Lucky’s Picks: Magic Lab, birthday quests and graphic novels galore

The Indie highlights an open mic for magicians, poetry workshop, healing through humor and Side Quest celebrating two years.

DEVELOPMENT

Somerville YMCA project has a friendly neighborhood meeting, getting swole without breaking a sweat

March 12, 2026

After another year of permitting and two years of construction, a project of 130,000-plus square feet will add affordable housing and amenities.

MUSIC

Boston Bitdown redux: Thursday

March 11, 2026

Relive what went down Thursday night at the world's largest chiptune festival, Boston Bitdown 2.

FILM

Tracking The Monster and his Bride through the many versions of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’

March 11, 2026

Right now cinemagoers can double their Frankenstein pleasure with “The Bride!” and Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” up for the Best Picture Oscar this Sunday. Sure, “Frankenstein” is streaming on...

BITE

Veggie mini mandu at K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken

March 11, 2026

While it’s the wings that are most exciting about this restaurant in the former Cantina Mexicana space, these dumplings have a lot going for them.

DEVELOPMENT

Copper Mill promises alternative designs within 30 days for its Davis Square tower proposal

March 11, 2026

Renderings of a 26-story, 502-apartment building drew scoffs even from project supporters, and the developer agreed it missed the mark.

FOOD

Nagomi Bento’s expansion into Cambridge means more snacks, bowls, drinks and happiness

March 10, 2026

Less than two years after opening in Somerville’s Bow Market, Nagomi Bento is expanding to Cambridge. The Japanese restaurant, between Harvard and Porter squares, is expected to open the second week...

NEWS

Police budget in Cambridge draws attention to overlap with social services and unarmed response team

March 10, 2026

There were no “defund the police” calls, but overlaps in services were examined critically in a Finance Committee hearing.

COMMUNITY

We have Tuesday office hours, and tonight they’re in Central Square

March 10, 2026

As part of its mission of community, The Independent plans weekly “office hours” at two convenient locations in Cambridge and Somerville.

NEWS

Political climate change pushes Ig Nobel Prize ceremony to Europe after 35 years

March 10, 2026

The Ig Nobel Prize ceremony is moving to Europe, and its Sept. 3 awards – the 36th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony – take place in Zurich.

NEWS

Cambridge will pay $400,000 over a gun discharge rather than risk paying more after a trial

March 10, 2026

Cambridge plans to settle a settle a lawsuit filed by retired police lieutenant, who said his weapon fired because of a manufacturing flaw.

COMMUNITY

Decriminalization of sex work is explored with experts in a Thursday conversation

March 9, 2026

A film screening and panel of experts grows a collective understanding of the experience of sex workers amid an erosion of freedom and democracy.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: The IRS has three years on its audit clock. Get it started by filing on time.

March 9, 2026

The IRS has a limited time to review and challenge a tax return. Filing a return promptly helps ensure this clock begins running as early as possible.

NEWS

There’s already debate, over the Legislature’s work ethic, as Miller challenges Connolly in the 26th

March 8, 2026

A seat encompassing East Cambridge and East Somerville is getting its first Democratic political primary – and race of any kind – since 2016.

NEWS

As weather warms, cities wait to see how long until their biggest snow piles melt away

March 8, 2026

Somerville city staff compare this year with 2015, when “the snow piles lasted until May,” and a Cambridge spokesperson eyed early summer.

OPINION

Why Somerville still doesn’t have public toilets

March 8, 2026

The company that makes the Portland Loo is not licensed by Massachusetts, so its structures are not allowed (except in several neighboring cities).

NEWS

Somerville meetings, March 9-16: Merged schools, Davis Square tower and a new YMCA

March 8, 2026

Take part in meetings on a merged school campus, a proposed apartment tower, a YMCA on Highland Avenue and Elm-Beacon road plan.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, March 9-16: A consolidated housing department and police budgeting

March 8, 2026

Take part in meetings on combining housing and homeless services into one department; the police budget; disability services and planning; and more.

ARTS

To save the creative, arts advocates say to get real about housing, planning and the Legislature

March 7, 2026

Along with calling on residents to push for the creation of cultural trusts, arts advocates talked about increasingly regional efforts to save the arts. That included a digital mapping project that could help identify problems and improve municipal planning.

