This is a great week for remarkable events in Boston and surrounding areas, including Cambridge, Somerville, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain and Brookline. Many of the cool things to do unfortunately overlap with one another, though, so you'll have to be selective.

I tried to offer as many opportunities as I felt worthwhile to mention since we all of course have unique preferences. So below, some things to keep you busy around the Boston Metro Area from July 14-July 17, 2010. Most of the events listed here are either free or very reasonably priced.


To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Celebration
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
6pm
Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge
617-661-1515
$10

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Harvard Book Store and the Brattle Theatre present a panel discussion about such themes as the historical and cultural significance of this literary classic. A film screening of To Kill a Mockingbird, the movie (1962), starring George Peck, will follow the discussion. $10 tickets include both the movie and discussion. Get tickets.



Free Orchestra Concert at the Hatch Shell
Wednesdays, July 14- September 1, 2010
7pm
DCR Memorial Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, 10 Storrow Dr., Boston 02114
617-520-2200
All Ages
FREE

On Wednesdays at 7pm during the summer months, the Boston Landmarks Orchestra will be performing Beethoven's works for a free concert at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. For more information on BLO or the free summer orchestra concerts click here.


Trailer Treats and Trailer Smackdown @ Brattle Theatre
Thursday, July 15
7:30pm
Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle Street, Cambridge 02138
617-876-6837
$12 or $10/Members, Students, Seniors

The Trailer Treats special event is when the Brattle Theatre digs through its archives of movie trailers and pulls out the most remarkable one to admire, mock or pity. The event on July 15th will additionally include the 4th Annual Trailer Smackdown Competition where the audience pics the winner. If that weren't enough, there will also be live music, beer and BBQ in store for those who are smart enough to attend.



12th Annual Lantern Festival
Thursday, July 15, 2010 (Raindate is July 22)
6pm-9pm
Forest Hills, 95 Forest Hills Ave, Jamaica Plain, 02130
617.524.3150
All Ages
FREE

Members of the public are invited to Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain to celebrate the memories of their loved ones who have passed. The annual Lantern Festival is a tradition based on the Japanese Bon Festival, where visitor decorate paper lanterns with calligraphy and messages for their dead loved ones and at sunset, send them afloat in a small lake. Thousands gather to participate in this festival every year and with all of the candle lit lanterns set adrift at once, the sight is sure to be both breathtaking and emotional. The Lantern Festival at Forest Hills will also offer multi-cultural dance and music entertainment.

Admission to the festival is free with a requested $10 donation per lantern. Picnic and blankets as well as mosquito repellent and flashlights are encouraged. For more information or directions to Forest Hills Cemetery, visit foresthillstrust.org.






Free Movie for Seniors: Up in the Air
Thursday, July 15, 2010
2pm-4pm
Boston Public Library, Rabb Lecture Hall, 700 Boylston St., Boston 02116
617-536-5400
FREE

Boston Public Library and the Never Too Late Group offer free movie screenings on Thursdays from 2-4pm; the movie selections are geared toward adults and seniors. This week's free movie is Up in the Air. Watch Trailer


Free Movie: Without Love
Thursday, July 15, 2010
6pm
Boston Public Library, Rabb Lecture Hall, 700 Boylston St. Boston, 02116
617-536-5400
FREE

Boston Public Library presents "Hepburn and Tracy- A Summer Film Series", a group that meets each Thursday at 6pm to watch a free movie related to the group theme. This week's free film is Without Love. More info.



SomerMovie Fest presents Star Trek
Thursday, July 15
@ Dusk
Seven Hills Park, Davis Square, Somerville
Rated PG-13
FREE

On Thursday evenings at Dusk through August 26th, SomerMovie Fest presents free movie screenings in Somerville parks. The free movie on July 15th will be Star Trek (2009).





Free Friday Flicks: Star Trek
Friday, July 16, 2010
Movie begins at Sunset (8:30pm-ish)
DCR Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, 10 Storrow Drive, Boston 02114
617-787-7200
All Ages
FREE

The public is invited to watch a free screening of Star Trek(200) at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade as part of the Free Friday Flicks Series presented by WBZ News Radio 1030 and the DCR. This movie will be presented in surround sound.


