The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. May 22 for the May 25 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
JP Forum Event: Sandra Steingraber* Toward an Unfractured Future: Science, Civil Disobedience, and Feminism in the Fight Against Fossil Fuel Expansion Wednesday, May 23 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm | First Church JP UU 6 Eliot St.
This talk examines the science behind the social movement to secure an unfractured future for our children and the role that civil disobedience and feminist activism are playing in opening a space in the culture for that science to speak.
The award-winning documentary film Unfractured tells the story of the successful fight for a ban on fracking in New York State. Steingraber’s public lecture, which will immediately follow a screening of the film, will explore the science behind the scenes, women’s leadership within the movement, and ongoing tactics and strategies—with special focus on current issues here in Massachusetts.
Biologist Sandra Steingraber is co-founder of Concerned Health Professionals of New York, co-author of the Compendium of Scientific, Medical, and Media Findings on the Risks and Harms of Fracking, and science advisor to Americans Against Fracking.
City Life/Vida Urbana, a Jamaica Plain based housing justice organization, is celebrating 45 years. The event, Uprise, will feature multimedia installations about City Life’s decades of helping neighbors fight unjust evictions and displacement, as well as light food, speakers, a cash bar, a DJ, and much dancing. Saturday, May 19th, 6pm to 10pm at Melkite Cathedral, 7 VFW Parkway. Tickets available online at clvu.org/45th_anniversary_celebration.
JP Bike Week Festival May 13-19. 7 days of local bike events. Organized by Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, Revolution Bicycle Repair, and Bikes Not Bombs. Sun., May 13: 10th Annual Spring Roll bike ride/parades
Start: South Street tennis courts, 10:00 a.m. Mon., May 14: 1. Easy-pedaling ride around JP, Start: Ferris Wheels, 12 noon. 2. “Tuneup Tutorial”
Learn how a tuneup can change your ride, Revolution Bicycle Repair, 7:00 p.m.
Tues., May 15: 1. 20-mile fast paceline ride challenge, Excellent fitness ride for charity rides and triathlons. Ride 2 to 4 loops. Start: Ferris Wheels, 6:55 a.m.
- Emerald Necklace Tour. Start: Ferris Wheels, 6:30 p.m. Wed., May 16 Learn to Fix a Flat then play with bici-blender, Ride the bike and operate the blender!, Start: Bikes Not Bombs, 18 Bartlett Sq., 5:30 p.m. Thurs., May 17 1. 20-mile fast paceline ride challenge, 2. Bike to Beer, 12-mi. ride followed by a cold one. Start: South Street Mall park, 6:15 p.m. Fri., May 18 1. Pancake breakfast, Ferris Wheels, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. 2. Movie “American Flyers” (PG) Curtis Hall Community Ctr., 20 South St., 6:30 p.m. Sat., May 19 1. Up the Hill & Down the Brook 15-mi. ride Start: Ferris Wheels, 10:00 a.m. 2. Bike Rodeo: Bike skills for kids South Street tennis courts, 10:30 a.m. 3. Bicycle trick riding demonstration You won’t believe what these guys can do on their bikes!
South Street tennis courts, 1:00 p.m. For information, contact Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, 66 South Street, 617-524-BIKE.
Self Esteem Boston’s 25th Gala Anniversary Dinner and Celebration, Fri. June 1 at Hyatt Regency Boston, One Avenue de Lafayette, Downtown Crossing. Jazz reception, programming, dinner, dancing. Info: www.selfesteemboston.com
Arts, music, and culture
OTP’s Gay Shorts: We Are Family, May 24 – June 2. Club Cafe – Boston, MA. Jamaica Plain’s Open Theatre Project presents GAY SHORTS: We Are Family, the 2nd annual Play Festival that explores family life in the GLTBQ community. Running at CLUB CAFÉ in Boston, MA May 24 – June 2, 2018.Back for the second year in a row featuring an evening of short plays by, for, and with LGTBQ artists from all walks of life. These short plays will explore the in’s and OUT’S of LGTBQ family life. Funny relevant and irreverent you won’t want to miss this signature event of Open Theatre Project at Club Cafe in Boston MA.
Chapter and Verse Literary Reading Series, Fri. May 11, 7:30pm, Loring-Greenough House. 12 South St.
SingPositive inter-generational chorus presents our spring concert SingPowerful! , Sunday, 5/20, 4 p.m., at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. www.singpositive.org for more information!
Goddard Violin Studio Recital, Wednesday, May 23 at 5:30 pm. St. John’s Church (1 Roanoke Ave), Violin students of Lisa Goddard perform a concert of solo and group repertoire, free and open to the public, reception to follow.
