ELBIT SYSTEMS IN CAMBRIDGE SITS EMPTY
Headquartered in Haifa, Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems houses a facility here in the liberal tech enclave of Cambridge, Massachusetts. This office currently sits empty due to months of direct action undertaken by pro-Palestinian protesters and organizations such as BDS Boston, a group of activists devoted to building the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement in the Boston area. Whether this signals a permanent shuttering of the facility in Cambridge is unconfirmed, however this development displays how community organization and local pressure can disrupt business as usual.
The Israeli government maintains its apartheid state and genocidal campaign upon Palestinians through an advanced authoritarian surveillance industry supported by both private and public sectors of the United States. Since October 7th, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported over 40,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks. On August 15th, the US government approved 20 billion additional dollars in military aid to Israel. Elbit Systems is responsible for supplying 85% of
its fleet of drones and landbased weapons used in the Gaza genocide.
Elbit Systems supplies Israel with its fleet of Skylark and Hermes military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones used to track and kill Palestinians from the sky in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Palestinians refer to these drones as “zanana,” Arabic for “a buzzing sound.” The omnipresence of drones are physical manifestations of psychological warfare for those who live under their watch, both as unceasing surveillance apparatuses and faceless harborers of death. These UAV a ircrafts produced by Elbit Systems carry MPR 500 bombs designed for use in urban warfare to obliterate human targets with “high kill probability” as well as many other weapons systems and technologies.
In the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, Palestinians are subject to military checkpoints where Israeli biometric surveillance programs like “Wolf Pack” build vast databases to control and track the movements and familial networks of Palestinians. The labeling of an entire indigenous population as counterinsurgents reinforces the occupation, as it criminalizes all Palestinians, therefore dehumanizing them and justifying their brutalization by the monitoring force of Israel in the name of “security.”
The struggle for a free Palestine is not divorced from other international struggles for liberation. Elbit Systems is also a prime contractor for the US Mexico border, supplying the Department of Homeland Security with high octane tech such as watch towers equipped with cameras and radar systems capable of identifying humans as far as 7.5 miles away. These surveillance systems and “advanced” weapons supplied and exchanged by companies and governments are the bread and butter of the imperialist core. The systems used to surveil, control, and kill Palestinians are the same tactics developed, practiced, trained, and implemented here in our communities to oppress.
In the US, the police are often referred to as an “occupying force” in overpoliced and under-resourced areas of the country. US law enforcement agencies have been known to train in Israel, borrowing militaristic police tactics as well as examining surveillance tech for targeted killings. Pro-Palestinian protests, and those alike that oppose the horrors of US imperialism are subject to monitoring, suppression, disruption and criminalization using similar surveillance tactics. The function of the police, the US military and Israeli army are one in the same—a globalized force for the protection of private property, capital, and white supremacist interests.
The US is beyond complicit but an active participant in the genocide of Palestinian people through its exchange of capital, diplomacy, weaponry, and surveillance technologies that entrench the apartheid state of Israel. Companies
that profit from genocide should not feel free to fly under the radar in our communities, and the work to get Elbit Systems out of Cambridge is far from done. While Elbit›s failure to continue its day-to-day operations in Cambridge is a testament to collective willpower, BDS Boston urges community members to keep escalating protests to force Elbit›s landlord to remove the business from the building entirely, prevent the entity from moving to another location in the Boston area, and sever its ties with MIT and other area actors. There must be continued action until Elbit Systems is gone from Cambridge, from the US, and from everywhere.
To follow along and join in the fight to remove Elbit from Cambridge, you can follow @bdsboston on Instagram and visit their linktree (https://linktr.ee/bdsboston) for more information. You can also follow Palestine Action at @pal_actionus on Instagram.
ROXBURY UNITY PARADE
Editor’s Note: The following article is being reprinted as part of a collaboration between the Boston Compass and Teens in Print, a writing program created to amplify the marginalized voices of eighth to twelfth grade Boston students. This piece was originally published on the Teens in Print website in August 2024 and was edited for length and clarity.
July 21, 2024, marked the sixth year of the Roxbury Unity Parade. Toy Burton founded the event in 2018 to celebrate the history and culture of the neighborhood, as well as to recognize and reward those who have helped preserve Roxbury. The event also serves as a reminder to the community to remain united in the face of recurring violence. Throughout the years, the parade has continued to have sponsors like the Urban League, DeeDee’s Cry: Suicide Prevention and Family Support, and Juneteenth Emancipation Observation. Sponsors like these demonstrate the community’s everlasting support of the event.
What makes this parade different from others is that it isn’t just a march that goes on and on. People come together beforehand to enjoy each other’s company, eat really sweet snow cones, and listen to music. The face paint tent even had a little dance party at one point with some teens, and children used stray balloons as entertainment.
From the start, the Roxbury Unity Parade was celebratory. The event started with the block party, a moment where everyone has time to socialize and get together as the sponsored groups set up. By then, there were a handful of people there to experience the parade as well. Whether they were with their families or themselves, everyone was happy to be there. What helped a lot was the music. At the start,
the DJ switched the genre a lot, but once he noticed that R&B was what stuck with the crowd, he made sure to stay with it, a choice I very much appreciated. The march lasted about an hour, with cries of “Roxbury Love” and “Roxbury Unity” coming from the participants.
