Category Archives: Boston

One week ago today was a beach day

Posted on September 23, 2018 | 1 comment

gay boston, M Street BeachToday is a beautiful fall day in Boston with big puffy white clouds and plenty of sun. Temperatures will flirt with the low 70s but most of the day will be in the mid and upper 60s. I’m not complaining, because I really do love this weather, but I can’t help but think back to last week’s final Kiki Beach of the 2018 Summer, which was sunny and in the low 80s.

I’ll miss you Kiki Beach and look forward to next summer, which is only 35 <gulp> weekends away. Maybe I need to book a few trips to Miami between now and then.

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King Legacy Night

Posted on September 19, 2018 | Leave a comment

Tickets are now on sale for King Legacy Night Gala that will take place on Tuesday, October 16th. This creative black-tie event is co-hosted by MLK Boston and the City of Boston to help support the design and the construction of a new memorial honoring the Boston legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King who met and lived here in Boston.

The best way to see the five remaining finalists proposed designs is by visiting the Boston Public Library in Copley Square or at the Bolling Building in Dudley Square, both available until October 16th. For more information about the new memorial that will be placed on the Boston Common click here.

For more information about this impressive new public art project and or to purchase tickets to this gala visit mlkboston.org.

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Mr. Boston Bear and Cub contest applications deadline Sept 30

Posted on September 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

Mass Bears and Cubs will be hosting their annual Mr. Boston Bear and Cub contest on Saturday, October 13th at the Alley Bar in Downtown Crossing. Contestants will compete for the 2019 Mr. Boston Bear and Mr. Boston Cub titles on the same night.

Applications to participate must be submitted by Monday, September 30th. For more information and to download a copy of the application visit the Massbearz contest application.

gay boston, Mass bears and cubsMark your calendars for Massbearz Mr. Boston Bear & Cub contest
Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018: Application Deadline for Mr. Boston Bear & Cub
Saturday, Oct 13, 2018: Mr. Boston Bear & Cub contest

This year’s events’ activities include:

  • Meet and Greet Friday, Oct. 12that 8 pm at the Alley Bar
  • Competition Saturday, Oct. 13that 9 pm at the Alley Bar
  • Victory Brunch Sunday, Oct. 14that 2 pm at Cathedral Station
  • Victory Bears and Cubs Tea – A Special Edition of *SIP* at     Jacque’s Cabaret Underground from 6pm to 9pm

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29th Boston Freedom Rally this weekend

Posted on September 14, 2018 | 1 comment

legalize marijuana, boston marijuana festivalThe 29th Boston Freedom Rally is the largest annual gathering of pro-marijuana supporters on the East Coast and the second largest festival of it’s kind in the world, surpassed only by Seattle’s Hempfest. So if you find yourself near the Boston Common this weekend that hazy cloud hanging over the Common isn’t a weather pattern and is likely to make your head spin if you walk through the park. The rally officially kicks off this afternoon but is typically attended by most over the weekend from 12-8PM on Saturday and Sunday.

The rally is organized by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MassCANN), the state affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) also known as MassCann/NORML.

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Making friends: Boston’s LGBTQ social groups

Posted on September 5, 2018 | Leave a comment

gay men, gay friends, gay clubsWith the influx  of so many new residents at the start of each academic year, I like to update and share this post each September.

If you are new to the area or looking to meet more people outside of a bar setting the groups listed below might be a good first step. Check out my accompanying post, Boston’s gay sports clubs / teams.

BAGLY is a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating for programs and policies for gay youth (volunteers are always welcome).

Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses.  Auditions are being held on Sunday, September 9th

Boston Gay Men’s Books Club is monthly book club on MeetUp featuring literature by and about gay men. This month’s book is Night Soil by Dale Peck. They will next meet on Monday, September 24 at 7PM at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street in Back Bay.

Boston Prime Timers is a social organization of mature gay and bisexual men and their friends who join together for educational, support, and social activities.

Dignity Boston is a progressive, inclusive community of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics and their allies. 

Fenway Health has been serving the local LGBT community for more than 40 years; the Fenway and AAC are always looking for volunteers.

Gay Beer Club is a Boston based organization that produces events and gatherings for members of the gay community.

Gay For Good mobilizes the LGBT community to interact with the greater community by volunteering their time with different monthly activities.

Gay Men 50+ Club is for gay men and their male friends who wish to meet monthly for brunch and enjoy good conversation.

