AN INDEPENDENT ARTs & CULTURE GUIDE
art by:
LAYOUT DESIGN: PHOEBE DELMONTE |p.1,4,& 5 HANNAH BLAUNER |p.2 Jenny bergman |p.3 ADRIAN ALVAREZ |p.6 & 8 JULIA BARONI |p.7
Hello to my dear art-worker family, culture-producers, dreamers, planners, storytellers, and community2pm , builders. Our society is not set 9 1 ield 8/2 wn Fster o up to understand the immense @ T orche E D FRE value that we bring to this world. And that is why I’m In the local music scene, there aren’t too many coming at you with a few tips on a free concert record labels with a plan. However, when you look at how to advocate for yourself and your & celebration of the mainstream landscape, labels like Quality Control, work in this day and age. black culture OVO Sound, and the legendary Roc-A-Fella have always 1. What’s your hourly rate? Get informed! Track Public outcry for the protection stressed the importance of being bound by loyalty. your hours. Research what creative workers get paid by googling of Black lives from the hands of But, NNCHVLNT is different. Not only are they bound by “BLS Wage Data.” I guarantee that most people asking for creative White Supremacy and poloyalty, but they are bound by blood. With Sylus Gambilabor do not know these stats. When you inform them, you are helping lice continues to sweep the no and Trippy at the helm, the two wousins (yes, wousins) yourself and artists everywhere. 2. Who’s asking? Recognize that there nation following an incident recruited their own wousins, 26 Rari and Eway Nef, who is a difference between community collaborators and well-funded with Minnesota police that left are also brothers, as well as their best friend, Vanni Allan clients. DO NOT give out ideas, insight, or connections for free to 46-year-old George Floyd dead. Poe, to kick off the indie label roster. “We felt like businesses, orgs, or institutions that can afford to pay you. Research Black Lives Matter activists and allies the city [didn’t] have a household label,” said Trippy. whoever is asking you for labor and find out what their annual budget are considering what they can do to put “We don’t have a solid team putting on for Boston is. 3. Don’t accept payoffs! Especially for our BIPOC fam, it is all the rage an end to centuries-old cycles contributing just yet, although, there are some heavy hitters now for companies to appear woke by collaborating with diverse artists. to Black death and struggle. As protests and working. So, essentially, we built this label with Refer to point #2, and consider that a request for your collaboration initiatives erupt all over the globe, Boston artist, the goal to bring awareness to who and what could be used to leverage a more meaningful commitment to Lance Jackson, has taken an introspective approach the Boston hip-hop scene really is.” Not limitthe BIPOC community. Play the long game, and realize that your on how he can support his community through his ed to music, the label also has its own clothresponse to these offers is absolutely an opportunity to support passion for art and exploring a front on which his art ing line, NNCHVLNT Clothing. A lifestyle the movement. All of these conversations can be handled firmly and activism align. Jackson says he’s seeking to “fit into brand, NNCHVLNT Clothing is described and respectfully. Brain Arts is happy to consult for free to any something that more so aligns with the ultimate mission as “promoting a lifestyle of empowerment.” creative who needs advice on how to maneuver around of revolutionary change.” He asked himself, “what can Using a koala as their logo, the emphasis on these situations. Use your brain! We are here to help— I do for all Black artists, and all Black businesses and the lips and nose was not only a response to reach out to info@brain-arts.org or DM us at @ all Black organizations, while keeping it in the mindthe racist use of blackface but to make a point brain_arts_org on Instagram or Twitter. set of being an artist?” His answer? “Power to The that to be “NNCHVLNT” is to be “unbothered People!” A local music festival with the goal to by society’s views on all minorities.” Since starting —Emma Leavitt, “unify all Black-owned things like businesses and NNCHVLNT Records in 2019, the label has recently BAO Director organizations that work toward the betterment of been picking up pace, releasing four projects under the [Black] community overall.” His idea comes the imprint and six singles. When asked about the fujust in time as COVID restrictions shift with the ture plans for the label, Gambino stated, “more or less [we phased reopening of the state. The festival, slated want] to be a force in Boston and make a mark in the industry. for August 29 at noon, will occur at Town Field in Not just on the local scene, but internationally.” As far as what’s Dorchester. It will include a host of local Black organext musically, NNCHVLNT’s Sylus Gambino has a record comnizations and businesses, such as Fairmont Innovation ing with Atlanta artist, T.K. Kravitz, titled “Down For Me” featuring Labs and Dorchester Art Project, that will provide enterVanni Allan Poe and 26 Rari, with production handled by the city’s tainment and education. There will be food provided by local own Humbeats. “Down For Me” serves as a follow-up to Gambino’s vendors, too! The festival, despite being free, will pay involved artists March single, “Kill Or Be Killed.” with funds raised by festival-goers, aiming to act as a liaison between the two parties. Power to the People is also a collective, spearheaded by Jackson, focuses —Tahisha Charles, on identifying and creating solutions for issues facing the Black community that often www.miixtapechiick.com result from white supremacy. “We’re an advocate of making the change happen instead of waiting for it,” said Jackson. —Nisaa Jackson THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE BOSTON CULTURAL COUNCIL, A LOCAL AGENCY THIS PAPER IS AN ONGOING PROJECT OF BRAIN ARTS ORGANIZATION, INC., A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT. PLEASE CONSIDER WHICH IS FUNDED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, AS ADMINSTRATED BY THE MAYOR'S DONATING TO, VOLUNTEERING OR OTHERWISE SUPPORTING US: BRAIN-ARTS.ORG OFFICE OF ARTS + CULTURE
Under Underground Flex:
NOTES FROM WE ARE THE
THE CREW
The hardest part about the Black Lives Matter protests starting during quarantine was figuring out how to contribute the best, so I was overjoyed when I got a call from Sam Potrykus, director of Brain Arts Organization (BAO), to help make signs during a rally. I have been volunteering with BAO since February and as a culinary/visual artist, I’m always looking to help others explore their creativity. We stocked up on art supplies and PPE, went down to the Fields Corner park, set up a table, and gave people a chance to make their own rally signs. It was the first of many chances to have my desire to protest be heard through art. Spending the Fourth of July marching, protesting, and watching so many people come together to fight for human rights was an experience I will cherish forever. I grew up in Boston and am no stranger to its behindthe-scenes racism, so getting a chance to contribute to building a strong community for our future was amazing. Getting to meet so many people from different ethnicities and backgrounds was uplifting and witnessing us all come together to have our voices be heard brings hope back into my life. I’m grateful to BAO for the opportunity to be of service to the community.