The award ceremony played a key part of the Roxbury Unity Parade, as it recognized people in the community for their contributions—such as changing the way Roxbury is viewed by other communities. Two awards bestowed at the event were the Elma Lewis Artist Award, which congratulated important artists in the community, and the Pillar of the Community Award. People named for their accomplishments were members of the musical group New Edition; Mayor Michelle Wu; Michael Curry, the chief executive officer at the Massachusetts League of Community Health; and Rob Gibbs (also known as ProblaK), a Bostonian visual artist who has been painting murals since 1991.
The final part of the Roxbury Unity Parade was Hoodfest, a concert featuring up-and-coming hip-hop artists deeply connected to Roxbury. Each performer had a story to tell with their music, voicing the life that people of color have to withstand. As an avid music lover, I enjoyed them all. Some of my favorite acts were done by Dr.A.M.B (African Man Born). His songs were catchy, and you could easily get behind the beat. My other favorite was Big Brother Sadi, who had a storytelling style with bits of humor here and there.
The parade was a unique experience that many more should attend in the future. The parade is open to everyone and a great opportunity to be surrounded by the joyous people of Roxbury.
--------------------------------------- ISAIAH ROSEAU
VISUAL AWARENESS
BLACK TOURMALINE
Often stylized on posters as blk trmlne or simply blktrmlne, Black Tourmaline is the live visuals and installation project by production mastermind Erica Gaeta. Erica performs in venues around town as the resident video jockey of Infra, a team that organizes events in Boston’s underground electronic music scene. In a sit-down interview, I asked Erica about her artistic process and practice.
Josh Artman (JA): Starting off broadly, what is Black Tourmaline?
Erica Gaeta (EG): Black tourmaline is a totem that has been a part of my life since early childhood, introduced initially by my mother as a strong protection stone and a thread that has stayed with me since. I feel it is a deep and meaningful symbol of my roots and development as a spiritual creative. It also speaks to a lot of my conceptual inspiration for creating, and visual content: organic patterns, crystal growth, metaphysics, consciousness, and so on…
As a project, Black Tourmaline started at my exit from MassArt, which is where I got my bachelor’s in fine arts. It was my culminating thesis project, which was an installation and a curated gallery of my work that showed where I was as an artist, but also as someone in production and working in live events.
JA: What’s your approach to creating visuals for live shows?
EG: I try to have a pretty open workflow process. I really like the on-the-spot freedom of not having a pre-planned vision, but also being able to go off compositions and things I already have been doing. I think it’s nice to have that consistency where you fall into a specific style for yourself, but you can also still be able to tailor it on the spot to who’s playing and the style of music.
JA: Tell me more about Infra. You perform at the main events, and also at the newer Modular shows?
EG: Yeah, we recently rebranded our Tuesday into Modular, just to keep it a bit of a separate entity. That’s kind of our roots, where we started at Phoenix Landing, and just getting a really consistent weekly event where people could find our residents and our founder, and have more of an accessible experience.
Because in addition to that, we do our underground shows, and then we do some really large above-ground events too. So the Tuesday Modulars are a really nice opportunity to have an intimate experience [where people can] talk to us and have more of a human connection, [as well as] understand bookings and how to be involved.
JA: What’s one thing you wish people knew about being a live visual artist?
EG: I wish more people didn’t assume it was pre-programmed or automated, even when they see me at the board. You know, I feel like people see a DJ or a band playing, and they get that it’s a live experience. And I feel like a lot of people feel separated from that, for some reason, from the visual side of things. Lately, a lot of people have assumed it’s one of those pre-made YouTube loops. And they also don’t get that it’s creative content too. Not everything I play is solely my own, but there’s a big creative element to it that I think people miss completely. So that can be hard, but I think there’s a lot of progress being made there.
JA: Any advice for the inspired reader?
EG: Don’t be afraid of failure and trying new things, you never know where one interaction will take you. The less you try and fail the more you limit yourself from opportunity, awareness, and growth.
You can follow Erica on Instagram @blktrmlne for more information on her upcoming events.
------------------------------------------- JOSH ARTMAN
SELECTING WHAT’S IN
A Sit Down with Select Markets
Select Markets exploded onto the Boston thrift scene in November last year, and it seems that every Gen-Zer in Boston has hopped on the train. The pop-up thrift market is the brainchild of Northeastern Seniors Joaquin Crosby-Lizarde and Joshua Maizes, who utilized their Northeastern community to create one of the hottest new events in Boston. Whether you know them from the tooth gem pop-up at their latest event or their Instagram content discussing the most overrated spots in Boston, it seems clear that Select Markets has cemented itself as something to look forward to. Ahead of their “MASSive Thrift Market” event on September 14th, I caught up with Maizes and Crosby-Lizarde to hear about how the market got its start and where it’s going. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Josie Wagner (JW): How did you come up with the idea to create Select Markets?
Joshua Maizes (JM): Joaquin attended an event where he was a vendor in April of 2023 which was about six months before we started…And we thought there definitely needed to be more of these [events]…So we put down a deposit for a venue about a month before our first event. At this time we had no socials. I don’t even know if we had the name yet, or a logo. We had nothing. And basically our thought was we’re going to brute force our way and do everything we can to make sure this first event goes well. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, so be it.
JW: How does being students and influence your curation of Select Markets?
Joaquin Crosby-Lizarde (JC): Being students allows us to see what our current demographic and our target audience is really enjoying, and at Northeastern… from our first year to our fourth now, a lot has changed in terms of fashion and trends and culture. So we’ve been able to see
how that has shifted and what people are wearing, what’s in, and transfer that over to our markets.