Gays for Patsy is a country western dancing club that holds events each month. Beginners are encouraged to join.

Gold Fruit Gaming is a team of LGBTQ+ [PC] Gamers with a passion for competition, cooperation, and kicking ass. Come here to queue up with others who seek to improve their gameplay.

Hispanic / Black Gay Coalition HBGC is one of few non-profit organizations in Boston dedicated to the unique and complex needs of the Black, Hispanic and Latin@ LGBTQ community.

History Project is a volunteer-driven organization established in 1980 that focuses on preserving the history of Boston’s LGBT community to make it accessible to future generations. Next Thursday join the History Project when David Scondras reads from his memoir Angels, Liars, and Thieves 

Jamaica Plain and Roslindale Men’s Group is a social group for gay men living in, near and around JP & Rozzie that organize dinners and events.

Keshet Boston is a grassroots organization working for the full inclusion of LGBT Jews in Jewish life, offering community events for LGBT Jews in Boston.

Men of Melanin Magic is a social group in the Boston metropolitan area for those who identify as queer men of color.

Opus Affair is probably best known for their monthly cocktail party hosted at local restaurants  to raise money for local arts organizations. 

OUTbreath offers a safe space for those who identify as queer, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning to come together to explore the practice of meditation and support each other in community.

Queer Boston Board Gamers is a friendly LGBTQ meet up group that connects regularly to play board games.

The Welcoming Committee is a young, social group who organize activities to broadening the spectrum of gay life here in Boston and beyond.

Yankee Cruising Club was founded over 25 years ago to bring LGBT boaters together to meet, make friends and most importantly get out on the water.

Apologies if I have overlooked any area gay organizations in the area.  Feel free to add information for any such group in the comments section of my blog.

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The Revolution is the South End’s next boutique hotel

Posted on August 26, 2018 | Leave a comment
boutique hotel boston, The Revolution Hotel

Courtesy of MOUNT VERNON CO.

A new boutique hotel called The Revolution will be opening just a block away from The Alise Boston (formerly The Chandler Inn) on Berkeley Street in the South End. The local property company, Mount Vernon Company, announced they will turn the home of the former YWCA property at 40 Berkeley Street into a 164-room boutique hotel, which will be managed by Provenance Hotels.

The Mount Vernon Company initially purchased the property in 2014 but left it alone until construction started earlier this spring. The interior will be decorated with paintings by Boston artists, overlaid with the titles of songs by Boston music legends such as Aerosmith and Donna Summer.

The hotel will offer studio suites for business travelers, as well as triple and quad rooms with shared bathrooms for larger groups. “Premium King” accommodations will also be available with ensuite bathrooms with rooms starting at approximately $150 a night.

The property’s large courtyard is being redesigned to house an indoor-outdoor restaurant with the basement converted into a bar that will double as co-working space during the day. Stay tuned for more details.

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This week on Instagram: jeffnewcum

Posted on August 22, 2018 | Leave a comment

Boston, jeffrey newcumIf you love Boston or if you’re curious to see what this tiny town looks like, I’d recommend that you follow Jeffrey Newcum’s Instagram account. His photographs are regularly featured by The Boston Globe and others because of his beautiful eye and gorgeous photos. The photo above shows a lone sailor on the Charles River with a glimpse of Back Bay in the background.

Follow this account on Instagram here, instagram.com/jeffnewcum.

Do you like this weekly post? Check out previously featured IG accounts here.

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HUBweek 2018 announces some big names

Posted on August 20, 2018 | Leave a comment

boston innovationEarlier this summer I wrote a post about HUBweek, which will take place this year from October 8-14. The annual fall festival celebrates innovation  in art, science and technology when it takes over Boston’s City Hall Plaza later this year. Michael Bloomberg, Malcolm Gladwell, Deepak Chopra and Atul Gawande were previously announced as speakers at this year’s event. Earlier this week HUBweek organizers said NY Times columnist Maureen Dowd and Parkland  shooting survivor, David Hogg will also be coming to speak at the festival.

Dowd will take part in HUBweek Forums, discussing how the future will look in terms of everything from cities to health and medicine and Hogg, a survivor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and a co-founder of March for Our Lives, will be part of a HUBweek forum in Faneuil Hall on “the successes and challenges of the nationwide student-led movement to end gun violence”.

