Arts Boston, 100 Boylston, 423-4454, is partially funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. They sell discount tickets through mail order, letting you know what's available with their newsletter, Artsmail. Call to get on their mailing list.

  • Artscall, 349-4394, gives you a listing of Cambridge events, performances and exhibits.
  • BOSTIX is run by Arts Boston out of a booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace and at Copley Square. You can find half-price, day-of-show tickets and other bargains. Cash only.
  • Boston Jazz Line, 787-9700, offers weekly information about area jazz shows.
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra offers 24-hour-a-day concert information. Call 266-2378.

    • Music - Symphonic, Choral, Opera, Chamber

    Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops

    For Pops tickets call 266-1492.

    BSO tickets are available in a number of ways:

    • Mail. Send orders which include a check and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Symphony Hall Box Office, Symphony Hall, 301 Mass. Ave., Boston, 02115.
    • Phone. Charge ticket orders by phone through SymphonyCharge at 266-1200. You can also reserve your tickets through SymphonyCharge and send in your payment by check. There is a handling fee for each ticket ordered by phone. The Yellow Pages has a fioor plan of Symphony Hall in the front section.
    • In person. The Box Office is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. The Box Office is also open during intermission on concert nights.
    • Fax. Symphony Hall Box Office's fax number is 638-9247. Make sure you include all of your credit card information. There is also a handling fee for each ticket ordered by fax.
    • Rush Tickets. A limited number of rush tickets are made available on the day of the show for concerts held on Friday afternoon and Tuesday and Thursday nights. These tickets are inexpensive (less than $10) and are sold one per person at the Mass. Ave. entrance beginning at 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9:00 am on Fridays.
    • Open Rehearsals. Another inexpensive option is to attend one of the BSO's open rehearsals on certain Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings throughout the season; these are the final rehearsals before BSO concerts. Call the concert line (266-2378) to find out dates and times. Seating is unreserved.

    New England Conservatory (NEC) and Jordan Hall

    The Boston Lyric Opera

    The opera's offices are located at 114 State Street, but performances are usually at the newly renovated Emerson Majestic Theatre located at 219 Tremont St. The company stages six productions each season.

    Opera Company of Boston

    This opera company stages its productions at The Opera House, 539 Washington, Boston. Call 426-5300 for information.

    Boston Camerata

    This ensemble presents Medieval, Renaissance and early Baroque vocal and instrumental concerts at various locations around the city. On occasion they also perform 18th and 19th century American folk music. Call 262-2092 for information.

    Music - Contemporary

    REGGAE, FUNK, WORLD BEAT, LATIN RHYTHMS, etc.

    Some of the following are gritty pubs and some are glitzy nightclubs that offer international music (live and recorded) on certain nights. Call to find out if the scene is what you're looking for.

    • Bill's Bar, 5 Landsdown, Boston, 421-9678, Sundays
    • Caribbean Cultural Center, 1000 Blue Hill Drive, Dorchester, 436-8629, 436-9246
    • Europa, 51 Stuart, Boston, 482-3939
    • Kay's Oasis,1125 Blue Hill Drive, Dorchester, 436-9566
    • Local 186, 186 Harvard Ave., Allston, 351-2608, Thursdays
    • The Middle East, 4 Brookline St. (Central Square), Cambridge, 354-8238
    • Paradise, 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 351-2582
    • Roxy, 279 Tremont, Boston, 227-ROXY
    • The Western Front, 206 Western Ave., Cambridge, 354-9778
    • Windsor Cricket Club, 327 Talbot Ave., Dorchester, 436-9234

    ROCK, GRUNGE, METAL, TRASH, SKA, etc.

    Most of the places listed above and some of the places listed under jazz and blues also fall into this category on certain nights. The following spots specialize, but also check the Nightclubs/Discos section below.

    • Local 186,186 Harvard Ave., Allston, 351-2680
    • TT the Bear's,10 Brookline St. (Central Square), Cambridge, 492-2237
    • The Beanpot,150 Canal Street, Boston, 722-9321
    • The Middle East, 4 Brookline St. (Central Square), Cambridge, 354-8238
    • The Ratskellar, 528 Commonwealth Ave. (Kenmore Square), Boston, 536-2750
    • The Tam,1648 Beacon St., Brookline, 277-0982
    • Toad, 1912 Mass. Ave. (Porter Square), Cambridge, 497-4950
    • Blackbird Baking Company, 1032 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, 739-9755
    • Christopher's, 1920 Mass Ave., Cambridge, 876-5405
    • The Middle East, 472 Mass Ave. 354-8238
    • Nameless Coffeehouse, 3 Church, Cambridge, 864-1630
    • Passim Coffee Shop, 47 Palmer, Cambridge, 492-7679

