Guys seeking an evening of easy shopping or a break from shopping altogether need look no further than East Arlington’s Capitol Square.  Men’s Night Out is the theme of this month’s Third Thursday event taking place on December 18 from 6-8 pm along the Massachusetts Avenue blocks between the Capitol Theater and Windsor Street.

Music, munchies and special pricing will be served up by Capitol Square retailers during the Men’s Night Out event.  Merchants will also be on hand with helpful gift advice for those who want to take the guesswork out of their shopping.  Significant others are welcome to create wish lists in advance.

Guys in need of an escape from shopping entirely can indulge in a quick bite or sumptuous meal at one of Capitol Square’s multiple restaurants.  Choices include hearty subs to gourmet pizza, fresh baked goods to classic American with a twist.

Also in December, the Capitol Square Gives campaign continues with neighborhood merchants fundraising for arts in the Arlington schools via the Arlington Educational Enrichment Fund.

Men’s Night Out specials include:

• 13FOREST Gallery features up to 20% off select fine art and original gifts by local artists.  Also cool tunes, eats and BYO cigar lounge (out back).  Receive $25 to 200 off your next purchase if you spend $200 before New Year’s. (167A Mass Ave)
• Artbeat’s art cafe will be serving up holiday eggnog, jazz and blues, and gift wrapping.  Also check out their Studio Passes and Gift Cards tucked into mini Christmas stockings, both available with special offers this night only.  (212 Mass Ave)
• Artwear will be holding trunk shows with Paul Melanson (jewelry) and Jennifer Nargasian (clothing).  (189 Mass Ave)
• The Capitol Theater offers matinee pricing all day and evening. (204 Mass Ave)
• Marbella Kitchen and Bath is offering 50% off Prestige Cabinets and $60/SF pricing on granite group # 1, plus free stainless steel sink. (238 Mass Ave)
  
• Maxima Gift Center will be serving beer and presenting a trunk show of jewelry by Tanya Halway. (212 Mass Ave)
  
• Monroe Salt Works is offering 50% off all Melissa and Doug toys and Christmas related items as well as 20% off storewide. (202 Mass Ave)
• Sabatino’s Italian Kitchen features 10% off all menu items. (242 Mass Ave)
• Tall Tree Guild is having a 20% off sale its entire line of ceramics including platters, bowls, vases, mugs, tea bowls and more.  Each piece is hand-crafted by New England artists and make wonderful gifts. (185 Mass Ave)

Third Thursdays began last July to highlight the vibrant shopping and dining scene in East Arlington’s Capitol Square.  Each month, select businesses present special promotions and events to show off the funky array of shops and eats in the easily walkable neighborhood.

Less than three miles up from Harvard Square, Capitol Square offers convenient mass transit access along Massachusetts Avenue and easy parking.  

Excerpt from the September issue of GoodLife Magazine:

This isn’t your mother’s decoupage.

At ARTBEAT in Arlington Center and Franklin, they’re helping customers take an old craft and give it a new twist, using tissue paper from France and textural patterns that complement current fashions. Applied to wood or acrylic bracelets, boxes, switch plates or ornaments, you can customize these accessories to match your home decor.

And that’s just the beginning at ARTBEAT, where their ART CAFE helps stimulate your creative juices for other projects, such as mosaics, in which stained glass, ceramic tiles or pieces of pottery are turned into designs on pictures frames, mirrors, or stand-alone pieces of art. Often a space for kids’ workshops and birthday parties by day, the back of the store is transformed at night to give a café feel, complete with tea lights. “We really want to encourage adults to explore their creative sides and provide a venue for the night. All you need is a bit of curiosity and a willingness to try something,” says owner Jan Whitted, who runs the business with her son Andrai. “It’s a great place for a girls’ night out.”
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This weekend, Saturday December 6th from 12-2 pm our Studio becomes a busy workshop as the elves help children make glittery ornaments for the holidays. (ARLINGTON ONLY)
FREE

It’s not origami, but you do use folding techniques to make these beautiful tissue window stars. Made of a heavy waxed tissue and assembled in layers, the stars create beautiful patterns of color when hung in your windows. They’ll last all through the season, adding joy to your winter home and beyond.

Want to learn the basics of star making? CALL US to reserve your place at either of the following times to make your first star; window star waxed paper (German kite paper) is also available for purchase. This session is for adults and teens (12 and older).

ARLINGTON  781-646-2200  MONDAY DECEMBER 8 AT 6:30 PM
FRANKLIN  508-528-5001  FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 AT 6:00 PM

Best Gift for the Aspiring Artist

If you know a child who  loves art, here’s the perfect gift to ensure that he or she has ample face time with creativity during the coming year.  With the ARTBEAT Studio Pass for 2009 your child, grandchild, or friend can visit our Studio any time during the year to complete any projects they choose.  Available in $50 increments, with a bonus certificate for a free project with the purchase of two passes(While supplies last).
Comes inside a mini Christmas stocking you can hang on your tree or use as a gift tag.