Community Corner

This Weekend in Somerville: Feasts and Festivals Galore

Greek, Italian and Punjabi feasts and street festivals in Davis Square and Cambridge's Central Square are some of the things happening this weekend in and around Somerville.

Greek Music and Food Festival
This three-day festival includes Greek food, music and dancing. It's hosted at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, 29 Central St., and it takes place Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Utsav! A Festival of Sikh and Punjabi Culture
Utsav, an Indian word meaning "feast day," takes place Saturday at 4 p.m. in Union Square. There will be dancing, singing, food and a special martial arts performance using swords.

The Italian Feast of the Healing Saints Cosmas and Damian 
This year marks the 87th Feast of Cosmas and Damian. It takes place in Somerville and East Cambridge—though mostly on the Cambridge side—on Saturday and Sunday. There will be traditional processions, food, marching bands, live music and, in general, a lot of hoopla. The feasts are Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. A religious procession starts Sunday at 8:30 a.m. Head to Warren Street in East Cambridge to be at the center of the fun.

Strike Up the Bands
Holland Street between Davis and Teele squares will be closed Sunday afternoon for Strike Up the Bands, part of the SomerStreets festival series. There will be live music, children's activities, cornhole (a game), a rock climbing wall, student-friendly fun, and a beer fest hosted by some local taverns. It's from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

2013 Cambridge Carnival
Yes, it's in Cambridge, but this is a huge festival that shuts down part of Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street. It celebrates the city's diversity and includes food, activities for kids and a parade with colorful handmade costumes. It's Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Central Square may be your best bet in terms of T stops.

Comedy Central's Certified Talent Search
The comedy network is hosting a preliminary round of its Certified Talent Search Friday night at Johnny D's in Davis Square. It's part of a national search for the next great stand-up comedian, and on Friday 10 performers will compete for a chance to move onto the next round. It's hosted by Dan Boulger, and it starts at 7:30 p.m.

"Backyard BBQs and Other Social Gatherings"
In this exhibit, photographer Lee Kilpatrick presents a variety of work depicting Americans in one of their favorite settings: outdoor celebrations. We're talking rowdy barbecues, wedding bashes and cookouts. Cell phones make several appearances, apparently. The exhibit opens Saturday, from, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Washington Street Art Center, 321 Washington St.

Somerville Toy Camera Festival at the Nave Gallery
This exhibit, featuring photos captured with rudimentary "toy" cameras, opens Saturday at the Nave Gallery, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., and there's an opening reception Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe
Enjoy a lineup of singer/songwriters at The Armory. It's Saturday at 8 p.m.

Silent Film: "The Freshmen"
This 1925 comic film about life at college will screen, in 35mm film, at Somerville Theatre Sunday at 1 p.m. Jeff Rapsis will provide a live musical accompaniment.


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