Architect ROSALYN ELDER Explores the Historical Legacy of Massachusetts

Join Porter Square Books with nonfiction author ROSALYN ELDER to explore the history of 742 sites in 141 towns across Massachusetts in Exploring the Legacy.

ROSALYN D. ELDER is a registered architect and entrepreneur with a passion for the arts, architecture and cities, and history. ELDER founded and operated Treasured Legacy, an African American cultural boutique from 1992 to 1998 at Copley Place in Boston’s South End. She co-founded and operated Jamaicaway Books, a multi-cultural bookstore, in Jamaica Plain, MA.

In Exploring the Legacy, visit sites around the state that contain the histories of individuals such as: Onesimus, whose knowledge led to the development of inoculations to fight small pox in 1721; Belinda Royall, who filed the first successful reparations lawsuit in 1783; and Jan Matzeliger’s invention of a shoe lasting machine in 1883 which led to the mass production of shoes.

This event is not ticketed.

The Launch of City of Notions: An Anthology of Contemporary Boston Poems

Boston’s Poet Laureate DANIELLE LEGROS GEORGES celebrates the release of “City of Notions: An Anthology of Contemporary Boston Poems,” with a public reading in the Courtyard of the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. Welcoming remarks by City of Boston’s Chief of Arts and Culture Julie Burros at 6 pm.

“City of Notions” is a collection that salutes aspects of everyday life in Boston. Nearly sixty poets contributed to the anthology and run the spectrum from up-to-now unpublished authors to the former U.S. Poets laureate, all contributing a taste of their personal versions of Boston.

Some contributors include Robert Pinsky, Mary Oliver, Margaret Atwood, Gail Mazur, Nick Flynn, Steph Burt, and Julia Alvarez.

This event is free, but you can to register here.

Free Shakespeare on the Common: Romeo and Juliet

One of Greater Boston’s most beloved traditions, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s Free Shakespeare On the Common takes up residence once again with Shakespeare’s drama, Romeo and Juliet proving that the power of love triumphs over divisions and differences. The Capulet and Montague families have been engaged in a multi-generational feud, causing much distress and havoc in the city of Verona; but when young Romeo, son of the Montagues, meets Juliet, the daughter of the Capulets, their immediate love blossoms and accepts no barriers, with tragic results.

When: Tuesday – Saturday performances at 8pm; Sundays at 7pm (Off Mondays). There will be one 3pm matinee performance on Saturday, August 5.

Where: Boston Common, at the Parkman Bandstand.

Directed by Allegra Libonati.

Poetry Heat Wave! The 2017 Boston Poetry Marathon

The Boston Heat Wave Poetry Marathon is an annual weekend long poetry marathon– lasting from August 18 through August 20– at Outpost 186 in Inman Square. Starting on Friday, poets are scheduled to read from 7pm through 10:30pm, Saturday from 12pm to 5:30pm and again from 7pm to 10:30pm, then finally Sunday from 12pm to 5:30pm. Each poet reads for 8 minutes. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday night’s line-up:

7:00 William Walsh
7:08 Jon Woodward
7:16 Christie Towers
7:24 Kenyatta JP Garcia
7:32 Jim Dunn
7:40 Jean Dany Joachim

Break

7:50 Cheryl Clark Vermeulen
7:58 Ryan DiPetta
8:06 Jess Mynes
8:14 Jessica Bozek
8:22 Randolph Pfaff
8:30 Christina Davis

Break

8:42 Stephanie Taylor
8:50 Karen Locascio
8:58 Kevin Gallagher
9:06 Judson Evans
9:14 Jordan Davis
9:22 Carla Schwartz
9:30 Alifair Skebe

Break

9:40 Paige Taggart
9:48 David Rivard
9:56 Simeon Berry
10:04 Sampson Starkweather
10:12 Darcie Denningan
10:20 Joe Elliot
10:28 David Blair

end of night

Robyn is Happy presented by Hub Theatre Company of Boston

What happens when what you want for your friends isn’t what they want for themselves? Lifelong pals Robyn, Trudy and Hannah’s friendship is put to the ultimate test when Robyn falls in love with an unlikely suitor. Hannah and Trudy are convinced that Robyn has made a horrible choice that could ruin her life and as friends since grade school, they decide it’s their duty to intervene. What could possibly go wrong? With biting one-liners, escalating confrontations and a wildly unpredictable climax, this savagely funny new comedy is a little bit Sex and the City and a little bit Titus Andronicus.

All tickets are Pay-What-You-Can! The means we don’t decide the price, you do! Our “sweet spot” would be about $20 per person; if you are on a budget, pay less, and if you are able to pay more, please do!

Performances
Friday, October 27th-8pm
Saturday, October 28th-8pm
Sunday, October 29th-5:00pm
Thursday, November 2nd-7:30pm
Friday, November 3rd-8pm
Saturday, November 4th-8pm
Sunday, November 5th-5pm
Thursday, November 9th-7:30pm
Friday, November 10th-8pm
Saturday, November 11th-8pm

Donations of toiletries will be collected at each performance for local charities