Jamaica Plain Suzuki Violin concert, Thursday, June 14 at 6 pm Loring-Greenough House Lawn (12 South St.) Violin students from several area violin studios (Goddard Violin Studio, JP Suzuki Studio, Hale Violin Studio) will play an informal group concert. Bring your family and a picnic, and enjoy the other market offerings.
Cardamom Quartet, Defying expectations: Music from the margins
Saturday, June 16 at 11 am Boston Public Library: Jamaica Plain Branch (30 South St.) Jamaica Plain-based Cardamom Quartet plays all music by women in a free, family-friendly concert at the library.
JP Jubilee, Singing our way to Longevity, Open the Window! A concert, directed by Elizabeth Anker with the music of Carole King, Leiber and Stroller, Mozard, Rogers and Hammerstein, and more. Audience sing-alongs! Sat. May 12 at 2pm at Hope Central Church, 85 Seaverns Ave, free parking across the street. Voluntary donations accepted to support the free voice class for elders.
JESUS DRINKS FREE! 1950s-70s country, gospel, soul and RnB spun by 2 atheists (and guests) @Jeanie Johnston 9pm-Close FREE
SOUL music & COUNTRY music. Foundational sounds of the American experience spun monthly with love, admiration, and a deep want to create fun. Throw in a non-believer’s true lust for spinning GOSPEL music and you have JESUS DRINKS FREE. The music comes from the 1950s thru the 1970s. We’re @ The Jeanie Johnston Pub every 1st Thursday night of every month. Good times in Jamaica Plain.”
The Haven, HOOTENANNY – JP’s OPEN MIC EVERY WEDNESDAY, hosted by Tom Dowd. Sign up is 9.30pm and we have prizes every Wednesday for the most interesting acts. Scottish Fiddles- Sunday Brunch May 20th, June 17th, All times 9.30 – 12pm.
Midway Café, All shows 21+, doors 8pm, 3496 Washington St, 524-9038. Thursdays are Queeraoke lesbian night; Fridays 6-8:30pm are Hippie Hour, free; Sundays 9pm-2am are open mic.
Jeanie Johnston Pub, 144 South St. Open Mic hosted by Tony Bluze, Sundays at 8pm. More events at jeaniejohnstonpub.com.
Bella Luna & The Milky Way Weekly events include; Irish Sessions every Sunday at 5pm. Off the Wall Mondays with DJ J-Wall at 6PM, 50% of wings with Stump Trivia to follow at 8PM. Teacher Tuesdays plus Dirty Water Saloon Line Dancing for queer folks and allies at 7PM. Live jazz every Wednesday from at 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Visit www.milkywayjp.com for more late night events ever Thu-Sat.
Jamaica Plain photographer Robin Radin is currently exhibiting her photographs at The Massachusetts State House in State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez’s office, Rm 243. The exhibit will run through mid-April 2018. To arrange a visit to view the exhibit, please call Ryan Manganelli, Legislative Aide, State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at 617-722-2990, or Robin Radin at 617-312-2882.
Old time music, Southern/roots music, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7.30pm, back room at Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: [email protected].
First Fridays Youth Open Mic with renowned feature artists, first Friday of every month, 7pm at First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. Free for performers and those under 25, $10 suggested donation for those 25 and over.
SongBeat Circle, a song & drum circle hosted monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30p.m. in the Parish Hall at First Church in Jamaica Plain. Facilitated by a board-certified music therapist, SongBeat provides the community surrounding JP a place to sing and drum together. Participants will hopefully gain a sense of connection with others, experience the healing of live music-making, and find some joy in their busy lives. All ages welcome. Donation of $5 to $10 is encouraged. No musical experience or talent required. Info: [email protected], 524-1634 or 775-7602.
Dance and comedy
Bailemos! Dance for Youth, Sat. May 12. The evening will kick off with the chance to take lessons with incredible instructors: Burju Perez with her former student and HSTF alumnus Eury Ortiz, Angeline Egea, and Jonathan Burke. After the lessons, enjoy social dancing, a Hyde Square Task Force youth performance, and a raffle with amazing prizes. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Doors open at 4:30 pm and dance lessons start at 5:00 pm. All proceeds to support youth arts programming at Hyde Square Task Force. Hydesquare.org/bailemos.
Gender-Free/English Country Dance, beginners welcome and encouraged. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (5th Tuesdays: experienced) of the month, 7:30-11:30pm, First Church, 6 Eliot St. Info: www.lcfd.org/bgfe/512-5554.
Learn to stiltwalk with Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Sundays, 11am-1pm, $5. Info: 857-498-2438.
Connolly Branch Library
433 Centre St., 522-1960, www.bpl.org.
Bilingual Story Time & Craft / Hora de Cuentos Bilingües y Manualidades, Join us for stories and songs in English & Spanish. For children 2-4, with an adult. Acompáñanos para cuentos y canciones en inglés y español. Para niños/as de 2-4, con un adulto. Tuesdays, May 22, 10:30 a.m. / Martes, 1, 8, & 22 de mayo, 10:30 a.m.
