Boston Compass #125

AN INDEPENDENT ARTs & CULTURE GUIDE

issue art by: @artbyinde

ING

TS

T

July 4th, join Black Lives Matter Boston to lament, honor, EE me and other tenants realized that our STR and celebrate the lives of Black womxn.” 3pm, Nubian Square.

E S March to the Boston Commons. Only later did I remember that July 4th artist studio building, Joy St. Studios, was being sold HO was Independence without notifying any of the artists. We were disturbed by W Day. But my realization was a hollow one (see Frederick “ this lack of transparency, and the past couple of months Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”). When Christopher we have been organizing and advocating for our Columbus was beheaded in the North End on June 10th, the message was right to exist here in Somerville. At this point, the clear. Our leaders have been our enemies all along. BIPOC activists and H RC 3PM fate of the building is up in the air, and we fear that we those acting in solidarity will have to reorganize power. In Boston and MA LY, Q. M U may lose our spaces like so many others have in the city.

BL F J AN S beyond, QTBIPOC movements have consistently displayed radical O I Obviously much bigger issues are happening alongside strength in the face of White Supremacy. “After an unfulfilled list of 4TH NUB @ my own. Black people are currently fighting for their right demands by BLM in 2015,” members of the Boston Black and Latinx to be alive, and here I am talking about losing my studio Pride Committee recently wrote, “we have started a campaign to space, which I am privileged to have in the first place. In demand that all 6 members of the Boston Pride Board resign, to truth, the same force that is killing BIPOC is the same force be replaced by a majority QTBIPOC board by August 31st.” Last that is evicting artists from their spaces and people from their month, Athena Vaughn of Trans Resistance organized a vigil and homes. It is capitalism, which as a value system upholds white march in Franklin Park, drawing thousands. “It’s time for Black supremacy, funds the polices, and defunds valuable community Trans excellence to lead OURSELVES,” she wrote. Once again, assets like the arts, education, affordable housing, etc. The whiteness has betrayed the radical collectivist vision. The Black gentrification of Boston has destroyed many beloved cultural spaces, and Brown led Justice Youth and Power Union marched for police artist spaces included, and has left entire communities displaced. This divestment and reinvestment in the community. 40 miles south, is why artists, especially white artists like me, need to be a part of the the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is battling the Trump administration’s Black Lives Matter movement. We need to be a part of this pro-black, rejection of their federal recognition status. Nearby, in predominantly White, anti-police, anti-capitalist movement because not only is it the correct affluent Brookline, Chiuba Obele is suing the police department. Calls for divestment thing to do, it directly affects us. It’s the system that’s fucking us all over, have followed. “We are anti-capitalist” says Movement for Black Lives. “We disrupt that is killing people, displacing communities, and defunding essential the Western-prescribed nuclear family…” writes Black Lives Matter. These are things like education. We need to be out there in the streets fighting our leaders. In this town, many White people will say “Black Lives Matter.” alongside our BIPOC friends, not only for their rights but against the But too few will fight to achieve capitalist machine at large. We need to take this seriously and figure out —Stephen Grigelevich its logical ends… ways to use our privilege to benefit the movement. We need to make ourselves uncomfortable and have hard conversations with our white

families and friends. And we need to ask ourselves the following questions as well: What can we do as artists to defend our spaces from gentrification? How can we use our voices to make sure Get ready for the shayde—and the aura—this summer. Bosthat spaces are accessible to the community at large? How do ton-based rapper Red Shaydez is releasing Feel the Aura, a followup alwe especially make our spaces accessible to BIPOC artists, who bum to her 2016 debut Magnetic Aura.The new project features “They Call Me are most often displaced by gentrification? What are we doing as Shaydez,” an unreserved self-introduction of sorts. Red’s confidence is on full display artists to actively combat capitalism, the root of all these problems? as she paints an authentic picture of her dynamic artistry. Storytelling is front and center I know we all feel helpless when we are faced with removal from of much of Red Shaydez’s music, which makes it no surprise that she’s a creator within many our safe artists havens. But we need to start taking the proverbial bull mediums and has titles including recording artist, mentor, and visionary. Red is a Fitchburg State by the horns and begin the process of making our voices heard—the University graduate with a degree in film and video, and had big plans for a multimedia release with voices of white artists standing in solidarity with our black comrades who Feel the Aura. She had developed and written a script for a movie of her life story that ties in all of have recently taken to the streets to push back against decades of inequity. her projects thus far, but unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic has halted production for now. Luckily We need to be fully involved in activism. We need to push back against we still get to watch The Aura Sessions: Behind the Shaydez, a series featuring Red and the artists and corporate greed. We need to write letters to our elected officials. We need producers off the new album, giving us a glimpse into the writing and recording process in the signature to engage in peaceful protest. We need to challenge the status quo, which red light room. It was also recently announced that a mini movie Red made called Little Sabrina, which is in Boston for too long has been aggressive development and the resulting also a track off of Magnetic Aura, was selected for screening at the Roxbury International Film Festival. A displacement. Your daily life should be changing to support the movement, commitment to the local community of creators is apparent in Red’s art. Feel the Aura includes a host of Bosand if you’re not sure how to do that, the folks at Brain ton-based features and producers, including Oompa, Rilla Force, Kasia Lavon, and more, and the entire album Arts Org would be happy to consult you as to how you is engineered and mixed by International Show of SOE Complex in Weymouth. The album comes out July 27, can best fit in! Email info@brain-arts.org or message but until then, stay tuned to Red Shaydez’s social media for The Aura Sessions and pull through the virtual album them on social media.

—Danielle Lauretano release party on July 26.

—Cassie Capewell

UN DE

HT FIG

RTIST’S CALL TO A ISM: AN A In early May, CTIO L A T I N! CA P

REFLECTION ON THE EETS!”: A MOVE R T S MEN ? OUR The symbolism almost escaped me. “On

LAYOUT DESIGN: PHOEBE DELMONTE |p.1,4,& 5 HANNAH BLAUNER |p.2 AUDREY SUTTER |p.3 ADRIAN ALVAREZ |p.6 & 8 JULIA BARONI |p.7

THIS PAPER IS AN ONGOING PROJECT OF BRAIN ARTS ORGANIZATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT. PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO, VOLUNTEERING OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTING US: BRAIN-ARTS.ORG

RO G R

: LEX F D UN

D SHAYDEZ’S AURA E R L FEE

THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, A LOCAL AGENCY WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, AS ADMINSTRATED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF ARTS + CULTURE

NOTES FROM THE CREW What a time for independent journalism!