FOUNDATION
MIRANDA RAE REFLECTS ON I was adopted internationally by a single BLACK CULTURE’S IMPACT ON MUSIC mother so I’ve often felt as if I was “on the Black people have defined the sound of outside looking in.” Thanks to BAO I know what it feels like to be a part of a community. music through many generations. From hymns in a field that were sung by enslaved Africans to modern-day young Black men rapping in the Bronx, music is Black history. We have been inspired by different genres and created new sub-genres. Blues to rockn-roll, house to hip-hop, Black people are the foundation of the music we love today. As an R&B singer, it brings me joy to witness the creative soul within Black artists. Whether it’s dance, art, or music, Black culture should be glorified more. The seeds we planted throughout our time here on earth will last for generations to come. We have so many Godfathers and Mothers of music to thank for that foundation. For example, James Brown is the most sampled artist of all time. His legacy is one of the reasons for the sound of hip-hop today. The struggles our musical ancestors had to endure should be an inspiration alone.
Creating songs that end up banned or stolen and recreated never stopped us from getting to the top. In 1971 Marvin Gaye released his album, “What’s Going On,” as a way to shed a light on what’s going on in the world through music. We have always used music to voice our freedom. Those who take the time to really listen to the message will understand music is a vehicle to spread peace in the world. It hurts me to know that the Negro Spirituals sung by our ancestors and the music we hear written by artists like H.E.R, Wale, and Anderson. Paak all have the same theme: equality. This proves the Black artist community is still fighting the fight our ancestors fought for us. I hope one day to find the words to bring my feelings on injustice to life. I’m still defining what my mark in music will be, but I hope my words and melodies will inspire the youth that come after.
-------------------------- MIRANDA RAE @MIRANDARAE_MUSIC
------------------------------ JOSE VARON
@BEANTOWNBDBC
ADVICE FOR
LOVERS
A: Battling codependency while maintaining a relationship is a juggle but possible. It could be helpful to work on during a relationship because it allows you to PRACTICE and not just say “ok, this is what I would do”. Being open and conscious of your codependency with your partner/s is a good step. I suggest making a list of what you need to regain yourself as a human. Explore where the root of
these beliefs came from—how did your family dynamics play a role in this development? If you and your partner/s are on the same page then you can recognize enabling behaviors together and actively stomp them out. Reassure each other that there will be things being worked on and it is for strengthening your bond, not for weakening. Think about exercising hard boundaries—and know that saying “no” isn’t mean. Remember that you are in control of yourself and you have wants and needs separately than your partner/s. Remember that your partner/s have wants and needs and they are their own person.
--------- XOXO HEART SOAKED
@MARLONFORRESTER
Q: What is the best way to deal with codependency while still being in a relationship? Or do you have to leave a relationship and work on your codependency alone?
For most of human history, access to information for the average person was a luxury. Today, it’s the opposite. We’re all constantly swimming in a sea of digital content. In some ways, abundance is a good thing. Many of the elite barriers that once prevented certain people and groups from having a voice have been lowered. Media is more diverse than ever before. But the abundance of content is not always a virtue, and there’s a lot of crap out there. That’s okay, as long as you know how to sift through it. And unfortunately, it’s become very clear that both on the right and the left, most people don’t. The media industry is experiencing something similar to what happened to the food industry with the advent of cheap, highly processed foods. It’s okay to indulge in junk every now and then, but it’s important that we know the nutritional difference between an apple and a Twinkie. Twinkies are delicious. But I’m really glad I know what they’re made of, so I can balance all that processed corn syrup with actual food. The same goes for what you consume intellectually. It’s less about what you consume being in binary categories, such as “junk” vs. “healthy,” and more about just being able to contextualize whatever it is you’re consuming, so no one thing has too much control over you. Sure, there are certain extraordinary events that warrant outrage. Donald Trump’s election was one of them. But should we be applying that same level of outrage every time Donald Trump farts out a tweet? Probably not. And we should be wary about the institutions that want us to. As a journalist, I’m really sad about the direction I see my colleagues headed. Rather than producing the type of content that will foster desirable outcomes like critical thought
and dialogue, the goal of a lot of media is just to keep you reading, usually by manufacturing outrage and siloing readers into ideological camps. Before I started writing, I never could have known how to read between the lines, to see what an article is actually saying, how to be critical, and how to weigh its conclusions the way I do now. Maybe some of you already have a good grasp on this, but if you don’t, I’ve put together some resources which I’ll release over the next couple of issues that might help readers read beyond the binary that many media outlets rely on and work hard to preserve. Even if you disagree with the other side, your argument is typically enhanced by understanding it. I love the tagline to the website AllSides. com: “Balanced News Isn’t Making Us Rich. Bias and sensationalism are much more profitable.” AllSides is a nonprofit made up of people on, quite literally, ‘all sides’ of the political spectrum, who are working to make the biases in American media more evident to the average reader. They argue that bias isn’t necessarily a bad thing—and I would adamantly agree. The key is to know that it’s there, so as a reader, you can properly assess a situation in its full context. They achieve this by compiling headlines (as you would see in a regular newspaper), and except instead of having just one, they show three for each news item: one from a far left publication (like Mother Jones), one from a far right (like the New York Post), and one from the center (like The Hill). Mind you, they do not feature opinion pieces. The headlines they select are factual news items, but they do a great job showing the reader explicitly how one event can mean different things to different people and still be considered true.
