Help Kick Off Earth Day Charles River Cleanup
This year, the Earth Day Charles River Cleanup will bring together approximately 3,000 volunteers at over eighty sites across the watershed to beautify the parks, forests, playgrounds, and paths for all to enjoy. One of the largest Earth Day cleanups in the country, volunteers are estimated to collect over 57,000 pounds of trash––a single-day effort that has a tangible impact on the health of the Charles River and encourages ordinary residents to become lifelong stewards of our shared environment.
Join leadership from Charles River Conservancy, Charles River Watershed Association, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, Esplanade Association, and Waltham Land Trust on Saturday, April 22 at 9 a.m. at the Hatch Memorial Shell for interviews about the significance of this event.
Additionally, several Massachusetts legislators are expected to participate with constituents at 10 AM at select locations: Senator Will Brownsberger at Squibnocket Park in Watertown, Senator Rebecca Rausch at High Street Athletics Complex in Bellingham, Assistant Majority Leader Representative Alice Peisch at Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley, Representative Kay Khan at Norumbega Park in Newton, Representative Steve Owens at Greenough Blvd in Watertown, Representative Jeffrey Roy at Franklin State Forest in Franklin.
West End Museum Welcomes Author Frances McNamara Tonight, April 20
In 1919, a giant molasses tank erupted and spilled two million gallons of the sticky, gooey substance throughout the North End and parts of the West End, killing 21 people. Boston author Frances McNamara will join The West End Museum to talk about her newest historical novel set during the crisis, called “Molasses Murder in a Nutshell” The program is Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. at The HBU50 Community Room, 52 Causeway St.
McNamara, whose father was a Boston police commissioner, has written several books. Her newest introduces historical characters including Frances Glessner Lee, famous for the miniature crime scenes she created to train police investigators, and Dr. George Magrath, Suffolk County Medical Examiner from 1907 to 1932. Scenes are set in Boston locations.
McNamara will talk about her technique of using true historical events and people in a work of mystery-fiction. Books will be available for purchase and signing.
Admission is $8. Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/murder-mystery to reserve your spot for this event.
West End Museum names Sebastian Belfanti as first paid executive director
The West End Museum has named Sebastian Belfanti as its first paid executive director.
Belfanti, who worked for the museum on a contractual basis until last fall, has been salaried as part of the $3.65 million pledge to the museum from Mass General as part of the hospital’s S47 million mitigation package for the expansion of its Cambridge Street campus.
Celebrate Earth Day with Friends of the West End Library
Celebrate Earth Day with the Friends of the West End Library on Saturday, April 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 151 Cambridge St. (Rain date: Monday April 24, same time.)
Drop by the library’s garden to browse the free plants and nature books; plant vegetables; donate your unwanted clothes and shoes for recycling; and enjoy the blooms.
Upcoming concerts at The Vilna Shul
Join The Vilna Shul for “Falling Out of Time: A Conversation” – an exclusive opportunity to hear from composer Osvaldo Golijov and lead musicians Yoni Rechter and Nora Fischer, with a sneak peek of their upcoming performance – on Sunday, April 23, from 3 to 5 p.m. at 18 Phillips St. This concert is presented in partnership with the BSO and Celebrity Series of Boston.
Tickets are $18 each and can be purchased at https://vilnashul.org/events/event/falling-out-of-time-a-conversation.
Also, The Vilna presents the fifth annual “Voices of Humanity” concert – an interfaith performance featuring extraordinary local choral groups with national recognition – on Sunday, May 7, from 3 to 5 p.m. at 18 Phillips St. This concert is co-sponsored by the Old North Church.
Tickets are $25 each general admission, or $18 each for students, and can be purchased at https://vilnashul.org/events/event/voices-of-humanity2.
Visit https://vilnashul.org/events/upcoming to learn about more upcoming programming at The Vilna.
Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger Returns May 7
After going virtual for the past three years due to the pandemic, Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger returns on Sunday, May 7, from 9-11 a.m., as a three-mile walk around Boston Common, with proceeds benefitting the fight again food insecurity in the Commonwealth.
