Earlier this week Delta Airlines announced two new nonstop routes to Pittsburgh and New Orleans. Flights to Pittsburgh will begin October 1st with two daily round-trip flights. New Orleans service will be seasonal, on Saturdays and Sundays from February 10 – April 1.
By October, Delta will be offering 103 peak-day departures from Boston (20 more departures from a year ago). You can read more about Delta’s new routes by visiting yesterday’s story in USA Today, here.
Travel + Leisure magazine readers have ranked Boston one of the best cities in America. As part of the magazine’s annual World’s Best Awards, the publication released its list of the top 15 cities in the United States earlier this month. Boston squeaked in at a cool number 14.
Cities were scored for their sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value, then given a numerical score based on their ratings.
Thanks T+L readers.
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.
Participants 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. 😉
It is no secret that Boston is a very expensive city to call home, and more needs to be done to ensure that this city can be a home for anyone – no matter what their career, compensation or bank account looks like. I can’t think of a more dreary, vanilla, boring city than one which is filled only with “luxury condos”.
But I digress. It was recently reported by Zumper that the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston is holding steady at $2,200. That makes Boston the nation’s fifth most expensive for renting a one-bedroom. Additionally, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Boston increased only 1.2 percent, to $2,630, making it also the nation’s fifth most expensive for renting a two-bedroom. For the longest time, Boston ranked behind only San Francisco and New York for one and two-bedroom apartments in the Zumper analysis, which tracks rents on vacant or available apartments.
I’d like to see more affordable and mixed income properties being built so Boston can be more attractive to more people. While cheering that median rents are only $2,200 and $2,630 for one and two-bedrooms respectively may seem odd, I’m just pleased to see that as a community we are working to fall lower on this list of skyrocketing rents.
Boston’s first ever Pizza Festival is this weekend (Saturday and Sunday, July 8th and 9th). Local and international vendors will be selling their own product, giving you an opportunity to try pizza from all over. Vendors will also have the chance to enter and win “Boston Pizza Festival Pizza Champion” contest.
Note that you need to buy tickets to the festival and prices are cheaper if you purchase your ticket before the event. For more information visit, bostonpizzafestival.com.
Boston Pizza Festival
Saturday and Sunday, July 8 & 9th
to
Earlier this week Adam who publishes the excellent blog, UniversalHub, shared this map from the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library. I found this particularly interesting, because although I was only born a few miles from Boston in the tiny town of Winchester, MA, Sergio was born about 4,500 miles to the south in Brazil. You can get a better look at the map and zoom in to see some of the smaller printed nationalities if you click here.
If you like this sort of thing you should stop by the BPL to check out their exhibit Who We Are: Boston Immigration Now and Then.
On a related note, Pew Research’s map shows how different nationalities came to the United States, starting in 1850 up through 2013.
For more information visit Pew Research here.
Click on the comic strip to enlarge
Since this is Father’s Day Weekend I thought I’d recycle an Adam & Andy post from a couple of years ago that is on theme if not exactly accurate.
ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com. To see previous Adam and Andy cartoons link here.
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.
Over the past few years the opportunity to purchase fresh meats, breads, fruits, produce and other food from local vendors has become easier in Boston. It was two years ago next month that the very nice Boston Public Market opened, but that is hardly the only option in and around the city.
I stumbled upon a Greater Boston Farmers Markets Google calendar that lists so many area farmer’s markets you are bound to find one near you. It does omit one of the larger Farmer’s Markets: The SoWa Farmer’s Market, which is in my neighborhood and is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM – 4PM May through October.
Shop Local || Buy Local
Boston’s bike sharing service, The Hubway, continues to thrive as Boston and surrounding communities work to be more bike-friendly. Last week Hubway announced they would be adding more than 70 new bike-rental stations over the next two years (currently there are 127 bike-rental stations) in the city of Boston.
They will focus on opening new stations in unserved and under served Boston neighborhoods like Roslindale, Dorchester and Mattapan. Hubway noted that they would also add additional stations in existing service areas to better handle demand as well as add new stations in Cambridge, Somerville and Brookline.
If you’d like to learn more about Hubway visit their website thehubway.com.
Boston Pride || Photo courtesy of Stephen Baumbach
Boston Pride 2017 started on Friday, June 2nd with the raising of the Pride flag over City Hall. For a complete list of official Boston Pride events, pick up a copy of the Boston Pride Guide or check out their calendar online at, bostonpride.org/calendar.