JM: Plenty of vendors are from our school; in addition to that, our vendors are super young, and we prioritize local brands…I would say there’s a lot of emotion that comes with being involved with the brand and the people that we work with, and that element of friendliness and real care and compassion going behind everything, especially as someone that’s younger. I think that that led us to like taking that path of catering to what we see other students being interested in and making sure that everyone feels welcome.
JW: What do you hope people get out of Select Market events?
JC-L: What I really hope is that people get to meet new people, make new friends, and hopefully just walk away having a good time…beyond buying clothes, [the events] allow people to connect with other people from other schools and get a cool, new experience that—it seems to us—they’re not getting anywhere else in the city.
JM: The reason people buy clothes in a market like this isn’t just about the clothes, it’s the environment…in terms of a broader scope, we want there to be emotion behind this, and we want that to be notable to people that attend, and think wow, this is really cool. They meet new people. They have fun, or they don’t meet new people, and they still have a good time. They listen to the music, get food. We want it to be a well rounded experience, and something that people feel the need to go to…we want to provide something that’s unique and creative.
MASSACHUSETTS MINUTE
For those of you who may not be familiar with Cyclops, he’s a founding member of the X-Men who was born with superhuman abilities. Emitting powerful beams from his eyes, he’s regarded by many as the leader of the legendary superhero group, and is one of the most iconic comic book characters of all-time. So iconic in fact, that he recently served as the muse for BoriRock and Tremendiss’ recent album ZINGCLOPS
A Puerto Rican rapper from Dorchester, Bori has equally as impressive superhuman capabilities. However, instead of possessing Cyclops’ ability to emit lasers from his eyes, he has the innate talent of releasing raps at the speed of light. A quick look at his discography over the last several years makes this overwhelmingly apparent. Since 2020, Bori has released 20 full-length projects, four of which were released in 2024. Despite the tendency that many have to separate quantity from quality, BoriRock’s catalog of music proves that the two can be inseparable. ZINGCLOPS is his most recent testament to this power.
Furnished with cinematic, grandiose instrumentals from Boston Producer Tremendiss, ZINGCLOPS is a masterclass in Rap. BoriRock’s enigmatic, idiosyncratic presence is felt throughout every moment of the project as he details palpable anecdotes
rooted in street life. Equipped with a total of 13 songs, ZINGCLOPS recruits fellow Massachusetts MCs such as TOP HOOTER, Estee Nack, al.divino, and Shaykh Hanif to round out the project.
Despite his Massachusetts roots, BoriRock’s talents are beginning to be felt on a global scale. Following appearances with the legendary Westside Gunn from Buffalo, New York, and collaborations with Philadelphia’s OT The Real and Detroit’s Mickey Diamond, who also appears on ZINGCLOPS, Bori’s taking his talents to a national stage. There are even videos of European fans emphatically yelling the famed Boston catchphrase “on dogs” on the internet, so it certainly won’t be long before he’s performing overseas as well.
As the dust settles on ZINGCLOPS, it’s not an overstatement to say that BoriRock is making some of his best music yet right now. With each forthcoming release, he’s polishing his sound and growing even more confident in the booth. If the cadence of his previous releases is any indication, then it surely won’t be long before new BoriRock music makes its way into headphones everywhere. Until that day arrives, let ZINGCLOPS blow out your car’s speakers.
SHAMUS HILL
Select Markets will be hosting their next event on September 14th at the Reggie Lewis Center. For more information on upcoming events, follow them on Instagram at @select.markets. -----------------------------------------
JOSIE WAGNER
music &
9/3 All4U Boston presents: Boston's Queer Pop Party Party Up!
A Night of PRINCE at ZUZU. DJs Mr. 617 and Vaepors @ Middle East ZuZu 9pm 21+ FREE
9/5 SPRY w/ Miriam Elhajli Eleanor Elektra's new project SPRY is playing their debut full band show out in the wilds of Boston. Come see the birth of a band. The music is dark and lovely. Miriam Elhajli will perform as well. Not only is Elhajli actually from Boston, but she is a brilliant sapphire in the form of music. The show will take place in a hidden gem. A place inhabited by artists for decades. A living archive. Deep vibes. Contact Miss Elektra on Instagram to receive the precise location for this show.
@ 7pm $10-$15 sliding scale
9/7 10th Annual Evolution of Hip Hop Festival This Arts Union event will feature rappers, singers, spoken word poets, dancers, and visual artists from the Somerville community and surrounding cities.
