Plus, Sumner Tunnel closing again this summer
 
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Today’s Forecast

60º | 80% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 5:30 a.m. | Sunset 7:52 p.m.

 
🎵 Prepare to party — Porchfest style
A DJ playing for a crowd at JP Porchfest.
Porchfest is a day for the community to celebrate local musicians, bands, and DJs. | Photo by @joetagz_dj
It’s time to turn up the volume and prepare for Porchfest season. Settle in — we’re breaking down the beats and details for these musical community celebrations.

What is a Porchfest?
These community-focused events take place in various neighborhoods and connect residents with the arts in their own backyard, literally. The event teams will take over and coordinate live performances on any available space (think: porch, yard, or stoop). The goal is to build neighborhood goodwill and civic engagement + support the local arts community.

How can I get involved?
If you live in a community that’s planning a Porchfest or own a neighborhood storefront, share your space to host local talent. Neighbors can then stroll from block to block and enjoy the sounds of the neighborhood.

Pro tips: Remember to party responsibly, stay out of the streets and keep to the sidewalks + be respectful of your neighbors’ spaces. Most importantly, have fun.

Ready to party?
Save the date for these Saturday celebrations:

Somerville Porchfest — May 11
If the event needs to move to the raindate on Sunday, May 12, it will be called on Friday at 12 p.m. Dating back to 2011, this decentralized music festival brings Somervillians and the community together to share their love of playing and listening to music.

Watertown Porchfest — May 18
This Saturday event will feature over 130 artists across 70+ porches.

Dorchfest — June 1
This year’s Dorchfest will run from 1-5 p.m. and feature multiple genres including electronic, rock, folk, pop, and hip hop.

Fenway Porchfest — June 15
This year’s event will take place across a wide variety of residential, institutional, and park sites throughout the Fenway Neighborhood.

Jamaica Plain Porchfest — Aug. 24
Established in 2014, JP Porchfest has an expansive understanding and appreciation of the arts. Each year, the festival offers a wide array of performances that include music, storytelling, and dance.

Bonus: Brookline Porchfest will return on Sept. 28.
 
Asked
 
Which Porchfest will you attend this year?
A. Somerville Porchfest
B. Dorchfest
C. Fenway Porchfest
D. Jamaica Plain Porchfest
 
 
Events
 
Wednesday, May 8
  • Boston Small Business Expo 2024 | Wednesday, May 8 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | The Westin Boston Seaport District, 425 Summer St., Boston | $0-$300 | Entrepreneurs and small business owners will gather to learn, connect, and grow their businesses.
Thursday, May 9
  • Lessons from the Loire - Wine Tasting | Thursday, May 9 | 5-7 p.m. | BRIX Wine Shop, Financial District, 105 Broad St., Boston | Free | Learn more about fresh whites and lighter styled reds from this region in France.
  • Haymakers For Hope: Rock ‘N Rumble XIII | Thursday, May 9 | 7:30 p.m. | MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston | $85-$250 | This 21+ competitive challenge will raise funds for cancer research, care, awareness, and survivorship.
Friday, May 10
  • Injeanius Mother’s Day Fashion Show | Friday, May 10 | 5 p.m. | The Superette Courtyard, 70 Pier 4 Blvd., Ste. 440, Boston | $0-$25 | Get ready to be wowed by the latest denim trends and stylish outfits perfect for any occasion — Pro tip: $25 VIP tickets are available with a direct donation to Girls Inc.
  • Poetry Salon: Cass Garison and Mollie O’Leary | Friday, May 10 | 6-7 p.m. | Beacon Hill Books & Cafe, 71 Charles St., Boston | $5 | Celebrate Cass Garison’s new chapter book “Beauty Exasperated” and the one-year anniversary of “The Forgetting Curve” by Mollie O’Leary.
Saturday, May 11
  • Mother’s Day Weekend Brunch at View Boston | Saturday, May 11-Sunday, May 12 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | View Boston, 800 Boylston St., Boston | $55 | The package includes one alcoholic beverage, one brunch entrée, and a priority admission ticket.
  • Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Youth Center for Music Opening Day | Saturday, May 11 | 1-4 p.m. | Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras’ Youth Center for Music, 235 Huntington Ave., Boston | Free | Celebrate the new BYSO home at the Youth Center for Music with tours of the building, musical performances, fun activities, and instrument demonstrations.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
News Notes
 