------------------------------ KARINE VANN
billionaires battled wildlife and young people for control of a bright pink boat that represented humanity’s future course. Youth activists from the Sunrise Movement overtook the moguls and spoke to the crowd about the urgency of climate change. Here’s a recap of the action: www.xrmass.org/ news/xr-bostons-tax-dayaction-federal-reserve And links to collaborators: Sunrise Movement: sunrisemovement.org & BABAM, a HONK! style activist street band who lent brass to the event: babamband.org This was a huge effort but authored by many people with different work and roles. It went amazingly. Speaking from within the movement, we needed this. One of COVID-19’s many devastations has been the slowing down of climate resistance work. My participation here was minor, but I still got a surge of relief, joy, and pride seeing it unfold. Things feel a bit more possible now. If you’re feeling stuck, my personal advice is to do one thing first. Maybe play a protest album while washing dishes: Guante and Big Cats’ album War Balloons. Or join an anti-racism rally: Search “calendar” on www.gregcookland. com/wonderland for upcoming actions. Check out Dorchester-based Alternatives Photo credit: Sara Singh for Community and Environment: www.ace-ej. org. XR Boston has events coming up too, including a new “Emergency Everywhere” campaign: www.xrmass.org/action/emergency_everywhere_kickoff or punch a Nazi if one is nearby. You don’t have to shift the world all at once, even if it feels like it. That’s probably why it’s called a movement ;)
Heya. This is Cory with the Arts Working Group of Extinction Rebellion Boston (XR Boston). We’re an environmental activist organization demanding truth-telling, immediate action, the creation of citizens’ assemblies, and climate justice from those in power. How are you? I’ve been in a pretty big lull, honestly. Thinking about small actions as energizers for larger ones is helping though. Inertia is the property of matter wherein “objects in motion want to stay in motion, objects at rest want to stay at rest.” Moving a giant rock is tough, but once you get it going, it’s easier to keep it moving and picking up speed. Put another way, momentum. Art is a form of momentum-building, a “small” action or statement that makes bigger things possible. I know some artists who claim art isn’t action. But punching a Nazi doesn’t end fascism, you know? Protest art works by grabbing attention, telling stories, and disrupting the everyday. It makes social change easier to attain by loading the air with the message. Last month XR Boston staged a tax day protest outside of the Federal Reserve downtown. The goal was to draw attention to recent federal bailouts of fossil fuel industries. In a street theater performance,
C A R E
JoyefullyNatural found me at a place where I had been suffering from deep depression, anxiety, and overflowing with insecurities and fears. I had found yoga, meditation, and delved into Eastern philosophy, holistic health, and earth magic, all in what seemed to be an unexpected domino effect. I’ve suffered from eczema since childhood. At this particular time in my life, I had been undergoing a lot of stress and anxiety. I was involved in a toxic relationship, moving, planning a wedding, and fighting a lot of fear and ego. My eczema spiraled out of control with large welts; I couldn’t lay on any surface (even my precious bed!) without my skin being irritated. It was as if I could feel the heat from the inflammation radiating from my skin. I became aware of the state I was in when this rash started to flare up. I had been using herbs for incense, sachets, and potions. With everything I was learning about the mental and spiritual aspects of herbs, I decided to dig deeper. There was nothing to lose. In addition to my spell books, I went out and got as many books on Herbalism as I could. I learned about adaptogenic herbs, herbs for stress relief, herbs specifically for rashes, and protective carrier oils. I made teas, tinctures, and creams that I still use to this day. I am grateful to say I haven’t suffered from eczema in that way since and that was almost five years ago. My mental state became stronger and healthier in those times when things weren’t the easiest. Sometimes it’s not a pretty process, but it’s a process forward, nonetheless. This experience gave me a great sense of confidence in my power. I made my own toothpaste, deodorant, hair care, skincare,
For the month of August, I pulled the III of Swords reversed. Swords represent air and the mind. This card comes to us asking that August be a time for rest and forgiveness. The III of Swords indicates there has been some suffering and turmoil in our collective lives. We have met heartbreak and survived; we have felt deep betrayal and survived. But when the III of Swords shows up in reverse, it is time to recover from our pain. Take time this month to heal and to work on forgiveness, which is soul healing. We need to rest this month, and we need to prioritize it above all else. Our energy is a precious, yet finite resource. Be gentle with yourself. Sit with your grief, and learn from it. Healing takes time and is a lot of personal work. For the full moon on August 3rd, I pulled the III of cups: a joyous card full of friendship. Cups represent the element of water and our emotions, and the III of Cups speaks to the happiness that is found when we connect with our community, friends, and chosen family. Use the abundant energy of the full moon and the start of the harvest season to reconnect and strengthen your relationship with your community. Spend time with people you feel a deep connection with; these bonds will feel nourishing at this time. Self-care on this full moon is choosing to only spend time with the people in your life that bring out the best in you. The Emperor reversed appeared for the new moon on August 3rd. When the Emperor card shows up in reverse, it is a familiar, yet difficult, energy for us to work with. The Emperor reversed represents tyranny and all the rigidity that patriarchy brings. This card comes up when governments fail to protect their people, and when power becomes more important than life. Excessive use of force, domination, and a lack of discipline can appear
when the Emperor card is in reverse. The systems in our lives may stop at nothing to try to regain control. This new moon, take care to protect yourself and to protect each other. You may be feeling extremely fed up with authority, but this is also a time to reimagine leadership. The IX of Cups is the card of guidance for this month. It is another cup card full of wonder and brings with it harmony, bliss, and emotional clarity. Use these emotions to guide you through the month of August, say yes to comfort, and prioritize stability when you can. Enjoy the good things in your life! The IX of Cups brings a message of happiness to us but also asks that we never take happiness for granted. A flower smells the sweetest right before it wilts, so remember nothing lasts. Life will continue to grow and decay, so soak in all the goodness while you can.