    JAZZ and BLUES

    • Berklee College of Music and Berklee Performance Center. This 1,200 seat performance hall, located at the Berklee College of Music on 136 Mass. Ave. in Boston, hosts jazz concerts. The box office phone number is 266-7455.
    • Regattabar, Charles Hotel,1 Bennett St., Cambridge, 937-4020
    • Scullers Jazz Club, Guest Quarters Suite Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road, 783-0090
    • Willow Jazz Club, 699 Broadway (Ball Square), Somerville, 623-9874
    • House of Blues, 96 Winthrop, Cambridge, 491-BLUE
    • Harper's Ferry,158 Brighton Ave., Allston, 254-7380
    • Wally's Cafe, 427 Mass. Ave., Boston, 424-1408
    • Johnny D's,17 Holland (Davis Square), Somerville, 776-2004
    • Sacco's, 96 School St., Watertown, 924-9804
    • Ryles, 212 Hampshire, Cambridge, 876-9330

    IRISH and CELTIC

    • O'Leary's, 1010 Beacon St., Brookline, 734-0049
    • The Harp, 85 Causeway St., Boston, 742-1010
    • The Black Rose, 160 State St., Boston, 742-2286
    • The Kells, 161 Brighton Ave., Brighton, 782-9082

     

    NIGHTCLUBS & DISCOS

    • Avalon, 15 Landsdowne, Boston, 262-2424
    • Axis,13 Landsdowne, Boston, 262-2437
    • Bill's Bar, 5 Landsdowne, Boston, 421-9678
    • Europa, 51 Stuart, Boston, 482-3939
    • Man-Ray, 21 Brookline St. (Central Square), Cambridge, 864-0400
    • Jungle, 965 Mass Ave., Boston, 541-0101
    • Roxy, 279 Tremont, Boston, 338-7699
    • Venus de Milo,17 Landsdowne, Boston, 421 -9595
    • Zanzibar, One Boylston Place, Boston, 351-7000

    CONCERT HALLS, STADIUMS, ARENAS

    Dance - Performance

    The Boston Ballet

    The Boston Ballet performs at the Wang Center for the Pertorming Arts. For tickets:

    Dance Umbrella

    New England's most active contemporary dance company, Dance Umbrella stages and/or presents culturally diverse dancing from all over the world, all through the year. Performances are year-round all over the city. Call 492-7578 for information.

    Dance Collective

    A contemporary dance company that performs in unusual locations such as train stations and malls as well as a number of area theatres. Call 576-2737 for information.

    Harvard Summer Dance Center

    The center offers workshops and courses as well as performances and lectures each summer. They usually present at least one free show each year at the Hatch Memorial Shell. Call 495-5535 for information.

    Dance - Participatory

    Located at 1950 Mass. Ave. in Cambridge, the Folk Arts Center of New England hosts participatory dance events each week. They teach traditional ethnic dances and publish a bi-monthly calendar of local dance events. Call 491-6084 for information.

    Movement Collective Studio, 23 Main St. (Watertown Square), Watertown, 924-7276 sponsors Dance Friday, a smoke-free, alcohol- free progressive dance environment, every Friday night.

    Dance Freedom events are held at the First Congregational Church at 11 Garden Street in Cambridge every Wednesday night from 7:30 to 10:45 and every other Saturday night from 8:00 to midnight. This too offers an alcohol-free, smoke-free dance environment.

    The following studios offer lessons (everything from swing to African) and also host participatory dancing events:

    • New Dance Complex, (Central Square), Cambridge, 547-9363
    • Green Street Studio,185 Green Street, Cambridge, 864-3191
    • Jamaica Plain Firehouse Art Center, 659 Centre St., 524-3816

    Theatre

    Free Summer Series

    There are a number of ways to enjoy free entertainment all summer long:

    • Brookline Recreation Department Concerts, 730-2070
    • Charles Square Summer Music Series, 491-5282
    • Cambridgeside Galleria Music Fest, 621-8666
    • Hatch Memorial Shell Concerts, 727-9547
    • Concerts at Jamaica Pond, 725-4505 or 522-7159
    • Newton Arts in the Parks, 552-7130
    • Summer Stage, 482-2139 (noon time shows in Downtown Crossing)

    Comedy

    • Nick's Comedy Stop,100 Warrenton, Boston 482-0930
    • Comedy Connection, Faneuil Hall Marketplace (middle building, second floor), Boston, 248-9700
    • Comedy Project, third floor of the Hong Kong restaurant, 1236 Mass. Ave. (Harvard Square), 864-5311
    • Dick Doherty's Comedy Clubs are at various locations including the Comedy Vault at Remington's, 124 Boylston, 267-6626
    • ImprovBoston at the Back Alley Theatre, 1253 Cambridge St. (Inman Square), Cambridge, 576-1253
    • Guilty Children Improv at the Boston Baked Theatre, 255 Elm St. (Davis Square), Somerville. Call 396-2470 for information.