Below I’ve included several events that I enjoy and which I would encourage you to check out. Some of these events are part of the official Boston Pride calendar and others are not, but all are a lot of fun and worth checking out.
Sunday, June 4 – 32nd Annual AIDS Walk & Run
Over the past thirty-one years nearly 350,000 people have participated in the AIDS Walk & Run Boston and helped to raise more than $40 million for the programs and services of AIDS Action.
Monday, June 5 – Heels for Hope
The 4th annual Heels for Hope to benefit BAGLY is taking place at Club Cafe this year. This is a blast and goes to a great organization so head over to Dorothy’s Boutique on Mass Ave and pick up a new pair of heels. As you can see from Keegan and Fabricio, open toe shoes, bright colors and glitter are preferred.
Tuesday, June 6 – Pridelights
This annual tradition in the BCA plaza on Tremont Street is usually a fun way to spend an hour outside socializing, but I’d suggest you make plans to head to Trophy Room after the lighting or over to dbar for Showtunes Tuesday. 
Wednesday, June 7 – Meet the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
Mix and mingle with the members and volunteers of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus during Pride week. All are welcome to the free event starting at 7:30PM 
Thursday, June 8 – Pride Kickoff Cocktail Party
Head over to Peggy O’Neil’s pub is hosting a kickoff cocktail party that should be a lot of fun and will attract a fun crowd. Before heading over for a cocktail or two, check out Watchout Design’s summer trunk show at Sister Sorel.
Friday, June 9 – Out at Fenway
Boston Pride and the Red Sox have teamed up to present Pride Night at Fenway Park. After the game check out Adore Delano at Machine Boston or if you have no plans to be in Fenway check out dbar’s annual Pride Stoplight Party.
Saturday, June 10 – Boston Pride Parade & Chandler St. Block Party
Following the parade, head over to the Chandler Street Block Party hosted by AIDS Action Committee as a warm up for the dance party later in the night at The House of Blues with DJ Abel.
Sunday, June 11 – Back Bay Block Party
Each year the Back Bay Block Party is a lot of fun and a great way to end Pride. Prior to the block party head to the Boston Common at 11AM for the Stronger Together Rally which is part of a nationwide protest.
Happy Pride
For those of you who live in Southie, news of Hilco Global and Redgate developers filing to transform 15+ acres of waterfront by the South Boston Edison Power Plant has been long anticipated.
The project site is located at the corner of First and Summer Streets in South Boston, very near East Broadway and Boston’s Innovation and Design Building. Construction of the proposed development would occur over the next 10 to 15 years with the first phase, which could start in 2018, involves the demolition of existing buildings, preservation of turbine halls and construction of new housing along East First Street.
According to recent plans filed with the city, the developers are proposing a 2.1 million-square-foot development that includes seven new buildings (with three of those buildings at least 200 feet high), 1,588 apartments and condos, plus a 150-room hotel, 339,000 square feet of office space, and 68,000 square feet of retail.
More about this development here:
South Boston Power Plant – Bldup
South Boston’s biggest development ever? – Curbed Boston
South Boston project could offer views of water and 18-wheelers – Boston Globe
Join your’s truly, BosGuy, at Ironsides Rugby Club Drag Lip Sync Competition
This week there are 35 different events and programs with a little bit of everything for someone ranging from indoor rock climbing, painting with cocktails and midnight movie showings to club-themed parties including Fascination, Fuzz and a Pajama Party.
Help me spread the word by sharing this post via your preferred social media.
