Wednesday, Jan. 12 J-Squared – Fighting The Winter Doldrums:

J-Squared – Fighting The Winter Doldrums: Ladies and gentlemen we are officially entering the dead zone. That long and sometimes brutal stretch of winter that is a hallmark of life in New England. The holiday’s are behind us and what lies ahead? Well, just take a look outside. We’ve got weeks and weeks of this left before the robin finally makes her first appearance sometime in April (…or May…or June). But fear not. Our resident insiders, J-Squared—Jared Bowen and Jan Saragoni—are here with some tips about how to heat up your winter days and night, and battle back the winter blues over the coming weeks.

Jared's Picks
Shakespeare’s Jews: January 26th, 7:30pm at the Paramount Theatre
In anticipation of ArtsEmerson’s upcoming The Merchant of Venice (3/29-4/10), ArtsEmerson and the New Center for Arts and Culture host a panel discussion on Shakespeare’s Jewish characters with panelists Oscar winning actor (for Amadeus) F. Murray Abraham, theater vet Jeffrey Horowitz and Shakespeare & Company founder Tina Packer. Moderated by A.R.T. Founder/Scholar/Playwright Robert Brustein. Tickets are for panel or both panel and a reception.

Blue Valentine: J2 recently graced the Kendall with its presence to catch a screening of Blue Valentine—the Ryan Gosling/Michelle Williams Oscar bait film about falling in love, falling out of love and dining in.

Nine at SpeakEasy Stage Company January 21st through February 20th: SpeakEasy Stage Company celebrates its 20th anniversary season by staging this musical based on Federico Fellini’s classic film 8 1/2. Its SpeakEasy Producing Artistic Director Paul Daigneault’s favorite musical and the 1st he saw on Broadway. He directs.

Tommy Tune  ‘Longnecks’ through June 30th: The legendary song and dance man is celebrating his 50th year in show business. He comes to Boston with his show Steps in Time in June, but right now his artwork is on display at the Intercontinental Hotel.

The Complete Series: I’m going to add myself to the list of people who love to watch television series on DVD (or via NetFlix streaming) allowing you to span months of episodes in one week or years in a month. J2 loves the HBO series Rome. And I’m  in the midst of watching Six Feet Under. Viewing this way allows a whole new appreciation of writing, dramatic arcs, etc. It’s also a great winter hobby.

Food: Since we’ve last played I’ve dined at Ashmont Grille (recently voted by the Globe Magazine as 1 of 10 restaurants to change the city of Boston) in Dorchester and Deuxave in the BackBay.

Jan's Picks
Carlo’s Cucina Italiana, Brighton Ave, In Allston. Classic Mom & Pop operation. Fabulous, high-quality, low-cost regional Italian cuisine that’s NOT in overcrowded, touristy North End. Specialty is pasta, also fresh soups. Owners Carlos & Irene Barone (she cooks).  
 
Bacco’s Wine + Cheese Shop – Back Bay -- Brand New! Superb array of affordable wine and craft beers.  Italian meats and European and domestic cheeses.
 
New Somerville Winter Farmers Market, Saturdays through 3/16,  10:00 – 2p.m. AT the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Credit and debit cards accepted.
 
The Fireplace, Beacon Street, Brookline. Fireside Chats with food and wine experts every other Saturday beginning at 3:00, $25-$30. Chef/owner Jim Solomon serves complementary dishes during the chats. This Saturday: “Creating Cocktails”   
 
Rachel Perry Welty at the DeCordova beginning 1/29 thru April

Boxers Workout with former competitive boxer Kostas Argiropoulos, 114 Paul Gore Street. Jamiaca Plain.  Beginners are welcome.