Ft A.M.B., Ossa, Main, AQ, Wally Sparks, Dro Casso, Forte, Oompa, Sassisane and Terry B. @ 90 Union Square, Somerville @ 4pm-7:30pm All Ages FREE
9/7 Kulture Lounge Summer Series Finale Keep the vibes flowing with a mix of Hip Hop, Dancehall, and R&B classics. Ft DJs @ motivatemerren and @iamdjfanatic @ Bow Market 4pm-10pm $20
9/7 we broke the weather | Eight Foot Manchild | Komodo Rojo | Pangs @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $10 cover
9/7 Frente Cumbiero / Lautaro Mantilla Non-Event and Ágora Cultural Architects present a night of cumbia with Frente Cumbiero, one of Colombia’s most electrifying exponents of Nueva Cumbia. Plus, an opening set by guitarist, electronic musician, and improviser, Lautaro Mantilla. @ Croma 8pm $25 general admission / $18 students and members
9/7 This Music presents: A Night of Improvised Trios! Feat. Martin Gohary (piano), Yoona Kim (ajaeng), Kat Jara (violin), Evan Palmer (bass), Erik Van Dam (saxophone), and John Dalton (drums). @ Lilypad 7:45pm-9pm $15 cover / $10 students
9/8 Girltalk / Grazen / Gavi / Olivia W-B @O’Brien’s $10 8pm 21+
9/9 PUNK ROCKIN' AND PASTIE
POPPIN' - Boston's Monthly Badass Burlesque Punk Rock Dance Party!!! Started by Dinah DeVille in 2013, PRPP is Boston's monthly Bad-ass Burlesque Show and Punk Rock Dance Party! @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $10
9/11 Fully Celebrated Orchestra w/ Tony Malaby's Firebath @ 8pm10pm 21+ $10
9/12 Pub Sing Based on a traditional English pub sing, but with a bit of an American flavor, this session is open to all singers who want to join in with chorus songs that are easy to learn and fun to sing. Bring a song to share! @ Arts at the Armory 7pm-9pm All Ages FREE
9/13 4th Wall presents: Makeout Palace, American Ink, Trophy Husband @ The Capitol Theatre 9pm 18+
9/13 Fierce and Fabulous: Happy Little Clouds, Girl with a Hawk, Ruby Grove & American Ocelot @ The Jungle 8pm $15
9/15 Rob Noyes, Chris Strunk, Rhea/Olivia W-B Rob Noyes' first Boston show in 5 years! Chris Strunk's 50th birthday! The debut of the duo of Rhea & Olivia W-B! @ First Church JP 8pm All Ages $15 General | $10 Student
9/15 Women of Boston HipHop Showcase @ Arrow St Arts Cocurated by BAMS Fest, this Hip Hop Showcase uplifts the wealth of positive female hip hop Emcees that call Boston home ft Dutch Rebelle, Brandie Blaze, kei, Cakeswagg, Jazzmyn RED @ Arrow St Arts @ 6pm-9:30pm All Ages $20
9/18 Jules Dasey | Jean Paul Jean Paul | Michael Boezi | Bait & Switch @ Midway Cafe 7:30pm-10pm 21+ $10 cover
9/20 4th Wall presents: Trophy Wife, Shutups, & Main Era w/ visuals by: Digital Awareness @ The Capitol Theatre 9pm 18+ 12
9/21 Class President | The Smallest Town Ensemble | Rick Berlin & The Nickel and Dime Band | The Oxford Drive @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $10
9/21 Jazzheads unite in Allston with Saxophone Titan James Carter @Scullers Jazz Club 7pm & 9pm $40+
9/22 4th Wall presents: Stab, Video Days, Wulfer w/ visuals by: Digital Awareness @ The Capitol Theatre 9pm 18+ 12
9/24 Charmaine Lee / Biliana Voutchkova / Aaron Michael Smith @ Goethe-Institut Boston 8pm10pm $15 / $10 for students and members suggested (pay what you can)
9/24 Landowner / Mesh / Eraser / Pew Pew @ O'Briens Pub 8pm 21+ $15
9/26 All4u Boston and Get To The Gig Boston presents: back 2 back 2 back 2 back 2 school charli party Brat Summer doesn’t have to end!!! @ Arts at the Armory 8pm $11.50
9/24 Listen Up! Originals Only Open Mic (hosted by Forest Romm) An open mic for songwriters. Original songs ONLY (no covers). Every 2nd & 4th Tuesday! @ Midway Cafe 7:30pm 21+ FREE
9/27 Emo Night w/ Smile Lines (emo & pop punk covers) Enjoy pop-punk & emo covers performed live by Smile Lines every 4th Friday at Midway Cafe! @ Midway Cafe 9:30pm 21+ $10 cover
9/28 Cuckfestiversary with Makeout Palace, T!LT, Lex Walton, Ezra Cares, Coco and Chase, Spray Bottle Fever @ Spontaneous Celebrations community center (JP)
9/29 Northern Liberties / Little Priest / American Darlings @ O’Briens Pub $10 8pm 21+
Wally's Jazz Club Every Night! At Wally’s, they have live music 365 days a year! They feature three different bands a night, one at 5pm, one at 7pm, and one at 9pm. The first set is typically a jam session and the second and third sets have different music themes depending on the day of the week. Come vibe at one of the oldest family owned and operated jazz clubs in existence!
