47 Ronin Memorial Service

These two days of events mark the anniversary of the 47 Ronin incident, one of the most celebrated episodes in Tokyo history. On January 31 1703 (December 15 by old calendar), 46 samurai – one dropped out – whose master had been forced to commit ritual suicide for drawing his sword inside the Imperial Palace, took revenge by beheading the nobleman responsible for their master’s death. In response to public sympathy, the 46 were allowed to kill themselves in the same way as their master. Their bodies lie at this temple.

St. Botolph’s

For decades, St Botolph’s has been a Boston eating and drinking destination in the South End, but after a couple changes in ownership, the restaurant is doing a fine job rebuilding its reputation. New chef Brian Hill, formerly of Todd English’s Olives and Figs restaurants, has put an Italian bistro touch on the menu with entrees like a hearty aged ‘Roman-style’ ribsteak, a ‘free form’ lasagne and garnishes like grappa-spiked raisins. There’s dining at the bar and a large upstairs dining room for more refined guests.

P1boston skyline

Musical! the Musical!

Somewhere between musical theatre and improvised comedy, ‘Musical! the Musical!’ is a fully improvised Broadway-style production that’s different every time it’s performed. The show begins with the cast soliciting ideas from the audience for a musical based on a famous story from a book, play, movie or person’s life. And once the idea’s in place, the cast takes over and creates a complete musical production.

Music at the Court of the Grand Dukes

For the first time in many years, a fabulous collection of antique musical instruments that has hitherto been accessible only to academics will be on display to the public. The collection of some 40 instruments, once the property of the Medicis, and are mostly of the violin family. The exhibits include the famous 1690 ‘Medici Viola’ by Stradivarius, which has been added to temporarily in occasion of this exhibition bringing the number of pieces on display to 80.

Mandalay

Vietnamese cooking has seen a resurgence and now falls into the ‘cool’ arena for Los Angeles foodies. Mandalay however has always had certain panache with an interior that’ll take you straight back to Saigon. The entrees are innovative like sea bass in garlic and basil sauce and more traditional like chao tom, a grilled shrimp pate wrapped around a sugar cane and served with peanut sauce and rice paper. However, unlike chao tom which can be bought cheaply from a street vendor in Saigon, you can probably purchase the street vendor’s entire cart for what you’ll pay for it at Mandalay.

Films at the Skyline

The Skyline Club in San Lorenzo returns to its tried and tested formula of offering punters Sunday evening cinema. With a programme which takes in recent classics by Pedro Almodovar and Woody Allen, as well as the likes of ‘East is East’ and Kumble’s ‘Cruel Intentions’, there should be something for everyone. The bar is open for tea and cocktails throughout the screenings, as is the club’s very dark, upper balcony. Membership of the ‘Arci’ cultural association – available at door – is required.

The Warehouse

141 E 140th St between Grand Concourse and Walton Ave, Bronx (718-992-5974)

Subway: 4 to 138th St. Sat 10pm-6am.

Most New York itineraries fail to include a visit to a gay black hip-hop and house club in the South Bronx. But adventurous and streetwise visitors will find the Warehouse a uniquely New York experience. Plummeting crime rates notwithstanding, the South Bronx is still probably one of the city’s–hell, the nation’s–worst areas. Once inside the club, though, you’ll find a peaceful, friendly, attitude-free crowd. It’s overwhelmingly black and queer, but all are welcome. The ground floor vibrates to the sounds of top-shelf hip-hop and R&B–neither too commercial nor too obscure. meanwhile, on the surprisingly large main floor, New York-style urban house, ranging from tribal and funky sample tracks to vocal anthems, rules.

OH

Known for her interest in language and the way we are manipulated by it, American artist Jenny Holzer uses illuminated lettering to create short, snappy visual statements, which often offer a commentary on social or political issues. Until the middle of April, hundreds of neon soundbites will be displayed on the ceiling of the New National Gallery, as well as in a number of prominent outdoor places in the city centre. ‘OH’ is inspired by Holzer’s time spent in Berlin.

Rugby Union: NSW Waratahs vs Waikato Chiefs

The Super 12 competition kicks off in Sydney with the underachieving Waratahs hosting the Waikato Chiefs from New Zealand. After five years of failure, the coach Bob Dwyer, desperate for some form to show through, organised a dinner where the present team could mingle with the greats of the past, including David Campese and Nick Farr-Jones. It was hoped that some sense of history would infuse the current players with a better perspective on their role as custodians of the game. Let’s see if it worked.