MONDAY – WEDNESDAY
Boston Gay Men’s Book Club meets to discuss A Useless Man on Monday, May 8 starting at 7PM at the Trident Bookseller’s Cafe in Boston
Drag Bingo is every Monday starting at 7PM free to play at Club Cafe in Boston
Fascination Monday is a gear / kink / fetish party hosted the second Monday at Jacques in Boston
Health Night at The Fenway join the YLC for their first Health Fair and learn how Fenway Health is here to serve you on Tuesday, May 9 in Boston
Taco Tuesday is a fun way to socialize and eat on the cheap in the South End; first come, first serve – hosted every Tuesday at Tremont 647 in Boston
Karaoke Night starts at 9:30PM every Tuesday at Jacques in Boston
Showtune Tuesday hosted by VJ Ryan Grow starts at 9PM every Tuesday at dbar in Dorchester
Geek Trivia is guaranteed fun and has lots of prizes (trivia starts at 8PM) hosted every Tuesday at Club Cafe in Boston
Boston Ironsides Drag Lip Sync Show join me as I judge this lip sync show at Club Cafe starting at 7PM on Wednesday, May 10 in Boston
THURSDAY
Reaching OUT: Boston be a part of the chapter’s first networking event on Thursday, May 11 at Cathedral Station in Boston
LGBT Travelers of Boston will be meeting at 6PM on Thursday, May 11 at Night Shift Brewing in Everett
Karaoke Thursday is held each week downstairs at Machine in Boston
Paint Nite at Machine create art while sipping a cocktail at Machine Boston on Thursday, May 11 in Boston
Turnt! Thursday is hosted every Thursday starting at 10PM at Peggy O’Neil’s in Dorchester
Detention Thursdays! is hosted every Thursday starting at 9PM with shows at 10:30 & 11:45PM – No Cover – at EGO in Providence
Unsure this guy will be at super hero night on Saturday at Orleans Bar but head over for some cocktails and conversations – wear your favorite super hero t-shirt.
FRIDAY
Queer Inclusive Climbing Klub (QuICK) Pizza night and climbing club at Brooklyn Boulders on Friday, May 12 in Somerville
Frederick Studio Grand Opening is happening from 6-9PM on Friday, May 12 in Provincetown
Billiards Tournament is hosted each Friday starting at 7PM at Mainestreet in Ogunquit
RuPaul Viewing Party is Friday, May 12 starting at 8PM followed by dancing at 9PM at the Alley Bar in DTX, Boston
Super Hero Night wear your favorite super hero t-shirt and enjoy a few cocktails, while meeting people through Boston’s LGBTQ & Friends MeetUp group on Friday, May 12 at Orleans Bar in Somerville
FUZZ is a monthly gay dance party with DJ Brent Covington and DJ Taffy at Pi Alley in DTX on Friday, May 12 in Boston
Twerk Fridays at is an 18+ night at Ego in Providence
The Coolidge After Midnite: Twin Peaks: Assault on Precinct 13 shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Friday, May 12 in Brookline
SATURDAY
SoWa Open Market SoWa Open Market is now open every Saturday through the end of October in Boston
So Hot Saturdaes is Boston’s no-attitude gay dance party hosted every Saturday at Peggy O’Neil’s in Dorchester
Saga Saturdays Boston’s biggest gay dance party on Saturday at Paradise in Cambridge
Vibrator! At the Alley features DJs Brian Halligan and James Cerne who will be playing your favorite music on Saturday, May 13 at the Alley in Boston
UNITE Saturdays is the weekly dance party every Saturday that starts at 10PM at Club Cafe with DJ Susan Esthera in Boston
The Coolidge After Midnite: They Live shows at The Coolidge starting at 11:59PM on Saturday, May 13 in Brookline
Pajama Party every Sunday at Machine, starting at 10PM
SUNDAY
SoWa Open Market SoWa Open Market is now open every Sunday through the end of October in Boston
Back 2 Basics Diva’s Tea Dance never has a cover and always has great music from 70s 80s & 90s, starting at 5PM no cover every Sunday at Club Cafe in Boston
Pajama Party Sunday with DJ Denis spinning your favorite music from the 80s, 90s and now is 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.
About three weeks ago James Sutherland snapped and shared this beautiful photo of the Boston Public Garden. Since then the Public Garden has transformed as the trees have flowered and the buds have been replaced with leaves, but I loved this photo with Boston’s Back Bay off in the distance, seemingly enveloped in fog.
Boston Calling Block Parties return to Dewey Square this Thursday from 5-8PM
Lately, there have been so many events / programs to talk about in my Monday morning post What to do this week, I’m re-posting the events for this weekend.
