Aug. 28: SmallMart: Vintage, Vinyl and Art (Crystal Ballroom, Somerville)
The most effective way to support local artists is to directly give them money.
One opportunity to do that this weekend: SmallMart: Vintage, Vinyl and Art on Friday, hosted by High Energy Vintage, a local beloved retro video game and vintage shop.
Browse a vast selection of vinyl, handmade arts and crafts, and vintage clothes provided by local vendors. DJ Johnny Stevens of Soulelujah will be spinning all night, providing a funk-laden shopping soundtrack. Who doesn’t like to bop around while looking for some new threads and beats?
Aug. 29 (matinee): Creator Pop-Up with Mister Shushy (Comicazi, Somerville)
Mister Shushy (aka Justin P. Drew), local funny writer, McSweeny’s contributor, and Ed Markey supporter, will have an author table open at legendary comic book store, Comicazi in Davis Square on Aug. 29.
Shushy authored the endearing coloring book, “Rejected Superheroes: A Coloring Book.” He is also responsible for the children’s book, “Microplastics Are Your Friends,” a tongue-in-cheek and too-close-to-home satire about peddling microplastics as wellness solutions.
Shushy’s newest comic book, “Monster Gun,” recently announced the pre-launch for its Kickstarter campaign. “Monster Gun” is described as: “a hilarious R-rated parody of the monster-catching games of our youth,” featuring unique monsters such as: “Nippletip, a sentient nipple with legs,” and a “wrinkly dragon named Chodezarf.” I choose you, Mister Shushy.
Aug. 29: Love and Light: A LUCE Fundraiser (Crystal Ballroom, Somerville)
DJ and event organizer aka Rat is unfortunately leaving Boston at the end of August. In a generous goodbye, they are throwing “Love and Light,” a farewell dance party and fundraiser for LUCE at Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square.
Uplifting immigrants and celebrating community, all performers in the line-up are children of immigrants and/or immigrants themselves. The show includes sets by four local DJs, including aka RAT, and performances by four drag artists.
All proceeds of “Love and Light” go to LUCE, a Massachusetts-based immigrant defense fund. As stated in the show flyer: “Together we are stronger.” You will be missed, aka RAT, and wishing you the best.
Can’t make it and want to support your community? Donate to LUCE here.
Aug. 30 (matinee): Perfect Pairings: Vendor Market (The Foundry, Cambridge)
Perfect Pairings: Vendor Market on Sunday is another opportunity to directly support artists this weekend. The food fest and arts market is a unique collaborative affair combining the bite-sized joy of a food festival with the thrill-of-the-hunt vibes of arts vendors.
Aimed at foodies and non-foodies, Perfect Pairings is for people who appreciate art in and out of the kitchen. Expect to browse an assortment of creative and well-made cutting boards and elaborate charcuterie displays. This event requires a 5$ entry fee, which usually means there’s going to be food samples.
Aug. 30: Hag Attack! (Washington Street Arts Center, Somerville)
Bog Fancy magazine, a lit mag for lovers of partially decomposed vegetable matter, is celebrating the release of their second anthology with a night of hag-themed storytelling set to live music.
“Bog Fancy: “Hag Attack! Vol. 2” features eleven original short stories centered around the theme of hags, murky witches and swamp people. “Hag Attack!” contributors C. Atari-Bartok, Kelly M. Scott, Tracy Kleeto, Aaron Bennett and T.D. Sidell, will all be reading alongside music by Death Shepard, Bell System and more. If you are already craving the Halloween season, this is a good place to start.
