December 10, 2018 - December 16, 2018
Monday, December 10th
Community Voices: Trauma and Violence Listening Only Hearing | Downtown | Free
I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. As city officials, lawmakers, and residents we have to do more to address the systemic problem of violence and trauma in our communities - and that includes listening to those closest to the issue. Join my Committee on Healthy Women, Families, and Communities on at Boston City Hall, Ianella Chamber (5th floor) from 5:30-8pm for a “Community Voices” hearing to determine best practices and solutions to end violence and trauma. We will have Boston city officials, policy makers, electeds, community organizations and residents in attendance. If you are interested in testifying at the hearing or have any questions, please contact Lynese Wallace, lynese.wallace@boston.gov.
Celebrate the Holiday’s with Tinsel & Tito’s | Roxbury | $$$
Join us for a spirited evening of celebration as we tie on some holiday cheer and raise some funds! Featuring our signature cocktail, the “Y Not” (courtesy of Tito’s Handmade Vodka), delicious hors d’oeuvres, fabulous raffle prizes and the smooth sounds of our special musical guests, this is one party with a purpose you don’t want to miss! Presented and hosted by Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen...be there! All proceeds benefit the Roxbury YMCA.
Graffiti Retropsective: 1980 to 2018 | Cambridge | Free
In the 80's and 90's, you would see graffiti just about everywhere - at the Statehouse, the Longfellow Bridge, all around Harvard Square, the South End, Mass Ave., and almost any street. Mary Leno will present this lively slideshow of Boston and Cambridge graffiti messages, from the 1980s all the way to present day. We will look at all the wars we've been in as well those we're still in, the AIDS crisis, LGBT pride, abortion, and racism.
Melnea Cass Boulevard 75% Public Design Meeting | South End | Free
Join us to share your feedback with the Boston Transportation Department about the 75% designs for Melnea Cass Boulevard.
Tuesday, December 11th
FIL Holiday Pop-Up Market, Holiday Coat Drive & Party | Dorchester | Free
You are cordially invited to join us for the 2nd Annual FIL Holiday Pop-Up, as we feature some of Boston's Best Creative talents and small businesses. As supporters and contributors to the growth of creative economy in the Boston area, we invite you to come check out featured artists and entrepreneurs as they showcase their businesses and/or creative services at our Holiday Pop-Up/Holiday Party. This event will feature vendors in fashion, art, food, furniture, beauty products, creative services, and holiday music. Support your local businesses and have a little fun in the process. We will also be hosting a Holiday Party and Coat Drive! For the Coat Drive, please donate gently worn or new coats, hats, gloves and new socks. Let’s support our community. We look forward to celebrating the Holidays with you!
Neighborhood Conversations About Race in Boston | Roxbury | Free
Let's talk about race in Boston -- a city where black and brown people are disproportionately poor, unhealthy and under educated. Why? How do we address these problems? Where do we go from here? Join us at the famous Haley House this coming Tuesday, December 11 at 6 PM for an open discussion about how we move closer to addressing racial reconciliation in Boston and then one toward addressing policies that will benefit all. Free. Please come and bring someone with you. For more information email: thenewdemocracycoalition@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 12th
Build Black Wealth Mortgage & Wealth Banking Strategies | Roxbury | Free
It's no secret there is a huge disparity of wealth amongst races in the greater Boston area. Roxbury Community College has partnered with Our Village Initiative to bring some gold nuggets to Roxbury. We've decided to take the issue from conversation to action. Bringing tangible steps people of color can take to increase their net worth. We've gathered industry experts to teach you what the 1% has done for centuries to solidify their wealth. Now these strategies are available to everyone.
But Before the Awards Show Tho | Fenway | Free
Join Boston Music Awards nominee, Cliff Notez for a pre-party before the Boston Music Awards!
Boston Music Awards | Fenway | $$$
Founded in 1987, The Boston Music Awards is an annual set of awards that showcases the exceptional musical talent in the Massachusetts area. It’s a homage to the past year, as well as an insight into the future direction of music in Boston.
Gentrification: A Youth Screening and Community Conversation | Roxbury | Donation Suggested
Gentrification is one of the leading concerns for residents of Boston. Join us for a screening of our youth produced short video "Gentrifying Boston" followed by a community conversation/ panel on what our youth (and elders) can do to combat gentrification in their communities. Joining us is Yvette Modestin of the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation . More panelists to be announced. This is a youth centered event but all are welcome. We highly encourage our community elders to join us for inter generational conversation. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided. All donations go to supporting TCP's youth centered programming.