9/5 Grrlhaus Cinema Celebrate and support Grrlhaus Cinema on their non-profit status and experience some new international and local short films @ Brattle Theater 7pm
9/7 Showgirls Over-the-top 90s camp classic Showgirls screens at @ Coolidge After Midnite 11:59pm $15.50
9/12 Eraserhead David Lynch’s nightmarish debut Eraserhead is film history. Don't miss it at @ Coolidge 10pm $15.50
Opens 9/13 Look Into My Eyes is a fascinating and intimate documentary on NYC psychics and their clients @ Coolidge @ Kendall Sq Cinema @ Somerville Theatre
9/15 Evil Does Not Exist A peaceful rural Japanese existence is threatened by capitalism in Evil Does Not Exist, the latest from one of Japan's most interesting directors, Ryusuke Hamaguchi. @ MFA Boston 2:30pm $15 (includes museum admission)
9/15 Hack The Planet Day Hackers is screening in 35mm on the anniversary of the film’s theatrical release (9.15.95) as part of Hack the Planet Day @ Crystal Ballroom 6pm All Ages 20
9/16 But I'm a Cheerleader is the definitive ‘90s queer comingof-age cult classic with an insane ensemble cast @ Coolidge 7pm $15.50
Opens 9/20 My Old Ass Join an 18 year-old’s mushroom trip to meet their 39 year old self and gain perspective in Megan Park's funny and poignant, My Old Ass @ Coolidge @ Somerville Theatre @ Kendall Sq Theater
9/21 A midnight screening of The Room is a rite of passage for any camp cinephile. Leave the footballs at home and head to @ Coolidge After Midnite with actor Greg Sestero 11:59pm $16.50
9/24 Cinema at the Cemetery! Grab a blanket and buckle up for a totally excellent, existential double feature of Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal with Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey @ Mount Auburn Cemetery 7pm $33
9/28 Experience Historical Amnesia: Short Films by Sun Xun where old school animation techniques meet digital film to tell timeless stories without words @MFA 2:30pm $15 (includes museum admission)
9/6-9/25 Coolidge 's Cinema in 70mm series is a smorgasbord of all time great films including Hitchcock’s Vertigo (9/13 + 9/17), Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (9/7 + 9/11), Spartacus (9/20 + 9/23) and more @ Coolidge Corner Theater $23
heart told through the interplay of music, dance and visual projection. @ Arrow Street Arts @ 8pm-11pm All Ages
9/12-10/13 Master playwright Tom Stoppard's latest play Leopoldstadt is an set in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century about two Jewish brothers at odds with their visions and values @The Huntington Theater Tix at HuntingtoTheatre.org $29+
9/13-10/12 Local playwright Alexis Sheer’s new comedy, Laughs in Spanish, explores an artist’s complicated relationship with their mother while in crisis while exhibiting at Art Basel @ Speakeasy Stage Co Tix at SpeakeasyStage. com $25+
9/20-9/21 Fight Night Become part of this unique interactive theatrical work, Fight Night by Belgian performance art group Ontroerend Goed. Each night the audience will vote for the best of five candidates after a series of entertaining and edifying rounds @ ArtsEmerson Tix at Arts Emerson. org $25+
9/21 MOM*: A circus show by Shir Livne Is anyone satisfied with their mother? What does it mean to be a (step)mother? Should I (or you?) have a baby?! MOM* shines a light on the secret inner thoughts that we have as potential mothers, stepmothers, bio-moms, and as children of mothers. @ Arts at the Armory $35 suggested (pay what you can)
9/26-9/29 In the Same Tongue is a joyful collaboration between legendary choreographer Dianne McIntyre, composer Deidre Murray and playwright Ntozake Shange as they explore language through dance @ArtsEmerson Tix at Arts Emerson.org $25+
9/30 Reel Big Fishnets: A Burlesque Skabaret @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $10 cover
biggest events in Mass with Select Markets! Over 80+ vendors and 80k sq ft of vintage, Y2K, $10 piles, food trucks, free drinks, and so much more! @ 1350 Tremont St Roxbury Crossing @ 1pm-6pm All Ages FREE
9/15 Open Streets: East Boston Open Streets Boston is back for its third annual event, offering another chance to experience streets as public spaces. Between: Meridian St. from Maverick to Porter & Bennington St. from Porter to Day Square. @ 10:30am-5:00pm All Ages
9/25 Ujima Project Hosts KC-EL of Voices of Liberation KC-El, codirector of Voices of Liberation, will be conversing with us on VOL’s approach to mutual aid and support; their regularized, weekly work connects food access, antigentrification, and community well-being in Jamaica Plain and across our broader communities. Virtual. Register online at Boston Ujima Project. @ 6pm-7:15pm All Ages FREE
9/28 Rockin with Raptors is a community event that's fun for all ages. Get up-close with live raptors, learn about bees, and watch charming puppet shows. The day includes programs for children and adults, entertainment, food (cookout, popcorn, & cake!), arts & crafts, and face painting. @ Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center 12pm-3pm All Ages FREE
9/28-9/29 JP Open Studios Get a behind-the-scenes look at the JP art scene and grab some local art for your walls at JP Open Studios throughout @ Jamaica Plain Explore the map at JPopenstudios. com 11am-6pm FREE
Thru 10/27 Somerville Flea opens for their 12th season in the heart of Davis Sq. Shop locals for 2nd hand vintage & vinyl @ 52 Holland St Sundays 10am-4pm FREE
community opportunities
9/5 Queeraoke Join us EVERY Thursday as we break into song with supa dupa karaoke tracks and bursts of ferocious dance sets by our own DJ Summer's Eve & DJ Moxie. @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $8 cover
9/7 Massachusetts Bail Fund 11th Anniversary Fundraiser Come celebrate eleven years of returning people to their communities in Massachusetts! @ Loring Greenough House 6pm-10pm All Ages
9/8 BDS Boston presents: Mutual Aid Craft Fair Join us Sept 8th 2:30-4:30pm in Cambridge to buy crafts made by BDS Boston members and friends! All proceeds will go to Palestinian-led mutual aid projects in Gaza! Venue is wheelchair-accessible. N-95 or equivalent masks will be required. Masks will be provided at the door. @ St. James Episcopal Church. Cosponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action @ 2:30pm-4:30pm All Ages FREE
9/5
9/7 School of Rock Watertown presents: Summer Season Show 1 School of Rock Watertown presents their Summer Season Show featuring bands from all different age groups through adults. School of Rock is a growing, passionate community dedicated to enriching lives through performance-based music education. @ Arts at the Armory 11:30am-9pm All Ages FREE
9/12 Arrow Street Arts presents: In the Heart of the Sun an immersive theatrical music and dance experience produced by Violet Nox, an exploration of the human
9/13 Resonate and Roar! An open mic for BIPOC Adoptees Join us for an open mic event celebrating BIPOC adoptee healing through liberation. BIPOC non-adopted community members are warmly welcomed to attend, hold loving space, and bear witness. @ Lilypad 7:30pm-9:30pm 18+ $10
9/14 RetroImania: Back to School Rollerama Outdoor vendor village with free admission! Dozens of dealers selling the best vintage fashion, collectible classics, & nostalgic goods around. @ Corner of 3rd St and Broadway @ 12pm7pm All Ages FREE
9/14 Select Markets & Thrift 2 Death presents: MASSive Thrift Market Our city 2 city series is heading north to host one of the
Grrl Haus Cinema Best of 2024 Submissions Open Submissions for our Best of 2024 fest are open, and you can submit via FilmFreeway. com. All films already submitted and screened this year are eligible for our best of fest happening December 9th and 10th at the Brattle Theatre. Deadline to apply is October 31.