Traffic
  • The Sumner Tunnel will be closed from July 5 to Aug. 5 for MassDOT to complete a major overhaul of the nearly 100-year-old tunnel to East Boston, which began last year. The one month closure will bring back alternative traffic routes deployed last year. (Boston Globe)
Number
  • $40 million. That’s the contract amount that Massachusetts Port Authority has awarded Skanska to renovate the Terminal B parking garage at Logan International Airport over the next two years. Planned work includes updates to lighting and drainage + the creation of dedicated travel lanes and pickup zones. (Boston Business Journal)
Coming Soon
  • A planned food market in East Cambridge called First Street Market has it’s first tenant — Puritan & Co. chef and restaurateur Will Gilson will open Amba this summer. The Mediterranean-inspired cafe will have counter-service and a menu that features rotisserie chicken, plus a variety of sides and condiments. (Eater Boston)
Eat
  • New York City-based Levain Bakery will be opening its second Boston location in the Seaport District. Known for the extra large cookie format, Levain will be serving up the six-ounce treats from 107 Seaport Blvd. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
Sports
  • Boston’s Professional Women’s Hockey League team has clinched their spot in the inaugural PWHL Playoffs. Cheer on the team in the best-of-five series during Game One against Montréal on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
Edu
  • Northeastern University has been awarded a $9 million grant to study advanced artificial intelligence systems and the societal impacts. The goal is to share an experimental and collaborative platform with researchers across the US for large language models (think: programs like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini). (Boston Business Journal)
Arts
  • The 2023 Tony Award winning musical “Parade” will bring the 2025 North American Tour to Emerson Colonial Theatre from March 11-March 23, 2025. Tickets will be available to the public beginning Friday, May 10 at 12 p.m.
Wellness
  • Purple Carrot delivers plant-based meals right to your door. This month’s chef-prepared meal kits are spring-themed + filled with seasonal ingredients (think: Super Greens Fried Rice with Peanut Drizzle).*
 
 
Plan Ahead
 
🪄 ‘Accio’ tickets to Harry Potter: The Exhibition
A view of the great hall table from the Harry Potter Exhibition.
Get an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props from the magical movies. | Photo by Etienne Jeanneret
Grab your robes and wands — The US tour of Harry Potter: The Exhibition is casting a spell on Boston. Debuting at CambridgeSide on Sept. 13, witches and wizards can experience the most extensive touring exhibition that celebrates the wizarding world of Harry Potter and beyond.

The behind-the-scenes exhibition give guests an up-close look at everything from original costumes to authentic props. Here are just a few examples of the magical elements to see:
  • A first edition of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” encased in a Gringotts inspired vault.
  • The Hogwarts Castle gallery features an immersive experience with iconic elements like the Whomping Willow, dementors, and the Marauder’s Map.
  • Hagrid’s Hut and The Forbidden Forest offers an interactive Patronus charm experience.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday, May 16. Pro tip: Join the waitlist and those who purchase early access tickets will receive a commemorative tote bag.
 
The Buy
 
Sunglasses under $100, because we’re heading into the brightest months of the year (yay). We like these tortoiseshell Ray-Bans or this cat-eye Jimmy Choo pair.
 
 
The Wrap
 
Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace Today’s edition by:
Jessica
From the editor
I’m very happy to report that after our National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day article the application process has begun for Apollo from Broken Tail Rescue. Estella from Last Hope K9 Rescue has found a furever home too.
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