Thursday, December 13th
2nd Annual Holiday Pop-Up | Back Bay | Free
CHES' vision is to see Haitians living free of poverty in dignity through education and business opportunities. We are so excited to host this event with our guest sponsors, Haiti Project and Prosperity Catalyst, who share in our vision to empower rural Haiti toward self-sufficiency, strengthening women-led businesses and creating opportunities for economic empowerment. It starts with our hearts and our dollars. As we enter this holiday season, you can make a conscious decision on not only how your gift will warm the hearts of your loved ones but also on how your dollars support budding Haitian entrepreneurs. Our pop-up shop will give you the opportunity to support some of Haiti's finest growing startups while also supporting our work with other entrepreneurs in rural regions of Haiti.
Writing Our Stories | Roxbury | Free
This monthly series by the Cory Johnson Program for Post-Traumatic Healing provides new approaches to healing from trauma. Writing specifically can transform our memories and experiences. Led by Debra Johnson & Donna Fitzpatrick. Journals, dinner and childcare provided.
Getting to the Point with Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley | Dorchester | Free
Congresswoman-elect Ayanna Pressley will participate in a moderated discussion at the Institute where she will preview the issues she will be fighting for in the 116th Congress, share insights from her longstanding commitment to community-based policy reform, and reflect on her most recent history-making campaign. This conversation will be moderated by Shirley Leung, Interim Editorial Page Editor, The Boston Globe.
The Lox: A Celebration of 20 Years of ‘Money Power Respect’ | Allston | $$$
See The Lox live in Boston!
Monuments: Shaping Public Space, Memory & Culture: Discussion | Roxbury | Free
Join NEFA (New England Foundation for the Arts) and WBUR 90.9 FM at the Roxbury Innovation Center for a public conversation about monuments and their role in shaping public space, memory, and culture. This conversation will explore how monuments shape our understanding of who and what is “the public” and will examine how monuments can honor stories that we want to carry into the future.
Shake the Blues Away Festival - Valerie Stephens Sings Nina Simone | Cambridge | $$$
A new kind of concert with Ms. Stephens at the helm on vocals and spoken word, with the Project Artists’ Ensemble: Yuki Monolog Kanesaka on keyboard and turntable beats, Zayra Pola Ocasio on drums, spoken word artist Art Collins, and Daniel Day on bass.
Friday, December 14th
31st Annual Ebony Gala | Back Bay | Free
This year's event will be better than ever with more surprises and announcements to come plus the great value and entertainment you have come to expect from the premiere Boston event. Light fare & desserts, cash bar, vendors, raffles, photo booths & door prizes **Five different rooms with DJs spinning Old School, House, Hip Hop, Top 40, Afrobeats, Caribbean, Latino, Comedy and Live Music performances by 112!
Fire, Firearms, Felons Fix It - Solutionary Roundtable | South End | $
Boston You up again! We there next week for not only firearm safety and legal info, but also conversations around culturally relevant issues and solutions that affect OUR COMMUNITIES. You are ALL welcome to ALL of these events, you just have to register. It's only $5 registration and you can choose whichever event(s) you want to attend. Hit the link, share and spread the word Solutionarys. This event will deal with knowledge around the criminal justice system, the First Step ACT, and undo the stigma around folks who have felonies. Speak with lawyers and get real time support with real time issues. Understand the process of sealing and expunging records, first steps for filing law suits, and how to protect your freedoms.
Saturday, December 15th
Divas & Dolls 6th Annual Doll Drive | Dorchester | Free
Please join me for the Sixth Annual Divas & Dolls Doll Drive. This Doll Drive is to benefit girls from the ages 3-12 at various shelters, programs and schools in the Greater Boston area. I would greatly appreciate if you can donate a doll. I am specifically requesting 18-inch dolls (not Barbies or Bratz, etc.). The drive is on Saturday, December 15th from 10 AM-1 PM at the Teri Room (upstairs) at the Grove Hall Branch of the Boston Public Library.
Dance United | Everett | $$-$$$
Join us for the 3rd Annual Dance United Holiday Gala! A day-long celebration of dance with Boston's very own amazingly talented local dance instructors and guest instructors . Enjoy a Saturday packed with dance workshops, food, performances, social dancing and more. Join us and lets dance into the Holiday season united!