LET’S GET COFFEE

Space, time and coffee

March 7, 2026

An occasional feature mapping our sipping in visits to cafes in Somerville and Cambridge – this time Imagine, Forge and Three Little Figs.

DEVELOPMENT

Assembly Row hotel promises its new rooftop deck won’t be open late

March 6, 2026

If someone wants to party on a rooftop deck, ”there are plenty of options in The Seaport,” the developer of Assembly Row told the Planning Board.

NEWS

Belief in the success of the Black Lives Matter movement fell by 31% at a formal debate

March 6, 2026

As Black History Month came to a close, a civic organization reflected on one of the most defining and divisive movements of the digital era.

THEATER

In Rebecca Kopycinski’s ‘Thotbot,’ obsolete tech rewinds into a dark future that predicts our present

March 5, 2026

The “ThotBot Implantation Center,” an immersive art installation and multimedia concert rounds out its latest run of sold-out shows at Bow Market.

ASK CHEF JJ

First tomato soup, and gluten-free tricks for a béchamel sauce

March 5, 2026

This week we're faking things: tomato soup when neither tomatoes nor basil are in season, and a flour-based sauce without flour, for those avoiding gluten.

FASHION

These walking sleeping bags are our cocoons when we can’t nest

March 5, 2026

The new outerwear mood on the streets this winter is hard to miss: the ankle-length puffer coat, a full-on down cocoon reaching nearly to the ground.

FOOD

Veggie Galaxy, maker of comfort food in Cambridge, is called Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant in America

March 5, 2026

Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge has been named the best vegan-friendly restaurant in America in a VegNews reader survey.

DEVELOPMENT

Union Square developer, struggling to fill lab space, is open to speeding up hotel or homebuilding

March 5, 2026

USQ, master developer of a 20-acre, $2 billion project in Union Square, has been wooing AI, life sciences, robotics and other sectors.

EDUCATION

Designs for a merged Winter Hill-Brown school on Sycamore Street are presented in Somerville

March 5, 2026

Students and educators are expected to return to 115 Sycamore St., with a merged Winter Hill and Brown schools set for a 2031 move-in.

BITE

Pita and hummus at Life Alive

March 4, 2026

There’s a delicious base of creamy hummus complemented by cucumber slices, crispy dried chickpeas and tangy olives. Is there enough pita, though?

RETAIL

Somerville’s seller of environmentally friendly stuff is expanding with a crowdfunding campaign

March 4, 2026

Somerville’s eco-friendly housewares and bath and body shop, Green Tiger & Co., is expanding at Somerville’s Bow Market.

COMEDY

Andrew Della Volpe’s sitcom is limned before a live studio audience

March 3, 2026

It’s what audiences can expect Friday during Della Volpe’s new hour at The Rockwell in Somerville.

NEWS

Ewen-Campen declares for Uyterhoeven’s state rep district after Uyterhoeven announces a Senate run

March 3, 2026

Ewen-Campen said his goals as a state representative will be familiar from his work as a councilor, including housing, safe streets and immigrant protections.

MUSIC

Middle East co-founder Joseph Sater is mourned

March 3, 2026

The death of Joseph Sater, the co-founder of Cambridge’s Middle East nightclub and other arts venues, was confirmed Tuesday by brother Nabil Sater. The cause was believed to be a heart attack, Nabil Sater said through an intermediary.

MUSIC

A Fuzzstival reunion of sorts comes together to celebrate an LP release by Landowner

March 3, 2026

The icy claw of winter didn’t deter a near sellout crowd for Landowner, a postpunk band out of Western Massachusetts celebrating an LP release.

TRANSPORTATION

Rise in parking permit fees to $75 stalls in Cambridge with misunderstanding about seniors

March 3, 2026

A proposal to raise the cost of most Cambridge resident parking permits was paused Monday amid a misunderstanding that the change affects every senior.

MUSIC

Hear First: ‘Lane Says’

March 3, 2026

Hear First spotlights Lane's nod to Jane's Addiction, “Lane Says.”

