Nov. 12

Ah, to be present at the birth of a movement! We can claim that to an extent with punk rock in the '70s, which means we cannot claim it about the Off-Off Broadway movement in New York in the '60s. But we, and you, can re-live some of those moments, as best one can four decades later. The Boston Conservatory Theater Division has a four day schedule of events starting Nov. 9, which features an opening night reception with many of the playwrights whose works will be peformed over the next three nights - William Hoffman, Bob Heide, John Gilmore, Phoebe Wray, many more. (The short plays are drawn from the memoir-essay book "Back to the Caffe Cino.") There's a reception at the Zack Box Theater (same place the plays are at) from 6-8 p.m. and then a panel discussion following. The plays begin Friday at 8 with "Sex is for Two People," about, ahem, a strange encounter in a steam room and ends with "The Warhol Machine," an anti-war play with two men, two women and a "machine" played by either sex. There's a workshop Saturday at 2, another panel discussion at 6, and three more plays at 8. For the Sunday matinee, three more plays, making for a total of 10. And, the whole shebang is free. The Conservatory just asks you ring up to reserve tickets.

8 The Fenway, 617-912-9222 or 617-912-9144 bostonconservatory.edu