See more than 35 Japanese prints — many on public view for the first time — at a new exhibition opening at the Worcester Art Museum called “Reflections of a Changing Japan: The Evolution of Shin Hanga.” The show, running March 29 through June 29, focuses on Shin Hanga, a Japanese printmaking movement from the early 1900s, and the cultural shifts happening as this style emerged. Shin Hanga (or “new prints”) developed as a revival of the traditional ukiyo-e style of printmaking from Japan’s Edo period, yet it reflected more modern-day subject matter and techniques that appealed to international tastes — particularly American and European interests. The exhibition is organized into four sections: Early Prints focuses on traditional ukiyo-e subjects such as landscapes, women, and kabuki actors; Contemporary Inspiration looks at how artists incorporated “western” techniques, such as perspective, shading, and naturalism; New Horizons includes works created by Shin Hanga artists during their travels abroad, particularly depictions of foreign landscapes such as the Rockies and Grand Canyon; and Shin Hanga: Decline and Reinterpretations examines the waning interest in printmaking after World War II and how artists started incorporating contemporary themes and abstract elements. Admission: free for 17 and under to $18 for 18 and older. www.worcesterart.org
THERE
What makes Cirque du Soleil shine
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the innovation and artistry that drives Las Vegas’ Cirque du Soleil productions. The Neon Museum and Cirque du Soleil have teamed up to present “Stories from Backstage: Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas,” a free exhibition on view through May 1 at the city hall’s Grand Gallery. The exhibition includes iconic costumes, makeup designs, acrobatic shoes, 3-D-printed fabrics, and other artifacts from its five current Vegas shows: “Mystère,” “O,” “Mad Apple,” “KÀ,” and “Michael Jackson ONE.” See the Red Bird costume from “Mystère,” the Moonhead headpiece from “O,” the acrobatic shoes used in the Wheel of Death act from “Mad Apple,” for instance. Discover how athletes transform into artists, performers embody characters, and cutting-edge technology shapes costume evolution — and learn about backstage secrets that help make these show dazzle. The exhibition is open Mondays through Thursdays, 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Also, don’t miss the museum’s Duck Duck Shed event, April 24-27, which includes behind-the-scene tours and discussions of the city’s architecture and design. www.duckduckshed.com
EVERYWHERE
New book highlights must-see spots around the Bay State
Whether you’re a local or visitor, you’ll appreciate the lineup in “100 Things to Do in Massachusetts Before You Die,” a new book by Boston resident Kim Foley MacKinnon that offers fun facts and top picks across the Bay State. MacKinnon’s admittedly subjective selections hit the highlights across the state, offering 100 must-do places to see or experience that are organized into five categories: food and drink, music and entertainment, sports and recreation, culture and history, shopping and fashion. Each item includes a one-page writeup full of history, background, or tantalizing facts from the well-known to the obscure. (Dorchester, for example, was home to America’s first chocolate mill, which provided the chocolate for the original Boston cream pie.) Helpful call-out boxes throughout the book offer mini roundups and interesting tips — for instance, you can get into the Isabella Stewart Museum for free if you’re name is Isabella (who knew?). The book still leans toward Eastern Mass. — less than 20 percent of the to-do items take you outside of Cape Cod and the Route 495 bubble — but you’ll find worthwhile music and cultural offerings that will draw you to Worcester, Sturbridge, Lenox, and beyond. Each entry typically includes contact and website info. $22.50. www.reedypress.com
KARI BODNARCHUK
Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at travelwriter@karib.us.