Many pf the events during HUBweek are free but they do fill up. Learn more here: hubweek.org

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What to do this weekend

Posted on August 9, 2018 | 3 comments

gay bostonThere is a lot happening this weekend including the second annual Tour de Fat,  The 49th Chinatown August Moon Festival and The Great Boston Rib Fest. If you’re looking for something to do with friends that doesn’t involve eating but lets you enjoy the beautiful weather be sure to check out Kiki Beach on Saturday or on Sunday afternoon watch the Red Sox from the Boston Common.

If you’re heading down to the Cape for either part or all of Carnival, which starts on Saturday, be sure to check out my post from earlier this week listing many of the parties, 2018 Carnival in Provincetown: Events & Parties.

Ptown, Provincetown

Provincetown’s 40th Annual Carnival officially starts Saturday, August 11th

Free Fun Friday The ICA is open and free to the public all day on Friday 10AM – 9PM thanks to the Highland Foundation in Boston

Queer Inclusive Climbing Klub (QuICK) Pizza night and climbing club at Brooklyn Boulders in Somerville

Paint Nite is at Club Cafe on Friday from 7-9PM (tix req’d) in Boston

Dueling Drag Divas are back this year performing every Friday and Saturday at 8PM at Mainestreet in Ogunquit

FUZZ  is a monthly gay dance party hosted the second Friday of each month with DJ Brent Covington and DJ Taffy at the Alley in Boston

XO Friday is the weekly dance party hosted by DJ Stevie Psyclone (no cover before 11PM) at Club Cafe every Friday

40th Annual Carnival officially opens on Saturday and will run through Friday in Provincetown

Ironsides Boot Camp 2018 is on Saturday from 1-4PM at Joe Moakley Field – all are welcome no experience playing rugby required in Dorchester

Kiki Beach is back for its third year and Southie’s M Street Beach has never looked so fabulous – look for the speedos and listen for the good music; starting at 11ish in Boston

Tour de Fat returns to Boston on Saturday, courtesy of New Belgium Brewing from 12-5PM at Gov’t Center enjoy food, drink and bikes in Boston

Arthouse, Ptown

Performs on Saturday in Ogunquit

Steve Grand in OGT performs for one night only at Mainestreet starting at 8PM on Saturday in Ogunquit

Underwear Party is every Saturday at Club Purgatory – doors open at 9PM in Provincetown

DILF: Carnival Edition doors open at 9:30PM at the Crown & Anchor’s Paramount Club with music by the Perry Twins in Provincetown

Silver at Peggy’s takes place the second Saturday of every month – this is a dance party for mature audiences and the men who like them – doors open at 10PM at Peggy O’Neil’s in Dorchester

Video Night Tracks every Saturday night join VJ Ryan Grow at Cathedral Station starting at 9:30PM

The Donkey Show is the ultimate disco experience is a story inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream each Saturday at Club Oberon in Cambridge.

Grunt is a weekly dance party with no cover for burly men and their admirers, starting at 10PM at the Alley Bar in DTX

UNITE Saturdays is a weekly dance party at Club Cafe with DJ Susan Esthera (no cover before 11PM) in Boston

MOBD Muscle Otter Bear Daddy is from 10PM – 2AM on Saturday at Paradise in Cambridge

49th Chinatown August Moon Festival starts at 10AM in Chinatown

SoWa Open Market SoWa Open Market is now open every Sunday from 10AM – 4PM through the end of October in Boston

Queer Boston Board Gamers Pot Luck BBQ is at 11AM on Sunday in Somerville

Out of the Park: Watch the Red Sox from the Boston Common courtesy of the Highland Foundation, which will broadcast the game on a huge screen – event starts at 11:30AM and game time is 1:05PM on Sunday in Boston

Bear brunch at Trophy Room is this Sunday starting at 1PM in Boston

Project Ugly Dress grab that dress out of your closet to help raise money for The Boston Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Grants Fund at Club Cafe  from 1-4PM on Sunday in Boston

The Great Boston Rib Fest start at 11:30AM and last until the ribs run out – ribs are $2/each at Dorchester Brewing Co. in Dorchester

Cruise D’ Krewes Sunset Boat Party boarding begins at 4PM and the cruise runs from 4:30 – 7:30PM at Macmillan Pier in Provincetown

*SIP* #10 w/Civil Lie Zation 10th edition with resident DJ Brian Halligan and guest performer, Civil Lie Zation is at Jacques from 6-10PM in Boston

Sunday Tea Dance never has a cover and always has great music from 70s 80s & 90s, starting at 6PM no cover every Sunday at Club Cafe in Boston

Karaoke at the Alley is every Sunday starting at 8PM in Boston

The Night of Bacchus Costume Ball is the official opening party for 2018 Carnival – doors open at 8:30PM at the Paramount & Wave bar in Ptown

Pajama Party is a weekly dance party hosted every Sunday starting at 10PM at Machine in Boston

Hot Mess Sundays at Candibar in the Theater District is every Sunday starting at 10PM in Boston

Send me information about your upcoming programs and events in my blog’s comment section or message me the details on Facebook.