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Life is easier with electronic filing

March 3, 2026

Technology doesn’t just make tax filing easier – it makes it safer. A few simple digital tools can dramatically reduce fraud, delays and costly surprises.

COMMUNITY

Women’s History Month in Cambridge is a restoration project of scattered and missing stories

March 3, 2026

The work is meticulous and often challenging. Many women left few written records, and their contributions were not always preserved in traditional archives.

BUSINESS

An 8-year-old lawsuit against Cambridge from former business owners may be headed for trial

March 2, 2026

Linnane vs. City of Cambridge springs from former practices of the License Commission, including telling businesses to buy licenses they could get for free.

ARTS

Hearing could be decisive for the Out of the Blue art gallery, a fixture in Somerville’s Armory

March 2, 2026

The owner of the Out of the Blue art gallery in Somerville has won a City Council hearing for her attempts to stay in the city-owned Armory arts building or get a new space if she’s forced to leave.

ART AND DESIGN

Between a Foot Locker and TJ Maxx, a mall hosts Michelangelo

March 2, 2026

The exhibit “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel” displays 34 of 60-odd Vatican frescoes, life-sized reproductions visible “like no pope has ever seen them.”

BUSINESS

Second day of protest is planned against Citizens Bank over support of for-profit ICE prisons

March 2, 2026

Four local branches of Citizens Bank are due for protests Saturday over the bank’s involvement with for-profit prison companies working with ICE.

RETAIL

Circle’s local bankruptcy auction is March 10, another loss to Cambridge’s furniture history

March 1, 2026

Shoppers can still pick up deals at Circle, even though the bankrupt chain closed abruptly in December after nearly 74 years in business.

OPINION

Protest surveillance: What State Police saw from the sky as we spoke against killings by federal agents

March 1, 2026

I asked State Police for helicopter flight and mission plans, reports and photographic, video or biometric records captured from protests I went to Jan. 10.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, March 2-9: Winter Hill and Brown schools, 90 Washington

March 1, 2026

Take part in a week of plenty of meetings about replacing Somerville’s two oldest schools and a mixed-use project on Cobble Hill.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, March 2-9: Clearing snow, setting standards for third graders (and principals)

March 1, 2026

Take part in meetings on clearing snow from sidewalks and declaring school snow days, standard for students and school leaders and more.

FASHION

Rise of the expressive puffer coat

February 27, 2026

This winter, the puffer isn’t just a coat, it’s a mood, and Cambridge and Somerville have been deep in it.

MUSIC

Boston Bitdown music festival expands because its organizers never unplug

February 27, 2026

Boston Bitdown respawns March 5-8, expanding its fun to four days and welcoming more than 50 musicians and artists from Salem to Somerville.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus changes starting April 5 gives more access to Arlington and Burlington

February 27, 2026

Six bus routes see changes starting April 5, including the CT2, 85 and 87 that are serving riders in Cambridge and Somerville.

DEVELOPMENT

Adding mass timber tech to zoning means more affordable housing for Somerville, councilor says

February 27, 2026

A zoning change to allow mass timber and all-affordable buildings to go to eight stories from seven goes to a Land Use Committee in March.

MUSIC

Say She She’s disco revival is disconcerting only if you stop dancing long enough to think

February 26, 2026

Disco is back! The NYC-based outfit Say She She, fronted by three sashaying vocalists, made the argument Saturday at The Sinclair.

DEVELOPMENT

Somerville YMCA project has a friendly neighborhood meeting, getting swole without breaking a sweat

March 12, 2026

After another year of permitting and two years of construction, a project of 130,000-plus square feet will add affordable housing and amenities.

BITE

Veggie mini mandu at K-Bok Korean Fried Chicken

March 11, 2026

While it’s the wings that are most exciting about this restaurant in the former Cantina Mexicana space, these dumplings have a lot going for them.

DEVELOPMENT

Copper Mill promises alternative designs within 30 days for its Davis Square tower proposal

March 11, 2026

Renderings of a 26-story, 502-apartment building drew scoffs even from project supporters, and the developer agreed it missed the mark.