------------- NAOMI WESTWATER
@naomiwestwater
-------------------------------------------------- CORY
xrmass.org
PLANTING A FUTURE S E L F
THE TAROT FORECAST
&
H E R B A L I S M
teas, syrups, culinary spice blends, and common medicines (while also developing a healthy relationship with my primary care doctor). I became obsessed. I found something that truly made me feel whole. Soon I was making remedies for my partner, my family, and friends. My first sale was to the local culture shop Back to the Roots in Roxbury. So I made an Etsy Shop account and haven’t looked back! This process has taught me to question, educate, and know myself—and also to share. I went back to my elders; I embraced the knowledge they had to share and the paths they created for us. Through my mother’s involvement in the community, volunteering was a part of my childhood. I started to channel that experience. I started to reacquaint myself with my community by ensuring and enhancing the healing of my fellow beings. With the knowledge I continue to gain, I see my community with wide, curious eyes and ask how I could be part of a solution. I’m learning about and experiencing more of the ingrained systemic injustices that attack our physical, mental, and spiritual health. It is not the essence we were intended for. JoyefullyNatural is an experience, an opportunity to invest in your health and well-being and to strengthen your relationship with nature. To support conscious consumerism and return to conscious living. To be a part of this age-old holistic health movement and to encourage natural living physically, emotionally, and spiritually—which it turns out, guys, are ALL connected.
------------------------- JOYE WILLIAMS
www.joyefullynatural.com @joyefullynatural
TRASH IS TRAGIC It’s time yet again for Allston Christmas. Or, as I call it, The Great Trash Orgy of th’East. If you’re moving in September, you’re gonna need to get rid of stuff. Faced with the Herculean task of packing, you will inevitably gaze upon your kingdom of crap and think, “fuck all this shit, banish it from my sight forever.” Before moving last summer, I challenged myself to deeply pair down my belongings. It required mental preparation and Kiss-From-The-Rose-level soul searching. Yea, I read Kondo. I also found inspiration from the Shakers and in Kyle Chayka’s slim novel The Longing for Less. Today I own less than I ever have. It rules. I have not regretted parting with anything. When downsizing, figuring out what to keep is crucial; responsibly parting with the rest is equally important. So, what to do about that 20th-century box spring and Season 5 DVD of Sex and the City? Yes, they’re tragic, but they still have some fight left in ‘em. Bless their hearts. Resist the urge to dump unwanted items roadside, where they magically become someone else’s problem. Instead, Do The Right Thing (starring Rosie Perez) and find a new home for your sorry, orphan-status crapolio. With a global pandemic in the mix, there are extra hurdles involved. As of July 19, the following places welcome your crap. This list is NOT comprehensive, so make sure to do your own goddamn research. And wear a mask, doy. BOOMERANGS Donations are now accepted at the Jamaica Plain location, 11 am - 5 pm. BOSTON HOUSEHOLD RECYCLING EVENT 8/22, 9am - 2pm, 400 Frontage Rd, Boston. Free for Boston residents. Dispose of hazardous waste, shred paper (sick bro), Recycle electronics. Recycle textiles: They accept the ripped, stained, and
disgraced: clothing, underwear, stuffed animals, bedding, and drapery. They do not accept carpets, rugs, oil rags, mattresses, wet or mildewed items. Your cum rags are prolly OK, but wash them first. It’s polite. Boston.gov for more info. BUFF’LO EXCHANGE Lowkey fuck this place, but the Allston location is open and buying someone’s clothes. Sellers call ahead to schedule an appointment. CAMBRIDGE COMPOST DROP-OFF Though the city’s curbside compost program is suspended, drop-off locations are open throughout the city. Cambridge.gov for info. CAMBRIDGE HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL EVENT 8/22, 9 am - 1 pm, 65 Waverly St, Cambridge. Free for Cambridge residents - bring proof of residence. cambridgema.gov. CAMBRIDGE RECYCLING CENTER Open Saturdays, 9am - 4pm. They recycle many items that curbside recycling does not. Cambridgema.gov for a full list. CHEAPO RECORDS This Central Square holdout is open and interested in buying your used records on Mondays and Saturdays 11-8 pm, Sundays 12-6 pm. GOODWILL As of July 1, these Boston-area locations accept donations: 1010 Harrison Ave, Boston. 892 River St, Hyde Park. 905 Mass Ave, Arlington. Goodwillmass.org for updates. MAKE AND MEND Accepts clean, reusable art supplies. As of July 19, they are not open for in-store donations, but you can request a pick-up from your area. Makeandmendsomerville.com for info. THE ‘NET Hawking shit on Craigslist or social media? I suggest setting clear, firm social distancing boundaries before meeting. Require your buyer to wear a mask, and do the same.
