Things to do in Boston this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Julia Wolfe's Anthracite Fields comes to the Majestic
By Lou P. and the Boston Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
Julia Wolfe's Anthracite Fields is at the Cutler Majestic on Saturday. Punch Brothers play the Shubert on Friday, and the Boston Comedy Festival holds its contest finals in Somerville. Smaller plans this weekend include a talk on rats at the Shirley-Eustis House, paper marbling at the Paul Revere House and a free Friday organ concert at Trinity.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Julia Wolfe's Anthracite Fields
Julia Wolfe's Anthracite Fields is at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater on Saturday, and it's listed for that day only.
Boston premiere of Julia Wolfe's Pulitzer-winning oratorio about Pennsylvania coal miners, with the Bang on a Can All-Stars and Chorus Pro Musica. It weaves miners' names, oral histories and children's rhymes into amplified chamber music. About an hour long.
Saturday · Emerson Cutler Majestic Theater, 219 Tremont St, Boston, MA, 02116
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Free Fridays at Trinity Organ Concerts
Friday at 12:15 pm
Church, 206 Clarendon St.,, Boston, MA, 02116, United States
A free midday organ recital, this week with Aidan Yau, in a church with more than 7,000 pipes. Lasts about 45 minutes, all ages welcome, and a $10 donation is suggested.
WITH KIDSbring them
Paper Marbling
Saturday at 1 pm
The Paul Revere House, 19 N Square, Boston, MA, 02113
R. P. Hale floats pigments in water, swirls them, and transfers the patterns to paper, the way colonial craftsmen made marbled papers. He also explains the real science behind what looks like magic.
Meet and Greet: Harbor Seals
Thursday at 8 am
New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA, 02110
A behind-the-scenes look at how the Aquarium cares for its Atlantic harbor seals, plus ways to support their conservation. Booking is required. It costs $150 per person plus admission, or $135 for members.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Of Rats and Men: 50 Years of Rodent Control in Greater Boston
The Shirley-Eustis House is spending Friday night on 50 years of rodent control in Greater Boston.
Friday at 7 pm · Shirley-Eustis House, 33 Shirley Street, Boston, MA, 02119, United States
DATE NIGHTfor two
Bill Charlap Trio with David Wong and Dennis Mackrel
Friday at 7 pm; also 9:30 pm, Sat 7 pm
Regattabar, 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Grammy-winning pianist Bill Charlap, known for his interpretations of the American Popular Songbook, leads a trio with bassist David Wong and drummer Dennis Mackrel. A classic jazz club night, with seats assigned by purchase date.
Lyle Brewer "Learning Curve" Album Release
Thursday at 8 pm
Lizard Lounge, 1667 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Berklee professor and guitarist Lyle Brewer celebrates his 13th solo album, Learning Curve, ten songs inspired by Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and Jobim. Instrumentals that tell stories without words, so you needn't play guitar to enjoy them.
Lives Behind the Numbers: Mona Chalabi on the Art of Understanding Others
Saturday at 7 pm
MIT Museum, 314 Main Street, Gambrill Center, Cambridge MA 02142
Data journalist Mona Chalabi talks about her first book, Ten Lives, for which she spent five years following Americans across income levels. She's joined by anthropologist Graham Jones and Deepak Ramola. Each ticket comes with a free copy of the book.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Holiday Faire at Crawford Memorial UMC
Saturday
Winchester MA 01890
A church sale on two floors: handmade crafts, gift baskets, vintage jewelry, baked goods and homemade apple pies ready for Thanksgiving. Downstairs, the White Elephants tables have books, toys and housewares. A snack bar serves breakfast and lunch.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- FRI 8 PMPunch Brothers, Boch Center Shubert Theatre
- FRI 9 PMVictoria Monét: Frequency Of Love Tour, MGM Music Hall at Fenway
- THU 8 PMSleep, Roadrunner-Boston
- SAT 8 PMBoston Comedy Festival: Comedy Contest Finals, Somerville Theatre
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Boston, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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