12.01.2023

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Today’s Forecast

37º | Sunny | 6% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:12 a.m. | Sunset 4:28 p.m.

☃️ ‘Tis the season for holiday shows

Plan Ahead: Spice up your holiday with these shows

A large Christmas tree covered in red, gold, and silver ornaments, placed in front of Boston skyscrapers

Find some holly jolly spirit at these concerts, comedy shows, and dance nights. | Photo by @shandickfilms

There’s nothing like the comfort of a longstanding holiday tradition — until the repetition makes certain rituals crumble like stale gingerbread. If you’re seeking a new way to enjoy this season, check out these holiday shows.

Big Freedia’s Christmas in Central City Tour
Monday, Dec. 11 | Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave. | 8 p.m. | $39
Bounce to some holiday hip-hop at the New Orleans rapper’s first Christmas tour. Pro tip: Prep by spinning “A Very Big Freedia Christmazz” and “Big Freedia’s Smokin Santa Christmas.”

’Twas
Saturdays and Sundays through Saturday, Dec. 23 | Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St. |
3 p.m. | $20
You’ve never heard “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas” like this before — and neither has the cast. This family-friendly improv show rewrites the classic tale using audience suggestions, guaranteeing that no two performances are alike.

Mike Birbiglia Live: Christmas Parmesan
Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 23 | The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St. | Times vary | $39-$152
Whether you know him from Broadway, his podcast, or as an old neighbor from Shrewsbury, Birbiglia’s seasonal stand-up set will elevate your spirits.

Comedian Mike Birbiglia on a bicycle in a Santa suit, in front of a marquee that reads "Mike Birbiglia Live! Christmas Parmesan," — Shrewbury native Mike Birbiglia packs the Wilbur this December with a string of 10 comedy shows.
|
Photo courtesy of The Wilbur

Anthony Williams’ Urban Nutcracker
Saturday, Dec. 16-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Boch Center, Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St. | Times vary | $49-$125
The music of Duke Ellington meets Tchaikovsky’s tunes in this modern blend of tap, hip-hop, flamenco, and jazz performances.

A John Waters Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 16 | Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave. | 8 p.m. | $35-$140
Indulge in some wintertime weirdness with a comedy show from the famed director of cult classics like “Pink Flamingos” and “Crybaby.”

RENAIDDANCE: Beyoncé Celebration, Holiday Edition
Thursday, Dec. 21| Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville | 8 p.m. | $20-$25
Groove across the dance floor at this night dedicated to Queen B’s record “RENAISSANCE” + catch a holiday drag performance from Kori King.

Events

Friday, Dec. 1

The Greatest Friday | Friday, Dec. 1 | 8 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Greatest Bar, 262 Friend St., Boston | $5-$50 | DJ Nightscape and Boston band Menagerie welcome you to the weekend at this all-night rager.
Friends Trivia Night | Friday, Dec. 1 | 8-10 p.m. | Dorchester Brewing, 1250 Massachusetts Ave, Boston | $10-$75 | Gather a crew that will be there for you and flex your “Friends” knowledge while raising money for the Matthew Perry Foundation.
Theara Spicy Kitchen Pop-Up | Friday, Dec. 1 | 5-9 p.m. | Lamplighter Brewing Co., 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Price of purchase | Slurp noodles, skewers, and stir fry dishes with Cambodian, Lao, and Thai influences at this taproom pop-up.
Deon Cole: My New Normal | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford | $35-$55 | The award-winning “Black-ish” actor and comedian proves he’s no “Average Joe” at this stand-up routine.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Holiday Pop-Up Bookshop | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 1-4 p.m. | Boston Athenæum, 10 1/2 Beacon St., Boston | Free to attend | Gift wrapping will be available for this Beacon Hill Books pop-up, plus refreshments and cookies while you browse.
Dorchester Family Field Day | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Erie Green, 72 Erie St., Boston | Free | This afternoon of field games, hot cocoa, and family-friendly activities will be fun for all ages in Dorchester.
Outspoken Saturdays | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 2-4 p.m. | GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St., Boston | Free | Spoken word artist Amanda Shea leads this poetry event for emerging artists.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Winter Market | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 12-5 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | Free | This shopping experience is a “snow brainer” — grab a pint, enjoy live music, and shop craft vendors.
Candles and Cards | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 3-5 p.m. | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave., Newton | $5-$10 | Create cards and craft candles inspired by vintage greeting cards + historic holiday advertisements.
Boston Bruins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 7 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | Prices vary | Sport your best black and gold gear as the Bruins face off against the Blue Jackets.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Shop

🚲 ~~Black~~ Bike Friday: Score $1,200 off an e-bike for the cyclist on your list

Every Upway e-bike is eligible for a 14-day return and backed by a one-year warranty. | Photos by Upway

Have an active loved one on your shopping list? We’ve got you.