----------------- MELANIE BERNIER
MORE AT BRAIN-ARTS.ORG
ADVOCACY
ART ACTIVISM TOOL KIT by Brain Arts staffers which features resources for political activism and education, as well as Black and Brown creatives to support. www.brain-arts.org/blog Support Soul Fire Farm - Soul Fire Farm is a BIPOC*-centered community farm committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system. www.soulfirefarm.org/ Culture House is hiring! Volunteer and internship opportunities also available. www.culturehouse.cc/contact/#join-us We, Ceremony A digital platform that uses storytelling to empower and celebrate women of color. www.weceremony.com Follow FTP Boston for information on rallies, protests, efforts, and more to continue the fight to defund the police and fund our low income and POC communities @ftpboston Violence In Boston works to improve the quality of life & life outcomes of individuals from disenfranchised communities by reducing the prevalence of violence and the impact of associated trauma. Learn more and get assistance at www.violenceinboston.org @violenceinboston Stage Source - A POC and queer led organization creating opportunities and building a diverse community for New England artists. Find out more, including a detailed list of anti-racism resources in a variety of mediums here: www.stagesource.org/page/anti-racism
The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is a resource that provides legal support, medical advocacy, counseling, and a 24/7 hotline. Further, they have a Youth Leadership Corps (YLC) dedicated to increasing education surrounding sexual violence and healthy relationships which is a great opportunity for Boston high schoolers. www.barcc.org
MUSIC & AUDIO Packlight Pillowtalk Music Series @ DAP every third Thursday starting 8/20 7-9pm August guests are Amanda Shea (Artist/️Spoken Word/Manager/ Mentor/Host/Organizer/Radio Host) and Emmanuel Escobar (Multi Instrumentalist/Homeschool Dad/Advocate/Educator #BLM) **Search and Stream Live on Facebook + Youtube** Boston Local “veruz” Battle featuring Ava Sophia and Prateek on IG live at 9pm on 8/1/2020 @avasophiamusic 2020/2021 Coincidence Festival featuring resident Artist Nina Power in partnership with Washington Street Art Center and Non-Event. www.coincidencefestival.com/ Check out Eva Davenport’s new single TRILL released in July! www.soundcloud.com/evadavenportmusic/ Boston Got Next has an independent record label! Check it out at: www.bostongotnext.com/ Cake Factory ambient and experimental live streams! www.cakefactory.party/main
Follow The Other Boston! In their own words, they “highlight the #BlackBoston experience, create community thru our weekly events list + showcase our pride through our merch line”
Punk Rock Aerobics is BACK featuring at home exercise set to a rotating playlist of all things punk! Follow @punk_rock_aerobics for updates and upcoming streams
Follow Survivor Theatre Project for online events and opportunities that suppor women, queer, and POC voices. More info on IG @survivortheatreproject
MMM Boston’s “Make Music from Home Series” - online music lesson and tutorials for kids and adults. www.mmmboston.org/newsand-events
Center for Teen Empowerment encouraging and advocating for youth involvement in social change and political movements specifically for low income and POC in greater Boston www.teenempowerment.org/
HER MUSE Collective: DJ series Thursdays and Sundays every week & tutorials/informative videos from womxn & ally artists all around the globe! @hermusecollective
Stavros’ Transition to Adulthood Program is an amazing resource for youth (14-22) with disabilities. They provide a number of resources as well as assistance to help youth make this difficult transition, and attempt to combat the excess challenges that youth with disabilities face. www.stavros.org STEPS’ Young Adult Resource Center is an all-encompassing resource for youth in need of assistance. They teach a number of different life skills as well as providing a safe and accepting community for young adults. www.waysideyouth.org The Transformation Center works specifically to help decrease the stigma around mental illness and provide support for those in need. In addition, they have a peer mentorship program that can be helpful for both those currently struggling and those who have in the past. The program connects struggling youth with adults (18+) who are in recovery. www.transformation-center.org
LFOD Radio features regular livestreams of music and all forms of artistic expression Follow them @lofodradio Spark Radio with DJ WhySham: Every Tuesday/Thursday from 1-3pm - Live from DAP! www.sparkfmonline.com/ Follow Boston Got Next! For action updates and new music! www.bostongotnext.com/just-released/ Non-Event: experimental, abstract, improvised, and new music happenings. Scope Non-Event’s Youtube channel. Live streams every Friday. New documentary on the Boston music scene featuring the Bridgeside Cypher put together by Dropzne! Also featuring interviews with Aaron King, Borderline, Amanda Shea and more! Search on YouTube Feel it Speak it: Boston’s only monthly open mic movement
dedicated to voices & experiences of the LGBTQ+ communities of color every Thursday. www.zoom.us/j/662513689 Meeting ID: 662 513 689 @feelit_speakit Follow Black Cotton Club for virtual open mics, community information and more! www.facebook.com/BlackCottonClub/ @BlackCottonClub Off Land: Experimental and ambient music livestreams! www.twitch.tv/offlandia/schedule Club Passim Livestreams! Folk, americana, acoustic sets, and more. Check the continually developing schedule at www.passim.org/ stream Specifically: Sunday 8/9 – Jesse Terry & Monica Rizzio
VIDEO & FILM Arts Equity Summit archived videos on Youtube from Arts Connect International! ACI “partners with emerging artist leaders of color, and arts influencers who hold institutional power in the arts & culture sector, to collectively build equity, access, and inclusion through transformational leadership development.” Search on YouTube ExpozedTV: Live streams and videos of music, interviews with local artists, and more. Check out previous content and updates at www.expozedtv.com/ about-expozedtv Follow AGX Film Collective to support an all artist-run collective of local filmmakers and learn about online opportunities: www.agxfilm.org/ Weird Local Film Festival goes virtual! Check out the first two virtual DIY film short showcases and look out for more. Open to submissions. Scope Weird Local Productions on Youtube Follow @weirdlocalfilmfestival Filmmaker Kate Lain created this Cabin Fever playlist of experimental film and video crowdsourced by filmmakers. Support the artists! Download various formats here: www.katemakesfilms.com/cabinfever/ The LEF New England newsletter shares local filmmaker opportunities each month at www. lef-foundation.org
