Global Arts Live held its first annual gala in 2024. | Photo provided by Global Arts Live
Small Business Week is here, and we’re gearing up to spread the local love.
We’ve chatted with some Boston small businesses to celebrate the folks who make up the backbone of our local economy. And now, we are sharing those conversations.
First on our list is Global Arts Live, located at 720 Massachusetts Ave. This local nonprofit has been in Boston since 1990, repping a crew of 12 dedicated members.
Q: How would you describe your business?
A: Global Arts Live is a nonprofit concert promoter that presents international music and dance at venues across greater Boston. We believe music knows no borders, and our concerts reflect that belief.
Q: When someone visits your small business for the first time, the one thing they have to do, see, or try is _____.
A: Discover something new!
Q: What’s unique about the small business scene in Boston?
A: It’s entrepreneurial. In the arts community that we belong to, it’s also very supportive.
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox | 1:35 p.m. | Fenway Park | $27+ | The Red Sox are back on the field for one more game against this struggling squad from the American League.
PAX East | Thursday, May 8-Sunday, May 11 | Times vary | Boston Convention and Exhibition Center | $72+ | Video game fans from around the globe are flocking to Boston for this four-day event with celebrity appearances, Q+A panels, and meet-and-greets.
Friday, May 9
Kids Movie Night | 6 p.m. | Brookline Village Library | Free | This drive-in movie experience offers children the chance to decorate their own cardboard cars before the flick.
Saturday, May 10
Somerville Porchfest 2025 | 12-6 p.m. | Bow Market | Free | Stroll through the neighborhood to find 400+ bands performing live from their porches.
Sunday, May 11
Candlelight: Tribute to Adele | 8:30 p.m. | The Sanctuary | $29 | The Beacon Street Quartet will provide lush instrumentation while performing numerous chart-topping hits like “Easy On Me,” Rolling In The Deep,” and “Skyfall.”
Monday, May 12
Ichiko Aoba: Luminescent Creatures Tour | 8 p.m. | Berklee Performance Center | $30+ | This acclaimed, Japanese-singing performer is known for transporting audiences to ethereal places with her delicate voice.
Tuesday, May 13
Plants, Pots + Panda | 3-4 p.m. | Malden Public Library | Free | Kids and parents can stop by the library for an afternoon arts-and-crafts session and take home a decorated potted plant.
Wednesday, May 14
Guided Bird Tour | 7-8:30 a.m. | Community Boating, Inc. | Free | Start your morning with The Esplanade Association and Brookline Bird Club who will help identify birds along this walk.
Thursday, May 29
John Williams’ Playlist | Thursday, May 29, Saturday, May 31 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Symphony Hall | $46+ | Join Keith Lockhart as he leads a special program curated by John Williams, featuring iconic film scores by Williams and the music of the composers who have inspired him.
Friday, June 6
The Keith Lockhart 30th Anniversary Concert | 7:30-10 p.m. | Symphony Hall | Celebrate 30 years of Keith Lockhart leading the Boston Pops with special guests Michael Feinstein, Mandy Gonzalez, and Jason Danieley.
Pro tip: It only takes a minute to make someone’s day. | Photos by MGH Fund
It’s National Nurses Week, and we’re celebrating the local healthcare heroes who care for our community every day.
You can show your appreciation and uplift Mass General nurses by posting a heartfelt note on the hospital’s virtual “Share Your Support” message wall. The submissions are already making us smile.
No matter how long or short your message is, this is a powerful way to give back to our nursing community and express how valued they are.
Don’t flip — mostly because that’s Benson Boone’s job. And the star musician is making a stop in Boston on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at TD Garden. Tickets are on sale now.