FOOD

Nagomi Bento’s expansion into Cambridge means more snacks, bowls, drinks and happiness

March 10, 2026

NEWS

Police budget in Cambridge draws attention to overlap with social services and unarmed response team

March 10, 2026

There were no “defund the police” calls, but overlaps in services were examined critically in a Finance Committee hearing.

NEWS

Political climate change pushes Ig Nobel Prize ceremony to Europe after 35 years

March 10, 2026

The Ig Nobel Prize ceremony is moving to Europe, and its Sept. 3 awards – the 36th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony – take place in Zurich.

NEWS

Cambridge will pay $400,000 over a gun discharge rather than risk paying more after a trial

March 10, 2026

Cambridge plans to settle a settle a lawsuit filed by retired police lieutenant, who said his weapon fired because of a manufacturing flaw.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: The IRS has three years on its audit clock. Get it started by filing on time.

March 9, 2026

The IRS has a limited time to review and challenge a tax return. Filing a return promptly helps ensure this clock begins running as early as possible.

NEWS

There’s already debate, over the Legislature’s work ethic, as Miller challenges Connolly in the 26th

March 8, 2026

A seat encompassing East Cambridge and East Somerville is getting its first Democratic political primary – and race of any kind – since 2016.

NEWS

As weather warms, cities wait to see how long until their biggest snow piles melt away

March 8, 2026

Somerville city staff compare this year with 2015, when “the snow piles lasted until May,” and a Cambridge spokesperson eyed early summer.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, March 9-16: Merged schools, Davis Square tower and a new YMCA

March 8, 2026

Take part in meetings on a merged school campus, a proposed apartment tower, a YMCA on Highland Avenue and Elm-Beacon road plan.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, March 9-16: A consolidated housing department and police budgeting

March 8, 2026

Take part in meetings on combining housing and homeless services into one department; the police budget; disability services and planning; and more.

LET’S GET COFFEE

Space, time and coffee

March 7, 2026

An occasional feature mapping our sipping in visits to cafes in Somerville and Cambridge – this time Imagine, Forge and Three Little Figs.

DEVELOPMENT

Assembly Row hotel promises its new rooftop deck won’t be open late

March 6, 2026

If someone wants to party on a rooftop deck, ”there are plenty of options in The Seaport,” the developer of Assembly Row told the Planning Board.

NEWS

Belief in the success of the Black Lives Matter movement fell by 31% at a formal debate

March 6, 2026

As Black History Month came to a close, a civic organization reflected on one of the most defining and divisive movements of the digital era.

ASK CHEF JJ

First tomato soup, and gluten-free tricks for a béchamel sauce

March 5, 2026

This week we're faking things: tomato soup when neither tomatoes nor basil are in season, and a flour-based sauce without flour, for those avoiding gluten.

FASHION

These walking sleeping bags are our cocoons when we can’t nest

March 5, 2026

The new outerwear mood on the streets this winter is hard to miss: the ankle-length puffer coat, a full-on down cocoon reaching nearly to the ground.

FOOD

Veggie Galaxy, maker of comfort food in Cambridge, is called Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurant in America

March 5, 2026

Veggie Galaxy in Cambridge has been named the best vegan-friendly restaurant in America in a VegNews reader survey.

DEVELOPMENT

Union Square developer, struggling to fill lab space, is open to speeding up hotel or homebuilding

March 5, 2026

USQ, master developer of a 20-acre, $2 billion project in Union Square, has been wooing AI, life sciences, robotics and other sectors.

EDUCATION

Designs for a merged Winter Hill-Brown school on Sycamore Street are presented in Somerville

March 5, 2026

Students and educators are expected to return to 115 Sycamore St., with a merged Winter Hill and Brown schools set for a 2031 move-in.

BITE

Pita and hummus at Life Alive

March 4, 2026

There’s a delicious base of creamy hummus complemented by cucumber slices, crispy dried chickpeas and tangy olives. Is there enough pita, though?

RETAIL

Somerville’s seller of environmentally friendly stuff is expanding with a crowdfunding campaign

March 4, 2026

Somerville’s eco-friendly housewares and bath and body shop, Green Tiger & Co., is expanding at Somerville’s Bow Market.