Things are changing, and I’m extremely grateful to be serving as the Web Editor for the newly-dubbed Boston Compass Blog during this time. The recent global revolution and momentum is reflected in the microcosm that is the Boston Compass.

As COVID-19 shut down all events and gatherings, the blog quickly became a vital resource for community and sharing art. It has always been a part of Brain Arts’ mission to provide a platform for undervalued artists.

Now, as the mainstream media poorly covers the Black Lives Matter movement, choosing to sensationalize violence and oversimplify calls to defund the police, it is essential that the blog showcase underrepresented voices. I’m extremely proud of the content being posted on the blog, especially the Art Activism Toolkit filled with ways to support BIPOC creatives. The energy from community members stepping up and sharing their perspectives is infectious.

I am inspired to continue to show up every day, to listen, to learn, to follow Black leadership and to keep up the momentumI hope you are as well! If you find yourself disheartened by what you see in mainstream media, remember that we have the power to create the media and share the stories that are important to us and writing for the Boston Compass in print or online is one way to do that!

Take a look online at www.brain-arts.org.

If you are interested in sharing your voice, you can reach me at liz@brain-arts.org, I would love to hear from you.

--- LIZ SMITH

YOURS TRULY,

------- EJ HUSTON @EEJAYHEART

I started this column based on the belief that the unfettered growth of massive, profitseeking, industrial corporations is one of the most damning phenomena taking place in the world today. I am an anti-corporatist, and I want to dig into that because it means a lot of things.

I believe corporatism is not just a way of doing business; it is a manner of structuring society that is manipulative and exploitative at its core. It is a phenomenon out of which I’d argue nearly all subsequent societal ailments stem.

For example, when we protest structural inequality and racism in this country, we often point a finger at colonialism, which we view as a problem independent of corporatism. But in fact, colonies like Virginia and Massachusetts were founded as literal corporations. As profit-driven enterprises, they even had charters granted to stockholders by the king. Make no mistake, colonialism was the predecessor to today’s corporate capitalism, and slavery is perhaps the most infamous and cruel example of how much the free market is willing to overlook while kneeling at the altar of growth.

The idea behind the colonial (and now corporate) mindset is not to live harmoniously with one’s surroundings. It’s to use people and places until they’re no longer profitable.

Yet as Americans, we delude ourselves into believing big business is on our side. Instead of demanding higher wages so we can afford to pay a fair price for the items we own, we cheer for those who are able to use their economies of scale to bully less powerful actors in the market into securing “deals” and “bargains” for the low-waged American consumer, brands like Dunkin Donuts and Walmart. We don’t care what these companies have to do, the corners they have to cut, the environments they destroy doing it, or the families in developing countries that have to get by on $5 a day because of it—until maybe we find out about it. Then wealthier consumers will boycott those companies in favor of ones which do things slightly more fairly. But everyone else will keep buying what’s affordable because we can’t afford not to. And because we feel a misplaced sense of kinship to these brands, which is doubly sad, but also somewhat understandable. After all, these corporations employ large swathes of the population, which is a virtue isn’t it? Even if those types of jobs are often mind-numbing, low-paid, and deeply disempowering—thanks, Amazon.

I’d argue part of the reason there are so many people, especially people of color, living in poverty across this country and lacking access to basic opportunities like education isn’t *just* because there are still racist white people; it’s because after a century of putting our faith in corporations as vehicles of progress, we almost do not

have a public sector in this country anymore to do anything about it or make the necessary reparations. Rather than dealing with our race problems in a real way, we let business become the great equalizer. This is how America deals with its marginalized communities. Being racist and sexist is bad for business! The market regulates itself! But we’re seeing now the shortcomings in this surface-level approach (though we continue to apply it).

Perhaps more importantly, we have totally lost sight of who the enemy actually is.

Anyone who’s perused Twitter lately (another corporation that incentivizes outrage and profits immensely from our divisions) will see that American political discourse is where critical thought goes to die. Truth is, this isn’t a fight that needs to be waged between left versus right; it’s between big versus small.

And I’d argue that any narrative pitting working classes against one another (which is what we’re seeing unfold over social media with the left-right wing dichotomy) deserves a hefty serving of skepticism.

It’s convenient that the same media outlets that pit us against one another always tiptoe around the larger elephant in the room.

Maybe the problem isn’t that some poor white guy from a collapsed mining town in Pennsylvania voted for Donald Trump. The problem is that big business that keeps getting bigger, while workers just can’t seem to catch a break. It’s rare that you’ll hear anything that unifying from Fox News, MSNBC, or CNN. Maybe it’s because they, too, are corporate goliaths who stir up the kind of controversy that will drive ratings, but not the kind that will result in actual change.

It’s brilliant political maneuvering if you think about it. If PepsiCo, the multinational corporation that owns Aunt Jemima, changes the racist label on its bottle, which co-opts the image of a black woman, then we’ll probably ignore its contents, which are equally immoral. Here are the actual ingredients in a bottle of Aunt Jemima: CORN SYRUP, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, WATER, CELLULOSE GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SODIUM BENZOATE AND SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVES), SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE. Aunt Jemima is not just masquerading as a black woman; she’s masquerading as actual food.

Why not leverage this opportunity to change not just the logo on the bottle, but what’s inside, too? Why do we always stop short of demanding the substantive change we deserve? What is the actual agenda here?

Despite the protests unfolding around the country, I have yet to see any organization or public official—save for those on the absolute fringe—even hint at the enormous role corporatism plays in maintaining the status quo. Instead, I see a well of idiotic Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives opening up beneath all of our feet, sucking us deeper into this web of political inertia, ensuring as little as possible actually changes.

The joke’s on them.

---------------------------- KARINE VANN

HEART SOAKED Q: How to deal with a break up while still in love! Passion is there but logic tells me it’s not sustainable.

A: I think in the case of there not being an *event* to cause a stir leading to a breakup it is best to have the whole “I’m not sure this is going to turn into anything” talk. This conversation is so very necessary and might just be a vehicle for addressing each other’s wants and needs and possibly remedying the situation. Communicating intentions and reevaluating your plans together seems quite robotic and analytical but healthy and important.

Social media companies have commodified you. They got rich by selling your behavioral data which can be used to predict and influence you, while addicting you to the stimulation and necessity of their platforms.

There’s a lot of momentum to further centralize the internet in service of this business model.

Among the many implications of this aggregation and commercialization of human consciousness, the events of the past month reveal a glaring vulnerability in how social movements organize. We are trusting a small handful of companies with total control over the ability to share important videos, host our event planning, and to expose us to the majority of our news and information.

Here are a few concepts and tools for independent, unsurveiled web browsing, file sharing and communication.

