How to throw a killer holiday party 🕺

Let’s be real: Celebrating special occasions is great, but actually planning a party is not that fun — especially during the holidays when you have a million other things going on. Today, we’re sharing three simple steps for throwing an unforgettable (and hilarious) holiday party.

Holiday Party Improv Asylum 1 Sept 2022 — No joke, this is the easiest way to plan a (very Instagrammable) holiday party.

🎤 Step 1: Get in touch with Improv Asylum

No joke — Improv Asylum is Boston’s best-kept secret when it comes to holiday parties. Not only do they host improv classes, team-building workshops, and a fully-packed schedule of shows, they also have an experienced, in-house event staff that produces high-quality events.

🎤 Step 2: Work with the team to customize your event

Every private show, holiday party + special event is different, and the Improv Asylum team works directly with you to create a unique experience appropriate for your occasion.

After getting in touch with the staff, they’ll walk you through the following decisions:

Location: You can go to Improv Asylum, or they can come to you — and they can even produce an impressive high-quality virtual event (hello, remote work parties).
Refreshment: Thanks to Improv Asylum’s contact list of event partners (think: food, DJs + decor), all you have to do is tell them what you want.
Making it personal: This is the best part. You’ll fill out a questionnaire to give performers info on your workplace culture and key individuals to either portray on stage or pull up and interview — all in the spirit of work-appropriate fun.

Holiday Party 2 .jpeg — When it comes to planning a memorable event, Improv Asylum isn’t kidding around.

🎤 Step 3: Enjoy the show

According to Improv Asylum, the element of surprise is the best part of every show, since the audience has no idea it’s about them. Performers use a combination of on-the-spot comedy, info from the survey, and audience volunteers to leave your whole team in stitches.

Ready to get started? Just click the button.*

BOOK YOUR PARTY

This content was created in partnership with Improv Asylum and written by Stephanie Rogers.*

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Today

Cheese & Beer Pairing Class | Mon., Oct. 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Lamplighter CX, 110 N First St., Cambridge | $35 | Indulge in a guided beer and cheese tasting class at the Cambridge Crossing taproom. 🧀
Maker Monday | Mon., Oct. 3 | 3 p.m. | The Public Library of Brookline | Free | Head to the library’s “Rabbit Hole” for a free choice art program — you provide the ideas, they’ll provide the supplies.

Wednesday

Silent Reading Party | Wed., Oct. 5 | 6 p.m. | Porter Square Books, 50 Liberty Dr.| Free | Stop by the Seaport bookstore for quiet reading time — BYOB (bring your own book) or buy one there. 📚
King Princess | Wed., Oct. 5 | 8 p.m. | Roadrunner, 89 Guest St. | $35+ | See the “1950" and “Talia” musician, featuring St. Panther.

Friday

Allston-Brighton Renters’ Garden Contest Award Ceremony | Fri., Oct. 7 | 6 p.m. | Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave. | Free | See who takes home the top prizes at the second annual community event. 🌱

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

57º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain

Open

Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is now open on Charles Street. Visit the five-story bookstore Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Stay tuned for an opening timeframe for the store’s cafe. 📚

Number

$141.6 million. That’s how much the unanimously approved Boston School Committee + Boston Teacher’s Union contract is worth. The agreement provides a 9.5% pay raise for educators + 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all union members. (Boston Globe)

Edu

Philanthropist and former Boston Pops clarinetist Edward Avedisian donated $100 million to Boston University’s medical school, renaming the institution in honor of former BU president Aram V. Chobanian. Learn more about the lifelong friendship behind the school’s new name. 💸 (BU Today)

Cause

The Greater Boston Food Bank is partnering with local restaurants like The Banks Fish House and Myers + Chang to add virtual charity items to their menus. Guests can order an appetizer, entree, or dessert priced at different donation amounts, with proceeds helping to support local families. (CBS Boston)

Biz

Venture capital firm The Engine has opened its new Cambridge headquarters. The space at 750 Main St. provides early-stage founders with lab access, workshops + other entrepreneurship resources. (Boston Business Journal)

Listen

The newest Dropkick Murphys album, “This Machine Still Kills Fascists,” is out now. While you’re listening, feel free to add any tracks you love to our shared community playlist. 🎵

Drink

Dorchester Brewing and The Ice Creamsmith are collaborating on two ice cream and beer crossovers — a pumpkin amber ale with caramel ice cream + a mocha almond stout. The special pairings are only available at the brewery on Sat., Oct. 8 and Sat., Oct. 15.
Next time you’re at a Pats game, you might be able to visit a self-serving beer station. Gillette Stadium is planning to introduce 10-ft-wide beer-serving units after a unanimous vote from Foxborough’s Board of Selectmen. 🍻 (Boston.com)

Transit

All aboard these 10 scenic train routes. Bostonians chose the CapeFLYER, Downeaster + Essex Stream Train as some of the best train routes in New England. Let us know which transit journey you find the most picturesque. (Boston.com)

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Eye-catching local architecture 👀

3 bold buildings in Boston, MA

Three photos side by side of Boston's Skinny House, Jenga building, and Custom House Tower

We may be biased, but Boston has some of the most interesting buildings around. | Photos by Atlantic Visuals, @tuannnn_ + @its_me_rainershine

To commemorate World Architecture Day today, we’re taking a closer look at some of Boston’s boldest buildings.

“Jenga” building

Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences looks a bit like Jenga blocks, hence the nickname. It isn’t just pushing boundaries with design — it’s also poised to be Boston’s largest carbon-neutral building.

The Skinny House

Blink and you’ll miss the small but mighty North End house. The 10-ft-wide and 30-ft-long building on Hull Street, aka the “Spite House,” is home to a fascinating history.

Custom House Tower

Did you know this was our city’s tallest building for 49 years? The John Hancock Tower might have nabbed the title, but this Greek Revival-style landmark is still a fixture of the Financial District.

Honorable mention goes to City Hall — the Brutalist-style building may not be easy on the eyes, but it’s certainly a conversation starter.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by City Editor Sara.

Editor’s pick: Has anyone tried Wusong Road in Harvard Square yet? The tiki-themed Cambridge spot opened this past winter, and I finally got around to visiting.

The pork and chive dumplings were out of this world, and the drink menu is top notch. Pro tip: if you love the glass your drink comes in, you can keep it + add it to your bill at the end of the night.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Start making your local October plans.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

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