NEWS

Ewen-Campen declares for Uyterhoeven’s state rep district after Uyterhoeven announces a Senate run

March 3, 2026

Ewen-Campen said his goals as a state representative will be familiar from his work as a councilor, including housing, safe streets and immigrant protections.

TRANSPORTATION

Rise in parking permit fees to $75 stalls in Cambridge with misunderstanding about seniors

March 3, 2026

A proposal to raise the cost of most Cambridge resident parking permits was paused Monday amid a misunderstanding that the change affects every senior.

TAXONOMY

Tax tip of the week: Life is easier with electronic filing

March 3, 2026

Technology doesn’t just make tax filing easier – it makes it safer. A few simple digital tools can dramatically reduce fraud, delays and costly surprises.

BUSINESS

An 8-year-old lawsuit against Cambridge from former business owners may be headed for trial

March 2, 2026

Linnane vs. City of Cambridge springs from former practices of the License Commission, including telling businesses to buy licenses they could get for free.

BUSINESS

Second day of protest is planned against Citizens Bank over support of for-profit ICE prisons

March 2, 2026

Four local branches of Citizens Bank are due for protests Saturday over the bank’s involvement with for-profit prison companies working with ICE.

RETAIL

Circle’s local bankruptcy auction is March 10, another loss to Cambridge’s furniture history

March 1, 2026

Shoppers can still pick up deals at Circle, even though the bankrupt chain closed abruptly in December after nearly 74 years in business.

NEWS

Somerville meetings, March 2-9: Winter Hill and Brown schools, 90 Washington

March 1, 2026

Take part in a week of plenty of meetings about replacing Somerville’s two oldest schools and a mixed-use project on Cobble Hill.

NEWS

Cambridge meetings, March 2-9: Clearing snow, setting standards for third graders (and principals)

March 1, 2026

Take part in meetings on clearing snow from sidewalks and declaring school snow days, standard for students and school leaders and more.

FASHION

Rise of the expressive puffer coat

February 27, 2026

This winter, the puffer isn’t just a coat, it’s a mood, and Cambridge and Somerville have been deep in it.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus changes starting April 5 gives more access to Arlington and Burlington

February 27, 2026

Six bus routes see changes starting April 5, including the CT2, 85 and 87 that are serving riders in Cambridge and Somerville.

DEVELOPMENT

Adding mass timber tech to zoning means more affordable housing for Somerville, councilor says

February 27, 2026

A zoning change to allow mass timber and all-affordable buildings to go to eight stories from seven goes to a Land Use Committee in March.

BUSINESS

J. August reopens Friday in Harvard Square with its familiar university merch

February 26, 2026

J. August opened in 1891 in a building owned by an all-male Porcellian Club at what was then an all-male Harvard. Its mission is different now.

BITE

Thai chili lemonade at Saigon Tiger

February 26, 2026

All weather is ice cream weather, and why not the same for lemonade? This one has a bright flavor, not too sweet or acidic, and a surprise spiciness.

FOOD

Eye-tricking viral pastries at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts Cafe now include the Strawberry

February 25, 2026

The Mango is not a mango. The Lemon is not a lemon. Starting this week, the Strawberry is not a strawberry. Here's how a cafe does it.

DEVELOPMENT

Lab market and the economy complicate Healthpeak’s vision for a new Cambridge Highlands neighborhood

February 24, 2026

A campus of 20 buildings is planned for parcels assembled by the company Healthpeak and due for a formal application in March.

ASK CHEF JJ

My roast chicken recipe, and how to make spinach soufflé for a sandwich spread

February 24, 2026

It started with an idea for a sandwich and how it might be executed. But first I feel I must start with roasting a chicken.

NEWS

We have Tuesday office hours, and tonight they’re in Central Square

February 24, 2026

As part of its mission of community, The Independent plans weekly “office hours” at two convenient locations, and the hours start this week.

DEVELOPMENT

Developer is back talking with the public about its Davis Square tower proposal

February 23, 2026

The developer proposing a tower with hundreds of apartments in Somerville’s Davis Square plans a meeting in March with updates and answers.

NEWS

Mass transit is slowed by snowstorm and cleanup, MBTA warns

February 23, 2026

The MBTA warned that extreme snowfall and a massive cleanup effort will result in “a number of service changes” for travel through Tuesday.