Peer to Peer P2P means a system where 2 or more computers connect to exchange data directly. The vast majority of websites and apps consist of information being served to us from a 3rd party server.

Beaker Browser is an alternative web browser that lets you build hostless websites and applications.

Beam.cafe is a nifty tool for P2P filesharing. (think dropbox without giving data to a corporation) End to End Encryption Implies that data shared between 2 users by way of a third party can only be accessed by the end users, and the third party (eg. whatsapp (ie. facebook)) does not hold the keys.

What’s app, Signal, Riot and Telegram are e2e encrypted chat apps. Gmail is not end-to-end encrypted, so they can use your email text to build personality profiles about you.

If you simply just don’t want to continue the relationship -I suggest a conscious uncoupling. Conscious uncoupling is a way of controlling a break-up together and making the separation less traumatic by addressing it as a positive completed relationship rather than a failed attempt at love. Each relationship teaches us lessons, and we have to look at those lessons as a gain! There is no use in wasting time especially time of someone you love or your own!

------- XOXO HEART SOAKED

VPN A service that secures and anonymizes your internet traffic by routing it through a computer at a different location. Your connection to the VPN is encrypted so the data exchanged between you and a website appears to be coming from somewhere else in the world.

VPNs are used to access websites otherwise blocked in a given region. A crucial tool for truly private browsing.

Check out TunnelBear.

Meshnet An alternative internet infrastructure that uses line-of-sight connections between rooftop antennae. This is the thing we’re gonna wish we had spent some time working on when the solar flare hits.

Check out bostonmeshnet.github.io Steganography A technique for hiding a secret message in plain sight. Unlike encryption which converts data into an obviously unreadable blob, digital steganography uses hidden characters to encode a message which can be decrypted with a password.

The first sentence of the online version of this column contains a secret message.

To find it: 1. visit stegcloak.surge.sh 2. select and copy the first sentence of this post and paste it into the Reveal section of stegcloak 3. Use the password compass and click get secret James Staub is a musician and coder living in Jamaica Plain, where he often writes code which makes music. insta: @j_a_m_e_s__a__s_t_a_u_b twitter: @mmuddywires music: jamesstaub.com

----------------------------- JAMES STAUB

THE TAROT FORECAST

Hi all, Cory here. How are you doing?

This is a regular Compass column about protest art from Extinction Rebellion (“XR”) Boston. XR is an international, decentralized protest movement demanding: 1. Truthtelling from corporations, governments, and the media about the climate crisis and ecological collapse 2. Immediate action to reduce global carbon emissions and halt biodiversity loss 3. The creation of official Citizens Assemblies to lead decisions on climate and ecological justice 4. A just transition to these more livable practices, prioritizing the most vulnerable people and establishing indigenous sovereignty and remediation led by and for communities suffering environmental injustice.

This month I’m wicked excited to let one of our upcoming events do the talking. Catch it on Tax Day 7/15 in downtown Boston (details below). I can’t give a lot of details here, but there will be a lot of protest art. If you want to get involved, sign up on the contact form at the bottom of the event page: www. xrmass.org/action/tax-day-peoplesbail-out-protest/ FED UP WITH CLIMATE INJUSTICE! Please sign up if you plan to attend — we need to be able to anticipate the crowd size, thank you!

On Tax Day, Wed. July 15, Extinction Rebellion Boston will lead an action demanding that our government invest our taxes in our future!

The federal government must stop giving tax breaks and subsidies to the oil, natural gas, and coal corporations

that are fueling global destruction. We demand that these funds are redirected to individuals and communities on the frontline of the climate and ecological emergency and toward a rapid transition to clean, renewable sources of energy and ecological sustainability.

Our government must tell the truth about the severity of the climate crisis and establish reparations and remediation led by and for Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color and poor communities who have suffered years of environmental racism and injustice. Our current financial and political systems treat the earth as a commodity and people as disposable.

The wealthy must pay higher taxes and our government budgets must be reallocated to build cultures of care and repair to ensure an equitable and livable planet for all life and for generations to come.

We are calling on XR Rebels to participate if you feel comfortable and safe enough to do so. We will practice social distancing, wear masks and use hand sanitizer. We will not engage in civil disobedience, but we are planning a lively and vibrant day, with some special surprises.

Together we will demand power be restored to the people to set a just course of action and rebuild our relationships to one another and the earth.

Join us on Wed. July 15 at 8 a.m.! The action is at the Federal Reserve, 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02210 Accessibility: Sidewalk accessible In love and rage,

------------------------------ CORY (xrmass.org)

PHASES OF THE MOVEMENT R E P R E S E N TAT I V E P H A S E S T O S Y S T E M I C R A C I S M There has been a major shift as we move through 2020. The global pandemic of COVID-19 that has majorly affected our country and the continued injustice murders of many black people.

Systemic racism has become a norm.

Weaved into our everyday systems, backed by ingrained mindsets that take hold of conversations in our personal and professional lives that have a dangerous effect on the decisions that build this country. “People should be judged upon the merit of what they know and how they can improve.”— Patsy Price There is new circling information, where white people are more willing to be open about these conversations, where people are actually trying to learn.

How do we keep this work, this fight, consistent in order to accelerate the combat against systemic racism?

As our government officials design phases on reopening our city with COVID-19. We need to be addressing racism in phases as well. To cultivate the consistency, knowledge and work towards the solutions that are essential towards this mission.

- Taking on systemic racism internally.

In the mental health industry, and incorporating more safe spaces, to identify issues and have resources readily available, to address them in an individuated, healthy manner. This can translate into how people take these conversations, choices, and knowledge home and incorporate it into their daily lives - Education: There needs to be more uniform, diverse curriculums in every educational facility, with in-depth black history, and anti-racism teachings. Accompanied with training for teachers on how to understand and teach these curricu-

C O M B AT

lums in order to truly give students the powerful education intended for them to succeed personally and professionally.

- Work: Anti-racism resources need to be accessible and systemic racism addressed in our professional settings, working to have these conversations and resources present as frequently as scheduled staff meetings. Updated in hiring processes, policies, mission statements.

Companies and organizations need to be having these conversations, searching for and having access to solutions as one of the forefronts of their work models.

- Legal: There is not one law for black people and one law for white. People of Color need to know their rights. There needs to a sort of social program, where people can go and submit legal complaints against discrimination, that will be dealt with at the highest extent to the law. There should also been forums available for people to ask questions about discrimination and obtain legal guidance and support for their intended safety and wellbeing in every environment.

This can be met with retaliation and may be seen to deem a historical culture incorrect. It is. This is a crucial opportunity in 2020 to work towards strengthening it in correctness.

