365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

It's almost the first of the month again, which means First Fridays at the ICA!

"Art goes overtime on the first Friday of the month with guest DJs, live performance, gallery talks, specialty drinks, and more. The ICA’s Water Café will offer a small plates menu and full bar, including cocktails inspired by the museum’s current exhibitions. As always, admission to First Fridays is FREE for ICA members."

This Friday, May 1st, the theme is LOL - It's comedy night at the ICA!

Improv Asylum | 7 pm, 8 pm + 9 pm

2nd Floor
Live performance by the hilarious Boston theater group that offers both improv and sketch comedy shows!

Spotlight Talks | 6:30–8:30 pm
4th Floor
These mini gallery tours offer an insider’s perspective on works in the exhibitionWhen the Stars Begin to Fall: Imagination and the American South, available every 30 minutes from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Last talk begins at 8:30; galleries close at 9:30 pm.

Music | 5-10 pm
1st Floor
Award winning and sought after East Coast DJ, Brek.One will be spinning eclectic tunes, from Kayne West to Chaka Khan to David Bowie, on the dance floor from 5 to 10 pm!

Mini Lounge | 5-10 pm
1st Floor
Exclusive bar for members, MINI Cooper owners, and Citizens Bank card holders! Redeem your drink ticket here for a complimentary tasting of a seasonal Harpoon brew, available while supplies last.

Presented by acclaimed experts in the Boston Real Estate Market from Charlesgate Realty Group, as well as local mortgage market experts, our Boston Home Buyer Class is your opportunity to learn the home buying process the right way - before you enter a transaction!  Get educated in a casual, fun setting and avoid the pitfalls that can cause financial and emotional problems during the buying process.

Attend our FREE Boston homebuying class to learn:

• Renting vs. Buying: Whether it even makes sense for you to buy right now
• Homebuying process and timeline: How long it actually takes to buy
• Working with a buyer agent: How it works and whether or not you really need one
• What mortgages are still available and how much cash you need to buy.
• Using neighborhood level data (like discount ratios and real time trend graphs) to value properties
• Negotiating 101: How to craft your offer to drive a hard bargain!
• Top 10 online resources to aid your home search

Is this class for you?  Well, if you’re looking for a fun, low key, and informal way to learn the Boston real estate market from the experts, then YES!  You’ll have a chance to ask any questions you want and get the straight scoop from us. Plus we’ll have pizza and beer!  How can you pass that up! 

Sign up by clicking the banner below!

Cape Codder Resort and Spa | Hyannis, Mass.

"The Cape Codder Resort and Spa, located in Hyannis, features a “wave pool,” but it’s really a lot more than that. Guests will find waves up to 2 feet, and also two water slides, waterfalls, and dancing water fountains. The pool is free for all resort guests."

Coco Key Water Resorts | Danvers, Mass. and Waterbury, Conn.

"Coco Key Water Resorts, a national chain with eight locations in all, boasts two New England franchises in Danvers and Waterbury, Conn. If the constant temperature of 84 degrees doesn’t make you feel like you’ve gotten away, the Key West-theme at each location certainly will. "

Kahuna Laguna | North Conway, N.H.

"Kahuna Laguna, located at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, features a three-story slide that lands visitors in a 43,000-gallon pool.Admission for the water park is $40 for adults and children, but be aware that rates apply only to registered guests at the Red Jacket."

"In a relaxed, social group setting, our instructor will guide you step-by-step through that session's featured painting. Whether you are an aspiring Van Gogh or just looking to explore your creative side, at the end of the session you will be amazed at the artwork you have created. "

Looking for a date idea that's fun and not totally cliche? Check out a few of these suggestions, thanks to Thrillist:

Cocktails and oysters at the Hotel Commonwealth | Kenmore Square

"Surprise your date with a night in Kenmore Square that doesn’t revolve around an overcrowded Sox bar. Kick your night off at The Hawthorne with a classic cocktail or one of the house creations like the Esperanto (crema de mezcal, La Ciggarrera manzanilla, Carpano Antica, and orange bitters). Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head across Hotel Commonwealth’s lobby into Island Creek Oyster Bar for some of the ocean’s best bivalves (oysters average $3/each). Between the perfectly concocted cocktails and aphrodisiac power of the oysters, you two will be primed to plan your second encounter. If you don’t want the night to end, tack on a visit to the Boston University Observatory, where you can see the beautiful Boston skyline with the telescopes on hand."