Resist! Rapid Response Grants Resist offers $1,000 Rapid Response grants to better meet the needs of frontline groups and organizations. This grant is decided on by Resist staff and generally has a one week turn around. Learn more and apply at https://resist.org/grants/
Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To meet artists’ last-minute needs in a timely manner, FCA’s Emergency Grants panel meets monthly to review requests. Each month FCA receives an average of 95 Emergency Grant applications and makes approximately 12-18 grants. Grants range in amount from $500 to $3,000, and the average grant is now $1,900. Applications are rolling. Learn more and apply at https://www. foundationforcontemporaryarts. org/grants/emergency-grants/ Dunamis Boston Resource Roundup A thorough list of grants, jobs, events, opportunities and workshops for artists and creatives in the Boston area. Check it out at dunamisboston.org/resourceroundup
Popcorn Comedy with Brian Glowacki @ The Capitol Theatre 7pm-9pm 18+ $20
Boston’s Sex-Positive Newsletter aims to make it easier for people to get involved in local sex-positive efforts, learning opportunities, and community. It is put out by Pleasure Pie, a Boston-based sexual justice organization that makes zines as alternative sex education materials. To sign up for the free newsletter, visit http://eepurl.com/4u-qP
9/3 Smut Slam A storytelling night featuring sexy, embarrassing, or otherwise captivatingly sex-positive stories. A panel of judges will be on hand to evaluate the stories and bestow the top three Slammers with a sack of sexy swag. @ Arts at the Armory 7:30pm-10:00pm $10 suggested donation
9/5 Parents and Guardians of Survivors Support Group BARCC invites you to our upcoming in-person support group for parents and guardians of survivors. These “drop-in” sessions are a great way to meet fellow parents and guardians of survivors and ask questions. Sessions are anonymous and free. You are welcome to attend all of the sessions or just one. Meets biweekly on Thursdays. @ Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Cambridge @ 6:00pm-7:00pm
9/5 Not Your Grandma's Sex Ed
This workshop will cover a wide range of sex ed topics with a queer affirming, pleasure centered and intersectional feminist lens. Topics will include: birth control myth busting, a menstrual cycle crash course and a guide to advocating for your sexual health in both the bedroom and the doctor’s office. Virtual. Register at https://shorturl. at/Wcla2. @ 8:00pm-9:30pm $10
9/6 Trans and Non-binary Meeting
Join this social support space for transgender and nonbinary youth ages 22 and under to build com munity and discuss topics related to identity and experiences. Meets weekly on Fridays, in-person and virtual. For first-timers, fill out the registration form at https://www. bagly.org/calendar first. @ 5:00pm-7:00pm FREE
9/7 The Pink Pony Club The soldout New York show at The Green Room 42 makes its way to Boston! Come out for a night of Chappell Roan's greatest hits, featuring local Queer musicians, performers, Drag Queens, and artists. @ Club Cafe 7:30pm-9:00pm $31.60
9/9 It’s a Sapphic Date “It’s A Queer Date” is Boston’s hottest comedy dating show where four local volunteering queer singles are set up to go on a blind date in front of a live audience. The crew, all professional comedians, will be there to offer humorous comments and help the singles on stage break the ice. The audience will be encouraged to chime in at any time — whether to voice an opinion, share a story, ask a question or decide the outcome of the evening. 21+. @ Club Cafe 7:30pm-9:00pm $25
9/14 Rocky Horror Picture Show
Performing live in Boston for 40 years, The Full Body Cast keeps a queer cult classic alive with a joyful celebration performed live every Saturday night. Volunteers welcomed! @ AMC Boston Common @ 9:30pm-11:00pm All Ages $16
9/24 Sex Trivia Sex educators and sexuality professionals meetup followed by sex trivia. Hosted in
9/24 Bi & Pan Speed-Dating (Monogamous, 25-35) A speed dating event for monogamous people who want to date people of all genders. Guidelines and conversational prompts will be provided by organizers to help attendees connect with each other. @ 7:00pm-9:00pm $35
9/25 Dyke Alley Cruise some hotties or bring home a date. There will be both newbies to the scene and longtime kinksters present at the event. 21+. @ 14 Pi Alley (Government Center) @ 8:00pm $5 (pay what you can)
9/28 Chappell Roan Drag Brunch Don't miss a drag tribute to Chappell Roan. Get ready to sing along to all of the songs. Dress code is pink! @ Summer Shack 11:00am-4:00pm 21+
9/28 Lucky 13 Come see this amateur burlesque competition! Since 2010, Lucky 13 Amateur Burlesque Competition has paved the way for new burlesque performers in Greater Boston. The winner is chosen by 3 professional burlesque judges – their scores are combined with audience votes. Come cheer on newbie burlesquers and cast
BOSTON FIGURATIVE ART CENTER
The BFAC is an “art gym” and shared studio space located in Union Square, Somerville. Our sunny, expansive studio is open daily, 11am-11pm, for people to use freely, whether for their personal artwork, co-working, or just to hang out. Our foundation is drawing and painting the human figure, but we function as a space open to all creative pursuits, not just visual arts. Along with our regular figure drawing sessions and painting/drawing workshops, we’ve also hosted literary readings, film nights, yoga and sound meditation, music events, and more. Full access to the space and our other offerings are available for just $75-$150 per month, so ditch your private studio or your bedroom for a community art making space. We offer student pricing as well. Come by for a free tour any time! Address: 285 Washington St, Somerville MA Website: BostonFAC.com Instagram: @bostonfigurecenter Email: draw@bostonfac.com
