What to do this weekend
Making plans? Short on ideas? No worries. See June Wulff and Courtney Hollands's picks for the top things to do around the Hub this weekend. Take a peek, then get out:
FRIDAY
Taste of the North End: How will the residents of the New England Aquarium feel when their brethren are served at stations near the large center tank at this dining event? Look the other way while you pile on goodies from more than 30 North End restaurants including Fiore's, Taranta, and Tresca. Fiore's will dish out chicken Marsala and seafood ravioli filled with shrimp, lobster, and scallops. Area wine vendors will supply the vino, and Billy Costa will emcee. Proceeds benefit the North End Community Health Center and other North End programs. 7 p.m. $99. New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston. 617-643-8106. tasteofthenorthend.org
DJ Vice: This spinster to the stars — check out his photos with Paris Hilton, the Kardashians, and Lil Jon on Facebook — has regular gigs at Vegas hotspots Tao and Lavo and is stopping by our fair city before a European tour. Expect hip-hop, Top 40, and mashups. Playboy Playmates Jessica Burciaga, Jamie Edmodson, Heather Rae, and Amy Leigh Andrew will also be in the house. 21+. 9 p.m. $10. Gypsy Bar, 116 Boylston St., Boston. 617-482-7799. gypsybarboston.com
'Get Your Freak On!': Step right up to see "Squid Boy" by Darren Goldman, "Still Life" by Jeremy Schultz, "Childhood Nightmare" by Aaron White, "Donkeyboy" by Matthew McKee, and other multimedia works celebrating circus folks, carnies, and sideshow freaks. Works by more than 100 artists inspired by circuses and carnivals are on display at this exhibit of paintings, illustrations, photographs, sculpture, and comics. 6:30-8 p.m. (through May 21). Free. Space 242, 242 E. Berkeley St., Boston. 617-797-8267. space242.com
FRIDAY & SATURDAY
'Misplaced Bride': After the vows, reception, and honeymoon, is it really happily ever after? (of course, honey). Sonia Domkarova and Anna Salmeron tackle the fantasy vs. reality in this multimedia installation. Using photographs, videos, and a large installation and painting, the artists irreverently and humorously tackle the game of married life. And no wedding is complete without a reception, so head over on May 20 for a dance performance, punk-rock bridal fashion show, and cake, of course. 2-6 p.m. both days (through May 29). Free. Atlantic Works Gallery, 80 Border St., East Boston. 617-913-1871. atlanticworks.org
'Romeo & Juliet': Bunraku Puppets, first used in Japanese theater in the 19th century, will help the Teen Conservatory of the Company Theatre tell the story of the star-crossed lovers in this 90-minute adaptation. 8 p.m. both nights. Recommended for ages 10 and older. $15. Company Theatre, 30 Accord Park Dr., Norwell. 781-871-2787. companytheatre.com
SATURDAY
Hot, Hilarious, and Helping Haiti: There'll be a little bit of everything at this benefit show: burlesque with Sugar Dish and the Babes in Boinkland; tap-dancing from Sean Fielder; naked comedy with Andy O'Flesh; and more. Throw in a live house band and you've got quite the festive night. Beer and wine will be served. Proceeds go to the Haitian Coalition of Somerville. 8 p.m. $18, $15 in advance. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849. regenttheatre.com
City Spotlights: Meet the talented folks from the four neighborhoods of Back Bay and Beacon Hill, Fenway, Mission Hill and Roxbury, and the North End when they celebrate the performing arts at this intergenerational showcase. Local groups will present dance, spoken word, theater, song, and multimedia pieces, and special guests include the Apollo Club of Boston men's choral group and the Slap Bracelets hip-hop dance troupe. 7 p.m. Free. Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston. 617-532-1265. citicenter.org/cityspotlights
Diana Ross: Ladies and gentleman, right here on our stage, the incomparable Ross performing her greatest hits at "More Today Than Yesterday: The Greatest Hits Tour." Complete with fabulous costumes, back-up singers, and a string and horn section to beat the band, the supremely iconic pop icon who recorded 18 number-one hits will keep you hangin' on tonight. 8 p.m. $52.50-$122.50. Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston. 866-348-9738. citicenter.org
'Pops Goes the Wizard': Gloucester offers a lot more than beaches and seafood, and Saturday's music is a good example. The Cape Ann Symphony conducted by Yoichi Udagawa presents this lively program that includes John Williams's "Harry Potter" and Bizet's "Carmen Suite No. 1." Principal trumpet player, Mark Bacon, is front and center on Arutunian's "Concerto for Trumpet." 8 p.m. $30, $25 seniors, $20 college students, free under 18. Fuller Auditorium, Blackburn Circle, Route 128, Gloucester. 978-281-0543. www.capeannsymphony.org
SUNDAY
'Johnny Baseball': There are two Yankee fans and one Sox fan on the three-man team that wrote this show. Composer Robert Reale, his brother and lyricist Willie Reale, and writer Richard Dresser started their search for the source of the Red Sox curse after the 2003 playoffs. Their fact-and-fiction musical tells the story of a white player and African-American singer, and celebrates integration and the 2004 World Series. Presented by the American Repertory Theater. Previews at 2 and 7:30 p.m. (Through June 27). $25-75, $25 students, $10 senior discount. Loeb Drama Center, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Sq., Cambridge. 617-547-8300. americanrepertorytheater.org
Contributors
Stephanie Callahan is a native Bostonian who loves cooking, traveling, spa treatments, and being on the ocean.
Meghan Colloton is a Bostonian who loves traveling, channeling her inner Julia Child, and trying weird things -- from food to bungee jumping.
Milva DiDomizio is a New England native who's fond of cooking, singing, and Boston's arts and culture scene.
Rachel Raczka is a Bostonian who enjoys buttercream frosting, gin cocktails, and conquering cobblestone streets in high heels.
Emily Sweeney is a Boston native who goes out all over, from Irish pubs in Southie to the roller rink in Dorchester.
Emily Wright is a native Cape Codder who enjoys exercising, baking, and the occasional guilty pleasure action movie.