Union Capital Boston Holiday Resource Fair & Potluck | Roxbury | Free
Join us for resources, raffles, revelry and refreshments! Community Leaders Award Ceremony at 12 PM! Potluck dishes, fun activities for all ages, incredible resources, 3x UCB Points, holiday music and celebration!
Patti LaBelle in Concert | Medford | $$$
See Patti LaBelle live in concert!
Banboche 2018 | Somerville | $$$
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is a Haitian-contemporary dance company based in Boston known for its dynamic, meaningful performances and inclusive, demanding workshops. Come together to celebrate during JAE's second annual Banboche! This social evening will include Haitian-inspired art vendors, a dynamic live dance performance, Haitian music, media from JAE's 2018 Haiti summer Institute and an opportunity for everyone to let loose on the dance floor.
Comics in Color - Volume 10 | Dorchester | Free
Comics In Color is a safe space where you can come and just nerd out about illustrated stories by and about people of color.The featured guest is Michelle Abreu, an Illustrator and comic book artist that loves to design characters and creatures. Michelle is currently working on two comic series, Novengard and The Lamb of the Altar, which can be found on AbreuIllustration.com.
Barber Shop Chronicles: BAMS Fest Day | Cambridge | $$$
Newsroom and political platform, confession box and stadium—for generations, barber shops have been places where black and brown men gather to discuss the world. Leaping from London to Johannesburg, Harare, Kampala, Lagos, and Accra, playwright - Inua Ellams’ dynamic new play "Barber Shop Chronicles" traces the global ties between these spaces where the banter can be barbed and the truth is always telling. Join BAMS Fest on Saturday, December 15 at 2 PM for "Bams Fest Day" at the American Repertory Theater for the "Barber Shop Chronicles" play. This is an experience you don't want to miss. There is laughter, truth, dance and music. Use discount code BAMS20 to receive your $20 ticket.
GBSCDA, Inc. Annual Holiday Party | Dorchester | Free
This event is for families affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Over the past five years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of children registering for our holiday party. This has been very challenging for the organization. To assist us in spreading cheer during the holidays, please consider donating a gift this Christmas. This is a free event. We encourage you to participate in the GBSCDA Holiday Gift Program.
Boston’s Black Owned Business December Pop-Up Market | Seaport | Free
Join us for our December Boston Black Owned Business (BBOB) Pop-Up Market. This event is free and open to the public in the heart of the Seaport area at District Hall, 75 Northern Ave. Come shop and support local black owned businesses while enjoying music, raffles and community building. The Gather restaurant and bar will be open for our guests with great views of the city.
The Ugly Sweater Ugly Shirt Family Skate & Paint | Dorchester | $$
Hosted by DVP Events - join us at Chez-Vous Skating Rink for a special Skate and Paint family day! Roller skating, painting, contests, games and much more!
Black Nativity | Downtown | $$$
Produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Black Nativity is the joyous account of an historic event that occurred 2,000 years ago. It’s a celebration that tells the original story of the Nativity in scripture, verse, music and dance. Based on the Gospel of St. Luke, combined with the poetry of Langston Hughes, this song-play touches a special chord in the hearts of all.
Tafuta! A Young Child’s Search for the True Meaning of Kwanzaa | Roxbury | Free
Tafuta! blends music, dance, and poetry to tell the story of a young child who is bullied in school because of her family’s tradition of celebrating Kwanzaa. The child ultimately embraces her heritage, discovers her own voice and self-empowerment and draws on the strength found in this African American tradition to triumph over the bullies. Tafuta is the only play of its kind and is surely going to make audiences understand the importance of family and traditions. The cast includes children ages 7-16 from all over Massachusetts including students from private, public and charter schools. This is a wonderful event for the entire family!
Melanin Magic | Roxbury | Free
Join us on Women's Day as we fellowship and celebrate the beauty, power, resilience and success of being a Black Woman! This Two-Part Day encompasses a lunch, panel discussion, activities, and networking.
#ArtOnTheAve Holiday Pop Up Market | Mattapan | Free
We are early entrepreneurs who are passionate about art, culture and creating together. Join us at Ideal Mixer for our #ArtOnTheAve Pop-Up Market! In our studio, you can find a range of creative gifts like floral & succulent arrangements, custom artwork, organic family skincare products & candles, food & dessert and more! We also offer art activities, services from a licensed esthetician, event planners or consultants. Bring a friend or few, to shop and support local small businesses!
