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No matter what side of the political debate you fall on, this has been an election season for the books. We could all use a bit of R&R right about now, so here a few things to spend your time doing other than mainlining election coverage 24/7.
Thursday
Cider + Cheese with Shacksbury Cider – 6:30 p.m. – Cambridge – Don't settle for another wine and cheese night, give that other fruit-based boozy beverage some time in the spotlight. The Formaggio Kitchen Classroom Annex is hosting an "edible lesson" on cider and cheese with Shacksbury co-owner David Dolginow. Admission is $65.
Follain Movember Pop-Up – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Ministry – Ministry is offering free "complimentary clean ups" by Boston barber Nate Barnes. A portion of proceeds from the otherwise free event will be donated to the Movember Foundation, an organization that benefits men's health.
Marcel Zaes in Concert – 7:15 to 10 p.m. – Cambridge – Experimental Swiss composer Marcel Zaes is playing a double-concert at swissnex Boston. The Brown University PhD student "combine[s] technology-based medial approaches and instrumental music writing, thereby radically extending the concept of 'composing.'" Intrigued? Admission is $8 to $10.
Tufts Partners in Health Bowling Night – 7 to 9 p.m. – Somerville – As if you needed an excuse to break out those old bowling shoes gathering dust in your closet. Tufts Partners in Health Engage is having a fundraising event to support maternal and child health in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Admission is $15 and comes with bowling and of course, pizza.
Friday
2nd Annual Veteren's Day Fundraiser Party – 7 to 9 p.m. – Fenway – The 2nd Annual Veteren's Day fundraiser at Loretta's Last Call will benefit Fisher House Boston, a VA Boston Healthcare Medical facility in West Roxbury. Admission is $20 and comes with a moonshine tasting, appetizer, and five, count 'em, 5 raffle tickets that could win you concert tickets or gift cards.
Truman Capote's Black and White Ball – 8 to 11:30 p.m. – Back Bay – According to the organizer of this event, Truman Capote threw quite the banger when he finished his true-crime classic "In Cold Blood" back in November 1966, with everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Jackie O in appearance. TAG, or A Table for Artists to Gather, is commemorating the bash's 50 anniversary with a party here in Boston. Admission is between $75 and $90 dollars. Dress code black or white, masks mandatory.
Veterans Yoga Project National Gratitude Week Taught by Brahmi Gold-Bernste – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Waltham – It's been quite the week, a little yoga for a good cause might just be in order. TriYoga Boston is hosting a donation-only yoga session in honor of Veterans Day, and all proceeds raised will go to Veterans Yoga Project to support recovery and resilience among our veterans, families, and communities.
Cheese, Chocolate & Craft Beer Tasting – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Everett – Bone Up Brewing is giving us the excuse to eat three of our favorite foods all in one place. Back by popular demand, you could try an Extra Naked cream ale paired with smoked or regular Gouda, or a Wasted Life IPA with a extra sharp cheddar. All this with chocolate, of course. Admission is $29 and comes with the cheese and chocolate pairing, a flight of beer and one 13 oz beer, guest's choice.
Saturday
The Lights out Party – Saturday – Somerville – Yoga isn't the only exercise getting the glow treatment these days. Brooklyn Boulders is hosting an "interactive" night featuring "headlamp climbing, glowing art and the launch of a special Lights Out beer from Aeronaut Brewing Co." inspired by T.R.I.P. album from The Lights Out. Admission starts at $15.
The Reebok Spartan Sprint – Saturday & Sunday – Fenway – This three- to five-mile race and obstacle course is open to participants of all fitness levels -- and that's a good thing. Set to play out on the field at Fenway park, the face features 23 obstacles and endless possibilities to prove your lunch breaks at the gym are paying off.
El Mundo Boston Latino 30 Under 30 – 6:30 to 10 p.m. – Downtown – Royale Boston is hosting the Latino 30 under 30 celebration. A yet-unknown "nationally recognized" host will honor the winners and celebrate the growing influence of Boston’s young Latino community. No "boring acceptance speeches," please, and plenty of time for networking, celebrating and dancing. Admission is $40.