Free Movie: Field of Dreams
Friday, July 16, 2010
@ Dusk
Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston 02110
FREE

Boston Harbor Hotel presents Field of Dreams as part of the Movies By Moonlight Summer Film Series.





"Children Around the World" Charity Date Auction
Friday, July 16
6pm-10pm
Sanctuary, 189 State St., Boston
617.381.4746
$5-$15

Anthem Entertainment presents the "Children Around the World" Charity Date Auction where 15 eligible men and women from Boston will be auctioned off for a night of dinner, drinks and an activity for two. With your $5 ticket donation, you will get complimentary hors d'oevres from 6-8pm. Upgrade to a $15 VIP Ticket and in addition to the free food you'll get a swag bag and *extra*(anthemevents.com) perks during the cocktail reception. The auction will begin at 8pm w/ Julie Wetherbee (Dirty Water TVas host. Proceeds from the Charity Date Auction will benefit Boston Children's Chorus and CHOSA.




Festival Betances: Latino Arts Event
Friday, July 16 6-7:30pm
Saturday, July 17 2:30-7:30pm
Sunday, July 18 1:30-6:30pm
Plaza Betances, 100 W. Dedham Street, South End, Boston
617-927-1717
All Ages
FREE

From July 16 through July 18 the Villa Victoria community of the South End will transform into a Latino arts and culture extravaganza. The Festival Betances will include music and dance performances, artisans, food, and kid friendly activities. The event's Salsa headliners will be Paquito Acosta and Michael Stuart. "Venezuelan Harp Virtuoso", Leonard Jácome will also give a US Premiere performance.



First Annual African Festival of Boston
Saturday, July 17
9am-9pm
City Hall Plaza, Government Center, Boston
857-249-3831
All Ages
FREE

Shalupe Foundation and the festival committee present the First Annual African Festival of Boston to celebrate 50 years of independence for 31 African countries. This exciting event will take place a the City Hall Plaza in Boston's Government Center, just outside of the Government Center T-Stop on the Green Line Train. The festival expects to draw in visitors from all over New England for a full day and evening's worth of music, food, crafts, education, resources and more. There will be live performances by local and international African bands including world renowned artists Teeyah (Cote d’Ivoire) and Bouro Mpela (DRC). There will also be a Drum Call Parade which will leave from the Boston Common at 10am. For more information on the African Festival of Boston visit the event website or call the number above.




Burlesque-A-Pades at The Coolidge
Saturday, July 17, 2010
@fter Midnite
Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline 02445
617.734.2501
$15/Advance, $18/Day of

The Coolidge After Midnite Series presents Burlesque-A-Pades, a group of some of the country’s most desirable (so “they” say) burlesque performers on tour from New York City. The late night show will feature such names as Angie Pontani and Kitten De Ville (former Miss Exotic World winners) along with Melody Sweets, The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Helen Pontani and Special Guests. Murray Hill aka Mister Showbiz will appear as the evening’s host. Get Tickets


Free Family Film:Monsters Vs. Aliens
Saturday, July 17
6pm
South Garden @ The Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St, Boston 02199
1-800-Shop-Pru
All Ages
FREE

Magic 106.7 presents the Third Annual Family Film Festival each Saturday at 6pm at The Prudential Center from July 17 through August 21st.


Free Concert: Eddie Money
Saturday, July 17, 2010
7pm (Rain OR Shine)
DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, 10 Storrow Drive, Boston
(617) 626-1250
All Ages
FREE

Oldies 103.3 WODS-FM presents Eddie Money live in concert as part of their Free Summer Concert Series. Eddie Money's repertoire of hit songs include "Take Me Home Tonight", "Two Tickets to Paradise", and "Baby Hold On". The free concert will take place at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, rain or shine. Eddie Money will be joined by special guests John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band.




Franklin Park Bicycle Festival
Saturday, July 17
10am-2pm
Franklin Park, One Franklin Park Road, Boston
617-442-4141
All Ages
FREE

The Bicycle Festival will take place at the Franklin Park, at the rear zoo entrance, near Seaver St. and Elm Hill Ave., next to the Playstead Ballfields. THere will be free bike rentals, guided bicycle tours, bike repairs, helmet fitting and other bicycle related activities for all ages. The Franklin Bicycle Festival is sponsored by Boston Bike, Boston Center for Youth & Families, DotBike, Rozzie Bikes, JP Bikes, and the City of Boston.