The Black Revolution Book Tour - Boston | Everett | Free
Bring out the whole family to celebrate the third release from the author of Haiti: The First Black Republic and Makandal: The Black Messiah. Frantz Derenoncourt, Jr.'s new release, Boukman: Black Revolution tells the story of Dutty Boukman and his partner Cecile Fatiman as they organize the only successful slave revolt in history leading to the creation of The First Black Republic. There will be a book signing, storytelling, Haitian history trivia, games and prizes, authentic Haitian cuisine. This will be fun and educational for the whole family!
AfroBounce: Christmas in Africa | Allston | $ - $$$
AfroBounce is back with its 2nd installment! And this time around it’s all about Christmas in Africa! If you‘ve ever been in Africa for the holidays then you know it’s the place to be! From Dec 1st through the 1st week of January, it’s nothing but vibes! Africans from all over the world make the voyage back to the motherland to relax, enjoy good food and turn up! So that’s what we’re bringing! From Africa to the UK to the Islands, we’re bringing the best Afrobeats and international sounds with a mix of Trap! And it wouldn’t be AfroBounce without Africa’s golden dish! Yes that’s right, the jollof will be in abundance so make sure to #securethejollof! *We are also running a clothing and school supply drive. Please donate clean children’s clothing, shoes and school supplies. They will be donated to a youth school and orphanage in Ghana. Participants will be entered into a raffle for various prizes!*
Sunday, December 16th
Mother Son Dance | Dorchester | $
Share a fun filled evening with you son(s) with music, photo booth, appetizers and an ice cream bar.
He is Always Able Benefit Concert | Everett | Free
Hello Friends and Family! Please join me and other great musicians from the Boston area on December 16th, at 6:30 PM for a night of worship with songs and spoken word.
Queen’s Talk Two Year Anniversary Banquet | Dorchester | $$$
Queens Talk is a monthly women’s empowerment meetup for women of color. It is an inclusive space for all women-aligned, femme, trans, and gender non-conforming folk of all ages. This program provides a platform for community members to connect with each other through small group discussions, storytelling activities, presentations, and relationship-building exercises to promote growth, introspection, and personal development while bridging the generational gaps that we often witness as women enter into adulthood. It is with great pleasure that we are moving forward with our two year anniversary banquet. We are celebrating two years of programming at Carson Place from 5:00 PM-10:00 PM. Our theme for the banquet is ‘Embracing the Light Within’.
18th Annual Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Holiday Brunch | Dorchester | $$$
Greetings Friends join us in celebration of another year with Food, Live Music, and fellowship. The Annual Brunch is one of the preeminent events of the year. So mark your calendars. This year we are accepting unwrapped toy donations for charitable organizations throughout Greater Boston. The invitation is open. Invite all your friends and families! Live music by The Rollins Ross Band.
Daddy & Me - December | Roxbury | Free
Calling all fathers, uncles, brothers and grandpas! The purpose of Daddy & Me-Boston is to instill the love of reading in our little ones, and to encourage fellowship among men of color. Target ages are from 3 to 7 yrs, but all are welcome! We’ll be meeting from 11 AM to 1 PM. We look forward to reading with you.
Brunch So Hard | Financial District | Free
Boston's # 1 brunch is now located in the Financial District! Come #BrunchSoHard with us each & every Sunday at Society on High. Enjoy great music, great food, and great people. Dress code trendy & fashionable. Brunch will never be the same.
Lizard Lounge Poetry Night | Cambridge | $
Every Sunday for more than 20 years! Doors at 7:30 PM with a poetry slam, featured poet and an open mic with the Jeff Robinson Trio.
Flow: A Floetic Open Mic Night | Dorchester | $
Flow presents Boston with our first night of freestyle, poetry and spoken word. Flow is…Felt. (What you make one feel) Listened to. (How you make one pay attention). Optic. (What you make one see (Perspective)/ one's physical appearance). Worded. (What you say/ How you express yourself). These four things combined create an individual's undeniable distinct FLOW. We encourage talent of all skill levels to take part (NO need to be a MC or Maya Angelou) Whether you'd like to sign up to speak, know a few people who may be interested, or simply want to support, come out and catch this BOSTON vibe. Leave the drama at the door, support our city's talent, have fun, and just...flow how you flow! Period.