  Its unexpectedness will surprise you.

"Identity Element: Works from the New Axiom Group" highlights the work of 12 new artists including video, audio, photography, and other mixed media.  One of my favorite pieces was a display of clocks -  all wired to a central piece and displaying the same time.  The singular ticking of the second hand across the sea of clocks was both thrilling and somewhat chilling at the same time.

Some quick tips if you're planning to visit:

• The gallery has limited hours, so plan your visit carefully.  Visit the website to view the schedule.
• The exhibit openings are fantastic.  Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments (small donations suggested).  Sign up for email notifications to find out when the next installation is scheduled.
• There are no restrooms.  Plan accordingly.

Safari #20: Harvard Museum of Natural History

Happy New Year safari travelers.  I've been away on vacation and recently returned to town.  I hope you all had wonderful holiday celebrations.  To start off this new year, I'd like to focus on safaris that enrich the mind and soul.  With that said, let's start with the mind.

There is something intriguing about the combination of history and science all in the same place.  If you're not convinced, try visiting The Harvard Museum of Natural History.  The museum gives you a visually stimulating tour of life as it has developed on earth over millions of years.  If you're able to visit the museum, be sure to check out the following displays:

The Botanical Gallery - Every specimen contained within this room is handmade - out of glass.  Created from 1886 through 1936, the nearly 4,400 models were used to teach botany to Harvard students.

The Mineral Gallery - A rare opportunity to view hundreds of natural minerals, gemstones, and meteorites.  If you appreciate the beauty of gemstones, pick three of your favorites and try to find them in the gallery.  If you like amethyst, you have a surprise waiting for you.

The Language of Color -  a stunning display of animals and the natural colors found in nature.  Did you know that the fur on some animals will only reflect blue light?

Tips:

• Admission is only $9, and if you're a Massachusetts resident, admission is free on Wednesdays from 3 to 5pm (September through May) and Sundays from 9am to noon (year round).
• If you're looking for unique gifts, the gift shop offers some great ideas.  In particular, the shop sells plants to grow at home including hydroponic herbs, vegetables, flowers, and fruit.
• If you're looking to grab something to eat after visiting the museum (remember, no food or drinks are allowed inside), Harvard Square is only a 10 minute walk away.

Safari #19: First Thursdays in The Hallway

The reasons to fall in love with Jamaica Plain (JP) keep growing.  A recent safari took me down Centre and South Streets for the monthly First Thursday event where local shops stay open past regular hours to welcome visitors with libations, hors d'oeuvres, and other goodies.

The Hallway Gallery (66a South Street) showcases the work of local fine artists offering a new rotation each month.  December features the works of Megan Hinton, Karen Kemp, Ben Silva, John Steck Jr, and Jonathan Stark.  The owner, Brent Refsland, an accomplished photographer, also includes his work as well.

If you have a chance, stop by to visit this month or wait until January for the next rotation of art.  While you're strolling, don't forget to stop in the other shops along the way.

Safari #18: Bizarre Bazaar

What do you call a collection of local artists selling their offbeat, unique, and handmade wares?  A Bizarre Bazaar.  Today marked 10th gathering of the Bizarre Bazaar at the Boston Center for the Arts.  Since it's inception in 2001, the bazaar has sprouted roots in other cities across the U.S. including Cleveland (my hometown), San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Below, I've listed a few of my favorites, but be sure to check the website to learn more about the other vendors.

Taylor Ceramics - Cara Taylor's beautiful ceramics offer a simple sophistication that reminded me of the mid-century work of Eva Zeisel.  The porcelain planter is on my list of must-haves, and I know my amaryllis would love it too.

AB Cowls - Amy Beth makes cozy cowlneck scarves and scarflettes.  I've had my eye on a mustard yellow cowl for weeks and was thrilled to find one perfect for me.

DanMade - Dan makes cartoon and fantasy inspired ceramics - great for small and big kids alike.

Maxine in Trousers - Nothing tops off a vintage look better than a period hat or fascinator.  After trying on a few pieces, my plan for dressing up on New Year's Eve cemented itself.

Image Credits

Aqua Fascinator image obtained from the vendor's Etsy website (http://www.etsy.com/transaction/31576978).  Item is no longer available.

Porcelain Planter image obtained from the vendor's Etsy website (http://www.etsy.com/listing/51764203/porcelain-planter).