VISUAL & ART Cambridge Public Library presents: Natural Dyeing & Turning Around Your Textiles with Lisa Purdy Natural dyeing is a rewarding way to creatively upcycle! There are numerous dyes to explore right in your own kitchen, from the pale pink created by dyeing with avocado pits, to the golden yellow of turmeric. Local artist and curator Lisa Purdy will teach you how to naturally dye at home. Thursday, August 13, 6-7PM REGISTER: www.cambridgepl. libcal.com/event/6866558?hs=a Washington St. Arts Center Presents - Hello World Hello World is an international project, where artists throughout the world have submitted art works to share with all of us. Variant State [duo] (Jesse Kenas-Collins and Michael Rosenstein) have contributed a sound piece to the project. www.transculturalexchange.org/ activities/hw/overview.htm
Now + There presents: Growth Rings by Oscar Tuazon Growth Rings creates a grounding space for contemplation and respite on Boston’s waterfront at Central Wharf Park. Produced by Now + There and guest curated for this site by Pedro Alonzo, Growth Rings recognizes our interconnectivity with trees, celebrates the cycles of life, and seeks to foster harmony in our contemporary urban landscape. ON VIEW THROUGH AUGUST 2020 Now + There presents: Augment by internationally-acclaimed artist Nick Cave Augment is a singular artwork, an exuberant social experience, and a call for Boston to come together in public and cultivate joy across the city. Created as an open question “what brings you joy?” this multi-faceted project asks us to reflect on the power of the individual versus the collective and on the difference between happiness and joy as a means to confront a time fraught with division. ON VIEW THROUGH AUGUST 2020 8/4 4-5pm Artists Centering Access by Creative Capital “In this conversation, a group of artists, event programmers, and designers will talk about what it means to center access in creative encounters both in-person and online....This event will be moderated by Josh Halstead and Jarah Moesch of the Critical Design Lab, a multi-disciplinary and multi-institution collaborative drawing on the methods of critical and interrogative design, intersectional feminist design theory, and crip technoscience to address thorny questions about accessibility. They will be joined by Sina Bahram, founder of Prime Access Consulting, and Camisha L. Jones, poet and managing director of Split This Rock.” Search on eventbrite.com EveryBODY is important Stay caught up with the tide that is Angel Rose (IG @angelrosecreatrix). Angel is a genderqueer beacon of light and color that was once a member of the local Brain Arts family, but is now located in Houston, TX. They’ve been doing live model sessions over Zoom, featuring elaborate costumes and installations a la Angel, and requesting donations that go to charities like The Black Youth Project. Get your figure drawing skills together and be with a gentle, creative community facilitated by this healing artist and creatrix. AUGUST DATES: 8/3, 8/10 & 8/17 8:30pm9:30pm EST Art Night: Art and poetry sessions hosted on Tuesdays from 5-7pm featuring Alondra Bobadilla (first youth poet laureate) and Amanda Bravo (visual artist)! Meetings hosted on zoom. RSVP by calling 617-892-7356 or emailing authenticallybravo@ gmail.com Joana Vasconcelos online exhibit through MAAM! “Renowned Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos will premiere a new monumental site-specific installation. Known for her unprecedented multimedia works, Vasconcelos, in her first U.S. solo show, will honor Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, an enslaved woman whose court battle for her freedom in 1781 helped make slavery illegal in Massachusetts.” @joanavasconcelosatelier
www.maam.massart.edu/exhibition/joana-vasconcelos Ghost City - Avenue S: A Net Art Exhibition by Jody Zellen available through August 31st Check it out online here: www. ghostcity.com/avenue-s/ Regular Calls for Boston Artists The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture hosts a bi weekly call every other Tuesday at 4pm through June discussing resources for individual artists! Tune in!! www.boston.gov/news/responding-covid-19s-impact-bostonsarts-and-culture-sector Art Institutions and Galleries that have Reopened or have plans for programming For those who have missed the ever institutional, academic and impenetrable white cube (or just need some AC and excuse to meet up with friends), Massachusetts has recently allowed museums to reopen to the public. Be sure to check every institution’s website for details on timed tickets, social distancing guidelines, etc. The museums and institutions that we know are opening or have upcoming plans for socially distanced programming are as follows: -The Institute of Contemporary Art -Mass MoCa -The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. -The Fitchburg Art Museum (free for the month of August!) -The Peabody Essex Museum (with the Jacob Lawrence exhibition extended until mid August). -Boston Sculptors Gallery is open by appointment. -Abigail Ogilvy gallery will reopen August 1st by appointment. AREA CODE - New England’s first art fair centered around artists connected to the area. www.areacodeartfair.com/ Online galleries, Drive-In theater style digital art, empty storefronts filled with art. Area Code is breaking boundaries for emerging New England Artists. Running through the entire month of August, be sure to frequently check their website for details on where and how to view the art. Curators for the fair include the team from SpacUs, LuminArts (the group that puts on Illuminus), and more. Just Us Somerville a group of residents looking to empower artists of color. Looking for street mural artists! Hit up justussomerville@gmail.com for more info