THURSDAY
25th Life Savor celebrate this delicious fundraiser which benefits Community Servings at the Langham Hotel on Thursday, May 4 in Boston
Boston Calling Block Party at Dewey Square have returned so head to downtown for music, games and drinks on Thursday from 5-8PM in Boston
GREECE by the Gold Dust Orphans is fringe theater at its best so check out Ryan Landry’s latest production which runs from May 4 – June 4 in Boston
Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic is back for the 4th year in a row at Club Cafe on Thursday, May 4 from 8-11PM in Boston
Thump! Thursday is hosted every Thursday starting at 10PM at Peggy O’Neil’s in Dorchester
Channel your inner geek and go to the Saber Battle on Boston Common Friday from 8-11PM – last year more than a thousand people showed up for this annual event
FRIDAY
SoWa First Fridays allows you to peruse galleries and artist studios in the South End from 5 – 9PM on Friday, May 5 in Boston
Queer Inclusive Climbing Klub (QuICK) Pizza night and climbing club at Brooklyn Boulders on Friday, May 5 in Somerville
First Fridays ROFLMAO is at the Institute of Contemporary Art from 5-10PM get tickets before they sell out on Friday, May 5 in Boston
RuPaul Viewing Party is Friday, May 5 starting at 8PM followed by dancing at 9PM at the Alley Bar in DTX, Boston
Saber Battle on the Common partake in a massive saber battle on the Boston Common (last year had more than 1,000 people show up) on Friday, May 5 from 8-11PM in Boston
Guerrilla Queer Bar takes place at a location to be named later this week on Friday, May 5 in Boston
The Coolidge After Midnight: A Dark Song shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Friday in Brookline
The Coolidge After Midnight: Body Double shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Friday in Brookline
SpeakEasy Stage production of Bridges of Madison County opens on Saturday, May 6 and will run through June 3, 2017
SATURDAY
SoWa Open Market SoWa Open Market is now open every Saturday through the end of October in Boston
SoWa Art Walk is an art festival in the SoWa district of the South End where you can meet local artists and watch them while many of them work in their studios on Saturday from 11AM-5PM
4th Annual Kentucky Derby Party is at Boston Chops, Saturday, May 6 from 4-7PM (tickets required) in Boston
Maine AIDS Walk after party Tea Dance takes place immediately after the walk / race on Saturday, May 6 at Mainestreet in Ogunquit
The Bridges of Madison County presented by the SpeakEasy Stage opens on Saturday, May 6 and runs through June 3 in Boston
Underbear is a monthly underwear dance party at the Alley Bar in DTX on Saturday, May 6 starting at 10PM in Boston
Magnum Saturdays Presents the 90s on Saturday, May 6 starting at 10PM at dbar in Dorchester
So Hot Saturdaes is Boston’s no-attitude gay dance party hosted every Saturday at Peggy O’Neil’s in Dorchester
UNITE Saturdays is the weekly dance party every Saturday that starts at 10PM at Club Cafe with DJ Susan Esthera in Boston
Saga Saturdays Boston’s biggest gay dance party on Saturday, May 6 is at Paradise in Cambridge
The Coolidge After Midnight: A Dark Song shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Saturday in Brookline
The Coolidge After Midnight: Dressed to Kill shows at The Coolidge Theater starting at 11:59PM on Saturday in Brookline
SUNDAY
49th Walk for Hunger starts early on Sunday, May 7 on the Boston Common so wear comfortable shoes to walk the 20 mile route in Boston
South Shore Sunday Morning LGBTQ Sit & Schmooze from the MeetUp group “OUTbreath” from 10:30AM – 12:00PM on Sunday, May 7 in Hanover.
SoWa Open Market SoWa Open Market is now open every Sunday through the end of October in Boston
SoWa Art Walk is an art festival in the SoWa district of the South End where you can meet local artists and watch them while many of them work in their studios on Sunday, May 7 from 11AM-5PM
Verna Turbulence Drag Brunch is $50 and raises money for the Boston Living Center on Sunday, May 7 at Club Cafe from 12-4PM in Boston
Back 2 Basics Tea Dance never has a cover and always has great music from 70s 80s & 90s, starting at 5PM no cover every Sunday at Club Cafe in Boston
Gay Beer Club Sundays will be enjoying beer at the Cambridge Brewing Co. in Kendall Sq on Sunday, May 7 at 7PM in Cambridge
Pajama Party Sunday with DJ Denis spinning your favorite music from the 80s, 90s and now is every Sunday starting at 10PM at Machine in Boston
Hot Mess Sundays with RPDR Season 9 Peppermint 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.
BosGuy 