FOOD

Somerville’s Michette bakery is opening in Cambridge near Inman Square and adding lunch

February 23, 2026

After three years serving French breads and pastries to East Somerville, Thomas Ferté will take advantage of added square footage in Cambridge.

MUSIC

Boston Bitdown redux: Thursday

March 11, 2026

Relive what went down Thursday night at the world's largest chiptune festival, Boston Bitdown 2.

FILM

Tracking The Monster and his Bride through the many versions of Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’

March 11, 2026

COMMUNITY

We have Tuesday office hours, and tonight they’re in Central Square

March 10, 2026

As part of its mission of community, The Independent plans weekly “office hours” at two convenient locations in Cambridge and Somerville.

COMMUNITY

Decriminalization of sex work is explored with experts in a Thursday conversation

March 9, 2026

A film screening and panel of experts grows a collective understanding of the experience of sex workers amid an erosion of freedom and democracy.

OPINION

Why Somerville still doesn’t have public toilets

March 8, 2026

The company that makes the Portland Loo is not licensed by Massachusetts, so its structures are not allowed (except in several neighboring cities).

ARTS

To save the creative, arts advocates say to get real about housing, planning and the Legislature

March 7, 2026

THEATER

In Rebecca Kopycinski’s ‘Thotbot,’ obsolete tech rewinds into a dark future that predicts our present

March 5, 2026

The “ThotBot Implantation Center,” an immersive art installation and multimedia concert rounds out its latest run of sold-out shows at Bow Market.

COMEDY

Andrew Della Volpe’s sitcom is limned before a live studio audience

March 3, 2026

It’s what audiences can expect Friday during Della Volpe’s new hour at The Rockwell in Somerville.

MUSIC

Middle East co-founder Joseph Sater is mourned

March 3, 2026

MUSIC

A Fuzzstival reunion of sorts comes together to celebrate an LP release by Landowner

March 3, 2026

The icy claw of winter didn’t deter a near sellout crowd for Landowner, a postpunk band out of Western Massachusetts celebrating an LP release.

MUSIC

Hear First: ‘Lane Says’

March 3, 2026

Hear First spotlights Lane's nod to Jane's Addiction, “Lane Says.”

COMMUNITY

Women’s History Month in Cambridge is a restoration project of scattered and missing stories

March 3, 2026

The work is meticulous and often challenging. Many women left few written records, and their contributions were not always preserved in traditional archives.

ARTS

Hearing could be decisive for the Out of the Blue art gallery, a fixture in Somerville’s Armory

March 2, 2026

ART AND DESIGN

Between a Foot Locker and TJ Maxx, a mall hosts Michelangelo

March 2, 2026

The exhibit “Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel” displays 34 of 60-odd Vatican frescoes, life-sized reproductions visible “like no pope has ever seen them.”

OPINION

Protest surveillance: What State Police saw from the sky as we spoke against killings by federal agents

March 1, 2026

I asked State Police for helicopter flight and mission plans, reports and photographic, video or biometric records captured from protests I went to Jan. 10.

MUSIC

Boston Bitdown music festival expands because its organizers never unplug

February 27, 2026

Boston Bitdown respawns March 5-8, expanding its fun to four days and welcoming more than 50 musicians and artists from Salem to Somerville.

MUSIC

Say She She’s disco revival is disconcerting only if you stop dancing long enough to think

February 26, 2026

Disco is back! The NYC-based outfit Say She She, fronted by three sashaying vocalists, made the argument Saturday at The Sinclair.

COMMUNITY

Somerville Democrats gather Sunday to prepare for convention weighing in on Markey seat

February 26, 2026

Registered Democrats in Somerville vote Sunday to elect delegates to attend May’s Democratic State Convention.

THEATER

How clown troupe Liars and Believers created the apocalyptic death match of ‘The End is Nigh’

February 25, 2026

A play that’s “Animaniacs” meets “The Hunger Games” has creative and philosophical concerns behind its clowning, brightness and physical comedy.

ARTS

Somerville gets a cabinet-level arts czar in addition to a new leader for Arts Council in mayor’s plan

February 24, 2026

Reassurances came Tuesday for people worried about the direction of creative culture in Somerville, where longtime Arts Council executive director Greg Jenkins steps down March 6.