9/12 Intro to Comic Art: Comic Workshop with Christian Garnett Join local comic artist and illustrator, Christian Garnett (@MoltenGarnet_Art on Instagram) to learn traditional comic strip creation, from storyboarding, paneling, and sketching to Lineart, text, and color. For this session, students will use poetry as the basis for a physical comic page. Poetry will be provided, but students are encouraged to bring their own writing, or poetry sourced from home or the internet. Supplies included! Register online at BostonFAC.com @ Boston Figurative Art Center 6:00pm-8:30pm
9/13 BFAC Potluck and Mixer
The BFAC monthly potluck mixer is a great chance to get to know our community and meet other creative people in the Somerville area! This is a free event for all, so bring your friends. Make crafts, play boardgames, maybe even sing some karaoke... who knows where the night will take us! Bringing a potluck item is optional - we encourage you to sign up with the link on our website if you are able, but no pressure! @ Boston Figurative Art Center 7:00pm-9:30pm
it a little tipsy! (but not if you drove!) It’s a great time for non-painters and professional artists alike. Just a fun, low-stakes, creative activity to do with your friends (or a great way to make new ones!) Supplies included. Register online by Thursday, September 19th. @ Boston Figurative Art Center 7:00pm-9:30pm
9/25 Stitch ‘n’ B*tch Monthly MeetUp with Mary Kahl BYOCP = bring your own [unfinished or not-yet-started] creative projects! Do you have unfinished textile or sewing projects? Do you like to complain about how many unfinished projects you have? Do you wish you could commiserate with a fun group of people in a lowkey setting? Join us for a relaxing and social evening coworking session in the BFAC’s “Living Room.” Artist and Fashion Designer Mary Kahl will be on site to trouble-shoot and provide feedback. All experience levels and ages are welcome! Snacks will be provided. Breaks will be enforced! :-) @ Boston Figurative Art Center 6:00pm-9:00pm
9/14 Cake Decorating Workshop: A Magical Tea Party Do you ever wish you could just EAT the beautiful, colorful artwork you make?! Well, lucky you... now you can! Join us at the BFAC for an Alice In Wonderland-themed cake decorating workshop with artist, baker, and cake decorator, Violeta. All supplies included, and you walk away with your very own delicious mini cake masterpiece! With a variety of icing colors, sprinkles, and other decorations to choose from, this is a super fun, creative, and beginner- friendly workshop perfect for a date night or a friend’s night out. If you feel like it, come dressed up in your most extra Alice In Wonderland inspired outfits. Or come as your normal self, you’ll have a magical time either way! Register at BostonFAC.com/cakedecorating @ Boston Figurative Art Center 5:00pm-7:00pm
9/20 Paint and Sip Join BFAC for a night of guided painting and wine! If you haven’t heard of a “Paint and Sip,” it’s basically a Bob-Ross-style painting lesson. We will all be painting the same beginner-friendly picture, and the teacher will guide you through, step by step. Follow along exactly, or add your own twist as you go. It will be so easy you can even do
9/26 Jewelry Making Workshop: Make-Your-Own Hammer-Textured Sterling Silver Rings with Analise Join Analise of Mind’s Eye Collective at the BFAC for a hands-on beginner jewelry workshop where you will create your own bespoke sterling silver rings! In this 3-hour class, you'll learn the basics of jewelry making to form, texture, and solder sterling silver into rings. You'll have the opportunity to choose your ring thickness and test out different hammers, letter stamps and techniques to achieve the look you’re going for. Come with ideas in mind or take the time to experiment and be surprised! Perfect for date night, girls' night out, or a fun gift-making experience, this class is limited to just 6 people to ensure personalized attention. No experience is needed, and all materials and tools are provided. By the end of the session, you'll take home a special piece or distinctive set of up to three (time permitting) of your very own handcrafted sterling silver rings. More info at BostonFAC.com/jewelryworkshop @ Boston Figurative Art Center 6:30pm-9:30pm
"Keep Me In Your Heart For a While„ by Catalina Rufin
Suffering for Your Art by Donna Martinez @donna.vmp
YAMB by Bithiah Holton
@bithiahsart
Countdown by Maya Escobar
by Eva Carrillo
VOICES OF LIBERATION BECOMES "HEAL THE HOOD"
Formerly known as Voices of Liberation
Heal The Hood is a grassroots nonprofit for the people by the people The group provides direct resources to artists and neighbors affected by systemic oppression
Kc Cornelius is the Director of Community Engagement & Director of Programming at Heal the Hood He is a holistic life coach, a prophet who can take the form of an artist (visual art, music, poetry), and an activist who creates resources, provides space, and connects dots so things can flow Kc was kind enough to answer a few questions for us via email
Sam P (SP): I first noticed your work when you began hosting Open Mics at the storefront in JP which formerly was Scope HQ What came first, the store front or the collective?