Community
A $17 million project to replace 22+ miles of gas lines is now underway. Westfield Gas & Electric is behind the project and officials expect it to take four years to complete. Construction has begun on Apple Bottom Lane. (MassLive)
Transit
Sorry in advance if this puts you in a squeeze, but the big Orange train is set for maintenance starting tomorrow, May 9. It will remain this way through Sunday, May 18 so we recommend adding an extra hour to your commute time. (Boston.com)
Real Estate
If you want to live like Taylor Swift did in Cape Cod, all you have to do is cough up $14.5 million. Her former home at Hyannis Point is now for sale with 5,000+ sqft of space, eight bedrooms, and seven bathrooms. Did we mention it’s absolutely gorgeous, too? (Cape Cod Times)
Coming Soon
The Affordable Art Fair debuts this fall at the SoWa Power Station from Oct. 23-26. It will showcase original art priced from $100 to $10,000 + offers the chance to network with other artists in the community.
Ranked
Charlton Service Plaza sits atop the best bathroom throne in Boston. It was ranked the best bathroom in the city and the No. 13 best bathroom in the US.
Sports
Is it time to sound the panic button? Boston lost another game to New York in the NBA Playoffs, and now the Celtics are two losses away from elimination. Plus, the next two games will be played on the road at Madison Square Garden, which is sure to be a tough environment.
Number
No. 7 overall. That’s the draft pick the Boston Bruins earned in the upcoming NHL Draft. Fans were hopeful Boston could steal the No. 1 overall pick, but instead it went to the New York Islanders. The Bruins are reportedly targeting centers with this pick. (NBC 10)
Job
Hiring just got easier. Post unlimited job listings with us for free on the BOStoday Job Board + connect with the right candidates faster. We’ve got your back.
Wellness
Struggling to shed pounds? Simple is a science-backed app that helps users lose weight with habit trackers, fasting schedules, and personal coaching. Join millions who’ve already lost weight without medication, sustainably. Take the quiz to start your journey and get 50% off.*
Stat
$8,000+. That’s how much you could spend if your dog breaks a bone in a car crash, fall, or collision — from wound treatment and x-rays to emergency surgery and aftercare. Luckily,this pet insurance plan could reimburse you up to 90% of that cost.*
Festival
Looking for a coastal escape? Make your way to Mount Pleasant, SC, for the annual Sweetgrass Festival on Saturday, July 26. Celebrate Gullah Geechee culture, see sweetgrass basket weaving up close, and soak in the charm of the Lowcountry. Plan your trip.*
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Feature your biz in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide
Put your business in front of thousands of daily readers. | Graphic by 6AM City
This month, we launched our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide to showcase gifts that say I appreciate you to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends.
While we’ve already filled all our slots ahead of Mother’s Day, we’ve opened up a few more for Father’s Day.
Whether your business offers a neat product, one-of-a-kind gift, or unique service that could be enjoyed by a father figure — we want to feature it. Secure your spot by Friday, May 23.
Add a few news reads to your TBR pile at the newest book store in Boston. | Photo by @heathmcdonough
What’s better than a good book? A good book written by your neighbor (or former neighbor). Brew up a batch of your favorite cup of tea or coffee and get ready to meet your next read, because we’re talking about locally written books in Boston.
Fiction
“The Town” by Chuck Hogan | Release date: 2004 | The movie “The Town” was based on this book featuring a group of thieves from Charlestown that rob a Boston bank at gunpoint.
For the family
“Make Way For Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey | Release date: 1941 | Follow Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings through the Beacon Hill neighborhood.
“Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem” by Amanda Gorman | Release date: 2021 | This children’s book about the power of using your voice is written by the Harvard alum + presidential inaugural poet.
Part of a series
“Back Bay” by William Martin | Release date: 1979 |The first in the Peter Fallon series dives into a family’s secrets and history of treasure hunting.
It’s easy to support small businesses across the globe when you shop unique + one-of-a-kind products on Etsy. One of our favorite things to browse is Etsy’s selection of custom artwork. These are five of our favorites:
We love a thorough reader, and that’s why you’re getting a bonus for scrolling this far. Take two minutes today to watch this clip of Boston in 1980. From vintage fashion to cars pouring exhaust fumes into the streets, this is a pure nostalgia trip for longtime Bostonians.
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