The fundraising event, which dates back to 1969 and traditionally takes place on the first Sunday in May, has set a target of $1 million this year.
Visit http://support.projectbread.org to register and for more information on the event.
Women’s Lunch Place Annual Fundraiser May 12
Women’s Lunch Place will celebrate our 12th annual eat LUNCH give fundraiser at the Grand Ballroom, Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, on Friday, May 12, at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
At this dynamic networking event, business professionals from Greater Boston will gather to celebrate 40 years of Women’s Lunch Place and the leaders who share its vision, give back to their community and make an indelible impact on the women that the organization serves.
This special luncheon includes a meal, raffle, and the opportunity to hear about the great work and mission of WLP from some of Boston’s brightest women leaders.
Visit https://womenslunchplace.org/eat-lunch-give? to reserve your seat for the event.
Duckling Day Event Set to Return Sunday, May 14
The Friends of the Public Garden will again partner with the Boston Parks Department for the annual Duckling Day event on Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Every year, hundreds of participating children, dressed as their favorite characters from Robert McCloskey’s classic children’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings,” join the parade led by the Harvard Marching Band. The parade route begins on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and ends in the Public Garden near the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture.
Playtime on the Common will takes place ahead of the parade and include Interactive Circus Games with Esh Circus Arts; Jenny the Juggler; Peter O’Malley, magician; Jump, climb, and play with Knucklebones; a chance to meet the giant Duck; a visit with the Harvard University Band; a “Make Way for Ducklings” reading station; and a goody bag for every kid filled with Duckling Day-themed items.
The registration fee is $35 per family in advance (before May 12) and $40 per family the day of the event. Each child who registers will receive a special goody bag. Register at https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/2022/12/01/ducklingday2023/.
For more information on Duckling Day, visit https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/events/ducklingday/.
Mayor Wu Announces Neighborhood Coffee Hours
Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2023 Neighborhood Coffee Hour Series in partnership with Dunkin’ in parks citywide.
Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments about open space and their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Wu looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon parks, public areas, and City services.
Participants will enjoy Dunkin’ Iced Coffee and assorted Dunkin’ Munchkins Donut Hole Treats along with fresh fruit from Star Market. Additional support is provided by City Express courier service. Each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant from the Parks Department, while supplies last. Residents at each event will also be eligible to win a raffle prize from Dunkin.’
All coffee hours will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., weather permitting, including City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square, on Friday, May 19; and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall (Arlington Street entrance), 15 Commonwealth Ave. for Back Bay/Beacon Hill, on Wednesday, June 21.
For more information and updates on possible rain locations, contact the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505 or @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or by visiting boston.gov/parks.
Mozart and Haydn at King’s Chapel on Sunday, May 21
Crescendo Productions presents the music of Haydn and Mozart brought to life by renowned Viennese fortepianist Daniel Adam Maltz on Sunday, May 21, at 5 p.m. at King’s Chapel at 58 Tremont St.
Maltz is in demand worldwide with 50 tour dates per year and hosts Classical Cake, the podcast about Viennese classical music and culture. He specializes in Wiener Klassik (Viennese Classicism), especially the works of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, and performs on Viennese fortepianos typical of their time. He studied historical performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna.
The program will include Sonata in Ib Major, Hob. XVI:25 by Joseph Haydn; Sonata in F Major, K. 332 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; Sonata in F Major, Hob. XVI:23 by Haydn; and Sonata in C Major, K. 330 by Mozart.
The price of admission for the event is discretionary , but there are suggested donations for guests of $10, $15, and $25, respectively. Visit www.crescendoproductions-arts.com to reserve your spot at the event, or for more information on other upcoming events presented by Crescendo Productions.
Free Lessons in American Mahjong Offered at West End Branch Library
The Friends of the West End Library will be offering lessons in American Mahjong to new and experienced players at no cost.
The group meets on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m., once every two weeks in the Community Room of the West End Branch Library, 151 Cambridge St.
To sign up or for more information, email Audrey Tedeman ([email protected]) or Julia Forbes ([email protected]).