Gatsby on the Orient Party – 7:30 to 11 p.m. – Waterfront – Want to go back in time? Me too. While we can't technically help you time travel you can go to a '20s-themed Gatsby party at Vanderbilt Kitchen & Bar. There'll be sweet and savory appetizers, champagne, a full service bar, electroswing music, and a professional swing dance team. Admission is $20 and costumes are mandatory.
Cranksgiving – Noon to 5 p.m. – Charlestown – A combination bike race, scavenger hunt, and food drive on wheels, Cranksgiving was founded in 2014 and last year had over 200 riders collect and donate more than 10,000 pounds of food to the Red Cross, Somerville Homeless Coalition, and the Greater Boston Food Bank, the event's organizer said. They promise an even bigger blow-out this time around. Attend the event or make a donation on its GoFundMe page.
Sunday
A Toast to Mass Beer Week – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Seaport – Harpoon Brewery is opening up its catwalks and raising a toast to Mass Beer Week, a 10-day statewide event featuring education, brewery tours, tastings, dinners, social gatherings that ends on Sunday.
Ryan Fitzsimmons: Live! – 8 to 11 p.m. – Somerville – New England vocalist Ryan Fitzsimmons is playing a show at Slumbrew. His "impressive guitar work that exudes feeling and has been engaging audiences at venues all over the region and beyond," the organizers write. Admission is free so bring a friend and grab a beer.
Midway or the Highway – 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. – Jamaica Plain – Let your emotions run wild at an open mic night at Midway Cafe hosted by Angela Sawyer and Gabe Stoddard. You'll write your name on a slip of paper and slide it into a beer pitcher for the chance to play a five-minute, or two-song set. Admission is free, so you don't even have to worry about wasting anyone's money.
Monday
Brooklyn Brewery Beer Dinner – 6 to 10 p.m. – Downtown – Townsman is hosting a one-time beer dinner with with Garrett Oliver, the James Beard award-winning Brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and Editor in Chief of The Oxford Companion to Beer. You can choose between a more formal 5-course meal and beer pairing or a "keg" party with beer and snacks. Admission is $166.25 for the multi-course meal option
Boston Comedy Festival with Kyle Kinane – 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Somerville – Comedian Kyle Kinane, known for his work on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," "Conan," "Workaholics," "This Is Not Happening," "Not Safe with Nikki Glaser" and "Comedy Bang! Bang!" is playing a set at The Rockwell in advance of his new Comedy Central hour-long special. Admission is $20.
Taproom Trivia – 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. – Somerville – Ahh what a difference a week makes. The country's changed quite a bit since last Monday, but at least Slumbrew trivia stays the same. Admission is free, encyclopedic knowledge preferred.
Tuesday
Coats and Cocktails: Boston Edition – 5 to 9 p.m. – Downtown – One of your used coats (preferably cleaned) is the cost of entry for this networking event and donation drive that will benefit the New Hope Domestic Violence Division. Admission comes with a free drink ticket and the option to purchase food and snacks.
Meet the Chef Tasting – 6 to 8 p.m. – North End – Though we can't corroborate the organizer's claim that Marisa Iocco is indeed "Boston’s only Italian-born female chef," it's worth checking out her "meet the chef" tasting this Tuesday. Admission is $14 and reservations are encouraged.
Boston magazine's 7th Annual Taste – doors open 6 p.m. – North End – The Boston Children's Museum is hosting Boston magazine's 7th Annual Taste event, a gala of sorts highlighting Boston's best food and the people who make it. Admission runs from $85 to $125 dollars and get you unlimited food and drink live music, and the chance to meet some of the city's best chefs.
Wednesday
Drinking and Drawing – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Lower Allston – Now here's an event we can get behind. This "casual" art-making event features much booze and a "plethora" of art supplies. Local Maria Molteni will be on hand to yank the creativity right out of you. Admission is free.
Charlesmark Lounge Monthly Wine Tasting Event – 6 to 8 p.m. – Back Bay – For $25, you can buy your way into Charlesmark Hotel's monthly wine-tasting event featuring 6 samples of different wines, "light appetizers," and an undisclosed number of raffle tickets for the chance to win a stay in the upscale Boston hotel. I'd beeline for that raffle ticket table if I were you.
Feature image provided by The Lights Out.