Category Archives: Free Stuff

The History Project presents: Rebuilding the historical closet

Posted on April 24, 2018 | Leave a comment

gay boston, Out of the ArchivesNext Thursday join The History Project for their latest installment from the Out of the Archives Series. A free series of intimate events featuring focused topics, interesting discussions and selected photos /documents from the History Project Archives. This program features local author, Robert Fieseler (shown above).

RSVP before this event fills to capacity (no cost)

Thursday, May 3rd || 6:00 – 8:00 PM
The History Project at 29 Stanhope St.

While writing Tinderbox: The Untold Story of the Up Stairs Lounge Fire and the Rise of Gay Liberation, author Robert Fieseler spent much time and effort recreating the context of “the closet” of 1973 – a societal condition that now puzzles LGBTQ+ youth, as well as many allies who prefer to overlook their past attitudes. Fieseler will discuss this part of his writing process, and his research into the fire and its ramifications.

Doors and reception at 6:00PM, talk begins at 6:30, followed by a short Q&A. This talk will be in The Geo. Johnson Room, on the 2nd floor of 29 Stanhope St.

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Public art in Boston

Posted on April 12, 2018 | 2 comments
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The Appeal to the Great Spirit dominates the MFA Boston entrance and is one of my favorite pieces of public art in Boston

WBUR recently published The 50 Best Works of Public Art in Greater Boston, ranked. WBUR Arts reporter, Greg Cook, opens the article pointing to past criticisms by other Boston art critics who complain of a lack of imagination and a history of having too many sculptures of sports heroes and old white politicians.

Boston’s public art isn’t what is stodgy as much as it might be those whining art critics who must only walk around Beacon Hill, The Back Bay and Government Center. If they ever visited other neighborhoods they might be surprised by what they see. While I agree that Boston has a ton of art dedicated to athletes and politicians let’s remember this is a sports town of the first order and there was this little thing called the American Revolution which started here so we should have a lot of those statues – it’s what the tourists come here to see.

Bored Panda

Brazilian street artists, Os Gemeos’s, 70′ x 70′ mural in Dewey Square was the first temporary art installation on the Greenway, Aug 1 – Nov 25, 2012

I have to compliment Cook on his list of public art, but in this blog post I’ve added a few favorites of mine which didn’t make his list. Notably I’d like to also share a 2015 article from Boston Magazine, which was dedicated to the amazing street art that dominates much of Allston, Neighborhood Public Art: Allston.

I would also like to give a shout out to the Underground Ink Block park, which opened last year and I think was overlooked. It shares more creative graffiti street art under the I-93 expressway along the South End / Southie border. Below are some examples of what you’ll find in this new park.South End Parkstreet art, graffiti art, south endstreet art, graffiti art, south end

 

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SoWa Open Market opens on May 6th

Posted on April 8, 2018 | Leave a comment

SoWa Open Market returns on Sunday, May 6, 2018

In four weeks the SoWa Open Market 15th season will open and this year the organizers have announced a new beer hall and taproom, housed in the iconic SoWa Power Station will be a part of the market every Sunday, from May 6 through October 28, 2018. Partnering with the Craft Collective, more than 60 curated “adult beverages” from local breweries will be featured in this year’s “SoWa Beer Barn”. In addition to great beer, there will also be lawn games, live music, yoga classes, and lots of food trucks.

In addition to the new beer hall and food trucks located by the Gaslight parking lot, further up the street the Market will host their weekly farmer’s market as well and continue to feature artisans every Sunday, May 6 – October 28, 2018 from 10 AM – 4 PM.

More information about the SoWa Open Market

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Pathways to Freedom: Boston public art project

Posted on March 22, 2018 | Leave a comment
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Rendering of “Pathways to Freedom” on the Boston Common. From The Jewish Arts Collaborative

The Jewish Arts Collaborative has engaged American sculptor, Julia Vogl, to create a public piece of temporary art on the Boston Common that will be inspired by dialogue about freedom and immigration in Boston. Her artwork will reflect the 2,000 conversations she will have in the coming weeks, asking people from all backgrounds about their journeys to freedom.

Drawing inspiration from these stories, Vogl will create a larger than life visual representation that will be on display to the public from on display from April 25 to May 2 on the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boston Common.

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Would you like to be involved in this public art project?
Vogl is inviting the public to meet up with her at scheduled “encounters” around Greater Boston. These encounters started this week and will run through Sunday, April 8. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to answer four multiple-choice questions about freedom and immigration on an iPad and decorate a button that is fashioned after a seder plate.

For more information about this project link here: Pathways to Freedom.

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This summer Shakespeare on the Common will present Richard III

Posted on March 14, 2018 | Leave a comment
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Photo from OffWestEnd.com

In case you missed it, earlier this month The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) announced that they will return with annual free performances of William Shakespeare on the Boston Common this summer.

This year’s production, Richard III, will run from July 18 – August 5 over by the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common. Performances will be Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sundays at 7pm; with one 3pm matinee performance on Saturday, August 4.

Richard III
Directed by Steven Maler
July 18 – August 5, 2018
FREE and open to the public

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Boston’s No Pants Subway Ride is Jan. 7th

Posted on January 2, 2018 | Leave a comment

Mark your calendars for Boston’s 12th annual No Pants Subway Ride on Sunday, January 7th from 2-5PM.  Details for participating in the No Pants Subway Ride will be posted on the event page here.