It’s hard to think in phases when this very important issue feels like it should’ve been solved and every aspect is long overdue.

To us: This experience of strength, resilience, and courage is in our blood.

From this our wisdom blossoms, and love expands, our creativity flourishes, and our power is unbeatable.

------------------------- JOYE WILLIAMS

For July, I pulled the II of Swords reversed. The II of Swords is here to tell us that we may need to make some difficult decisions in July, and we will feel like there is no right answer, or no best choice for us. If you’re feeling stuck this July, ask yourself: What would it look like if I took a break from making decisions right now?

We might not have all the information we need to make the best choices for ourselves at this moment. Don’t rush anything, and avoid commitments, things will reveal themselves at a later date. The II of Swords reversed is also a reminder that sometimes in life, we have to choose between the lesser of two evils.

For the July 5 lunar eclipse / full moon, I pulled the The Justice card. The Justice card is a reminder of karma, so get ready, because things are coming back around. Everything you do has a positive or negative consequence. On the July full moon, spend some time reflecting: How can your actions be the most just to create the best karma for yourself and the world? This is also a card of integrity and equality. This full moon is asking us to all step up and fight for truth, and Justice.

The Justice card is unyielding, if you’re not on the side of equality, karma will remember.

The IV of Cups reversed shows up for the new moon on July 20. This card warns

we may be detached from our feelings towards the end of July. The IV of Cups reversed also creates an opportunity for people to take advantage of each other.

Check in with yourself on the new moon: Are you appreciating the people around you? Are you being equally appreciated by your community? If not, it may be time for you to create some boundaries, or even *sigh* apologize to the people in your life you’ve been undervaluing.

The VIII of Pentacles jumped out of the deck while I was shuffling for guidance. I pulled the VIII of Pentacles for you all in March, May, and June! When a card creates a pattern, it means we are still learning the message and working with that energy. The VIII of Pentacles is here again asking: How can we rethink our relationship with work and how can we show up for our craft?

I also pulled the IV of Wands for guidance. This card is all about community and celebration. July will continue to be challenging, so we really need to connect with our people, and enjoy life together when we can. How can you celebrate and honor your community this month? This is also a card representing home, we will need to continue our connection to home this July.

------------- NAOMI WESTWATER

(@naomiwestwater)

WASTE IS WOEFUL Hey good people! My name’s Amelia.

I’m guest-writing this month’s Trash is Tragic, with Mel’s blessing. It’s great to be here.

If you’re reading this, I’d bet my finest sidewalk chalk we have two things in common: concern for the environment and knee-jerk neck-crane for sidewalk freebies.

As of this writing, I’m avoiding all indoor shopping except for groceries.

However, I’ve been wearing the same three pairs of pants for six months, and a roommate and her furniture are moving soon. This plus budget and sustainability concerns got me thinking: How can I exchange used goods in the pandemic?

The following is my personal system for safe COVID-19 curbsiding.

A longer version lives on the Brain Arts website, and it additionally covers donating, purchasing, and exchanging.

What a bargain!

NOTE: I am neither a doctor nor a public health expert, so please use your own judgment, and keep current with scientific findings and CDC guidelines.

HEADING OUT - Check with housemates — feelings about curbsiding, safety, space use - Pack: hand sanitizer, phone, wallet, keys, tote bag(s), hand tools if needed - Wash hands, put on clean mask, then shoes — this order means I don’t touch my facemask with my shoehands INSPECTING OBJECTS - I always maintain social distance from other pickers (six feet, ideally more).

- If other folks get too close or aren’t wearing masks I ask them to follow safety measures, then leave if I’m uncomfortable.

- Handy Assumptions: #1: All outdoor objects are contaminated #2: If I touch something, my hands are contaminated #3: Anything I touch has now been contaminated by me - Check for ordinary issues: bugs, water damage, mold, cracks, functional-

ity, etc.

RETURNING - In my house, we don’t bring something inside until it’s been cleaned - In-between spaces (entryway, driveway, porch) temporarily hold new items After depositing my haul, I immediately clean myself: 1. Remove shoes 2. Wash hands 3. Remove mask 4. Change clothes 5. Wash hands pt. 2 CLEANING OBJECTS I use 4 main methods depending on the object: 1. “LIE FALLOW” - Current studies say COVID-19 can survive on surfaces up to 72 hours (three full days) under normal conditions - I put stuff in a predetermined spot where it won’t be touched, or in “lie fallow bags,” then label with date/time - After three full days, I do any other needed cleaning 2. LAUNDER - Cloth items go straight in the washing machine, hot cycle - If fabric is delicate, I let it lie fallow (three days), then cold cycle or handwash 3. HOT H2O + SOAP - For water-safe objects, duh - Better than rubbing alcohol because it removes more dirt (which can hold onto virus particles) 4. RUBBING ALCOHOL - Useful for electronics and other water-phobic objects - Using washable cotton rags reduces waste With all the college campus lockdowns, 2020 is starting to look like The Year Without Allston Christmas. However, I truly believe that if we’re careful, and keep love in our hearts and masks on our faces, every day can be Allston Christmas.

A toast to your good health,

--------------------------------------------- AMELIA

MORE AT BRAIN-ARTS.ORG

ADVOCACY

Now + There work to provide artists with public art opportunities to incite change and awareness in Boston communities. Take a walk and check out their creations! www.nowandthere.org Speak Easy Stage Company directs individuals and groups to the many ways they can get involved in the movement through three guiding tenets: educate, engage, and support. Find out info online. www.speakeasystage.com/blacklives-matter-resource-list/ We, Ceremony A digital platform that uses storytelling to empower and celebrate women of color www.weceremony.com Follow FTP Boston for information on rallies, protests, efforts, and more to continue the fight to defund the police and fund our low income and POC communities @ftpboston Violence In Boston works to improve the quality of life & life outcomes of individuals from disenfranchised communities by reducing the prevalence of violence and the impact of associated trauma. Learn more and get assistance at www.violenceinboston.org @violenceinboston Stage Source - A POC and queer led organization creating opportunities and building a diverse community for New England artists. Find out more, including a detailed list of anti-racism resources in a variety of mediums here: www.stagesource.org/page/anti-racism Follow The Other Boston! In their own words, they “highlight the #BlackBoston experience, create community thru our weekly events list + showcase our pride through our merch line”

The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is a resource that provides legal support, medical advocacy, counseling, and a 24/7 hotline. Further, they have a Youth Leadership Corps (YLC) dedicated to increasing education surrounding sexual violence and healthy relationships which is a great opportunity for Boston high schoolers. www.barcc.org Planned Parenthood is a huge nationwide reproductive health source. They are open Tuesday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for reproductive health services. Additionally, they are the nation’s largest sexual education provider! www.plannedparenthood.org

MUSIC & AUDIO

“Feel the Aura” virtual album release party 7/26 5-9pm featuring Red Shaydez and presented by Gigabit Boston. Follow BAMS Fest and find more info at www.bamsfest.org/ Punk Rock Aerobics is BACK featuring at home exercise set to a rotating playlist of all things punk!

