Arts + Culture
Futures in flux at MIT and Harvard documentary film centers as founding leaders step down
The 2020s have been hard on Boston’s documentary film scene. In 2022, the LEF Foundation’s DocYard screening series went on indefinite hiatus; in 2024, the Bright Lights Cinema Series was cancelled after its curator, Anna Feder, was let go in what appeared to be a politically motivated dismissal. In comparison, last month’s leadership transitions at […]
In “Rhinoceros,” whether to run with the herd is the question
At the start of the American Repertory Theater’s superb production of “Rhinoceros,” it’s a quiet morning in a French village, and Bergeron is late for coffee with his only friend, Jean. Read more Man killed by police identified But Jean (Paul Giamatti) knows Bergeron will be late and arrives late as well. The two could […]
Young poets are honored for ‘playful to inspiring’ works
This spring, for the 27th year, the city of Cambridge, Mass., awarded poetry prizes to a worthy group of aspiring poets in grades K–8. Of the more than 500 applicants, nominated mostly by teachers, 55 winners were chosen by a panel of youth services librarians. Read more Safety in The Port has always been a […]
Backgammon and other traditional board games gather locals in a digital age
Throughout the summer, local residents are gathering and they’re bringing their family’s board game traditions with them. Read more A third space helped me find my community after moving to Cambridge Pandemonium Books and Games in Central Square hosts tournaments for collectible card games. Cambridge Public Library also has a game night featuring a variety […]
Somerville’s ArtBeat Festival turns 40
Somerville is hosting the 40th ArtBeat cultural festival in Davis Square on Saturday, highlighting the city’s diverse arts scene. Read more Alpha-gal is in the headlines. It’s no superhero ArtBeat is Somerville’s “biggest cultural festival” as it “showcases music, dance, culinary arts, and visual arts,” said Rachel Strutt, the interim director of the Somerville Arts […]
Somerville, Capital theater buildings put up for sale
The owner of 49-55 Davis Square in Somerville and 202-218 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington has put the properties on the market, with an asking price of $12 million each. The buildings house the Somerville Theatre and Capital Theater, respectively, raising questions as to whether the vibrant local independent theater scene could be affected. Read more […]
Martial arts movies, Somerville Film Fest and the Stanton Rule lead the week
Among the great artists who’ve called Boston home is the martial arts master Bow-sim Mark, who in 1976 founded the Chinese Wushu Research Institute, one of the first tai chi schools in the United States. Sifu Mark remains active to this day from her home in Newton. One of her sons is international movie star […]
Mel Brooks at 100 and the best movie about Boston
This Sunday marks the 100th birthday of Mel Brooks, the legendary comedian, filmmaker and all-around bon vivant, who, by all appearances, remains as sprightly and charming as ever. To celebrate this living legend as he enters his second century, the Brattle Theatre has curated a weekend-long series of some of his most beloved work. Present, […]
You’ll have a gay old time at ‘One Long Earring’
“One Long Earring,” a play about a lesbian band from the 1990s looking to reunite after almost 30 years, has been called the lesbian “Spinal Tap.” It’s coming to the Crystal Ballroom at the Somerville Theatre this Sunday. Read more A tale of two liquor laws The cheeky comedy began as the pandemic brainchild of […]
At the Middle East, singing for his mental health
“I won’t open the door,volunteer to the dark, where the demons wait patient to make me their mark.” Read more Trinity’s Touch salon celebrating 20 years These lyrics might be something the dinner crowd hears Kev G Mor sing on Thursdays at The Corner Bar or every fourth Friday at Zuzu Restaurant. Mor plays in the […]