If you are still unsure of what this is all about check out my video of all the fun from Boston’s 2013 No Pants Subway Ride.

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Boston’s Santa Speedo Run is Saturday, Dec. 9th

Posted on December 8, 2017 | 3 comments

If you find yourself in Back Bay tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon you may want to head over to Boylston Street to see the 18th annual SSR (Santa Speedo Run). Scheduled to take place at 1PM, runners will line up at the intersection of Boylston and Gloucester Street (in front of the Hynes).

This annual tradition which has inspired more than a dozen similar runs in cities through out North America and Europe starts outside of Lir at 903 Boylston Street. Come down to check out all the activity. After a slight warm up the middle of this week it looks like tomorrow’s weather could be quite chilly so the runners can use all the support they can get.

SSRBosGuy

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Boston’s HUBweek starts this week

Posted on October 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

HUBweek (October 10-15) is a citywide festival that celebrates innovation  in art, science and technology. The amazing event starts tomorrow and while events will take place all over the city most take place in Boston’s City Hall Plaza, which has been transformed with dozens of art installations and six geodesic domes.

Thought leaders like Malcolm Gladwell, Deepak Chopra, Atul Gawande and more will speak and networking programs have been organized to allow people to  connect with some of the areas most impactful start-ups (all for free).

HUBweek is about bringing together Boston’s incredible creative economy. Come and join this amazing week of events but be sure to register first!  Learn more here: hubweek.org

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Boston Freedom Rally: Sept 15-17

Posted on September 15, 2017 | Leave a comment

Hempfest BostonThe 28th 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 unless you are planning to fly out to Seattle this is a unique opportunity to experience a fun, peaceful multi-day festival / rally on Boston Common that features live music, arts and crafts as well as food for all those munchies that you’re bound to experience.

Boston Freedom Rally starts this afternoon and runs from 12-8PM on Saturday and then again from 12-6PM on 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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Tonight: Free fireworks over Boston Harbor

Posted on August 31, 2017 | Leave a comment

Photo Source: bostonharbornow.org

The city of Boston would like to celebrate the end of summer with a harbor fireworks show by Boston Harbor Now; suggested public viewing locations include the Christopher Columbus Park in the North End, Piers Park in East Boston and Fan Pier in the Seaport.

This is the fifth year fireworks over Boston Harbor will take place this evening at sunset. For more details visit 5th Annual Illuminate the Harbor Boston Harbor Fireworks.

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Waterfire in Providence tonight

Posted on August 5, 2017 | 1 comment

Here is to hoping the weather improves this evening in time for Providence’s free public art / show Waterfire scheduled for later tonight, at 8PM.

Tonight’s full installation includes over eighty braziers from Waterplace Park to Memorial/South Main Street Park, occurring shortly after sunset (7:59PM tonight) until half past midnight. For more information about tonight’s lighting and the schedule for future events visit here.

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Greenway’s free fitness program in Boston

Posted on August 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Photo Credit & Source: Greenway Website

Did you know there is something called The Greenway Fitness Program that is free for you to attend? Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the fitness classes are free and open to the public. To see the full schedule of classes (dates, times and locations) visit the Greenway website or link here.

Later today there are two free classes / events:
Workplace Wellness Bootcamp starts at 5:30PM at the Rings Fountain on Milk Street (map) 
Social Boston Sports Cornhole starts at 6PM at the intersection of Milk Street & JFK Surface Raod (map)

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Final week of performances for Shakespeare on the Common

Posted on July 31, 2017 | Leave a comment

ShakespeareThis year’s production, Romeo & Juliet, concludes Sunday, August 6th so make plans with friends if you have yet to go down to the Boston Common to enjoy one of William Shakespeare’s most popular plays. I saw the production earlier in the run and it is definitely worth the effort but be sure to get there early to stake out space so you can enjoy the production.

Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm; Sundays at 7pm; with one 3pm matinee performance on Sunday, August 6.

Romeo & Juliet
Directed by Allegra Libonati
Thru August 6, 2017
FREE and open to the public

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World Naked Bike Ride Boston

Posted on July 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

Saturday night temperatures in Boston will be in the low 70s and dry (if you believe our local forecast). If you happen to be out and about you may end up seeing a bunch of naked bicyclists who will be participating in the World Naked Bikc Ride, while this event has been happening around the world since 2004, Boston joined in on the fun back in 2010 and interest and participation continues to grow with each year.

WNBRParticipants are asked to meet in Jamaica Plain at 6PM for pre-ride revelry. The ride is scheduled to begin at 8PM and will conclude at Midnight in Cambridge. If you are interested, check out the link I shared above or visit the World Naked Bike Ride – Boston Facebook Page for details.

If you decide to participate, let me know how it goes and feel free to send me a photo or two of the ride. 😉

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Donna Summer roller disco party is tonight

Posted on June 23, 2017 | 1 comment
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Donna Summer Tribute Roller Disco at Gov’t Center – Friday, June 23rd

Last month Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the fourth annual Donna Summer roller disco party would return to City Hall Plaza on Friday, June 23.

The free event in honor of the late, great disco queen from Boston features live music, a roller skating rink, and is a guaranteed fun time.  This year’s festivities start at 6PM and end at 10PM so plan on coming down for some fun.

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