Follow @punk_rock_aerobics for updates and upcoming streams Black Composer Miniature Challenge Virtual World Premieres! Follow @CastleSkins or on Facebook. Every Friday at 12.

Featured July composers: July 3: Kevin Madison: “Bus Driver,” viola solo July 10: Brian R. Nabors: “Hoedown for Isolation,” viola-piano July 17: Forbes Graham: “Donna and Clifford,” viola solo July 24: Brittany Green: “Connected,” viola-piano, fixed media July 31: Gary Powell Nash: “Positive Negativity,” viola-piano Follow Mad Music Mill for updates on livestreams and virtual music opportunities @themadmusicmill

Follow Survivor Theatre Project for online events and opportunities that suppor women, queer, and POC voices. More info on IG @survivortheatreproject

Tales from the Inside: Live comedy from The Comedy Studio in Somerville July 8, 15, 22, 29 from 8-10pm.

More info and how to watch here: www.thecomedystudio. com/schedule

Center for Teen Empowerment encouraging and advocating for youth involvement in social change and political movements specifically for low income and POC in greater Boston www.teenempowerment.org/

HER MUSE Collective: DJ series Thursdays and Sundays every week & tutorials/informative videos from womxn & ally artists all around the globe! @hermusecollective

Stavros’ Transition to Adulthood Program is an amazing resource for youth (14-22) with disabilities. They provide a number of resources as well as assistance to help youth make this difficult transition, and attempt to combat the excess challenges that youth with disabilities face. www.stavros.org

Friday 7/3 8-10:30 ONCE Somerville and The Lowell Spin present Tysk Tysk Task Virtual Release Show! w/ Mint Green, blindspot, and Inspector 34.

Suggested Donation: $5 - All Proceeds go to the Massachusetts Bail Fund & UTEC. To access livestream, RSVP here: www.facebook.com/ events/665420617339703/

STEPS’ Young Adult Resource Center is an all-encompassing resource for youth in need of assistance. They teach a number of different life skills as well as providing a safe and accepting community for young adults. www.waysideyouth.org The Transformation Center works specifically to help decrease the stigma around mental illness and provide support for those in need. In addition, they have a peer mentorship program that can be helpful for both those currently struggling and those who have in the past. The program connects struggling youth with adults (18+) who are in recovery. www.transformation-center.org

Stay Silent: Art and music live streams/rad talk show @staysilentpvd Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth Open Mic! July 8th 7-9pm Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/927719211 LFOD Radio features regular livestreams of music and all forms of artistic expression Follow them @lofodradio Spark Radio with DJ WhySham: Every Tuesday/Thursday from 1-3pm - Live from DAP! www.sparkfmonline.com/ Follow Boston Got Next! For action updates and new music! www.bostongotnext.com/just-released/

Friday 7/17 A live-streamed performance premier of Eleanor Elektra’s new album ‘Exquisite Corpse’ complete with an immersive light show!

RSVP: www.facebook.com/ events/546306822719293/ Non-Event: experimental, abstract, improvised, and new music happenings.

Scope Non-Event’s Youtube channel. Live streams every Friday.

Stay-at-home-Fest! A calendar of online experiences and digital events to support artists/musicians in these hard times www.stayathomefest.com/#calendar Bridgeside Cypher: July 25th 8-11pm: Open freestyle, open mic, live video recording, and more! You never know what to expect!

Check the link: www.facebook. com/cambridgehiphop/live Follow @cambridgehiphop for updates and info!

Follow It’s Lit Boston award-winning podcast for upcoming and past music live streams! www.facebook.com/ItsLitBoston/ @itslitboston Follow HipStory! Live streaming local musicians at their House Party July 13th 7-9pm with donations going to national justice based non-profits @thehipstory on IG. www.hipstory.org Good Music Showcase Series: Music live streams of local hip hop and community artists!

For weekly updates, follow them @goodmusicshowcaseseries Feel it Speak it: Boston’s only monthly open mic movement dedicated to voices & experiences of the LGBTQ+ communities of color every Thursday. https://zoom.us/j/662513689 Meeting ID: 662 513 689 @feelit_speakit Follow Black Cotton Club for virtual open mics, community information and more! www.facebook.com/BlackCottonClub/ @BlackCottonClub Off Land: Experimental and ambient music livestreams! www.twitch.tv/offlandia/schedule Club Passim Livestreams! Folk, americana, acoustic sets, and more.

Check the continually developing schedule at www.passim.org/ stream Specifically: Tony Trischka on 7/2 and Rebecca Loebe on 7/9

VIDEO & FILM

LA+D Films: Watch independent student films online and learn about the filmmakers! www.lucadfilm.com/posts/watchour-films/ ExpozedTV: Live streams and videos of music, interviews with local artists, and more. Check out previous content and updates at www.expozedtv.com/ about-expozedtv Follow AGX Film Collective to support an all artist-run collective of local filmmakers and learn about online opportunities: www.agxfilm.org/ Meet the Creators: Virtual interviews with visual artists!

Find the full and developing schedule by following @meetthecreatorstv Pineapple Diaries Web Series: Bringing communities together and facilitating conversations.

Follow them for updates @pineapplediarieswebseries www.instagram.com/pineapplediarieswebseries/

Weird Local Film Festival goes virtual! Check out the first two virtual DIY film short showcases and look out for more. Open to submissions.

Scope Weird Local Productions on Youtube Follow @weirdlocalfilmfestival Girl Haus Cinema! Short films by local women filmmakers www.grrlhauscinema.com/ Senseless Audio Series! Live conversations with Boston youth.

Keep an eye on upcoming live streams and interactive discussions here: www.facebook.com/ pg/TeenEmp/events/?ref=page_ internal DIY DOC: A new video series documenting Boston’s DIY music scene starting with house venues now on Youtube. Check out their most recent video of Fractillian live at Trendy Shit Town.

Filmmaker Kate Lain created this Cabin Fever playlist of experimental film and video crowdsourced by filmmakers. Support the artists!