    Museums - Art

    • DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, 259-8355. The museum is a castle-style building on 35 acres of parkland with a 1,800 capacity amphitheatre.
    • Harvard Semitic Museum, 6 Divinity Ave., Cambridge, 495-3123. Exhibits feature archeological and artistic heritage. The museum was founded in 1889.
    • Harvard University Art Museums, 495-9400. Open seven days a week, 10 am - 5 pm; $5 regular admission, free 10 am - Noon Saturdays.
      • Busch-Reisinger Museum, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge. German Expressionists.
      • Fogg Art Museum, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge. European and American masters in all media.
    • The Arthur M. Sackler Museum, 485 Broadway, Cambridge. Fine arts and sculpture in the Indian, Asian, Islamic and Ancient traditions.
    • Institute of Contemporary Art, 955 Boylston, Boston, 266-5152 or 266-5151 for the info line. Contemporary art. Painting, sculpture, photography, film, video and live performances. Free admission Thursdays after 5 pm.
    • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 280 the Fenway, 566-1401 or 734-1359 for concert info. Mrs. Gardner built this Venetian-style palazzo at the tum of the century to house the results of a lifetime spent collecting European art. A concert series runs from September through June. Free to all students on Wednesdays.
    • Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, 267-9300. Extensive collections of Asian, Egyptian, Classical Greek and Roman art, and European and American sculpture, textiles, furniture and paintings. Free admission Wednesdays after 4:30 pm.
    • The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Ave., Boston, 442-8614. Call for hours.

    Museums - Freedom Trail

    The Freedom Trail is a walking tour of Boston featuring 300 years of history. The National Park Service offers guided tours but you can walk the Freedom Trail on your own if you prefer. Start at the Boston Common and follow the painted red line along the sidewalk (sometimes the line is brick).

    In addition to numerous historical sites and buildings, the Trail takes you past a number of museums that focus on Boston history.

    Museums - Historical

    • Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum, Congress Street Bridge, Boston, 338-1773
    • Gibson House Museum,137 Beacon St. Boston, 267-6338
    • Harrison Gray Otis House,141 Cambridge St., Boston, 227-3956
    • Harvard University Museums of Cultural and Natural History, 26 Oxford, Cambridge, 495-3045:
    • The Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
    • The Geological and Mineralogical Museum
    • The Botanical Museum houses the Garden in Glass (affectionately known as the "Glass Flowers")
    • Museum of Comparative Zoology
    • The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Columbia Point off Morrisey Boulevard, Dorchester, 929-4523
    • Longfellow National Historic Site,105 Brattle, Cambridge, 876-4491
    • Museum of Afro-American History, 46 Joy, Boston, 742-1854

    Museums - Other

    • The Children's Museum, 300 Congress, Boston, 426-8855
    • The Computer Museum, 300 Congress, Boston, 423-6758
    • Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, 723-2500
    • The Sports Museum of New England, 100 Cambridgeside Galleria, Cambridge, 787-7678

    Zoos/ Aquariums

    Movie Theatres - Art, Revival, Non-Major Studio Releases

    Lectures

    • Boston Public Library, Copley Square, 536-5400, x212
    • Brown Bag Lunch Series at Radcliffe Yard, 10 Garden St., Cambridge, 495-8140
    • Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle, Cambridge, 547-6789
    • Cambridge Public Library Author Series, 449-Broadway, 349-4040
    • Charles River Conservation Law Headquarters, 62 Summer, Boston, 350-0990
    • Community Church Center of Boston, 565 Boylston, 266-6710
    • The Ethical Society of Boston, 44 Commonwealth Ave., 739-9050
    • Ford Hall Forum, various locations, 337-5800
    • Harvard Events Line, 495-1718
    • Kennedy Library Forum, John F. Kennedy Library, Columbia Point, 929-4554
    • MIT Arts Hotline, 253-2787
    • Museum of Fine Arts, 465-Huntington Ave., Boston, 536-3315
    • New Acropolis, 1152 Beacon, Brookline, 277-9422
    • Newton Free Library, 30 Homer, Newton, 552-7145
    • Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington, 482-6439
    • Pathfinder Books, 780 Tremont, Boston, 247-6772

    Radcliffe, Brandeis, Simmons, Northeastern, Hebrew College in Brookline, Boston University and Boston College are a few other places to call for information on lecture series.

    Poetry Readings

    • Barnes and Noble poetry readings, 325 Harvard St. (Coolidge Corner), Brookline, 566-5562, Thursdays
    • The Black Rose poetry readings, 50 Church St. (Harvard Square), 492-8630, Tuesdays
    • Bookceller Cafe poetry readings, 1971 Mass Ave., Cambridge, 864-9625, Fridays
    • Boston Poetry Slam, Cantab Lounge, 783 Mass Ave., Cambridge, 354-2685
    • Kendall Cafe poetry readings, 233 Card Medeirs Way (Kendall Square), Cambridge, 661-0993, Wednesdays
    • Naked City Coffee Haus, Old Cambridge Baptist Church, 1150 Mass. Ave. (Harvard Square), Cambridge, 864-9275, every Thursday
    • Redbones Barbeque poetry readings, 55 Chester (Davis Square), Somerville, 628-2200, Sundays
    • Stone Soup Poetry, T.T. The Bear's, 10 Brookline (Central Square), Cambridge, 227-0845, Mondays