Kc Cornelius (KC): The chicken came first then the egg Scope HQ is a streetwear brand, music group, family-based in the city A section of the Scope family was doing community-based engagement which started to grow and impact quicker than expected Over time, more of the activities became community focused and the store space transitioned fully to what evolved to be Heal The Hood (HTH), formerly known as Voices of Liberation a nonprofit organization
SP: You all do so much more than provide a platform for artists and community members What is the most fulfilling aspect of HTH for you?
KC: The most fulfilling aspect for me is the overall engagement We do so many things from art and expression, direct aid and giving back, fighting for housing rights and equality, after school programming with the youth etc One thing that remains constant no matter which realm we are in is the genuine love and appreciation from the people who we share a community with It fills my cup to see other’s cups be filled through different engagements we do and I personally have grown so much as a human being and artist being able to share experiences with so many people
SP: How did you first get involved?
KC: I got involved through Slim He came to one of my events a few years back and seen I was doing great work but also recognized I was doing a lot by myself He
could recognize that seeing he had similar experiences, and invited me to come check out the space Every time I came there was a store full of community members at an event or youth from the middle school sharing space One day he was excited because all the kids pulled their grades up to As and Bs He was also heartbroken because he told them he would get them sneakers if they did and then a donor canceled at the last minute We teamed up to make it happen and the joy I felt from the kids receiving their hardearned sneakers had me coming back every day getting exposed to more engagement and I haven’t left since
SP: Why do you volunteer with HTH?
KC: I volunteer because I love to help others in any way I can The more I helped the universe thrive in a non-toxic manner, the more amazing life gets for me There are so many things that could have made my life less traumatic growing up and being able to provide some of those factors for people who are younger and older than me is one of the best feelings We feed the hood because we are the hood We heal the hood because we are the hood Of all the many things I’ve done in my life, not too many feel better than this As cheesy as it may sound
SP: How can others get involved?
KC: People can get involved in many ways We are always in need of donations for financial support to keep us as an active community resource Our storefront is also “The People’s Free Store ” where folks can shop daily for clothing, toiletries, non-perishable food, and other times for FREE We accept donations of supplies to keep the store replenished Our programs like “Feed the Hood” which runs every Sunday (rain, sleet, or snow) delivering free groceries to the doorsteps of different project developments can always use helping hands Folks can stop by the store or reach out on our website & social media accounts
COOKING UP COLLABORATION
BRIGHTON BLOCK PARTY
It’s not unusual for Boston area organizations to cross-pollinate with each other finding common ground in community care and connecting those in need with material resources On August 24, local material aid program Warm Up Boston joined forces with the Greater Boston Tenants Union Food Not Bombs MBTA Distro, Berklee Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Freedom Fighters Coalition to host an AllstonBrighton block party with a cookout, skillshare, music, and neighborly fun
As the state cracks down on its most vulnerable residents, the partnerships between these local activist organizations are necessary On June 28, the Supreme Court ruled in City of Grants Pass v Johnson that cities can punish people for sleeping and camping in public places
the US and in Palestine, and sold additional readings and art on Palestine provided from Berklee SJP as a part of a fundraiser for families in Gaza These exchanges shared space with a potluck buffet, spikeball games, and live music, which emphasized the interconnectedness of every participant’s joy and strife
The party also brought together the usual Rat City crowd of young artist-types with longtime Allston residents who felt encouraged by the event’s welcoming energy The overall display paid testament to how the issue of displacement affects all Boston residents, and how solidarity amongst neighbors is essential to preserving a real sense of community
You can currently follow Heal The Hood on Instagram and Facebook @voicesofliberation Be on the lookout for the name change and website relaunch soon
SAM P
Coupled with the Unlawful Encampments Ordinance passed by Mayor Wu last fall that banned individuals from setting up tents on public property, these two pieces of legislation criminalize the very existence of those who are unhoused By co-hosting the event, these organizations were able to build community solidarity in the face of Boston’s anti-homeless legislation
At the block party, collaboration was abound Volunteers collected donations of clothing and other goods for Warm Up Boston s weekly distributions of resources for unhoused neighbors while the Greater Boston Tenant’s Union held a teach-in on tenant advocacy MBTA Distro tabled with a huge spread of political education zines, many referencing resistance movements in
From organization to organization, the approach taken towards direct action may differ, but the core values of communitybuilding remain the same Whether it is a harm reduction initiative large-scale food distribution, or emphasis on mutual aid, these groups build networks to meet the needs of their neighbors, rather than work to displace and abuse them
If you are interested in joining in, meeting up with like-minded organizations near you is almost always a few clicks away You can find information on how to get involved on Instagram at: @warmupboston (Warm Up Boston); @boston tenants (Greater Boston Tenants Union); @bostonfoodnotbombs (Food Not Bombs); @mbtadistro (MBTA Distro); @ffcof2020 (Freedom Fighters Coalition); @berkleesjp (Berklee Students for Justice in Palestine)