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From bugs and dinosaurs to jazz and blues, Boston is buzzing with event venues

The Harvard Museum of Natural History renovated its Earth and Planetary Sciences Gallery, now displaying rocks and minerals that date back to the beginning of the solar system. Also debuting this month is a new exhibit, Thoreau’s Maine Woods, which traces the author’s regional travels through photographs and plant specimens and complements the ongoing New England Forests exhibition.

The museum has reception space for up to 400 guests and seats 225 for dinner. Staff is also eager to help planners select unique science-themed corporate gifts.

While you can’t sleep at the new Beat Hotel in Harvard Square, the 328-seat eatery features a vegetarian-friendly menu and turns into a lively jazz club at night. The brasserie is styled after the 20th century beat movement, and features eclectic musical performances and poetry readings.