LITERARY ART New surrealist zines by Neil Horsky! www.horskyprojects.com Follow Print Aint Dead for events like their Black Feminist Study Hall which examines crucial written works by Black writers. This past July featured Bilphena from The Womanist Reader and focused on June Jordan’s essay “Many Rivers to Cross”. @print.aint.dead Fellow non-profit Wrong Brain from NH has shared their online zine archive! Check out the collection at www. wrongbrain.net/zine-archive/ wrong-brain-1 Support Papercut Zine Library and learn how to get involved! www.papercutzinelibrary.com/ volunteer-positions
DigBoston - Boston’s other rad newspaper is back in print after a brief hiatus! Also online at www. digboston.com. Dorchester Reporter Award-winning, weekly neighborhood newspaper still on the streets and online at www. dotnews.com The Bay State Banner - an African American owned news weekly that reports on the political, economic, social and cultural issues that are of interest to African American and English speaking Latinos in Boston and throughout New England. New columns daily at www.baystatebanner.com Sprout Distro - zines on music, culture, social change, advocacy, and more including “12 Things to Do Instead of Calling the Cops” zine! Find them at: sproutdistro.com
PERFORMANCE ART
Washington St. Arts Center Presents: THE CORONA CORNER: TRUTHS FROM THE NOW NORMAL by Bess Paupeck “As a maker and curator deeply interested in collecting the stories of my community, I am beginning to gather and document our daily life experiences from this unusual time of global crisis due to the covid-19 virus. We all have a lot to share right now, so I wanted to start officially collecting our thoughts by creating a place to document our new truths from the now normal.” https://docs.google.com/ forms/d/1UVUe-XNT1PihJpgWob8t6UYvmYGGgfW5Sx4QGGIBUX8/viewform?edit_requested=true BAGLY trans/nonbinary meetup every Friday in August from 5-6pm (8/7, 8/14, 8/21, 8/28) Open discussion group and meetup opportunity. Join Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/457216941
Summer Online Movement Series 7/6-8/12 presented by Hibernian Hall and VLA Dance Register at vladance.com/online
BAGLY POC meetup every Thursday in August from 5-6pm (8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27) Open discussion group and meetup opportunity. Join Zoom meeting: www.zoom.us/j/193133567
Midway or the Highway: The monthly, recurring open mic night has gone online! Sundays in July: 8/2, 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30 Check out www.facebook.com/ groups/675089935951646 for the zoom information!
BAGLY Women’s meeting every Monday in August from 5-6pm (8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, 8/31) Open discussion group and meetup opportunity. Join Zoom meeting: www.zoom.us/j/420845074
Tales From the Inside: Storytelling comedians from Boston and beyond. Get out of your head and get into someone else’s! Recurring: 8pm on 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26 www.thecomedystudio.com/ broadcast
Makeshift Boston: School of Arts and Social Justice! Meetings online every Thursday at 7pm. “Class topics include poetry, music, mutual aid/direct action training, and basic education on racism, trans awareness, disability justice, and fatphobia” Check their site for more info and past events: www.makeshiftboston.org/events/
COMMUNITY Power To The People Festival - A free concert and celebration of Black culture happening 8/29 at 2pm in Dorchester at Town Field in Field’s Corner featuring performances by DJ Real P, Luke Bar$, Miranda Rae, Cakeswagg, Cappella, Misfits Cypher Club and poets Amanda Shea and SublimeLuv. Local vendors and food as well! Wear a mask! Keep a distance! Volunteers needed for Feeding the Homeless 1-3pm 8/16. For more info reach out to @shimmymakeishhappen or 781-922-3554 Support Activation Residency’s 2020 project “Respite as Resistance for QTBIPOC” www.activationresidency. com/2020 Dudley Street Neighborhood Community Empowerment Forum 8/12 3-4:30pm Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative along with Dudley Neighbors Inc. and Children Services of Roxbury staff will work with residents, guest speakers and members of the mental health and wellness community to deliver a bi- weekly community forum to promote social support that encourages mental health and well-being throughout the community. Search on eventbrite.com Codman Square Farmers Market every Saturday all summer! www.codman.org/wellness-resource/farmers-market/
The American City Coalition presents - Savor the Square: Connecting People to Art, Culture, and Health in Nubian Square Acknowledging current and historic events, amplified by the disparate impacts on communities of color and recognizing the magnitude of development and infrastructure investments in the area, it is not an understatement that Nubian Square and Roxbury are at a crossroads. Savor the Square events will include as many local participants and vendors as possible for food, music/entertainment, produce, arts/crafts, book signings, food demos, MFA workshops and pop-up exhibits, MassArt SPARC Mobile, exposure to waterfront cultural institutions, information tables, and speakers. Savor the Square Launch: Reimagine Roxbury (12:00 pm - 3:00 pm) Follow Black Market Nubian for info on shopping local! www.instagram.com/blackmarketnubian Cambridge Community Center COVID Resources for families and community members. www.cambridgecc.org/ covid-19-resources.html Check out COVID Grants for Artists through Mass Cultural Council www.massculturalcouncil. org/artists-art/covid-19-relief-fund-for-individuals
While summers are generally the off-season for theatre, a few local companies are producing projects online with readings, important community discussions, and one-woman shows galore. Gloucester Stage’s 2020 “NeverDark Series” looks especially promising with a handful of work written by and about women. Read about those and more in our summer picks below. All FREE, but donate if you can. —CEEK Tips? Email TheatrescapeBoston@gmail.com TBA State vs Natasha Banina by Arlekin Players Theater Don’t miss another chance to see this innovative and engaging, virtual one-woman show directed by one of Boston’s best, Igor Golyak. Worth all the hype. WHERE: ArlekinPlayers.com 8/1 & 8/8 Apollinaire in the Park 2020: Chelsea People Check out the final two of three new plays in this series about people from Apollinaire Theatre Company’s own community in Chelsea, MA. WHERE: Zoom link via ApollinaireTheatre.com 8/6-8/9 The Queen of Fenway Court: Isabella Stewart Gardner This FREE virtual one-woman show, written by and starring Leigh Strimbeck, explores the life of Boston’s legendary female millionaire and patron of the arts, Isabella Stewart