Authentic Italian and improv comedy | North End

"When going out for dinner and drinks at an authentic Italian restaurant in the North End, there're Monica's, Prezza, and dozens of other trattorias worth hitting. Then get ready for a pee-your-pants funny improv show at the Improv Asylum. Protip: put your name on the waitlist at Neptune Oyster (since it typically has a two-hour wait!), then watch the comedy show at the Improv Asylum while waiting for the restaurant to call your cell when a table frees up -- and then head over there when the show is over."

Walk the Esplanade to Harvard Square | Back Bay to Harvard Square

"For a date that's easy on your wallet, go for a stroll along the Esplanade and head towards Harvard Square.  There are often different festivals going on in the Esplanade around the holidays, and it also offers one of the best views of fall foliage in Boston. Once you've finished the three-mile walk from Back Bay, reward yourselves with a drink, either downstairs at Russell House Tavern or in the beer garden at Charlie's Kitchen."

Check out the full article here

Join Flavormedia in their 4th Annual Cinco De Mayo Cruise! 

"It’s finally that time of the year again! Join us on May 2nd for our incredible FOURTH annual FLVR CincoDeMayo cruise! Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or just getting loco for the holiday, every year the cincocruise is Boston’s biggest floating fiesta. Ask someone who’s been before, it’s WILD"

Saturday, May 2nd 2015 | Boarding is at 6pm Sharp | Returns 10pm Sharp

Buy tickets here!

 Back by popular demand! Do not miss the highly requested Beyonce Brunch...

"The Beyoncé Experience includes a custom 3-course brunch designed by Chef Jason Santos and a glass of champagne per guest. Watch Queen B's amazing music videos while you sing along to your favorite songs and yes, of course Mrs. Carter inspired prizes will be awarded to the most creative guests! Photos from our last Beyoncé Brunch below. "

Back Bay Harrys | First Seating @ 11:30am | Second Seating @ 1:30pm 

Buy your tickets here!

Don't miss this fun filled day of yoga & fundraising - Join over 1,000 yogis from all over New England for a day filled with yoga, community, music, FUNdraising, marketplace, raffle, and so much more! 

"The mission of Yoga Reaches Out is to create seva (selfless service) by raising funds for organizations that impact the health, education, and well-being of children. All participants, by registering, commit to raising a minimum of $250 through sponsorship from friends, family members, and business associates. Great prizes are awarded to those individual yogis who raise the largest amount in personal sponsorship. Together, we will make a difference for this year's beneficiaries: Boston Children's Hospital's Pediatric Brain Cancer Research and Ben Speaks Louder Than Words!"

This event will be held on April 26th fron 9am-5pm at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. 

"Every year, the Boston College Arts Festival brings the Boston College and surrounding communities together to celebrate the arts. In 2015, the 17th annual Arts Festival committee will once again invite the community to experience the variety of arts at Boston College firsthand. A talented group of more than 1,000 student and faculty artists will present music, theater, dance, poetry, film, painting, sculpture, and more. Enjoy some music, buy some art, try your hand at ceramics, listen to readings, enjoy a play...there’s so much to experience at the BC Arts Festival. "

There will be lots of fun events from Thursday April 23-Saturday April 25. For the full schedule, click here.

An estimated 500,000 people are expected to watch the Boston Marathon tomorrow. Here are a few insider tips from Boston Discovery Guide to to make your day a little bit smoother:

"If you want to be anywhere near the finish line, walk or take the T.
The Copley Square T station is closed on Boston Marathon Day as it is almost next to the finish line; you'll need to pick another station.
If you take the T, get off at a station on the side of Boylston Street where you want to watch the race.  You will not be allowed to cross Boylston Street, and underpasses will be jammed - so pick your station carefully.
Do not drive into Boston on Marathon Monday.  Streets are either gridlocked or closed.  Get an early start if you want to find a parking space in a T parking lot.
Boston hotels fill to capacity during the weekend before the Marathon, and hotel rates soar significantly higher - than usual.  To get the best deal, make your Boston hotel reservations as early as possible.  You can find Marathon hotel suggestions here, including names of hotels where you can watch the race from your room.
April weather in Boston is unpredictable . . . and so is Boston Marathon weather.  Neither icy rain, broiling heat, nor wind storms deter the Marathon runners - but they may greatly diminish your viewing comfort.  Dress in layers, and bring umbrellas and/or water bottles as common sense dictates.  If you're not 100% committed to watching the runners, you may want to have a "Plan B"