Download various formats here: www.katemakesfilms.com/cabinfever/ The Harvard Film Archive newsletter has recently been sharing recommendations of films to stream online each week from its past filmmakers at www.harvardfilmarchive.com/newsletter The LEF New England newsletter shares local filmmaker opportunities each month at www. lef-foundation.org The Frameworks mailing list is “an international forum on experimental film, avant-garde film, film as art, film as film, or film as visual poetry”. www.hobeam.net AGITATE:21C The Avant-garde International Team at the Epicentre of the 21st Century is an international avant-garde filmmaking collective that is open to anyone to join. Check it on FB

VISUAL & ART

Regular Calls for Boston Artists The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture hosts a bi weekly call every other Tuesday at 4pm through June discussing resources for individual artists! Tune in!! www.boston.gov/news/responding-covid-19s-impact-bostonsarts-and-culture-sector Immortal Exhibit: IG TV Visual Artists and Live Stream Schedule!

Follow them @immortalexhibit SPACEUS Procrastination Kits At the time of writing this, Spacus is on its first iteration of a Procrastination Kit. This is a thoughtfully curated gift of art, activities and collectables. You can choose from three different pairs of artists. They will be visual, tangible, and most importantly - distracting. A pair that has never met, friends who are social distancing, or artists who are quarenting together. For $28 you can get one pair’s collectable package, for $75 you can get all three packages. Shipping is included. This would make a great gift for a friend, or a more involved way to start your art collection.

EveryBODY is important Stay caught up with the tide that is Angel Rose (IG @angelrosecreatrix). Angel is a genderqueer beacon of light and color that was once a member of the local Brain Arts family, but is now located in Houston, TX. They’ve been doing live model sessions over Zoom, featuring elaborate costumes and installations a la Angel, and requesting donations that go to charities like The Black Youth Project. Get your figure drawing skills together and be

with a gentle, creative community facilitated by this healing artist and creatrix.

Creatives of Color Boston! July 17th, 2020 w/ Leslie Condon Visual artist, and Curator.

Each month this summer, CCB will be shining a spotlight on two artists who will share their work either through a virtual studio tour, or performance, on Facebook Live. This is a great paid opportunity to share work, talk about upcoming projects, and even connect with the public through a Q&A. Follow them @creativesofcolorboston Ghost City - Avenue S: A Net Art Exhibition by Jody Zellen available through August 31st Check it out online here: www. ghostcity.com/avenue-s/ Artsteps Have you been wanting to curate your own art show, but never had the space? Or the funds? Or the arthandlers? Or the wine and cheese? Luckily for us, there is still plenty of curbside real estate on the internet, and virtual exhibitions are BYOB. Let the algorithm be your art handler.

Sign up for free and host a VR art exhibition using 2D graphics.

The site is very easy to use and an amazing way to connect with artists and friends from around the world.

Build your gallery show on your desktop, upload .jpegs, .png’s etc. You can add labels and slight interactivity. Some notable exhibitions on the platform right now are called “The Heavens are Yours/The Earth is Also Yours” and “The Former Capital”. This app is wonderfly low-fi considering it’s build-your-own VR, which makes it tremendously charming and easy to approach.

By the way - this project was made with UNITY, a super high quality, open source software that helps you make 3D animation and interactive games.

There’s a lot of resources to help you become an expert at it, all for free!

SMFA Senior Thesis Virtual Exhibit: Check out student senior thesis submissions virtually! www.smfa.tufts.edu/events-exhibitions/virtual-exhibits/senior-thesis/2020 Check out HowlRound for updates on independent theatre.

Lots of pre-recorded video content, updates, and more live streams in the coming weeks! www.howlround.com/tags/ covid-19 Art Concepts 5: Digital worlds: the future of art online Use this time to take advantage of artists and art professionals from around the world. This lecture and artist talk with. Listen to experts speak about the future of contemporary art and its role on the internet.

We are well aware of the pretentious air to the contemporary art world. Dr. Marie-Anne Mancio of London will take broad topics such as the direction of appropriation and craft in contemporary art and segway into how our new art-world on the internet will change or is affected by this.

This event costs around $12 USD. Find the listing on Eventbrite and sign up! Events like these are abundant right now. Take advantage of the affordable knowledge and the digital reach!

LITERARY ART

Fellow non-profit Wrong Brain from NH has shared their online zine archive!

Check out the collection at www. wrongbrain.net/zine-archive/ wrong-brain-1

Support Papercut Zine Library and learn how to get involved! www.papercutzinelibrary.com/ volunteer-positions DigBoston - Boston’s other rad newspaper is back in print after a brief hiatus! Also online at www. digboston.com.

Dorchester Reporter Award-winning, weekly neighborhood newspaper still on the streets and online at www. dotnews.com The Bay State Banner - an African American owned news weekly that reports on the political, economic, social and cultural issues that are of interest to African American and English speaking Latinos in Boston and throughout New England. New columns daily at www.baystatebanner.com Sprout Distro - zines on music, culture, social change, advocacy, and more including “12 Things to Do Instead of Calling the Cops” zine! Find them at: sproutdistro.com

PERFORMANCE ART Sublime Luv: Public Speaker.

Spoken Word Artist. Workshop Facilitator. Teaching Artist. www.sublimeluv.com Follow @mssublimeluv Midway or the Highway: The monthly, recurring open mic night has gone online!

Sundays in July: 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26 Check out www.facebook.com/ groups/675089935951646 for the zoom information!

COMMUNITY Free Groceries for ALL @Make Shift Boston Mondays at 5:30pm 549 Columbus Ave, Boston Makeshift Boston: School of Arts and Social Justice!

Meetings online every Thursday at 7pm. “Class topics include poetry, music, mutual aid/direct action training, and basic education on racism, trans awareness, disability justice, and fatphobia” Check their site for more info and past events: https://makeshiftboston.org/events/ JP Fix ‘n Flea! Saturday 7/11 from 11-4pm @ First Church JP. The JP FLEA has evolved into the JP FIX ‘N FLEA to include a wide range of repair services to help you invest in what you have.

This multicultural marketplace will continue to offer a wide selection of items from artists, nonprofits and small businesses.

Buy a Sam Pao Mystery Tee Shirt to benefit For The Gworls: rent and gender-affirming assistance program for Black Trans folks. Rad as heck upcycled fashion made in a million beautiful ways. Whatcha gonna get? @_sam_pao www.sampaoliniart.com/

Snag an Original Tee Shirt created by artist Mythsooka to fundraise for bail out funds as well as redistribution in black centric mutual aid. @Mythsooka www.inktothepeople.com/blmwe-built-thisANOTHER rad af Tee Shirt created by Boston Compass designer Hannah Blauner in the style of your favorite heavy metal band to fundraise for The Bail Project, Inc. @thegreenhanalishi www.teespring.com/blacklives062020?pid=369&cid=6513 CoVictory Gardens CoVictory Gardens is an ongoing project founded in response to COVID-19. Garden in solidarity with your community and peers.