MUSIC

Who’s in the tour van to rep us at the New Colossus Festival

February 23, 2026

A handful of local musicians head to New York City for the seventh edition of the New Colossus Festival, running March 3-8.

ARTS

Letter-writers worry there won’t be an open process when Somerville replaces Arts Council director

February 22, 2026

An abrupt departure by a longtime champion has artists wondering who will lead the Somerville Arts Council and how they will be chosen.

MUSIC

Biribá Union mixes Bach with beatboxing and bass at a Club Passim tour launch

February 21, 2026

Biribá Union’s nimble parade of genre mashery delivered more rap to Passim’s folkhead patrons than they have probably listened to in the past year.

THEATER

Stunning ‘The Moderate’ unleashes the Internet’s good, bad and ugliest in Central Square

February 20, 2026

“The Moderate” is not for everyone. Kudos to Central Square Theater for its excellent job of warning that the play contains mature themes, including images, video and audio depictions of violence,...

OPINION

A new tone at Somerville City Hall

February 20, 2026

The first few meetings Somerville City Council of 2026 have been called “chummy,” but budget season seems likely to strain the cordiality.

OPINION

Jesse Jackson, a defender for LGBTQ+ rights

February 20, 2026

Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday, advocated for the LGBTQ+ community – especially Black LGBTQ+ people – at a time we had no one.

FILM

Boston Underground Film Festival is March 18-22, with Bob Odenkirk bringing his ‘Normal’

February 17, 2026

Badges go on sale at noon Wednesday for The Boston Underground Film Festival's 26th year of horror, fantasy, sci-fi and quirky indies.

MUSIC

Arts Council changes are opaque despite campaign rhetoric, but rock renaissance seems real

February 17, 2026

Can we reflect for a moment on what a hackneyed PR maneuver it is to drop big news at 4:54 p.m. on a Friday before a long weekend?

MUSIC

A stripped-down Katzù Oso comes to The Sinclair on Saturday

February 16, 2026

In advance of his show Saturday at The Sinclair touring with Say She She, Paul Hernandez (Katzù Oso) talked with me about coming up in the Los Angeles music scene, mentors and influences, leaving...

COMEDY

Who won comedy last week: Caden Adrien and Iris Kessler

February 12, 2026

Caden Adrien channels Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright. Iris Kessler, doing comedy for only three months, brought a great joke and needled her show’s judges.

COMMUNITY

Eight stories of all kinds of love for your Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2026

Stories from people about their first encounters of love of all kinds – romantic, platonic, familial and even spiritual – with future spouses, friends and pets.

OPINION

Artificial intelligence is coming for us, clearly. Not in the smartest way.

February 11, 2026

Problems with the technologies lumped together as artificial intelligence are worsened by the lumping.

COMMUNITY

Black Cantabrigians may be a dwindling tribe, but will not be forgotten

February 11, 2026

The resiliency of a tribe and its complicated relationship with Cambridge was on display at “Lift Every Voice: Saving Our Stories, Sharing Our History.”

OPINION

Black History Month celebrates a century, and so does its backlash

February 10, 2026

On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, Black History Month is a necessary corrective to revisionist history, selective memory and deliberate attempts at erasure.

MUSIC

Will the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble happen in 2026? It skipped last year for a ‘reset’

February 6, 2026

No news is good news – except when it comes to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Rumble. The long-running battle of the bands, established in 1979, signed off after the 2024 competition with the announcement that it...

ARTS

Black Lives Matter exhibit accepts the debate and stages it

February 2, 2026

“A critical reflection” runs through Black History Month with an Oxford-style debate toward the end on whether “The Black Lives Matter Movement was successful.”

MUSIC

Stormy weather shakes a lineup, but should settle down before the We Black Folks Showcase

January 30, 2026

Your average band preps weeks, if not months, to take the stage on a specific date. It all goes out the window when there's bad weather.

ARTS

Comedy Studio hosts Hump! Festival in April, much more than homemade porn

January 8, 2026

The annual touring fest brings five-minute flicks to shock, amuse and arouse.