June — like the Limited Edition “Most Stuf” Oreo — was packed with an abundance of cultural events. We had Black Music Month, Pride Month and Juneteenth celebrations along the way. The plentitude of things to do in this town presented a paradox of choice.
July is no slouch either. We’ve got fireworks, Yiddish music, free Shakespeare on the Common, and a hot sauce fest that will rival the summer heat. So put on the bug repellent, swaddle your dog in a ThunderShirt and have some fun.
"Common Ground Revisited"
Now-July 3
Digital access to filmed performance available through July 17
Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts
Tickets to in-person/digital performances $25-$125
The Huntington Theatre has extended the premiere production of "Common Ground Revisited" through July 3. This is your LAST CHANCE to catch it. "Common Ground Revisited" is a stage adaptation of the 1985 Pulitzer Prize-winning nonfiction book, "Common Ground," which examined the impact that school desegregation and busing had on three Boston families in the 1970s. It’s co-conceived by Obie Award-winning director Melia Bensussen and Obie Award-winning playwright and Huntington Playwriting Fellow Kirsten Greenidge.
Boston Jerk Festival and Hot Sauce Festival
July 2 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
145 N. Harvard St., Allston
Prices range from $5-$100, specifics are here
For a Caribbean getaway, head to Allston. This outdoor Caribbean-style food fest features local chefs, jerk cooking, and hot and spicy specialties. This marks the 9th annual Jerk Fest, but it's a first for the accompanying Boston Hot Sauce Festival, which will feature the best hot sauces in New England. There will also be live music and a "Kids & Culture" stage will offer family-friendly performances, including the Cambridge Carnival Steel Orchestra.
Fireworks light up Mass.
Friday, July 1
- Everett: Glendale Park at 8:30 p.m.
- Waltham: Barge in Charles River at 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 2
- Boston: Harborfest Fireworks, barge off Long Wharf, at 9 p.m.
- Lowell: Pedestrian Walkway at 9 p.m.
- Salem: Salem Maritime National Historic Site at 9 p.m.
Sunday, July 3
- Fitchburg: Rollstone Hill off Pratt Road at 9 p.m.
- Lynn: Barge near Red Rock at 9 p.m.
- Gloucester: Stage Fort Park at 9 p.m.
Monday, July 4
- Boston: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at Esplanade at 8 p.m.
- Provincetown: MacMillan Pier at 9 p.m.
- Worcester: Polar Park Stadium at 9 p.m., after the WooSox game
- Newton: Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex at 9:30 p.m.
Farthest Star Sake
Open now
120 N. Meadows Road, Medfield
Taproom open Friday-Sunday, hours of operation here
After a couple of years of development and construction, Farthest Star Sake — New England’s only sake brewery — has opened its taproom in Medfield. Seasoned sake brewer Todd Bellomy is the founder/brewer. With fewer than 50 sake breweries outside of Japan, Farthest Star Sake describes its operation as “being on the frontier of brewing.” Boldly go where no sake lover in this region has gone before!
MassQ Ball 2022: Origin
July 9, 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Raindate , July 16, 2p.m. - 7 p.m.
Arnold Arboretum
Free, RSVP is required
This cross-cultural arts celebration will feature the diverse artistic expressions of Boston’s communities of color. The day of events includes Black classical music, Korean traditional dance, and Mexican folk music. Of course central to the day is the practice of "MassQing," a ritual application of paint to the face derived from ancient traditions of body decoration.
Yidstock 2022
July 7-10
Yiddish Book Center in Amherst
Tickets for concerts and workshops range $8-$60, members get a 10% discount
Yidstock celebrates its 10th anniversary with an all-star lineup of Klezmer and Yiddish talent. The three-day festival of concerts and workshops, offers a wide range of performances, including the internationally acclaimed klezmer band The Klezmatics and the de facto godfather of “Klezmer hip-hop “ Josh Dolgin, aka Socalled. Audiences and performers have a lot of catching up to do as this marks the first in-person festival since the pandemic disrupted Yidstock's live, in-person performances.
Charles River Jazz Festival
July 10 from 1-9 p.m.
Herter Park Amphitheater in Allston
Free
The Charles River Jazz Festival’s mission is to build community through music and the arts, celebrating local musicians along the way. The all-day festival’s lineup features Grammy-nominated musician Debo Ray, Boston-based band New Legaxy, saxophonist Seba Molnar, pianist Zahili Gonzalez Zamora, and jazz guitarist Caio Afiune.
Science on Screen: "Tremors"
July 13 at 8 p.m. (rain date July 14)
The Greenway at Milk Street and Atlantic Avenue
Free
The Coolidge Corner Theatre continues its Science on Screen series. Collaborating with the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, these are free outdoor screenings of three sci-fi films, with each introduced by local scientists. "Tremors," the 1990’s comedy-horror movie, will be introduced by paleobotanist Dr. Paul Strother. He’ll discuss how organisms like the underground, flesh-eating monsters in the movie evolved. In June they screened "The Birds" and on Aug.10 (rain date Aug. 11) is the final film in this series, "Fast Five." It will be introduced by MIT’s Cindy Heredia, the captain and general manager of MIT Driverless.
Free Shakespeare on the Common: "Much Ado About Nothing"
July 20-Aug.7 at 8 p.m.
Parkman Bandstand on the Common
Free
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company continues its tradition of bringing free Shakespeare to the Common for its 26th season. This year’s production is the tragicomedy "Much Ado About Nothing." You can bring blankets and chairs, or you can rent chairs on site for $10. You’re welcome to bring your own food. If you don’t plan in advance and are feeling peckish, you can hit up the aptly named, Earl of Sandwich.