Share your story on the project’s website. You can make or buy a sign to place in your container garden, your raised beds, or by your little succulent that you haven’t killed yet.

This is a social practice project created by our friend Sheila Novak! Social Practice is a term used for a type of performative artwork where the artist engages communities in a way that is both productive and positive while also shedding light on certain issues. It’s not traditional art in a normal sense, it is the act of doing good while having the mindset of an artist. Follow the project’s website to learn more about how to get involved and how its outreach is going. www. covictorygardens.com/ Follow Black Market Nubian for info on shopping local! www.instagram.com/blackmarketnubian MASSCreative: COVID-19 Virtual Policy & Action Updates Every Friday from 9:45-10am, These 15-minute updates are meant to provide you with what you need to know about COVID-19 policy advocacy and actions you can take to support the creative community.

WBUR CitySpace: Online content, news, community updates, “Town Hall” style community meetings and much more. Check them out at wbur.org Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant (up to $6,000). Check back later this year for 2020 details TBA! www.queer-art.org/hammer-grant Check out COVID Grants for Artists through Mass Cultural Council www.massculturalcouncil. org/artists-art/covid-19-relief-fund-for-individuals Boston Jerkfest Live! Free festival attendance with option for paid cooking classes.

Details and tickets at: http:// bostonjerkfest.com/ What: Boston JerkFest ONLINE Rum, Wine & Brew - Friday July 10, 6-9pm Food Festival - Saturday July 11, 4-8pm Family & Culture Day - Sunday July 12, 2-5pm

As America searches for rock bottom, some theatre companies are using this unexpected break to address larger issues plaguing both the theatre community and the world, specifically race and gender identity.

Theatre has a long history of limited roles for women, people of color and the LBGTQ community and is finally starting to re-evaluate the stories they are telling onstage. It’s now or never for broader action.

Always on the frontlines is Company One Theatre, who have been changing the look of Boston theatre for over twenty years. They have always championed marginalized voices with work that uses representation as an act of social justice, provides a platform to rarely heard narratives, and supports artists of color. They are navigating this 2020 hellscape by bringing together the creative community with policy makers for important conversations, one neighborhood at a time, in their Better Future Series online. Last month they launched this new live web series and now they bring us Company One’s Better Futures Series: Episode 02. These are candid conversations within specific Boston neighborhoods between artists, community leaders and policy makers in an effort to navigate this global pandemic and discuss how best to fight against white supremacy.

WHERE: companyone.org Season by season, more work written by and featuring people of color is being produced. There are newer theater companies like Praxis Stage, who were created to be that change. Then there are old dogs learning new tricks, like the Huntington Theater, who have gone from programming for the white, retired theatre-going crowd to more socially conscious work including playwrights like Lynn Nottage, Kirsten Greenidge, Melinda Lopez and others. ArtsEmerson also has a range of shows featuring artists and cultures from all over the world. But we are still at the beginning and there’s plenty of learning and unlearning that needs to be done. Tips? Email TheatrescapeBoston@gmail.com —CEEK

OU Y S E C HANG A L P CAN

In this hot, humid and chaotic world right now it’s important to remember to take care of yourself—and what better way to treat yourself during this time than to give in to your sweet tooth?! This month we strongly recommend that you visit Coco Leaf, a locally-owned business in Fields Corner, Dorchester that has been a staple in the neighborhood and a neighbor of DAP & BAO for the past few years.

Coco Leaf, which bills itself as a Dessert Cafe, serves a wide variety of delicious, Vietnamese-inspired treats—sweet and savory. Some highlights to cool you down this summer include smoothies, iced coffees, bubble milk teas and Chè—a Vietnamese delicacy commonly made with mung beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, tapioca, jellies and fresh fruits. If you’re hungry, they also offer sweet and savory crepes as well as other mouth-watering baked goods.

It’s tough out here for a small business these days—Coco Leaf has continued to be a bright spot in the Fields Corner neighborhood during this global pandemic serving sweet treats throughout it all.

While you’re in FC it would be absolutely excellent to spread the love around the neighborhood to many other local businesses that have made this neighborhood so amazingly unique. Fields Corner is the first place I visited in Boston and I called it home for a number of years—I would love to see the same small businesses thriving after we’re past this pandemic!

—e.b.b.

“Black Farmers and Black Land Matter” —Monica White in Freedom Farmers “Hunger is a form of violence.”

—Michael Twitty, author of The Cooking Gene, in Huff Post 6/15/20 Given this column’s word count, I cannot fully discuss how modern industrial food systems (and capitalism) are directly linked with slavery and systemic oppression.

Similarly, I could not, in this small space, do justice to the myriad ways BIPOC, for centuries, have challenged white supremacy through food production and land ownership, collectively strategizing to create resilient, cooperative food systems.

With that said, here are some places to donate and people/orgs around Boston to discover.

Donate to...

•Theokraproject.com - extends “free, delicious, and nutritious meals to Black Trans people experiencing food insecurity” Urban Farming Institute - envisioning a Boston where vacant lots are transformed, “food cultures are diverse, and people are excited to grow and share food” •@blackhospitalitycoalition - “aims to preserve the few gathering spaces for [Boston’s] many black residents” •@neweconomycoalition “Concentration of power in the hands of a privileged few is incompatible with the long-term health of our communities and our ecosystems” •Flats Mentor Farm (WorldFarmers. org) - Donate today or sign up (next year, they’re all full for this season) for a CSA Check out: •@nailthecocktail - she’s harnessing her mixology expertise to pay tribute to the black lives lost to police violence •@barnoirboston - if you are (or want to be part of) the Greater Boston restaurant/hospitality industry, see her June 11th call to BIPOC community (“We don’t need seats at the table anymore. We build our own.”)

•Equity at The Table - a database of “food industry professionals featuring only women/gender non-conforming individuals and focusing primarily on POC and the LGBTQ community” •Got empty space around your house? Contact the Cambridge City Growers, a group looking to turn empty lots into collective food gardens in the Cambridge area —Dana Ferrante

We’re in This Together

Motherhood is an amazing journey; it is filled with many beautiful events and moments. It is worth more than just a date on a calendar, it merits a lifetime of celebration. It is filled with lessons books alone cannot teach, a love for our child(ren) which cannot be explained, and many picture albums filled with dear memories. Although this journey is one to cherish, it can be difficult when we are faced with situations we are not equipped for. These circumstances can significantly impact our mental health. I often wonder, what are some factors that influence our perception of good mental health?

