Harvard Square Archives - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

Bridging the gap: an interview with a retired Pit Rat

by Gabriella Collin June 23, 2026

Restaurant owner and Vigilantes member Fernando Strohmeyer reflects on the lessons learned and lifelong community gained from formative years spent at the bygone heart of Harvard Square.

OPINION

There’s a pit at the center of Harvard Square, but not the one we pine for

by Gabriella Collin May 20, 2026

Gentrification killed "the Pit" and we're going to spend another summer staring at a fenced-up hole in the ground.

COMEDY

Who won comedy last night: Addy Goldstein, whose mom died

by Marc Levy April 21, 2026

At a College Comedy Showcase at The Comedy Studio, one comic got to the point quickly: “Try to keep it together,” she told the audience. “My mom just died.”

MUSIC

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

by Michael Gutierrez 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...

BITE-OFF

In a giant-cookie battle of Chip City vs. Crumbl, Harvard Square wins big, even a little too big

by Marc Levy February 14, 2026

Two over-the-top chain cookie sellers came to Cambridge a couple of years ago to compete from neighboring squares. Which is for you?

COMEDY

Who won comedy last week: Caden Adrien and Iris Kessler

by Marc Levy 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.