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Tour de Fat returns to Boston this Saturday

Posted on August 8, 2018 | Leave a comment

bike, Tour de Fat, handsome guy, shirtless guyNew Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat returns to Boston this Saturday. The event which only takes place in six cities nationally, was first held in Boston last summer. The fun event brings together bikes, beer and music with proceeds going to the Bike Union; a group that advocates for safer streets and increased ridership throughout Boston.

Tour de Fat is at City Hall Plaza on Saturday, August 11th from 12-5PM. Admission is $15 — or free for all volunteers so get your tickets today.

Tour de Fat Boston
Saturday, August 11th
12 p.m.  – 5 p.m.
City Hall Plaza

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Boston’s accent is wicked recognizable

Posted on August 7, 2018 | 2 comments

According to a recent YouGov poll, Boston has the strongest regional accent in the nation, while Southern accents were deemed the sexiest. Some 23% of respondents picked Boston as the strongest regional accent followed by the Deep South with 16%, and New York and Texas tied with 13% 

More than a third of Americans self-identify as speaking with a regional accent, which means that nearly 120 million Americans speak “funny”.

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MBTA expands early morning and late night bus service

Posted on August 1, 2018 | Leave a comment

Boston public transportationStarting one month from today, bus service in Boston will get a significant boost. Earlier this summer the MBTA announced that they would add nearly 300 more bus trips each week, to give riders more options and to provide more access to Boston’s Logan Airport.

The additional trips will build on an extension of late-night/early-morning service that started this past April; some bus routes now start as early as 3:20AM. Late night service will roll-out on September 1 and ridership will be evaluated in December 2018, and again in April and June 2019 to determine if late night ridership warrants continued service or should be expanded. Assuming the late night service is a success that will mean parts of the city will have nearly 24-hour service; something that is long overdue in my opinion.

You can read the MBTA analysis and plans in their June 4th, Late Night Proposal and Early Morning Service Update.

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Notable names coming to Boston Book Festival

Posted on July 27, 2018 | Leave a comment

Boston Book Festival, BBFThe Boston Book Festival (BBF) has shared its lineup of authors for this year’s festival which takes place Saturday, October 13th. Notable names scheduled to appear include John Kerry, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Anand Giridharadas, Michael Pollan and Justine Bateman (what do you suppose she’s been up to?).

The highlight for me would have to be the Saturday afternoon discussion between Kearns Goodwin and Kerry. Their conversation will take place just weeks before the midterm elections. Tickets to the discussion as well as to other 2018 BBF events will be available on the BBF website in early September.

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Boston’s World Naked Bike Ride is Saturday

Posted on July 20, 2018 | 1 comment

WNBRThis The annual World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR) is this Saturday. If you would like to participate or want to learn more about the event visit their website, wnbrboston.com. If you’re unfamiliar with this annual ride, the WNBR is a clothing optional global protest to call for more bike-friendly streets that appeals to bike-lovers, exhibitionists, naturalists and curious onlookers.

For more details about the ride visit their website, wnbrboston.com, and let me know if you plan on participating. I’d love to hear more about the ride.

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HUBweek 2018 passes now available

Posted on July 10, 2018 | Leave a comment

HUBweek (October 8-14) is a festival for the future that celebrates innovation  in art, science and technology. HUBweek will kick off with events taking place all across the city, but will be centered on Boston’s City Hall Plaza, which will be transformed (once again) into a mini village of semi-permanent structures.

Join thought leaders like Medford-native Michael Bloomberg, Malcolm Gladwell, Deepak Chopra, Atul Gawande and more; connect with 100+ of Boston’s most impactful start-ups; and interact with Boston’s creative economy and those who are helping rethink Boston’s future.

Many events are free but do fill up. There are also events that require ticket purchases, but there is an “early bird special” running through July 24th.

Learn more here: hubweek.org

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