My mind goes back to November of 2019, when I coordinated and hosted an event specifically for mothers. My goal was to create a safe space for mothers to join together, receive resources, discuss mental health, and feel supported. Each mother had their own life story to tell. The group of women consisted of clinicians, doulas, speakers, ministry leaders, and entrepreneurs; regardless of our titles there we were, united as one, talking about mental health and motherhood. These women were indeed resilient, indeed phenomenal, indeed queens.

What Does Culture Have to do with it?

As we engaged in an open discussion, the importance of culture and its impact on our life became evident. Through discussion we were able to understand the role culture can play in our understanding of mental illness and therapy. More times than not we underestimate the power of culture and how it influences our beliefs, perceptions, and lifestyle.

Its impact on how we cope and deal with challenges can be paramount in seeking out support. Culture is a beautiful thing; it makes us unique in many ways. Although it has its benefits it can affect our decision to recognize a mental illness. This can make it difficult for some of us to seek support and treatment when needed. Having a safe space to discuss these challenges and navigate our emotions is necessary in order to increase the likelihood of mental wellness. As we have honest conversations about maternal mental health for women of color in the community, it is also important to have providers who are culturally competent in order to provide adequate services, resources, and support.

We Are Strong Black Mothers Black women face race and gender discrimination. There is constant pressure to appear mentally and emotionally stable so we don’t play into the stereotypical black woman role. Black mothers and our expectation of endless strength can have its psychological and emotional setbacks. We are strong black women; we can be super moms but remember even super moms need to rest. We fail to pay attention to what our bodies and minds tell us. The strong part of us is pushing us to strap up our boots and continue marching, the black part of us is telling us to stand up in the face of oppression and prove what we can do, and the women part of us is telling us that we can fix just about everything. How would it look, a strong black mother needing support? There is strength in vulnerability, there is beauty found in allowing ourselves to feel, allowing ourselves to simply be authentically who we are. From a strong black mother to another, it is ok to not always feel strong. That does not make us less than. It is ok to seek help. —Carlene McNair

Rainbow Crayons

by Abigail Neale

@lavender_menace_ press

with swift

magnificent arm my pain

Poetry Comix

from life.

great sweep of her clanged back the doors that shut my soul

"Release"

by Adelaide Crapsey

by Holly Kelly @hollymaileykelly

submit your chillustrations!! send to adrian@brain-arts.org

by Ryan M Valentine @poetry_comix

Sexual Fantasies

by Nicole Mazzeo @pleasurepie

tear this poster out and put it on a wall! -

@artbyinde

------------------------------------------------------------------

STATING THE STATE OF THE STATE OF THE ART ARTS

^

Viscous Verses I am thinking they are thinking When we are face to face And there is no way around it I am thinking they are thinking

Artist Memorial: Ailton “Nito” Correia

And they are thinking About my body And the past

An artist to be remembered.

At MassArt, Nito’s passion and drive were contagious.

He was always in his studio later than everyone else, putting in hours upon hours to refine his craft. Coupled with this ambition was a willingness to offer advice and feedback to his fellow students. In this regard, Nito was more than just approachable; he sucked you in with his friendly energy and bright smile. Everyone was comfortable asking Nito for a critique on their work, and he was just as open to feedback about his own work. His passion for continuous improvement, friendship, and meaningful connection established Nito as a shining example of what it means to be an artist in the creative community.

Here, you can see a sculpture Nito made. The piece is constructed from wire and scraps he found at the market while he helped his mom sell fabrics. This particular sculpture is meant to raise awareness around gun violence and mass incarceration; problems that Nito felt needed to be openly discussed. Leveraging his creativity and artistic skills, Nito aimed to shed light on some of the many issues we are facing in America.

As an artist, and as a human being, Nito was on a beautiful path. His energy, hard work, and creativity should act as a reminder to all artists to use their skills as a voice to change the world.

—Hannah Blauner

And pain And they are thinking

^

“I...find humor within the intersection of the questions, ‘what’s happening now?’ and...‘what has happened in my life to shape my opinion on current events?’”

K

“Pretty much every comic I know has a day job. You don’t have to be unambitious, but you have to be realistic, especially in a place like Boston that doesn’t value art as much as it should.

I blame the Puritans for establishing that mindset here.”

I

“The biggest money saver...is carpooling. Comics carpool to gigs all the time....Make friends in your industry, chip in for gas money, and be a good hang, because road trips with fellow comedians are pretty fun.”

45

“Stand-up is essentially a solo process, but every now and then you need a nudge from someone else to get an idea going or to refine existing material.”

/

“I face a lot of the same uphill battles as my white, female peers...like being the only woman in a lineup and having to take on the burden of speaking for all women to prove to audiences that women are funny....It really helps that in this day and age, more and more women are taking charge, producing and booking their own shows, and actively aiming to elevate other women.”

Could history repeat itself And they are thinking

O

Things are better now

tooky kAvAnAgh • tookykAvAnAgh.com

m

And suffering

Ailton Correia, known by his close friends as “Nito”, was a multi-talented Cape Verdean-American artist from Amherst, MA. As an accomplished industrial designer, sculptural artist, Capoeira performer, and martial artist, Nito’s positive energy, hard work, and bright personality shined through all his creative pursuits.

interview with

“I’m a stand-up comedian. I’m a Black woman but I grew up and was educated in predominantly white spaces so I never felt like I had a voice among my peers. Comedy was a way to finally be seen and heard, and humor is often an effective way to get people to listen.”

How am I here and not Why am I here

An

neil horsky • horskyProjects.com

And they are thinking What is my last name And they are thinking How is a name forgotten And they are thinking Has their name vanished And they are thinking Their name is Unforgettable And they are thinking Why am I still here And they are thinking They would never And they are thinking Could they ever And I am thinking they are thinking If I can tell what they are thinking Through their eyes —Vincent Xtaino Viscous Verses is edited by Art and Letters (artandlettersmagazine.squarespace.com).

@bostoncompass

brain-arts.org

issuu.com/ bostoncccompass

by Ngan Vo @grimmrainbow

PREFERRED CARRIERS

Hi! Help us find out who the heck is our readership! visit

East Boston, South Boston, Porter Square, Roxbury!

to take the survey online

em: compassdistro@brain-arts.org

http://ow.ly/ru8x50uKx4

Help

spread the

Compass!

Framers Workshop Midway Cafe Boomerangs Garment District

Lilypad 1369 Cafe City Feed Pink Noise Studio

PLEASE SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT THE COMPASS! WE THANK THEM!