Upway delivers rigorously inspected, certified, and 99% pre-assembled e-bikes from top brands (think: Specialized, Aventon, and Super73) directly to your doorstep — so your favorite person can get rolling right after unwrapping.

E-bikes are typically more expensive than bicycles, but you can score yours for up to $1,200 off.

(Order before Wednesday, Dec. 20 and use code TREE for free express shipping.)

Shop Upway e-bikes

News Notes

Civic

Officials have started to draft a plan for renovating Morrissey Boulevard, which has long been subject to flooding. The new Morrissey Boulevard Commission’s deadline for a plan is June 1, 2024. (Boston Globe)

Development

Boston Unity Soccer Partners has filed a letter of intent to renovate White Stadium in Roxbury. The project would focus on updating the site’s West Grandstand and “The Grove” to benefit local students + Boston’s forthcoming National Women’s Soccer League team.

Active

This winter, the Parks and Recreation Department + the Boston Ultimate Disc Alliance will offer free Ultimate disc clinics for children ages 7-14. The clinics will take place at 9 a.m. every Sunday in January at the Carter Playground Bubble. Sign up in advance.

Try This

A pop-up Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy is serving up frights + Poe-inspired cocktails this week. The new haunt will be at the Huntington Theatre through Sunday, Dec. 3. Quoth the raven: “Pour me one more.” (MassLive)

Drink

Shake up your menu this winter at Chattermark Distillers’ whiskey cocktails class this Sunday, Dec. 3. The two-hour event begins at 2 p.m. and includes a guided tour of the distillery, spirit tastings, and two cocktail demonstrations.

Environment

Oh, deer. Farmers in southeastern Massachusetts have reported an annual loss of ~$1 million due to an overpopulation of (very hungry) deer. An advocate for the farmers testified in support of legislation that would control the state’s deer population. (7 News)

Feel Good

From TD Garden to Target: Members of the Bruins shopped for toys in Watertown this week, continuing the team’s holiday tradition of donating gifts to children in local hospitals. David Pastrnak + Jeremy Swayman were among the players scouting out Barbies and basketballs. (7 News)

Civic

🍴 Boston cooks up help for small businesses

Mayor Wu launches Re-FRESH program to assist food businesses

Brunch on the patio at Rochambeau in Boston.

The new grants will reinvigorate food trucks, bars, restaurants, and other small food business in Boston. | Photo via @coffeeshopsofboston

A new series of grants is offering small food businesses in Boston a fresh start. Mayor Wu has launched the Re-FRESH program, an initiative created to provide local food-based organizations with $1 million in funding.

The program — which stands for Revitalization of Food Restaurants and Establishments to Stabilize Holistically — will provide grants between $2,000 and $15,000 to eligible food businesses, such as restaurants, bars, taverns, food trucks, and juice shops. The funding is intended lighten the financial burden of expenses like payroll, rent, inventory, and overhead costs. Additionally, the city will support recipients in crafting detailed business plans for long-term success.

To be eligible, businesses must have 25 or fewer employees, earn $2 million or less in annual revenue, and have experienced financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first round of applications is open now though Friday, Dec. 15, and a second round will open in 2024.

The Buy

The Buy 12.01.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Only the perfect gift for cat lovers.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Victoria

From the editor

Apparently there’s a Gillette Stadium spectacle that’s more sought-after than a Taylor Swift tour: this year’s Army-Navy football game. The Saturday, Dec. 9 event marks the first time that the Foxboro stadium — or any New England venue — will host the annual clash between the two academies.

All this to say — A little ~~“Bad Blood”~~ friendly competition goes a long way when it comes to filling seats.

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