Baby Story Time, Stories, songs, and movements for babies up to 18 months old. Fridays, May 11 & 25, 10:30 a.m.
Beekeeping & Honey: A Talk with Local Beekeeper Dave Strickler
Come hear what it’s like to raise honeybees, learn what you can do to help honeybees flourish, and taste a sampling of honeys from all over the world. Monday, May 14, 6 p.m..
Book Discussion for Adults, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Monday, May 21, 7 p.m.
Children’s Films, Short, fun films for preschoolers. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
ESL Conversation Groups: Practice Speaking English: Mondays, May 14, & 21, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 17, 24, & 31, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 17, 3 p.m.
Homework Help Programs, Boston Public School teacher: Mondays, 4 – 6 p.m. High school mentors for grades K – 8: Mondays – Thursdays, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Spanish-English Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español. Saturdays / sábados, 12 – 1:45 p.m.
Egleston Square Branch Library
Youth Programs
Free Drop-In Homework Help
Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
The library provides free, drop-in afterschool homework help for students in grades K-8 throughout the school year. Help is provided by trained, high-achieving high school students. This program is available at locations across Boston on days that Boston Public Schools are in session. The full list of locations is online at www.bpl.org/homework.
Tours/talks/workshops
Enjoying Forest Hills: Walking Tour of a Spectacular 19th Century Cemetery. Saturday, May 12 @ 2 PM.
Forest Hills Crematory: Some famous proponents and their stories. Sun. May 20 at 2pm. Lucy Stone Chapel at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Fighting Fracking, On Tuesday, May 15th, you are invited to an evening with community leaders from the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, at the other end of the fracked gas pipelines that connect to Massachusetts. Families, landowners, and whole communities there have been deeply impacted by intensive development of fracking wells and facilities, and their struggle connects directly with our use of fossil fuels in the Northeast. Pennsylvania activists sharing their powerful stories include:
Lois Bjornson, Craig Leland Stevens, Brian Latkanich, Jane Worthington. May 15 at 7pm – 9pm at First Church Unitarian Universalist, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain.
What is Christian Science Anyway? A free public talk on Thurs. May 17 at 7:30pm. First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. Jamaica Plain. 617-318-6381. [email protected] Questions welcome!
Free Guided Walking Tour of Monument Square neighborhood, will take place on Saturday, May 12 starting at 11:00am from in front of Loring Greenough House, 12 South Street. Conducted by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.
Free Guided Walking Tour of Sumner Hill neighborhood will take place on Saturday, May 19 starting at 11:00am from in front of Loring Greenough House, 12 South Street. Conducted by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.
Stonybrook Fine Arts, Make Your Own Wedding Rings workshop and teen & adult classes in welding, foundry and mold-making, ongoing, 24 Porter St. Info: stonybrookfinearts.com.
Woodworking, sewing, art classes, fiber arts, photography, book arts. Children, teens, adults, year round. Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts, 24 Eliot St. Info: eliotschool.org or 524-3313.
Shim Gum Do (Mind Sword Path), zen sword, karate and meditation classes, scholarships available, Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Info: 429-8024/[email protected].
Meet-Ups
Book Group to discuss Donut Economics, a book by Kate Raworth. The book is a wonderful way to re-imagine an economic model which includes what is conventionally called externalities within the structure of the model. In other words Kate, a development economist at Oxfam, challeges the assumptions and models invented by Paul Samuelson which sees pollution as the by-product of a mode of extraction and production of wealth which does not fall within an economist’s province untless they can monetarize it. She builds on a book, Plenitude, by Juliet Schorr which some some of us have read, and which presents a devastating critique to how economists currently evaluate an economy. Juliet predicts it will take a generation for the science of economics to build new models which encompass the health of the planet. Kate Raworth’s book is a serious effort at creating such a model. We will meet for 2 hours Sundays from 4 – 6:00 once a month starting March 18. Please RSVP to me, [email protected]
Narratives Boston, queer activist-writers group open to LGBTQ-identified adults interested in creative expression and social justice, first and third Wednesday evenings of the month, 7-9pm, Haymarket People’s Fund, 42 Seaverns Ave. Info: [email protected].
Party for the Helping Hand Fund, hosted by Haymarket People’s Fund, every 3rd Friday of the month, 5:30-8pm, 42 Seaverns Ave. Info: 522-3349/[email protected].
Networking Group, local chapter of BNI, meets on Wednesdays at the Farnsworth House at 7am. Consists of 30 members of different professions. Through development and trust and relationships amongst the members, objective is to promote each other’s businesses. Members may live outside of JP, but common tie is either living in or servicing the JP area. Info: President of chapter Katelyn Atwater, info: 431-0929.
[This article has been updated.]