Gardner. An interesting woman should make for an interesting show. WHERE: GloucesterStage.com/isabella-stewart/ 8/13-16 The Way North An online reading of Tira Palmquist’s new play about a pregnant Sudanese refugee on the run and those she encounters on her way. WHERE: GloucesterStage.com/theway-north/ 8/20-8/23 No Aids, No Maids Stories I Can’t Hear No More This funny-but-true, one-woman show from the mind and mouth of Dee Dee Batteast shines a light on theatre’s long history of two-dimensional roles for POC and gay men that only existed to serve white male protagonists. WHERE: GloucesterStage.com/noaids-no-maids/
places you can hang:
Stony Brook Reservation & Turtle Pond I’ll be honest—I’m tired of looking at the inside of my apartment! If you’re feeling similarly after many months of the pandemic and are craving some time in the outdoors without leaving the city, I wholeheartedly recommend that you hit up Stony Brook Reservation down in Hyde Park. A couple of weeks ago, I rode my bike to Turtle Pond, a popular (yet not overpopulated) swimming spot in the park, to take a dip and get a respite from the heat and humidity. The pond has two docks, one near the road and the other tucked away in the woods that is only accessible by a trail—both are excellent spots for swimming, floating, sunbathing or fishing. Feeling refreshed and revitalized, I took the opportunity to explore the many paved and unpaved trails that weave through the expansive 475-acre forest. There’s plenty of room to social distance if you want to remove your mask and enjoy breathing actual fresh air. The ride back to Jamaica Plain was all downhill and had a dope view of the Boston skyline. If you’re heading in the direction of Mattapan or Dorchester, you should absolutely treat yourself to a cold dessert at Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream in Hyde Park, a local favorite. So if you’re looking for natural beauty within the city limits and are searching for an excuse not to stare at a screen, you should definitely take advantage of the short New England summer while it’s still around and hang at Stony Brook Reservation! —e.b.b.
Ongoing DREAM BOSTON The Huntington Theatre Company’s online series of five-minute plays by four of Boston’s best female playwrights: Melinda Lopez, Kate Snodgrass, Brenda Withers and Kirsten Greenridge. Each piece is set in a future Boston and is inspired by the author’s favorite spots or people in town. WHERE: HuntingtonTheatre.org TBA Company One’s Better Futures Series: Episode 03 Each month Company One Theatre focuses on a different Boston neighborhood and brings together artists, community leaders, and policymakers to have necessary conversations on how to navigate our current crises. Check out Episodes 01 and 02 on their site to get a better idea on the series and look out for info on number 03. WHERE: companyone.org/better-future-series/
Speak It Until You Believe It Queen! Positive Affirmations Many times, we fail to realize that our thoughts and beliefs influence our perception. If we are constantly having negative thoughts about ourselves, we will eventually believe them. This can take a toll on our emotions and if not addressed, it can impact our daily functioning. Positive affirmations are used to address those negative thoughts and reprogram our thinking. If we say it and believe it, then we can do it and be it!
What Can Cause These Thoughts?
Although anyone can benefit from using positive affirmations, I want to focus on us mothers. As mothers, we want to make sure we are doing the best for our child(ren). If we are met with a situation that is out of our control, we may feel powerless and think negatively about ourselves (e.g. I am a failure; I am the reason this happened...). We may focus on our flaws or the things that we feel we are lacking (e.g. I am not smart; I am worthless...). Fear about future events can also trigger these thoughts. When we feel anxious, or if we are dreading what is to come, we may question our abilities and wonder if we are built to handle what may come our way (e.g. I can’t do this; I am not good enough...). Thoughts about the past and any guilty feelings associated with past events can also trigger these thoughts (e.g. I am a horrible person...).
What Are You Thinking About? As children, we are taught to be kind to others. We are taught to treat others with love and respect, and we are taught to treat others how we would like to be treated. This is the golden rule that we are encouraged to follow. Keeping others in mind is important, however, we cannot forget how important it is to be mindful of how we are treating ourselves.
I have a couple of questions for you: Are you treating yourself with love and respect? How do you view yourself? I want to challenge you to identify the negative thoughts as they come to mind and use positive affirmations to counteract those negative thoughts. Say it queen, believe it!
How Do I Use Positive Affirmations? You can write them down and keep them with you, or you can post them in places you visit frequently (e.g. near your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator, or on the walls in your bedroom). When you start to think negatively about yourself, repeat the affirmations in your head or say them out loud. Try to be relaxed when doing this and pay close attention to the words you are saying. This can influence your subconscious mind.
Help! I Don’t Know Where to Start! No worries! Here are 21 positive affirmations that you can use! Of course, you can create your own and tailor them to your thoughts, but if you find that you need some help getting started, you can use this list of positive affirmations:
Rainbow Crayons by Abigail Neale
@lavender_menace_ press
I am a beautiful being. I am intelligent. I am an amazing mother. I am worthy of love. I am strong. I am special. I am forgiven. I am a phenomenal woman. I am brave. I am an overcomer. I am beautifully and wonderfully created by God.
12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.
I am whole. I am ambitious. I am exuberant. I am unique. I am inspirational. I am loved. I am blessed. I am doing the best that I can do. I am resilient. I am successful.
— CARLENE MCNAIR
submit your chillustrations!! send to adrian@brain-arts.org
Poetry Comix by Ryan M Valentine @poetry_comix
@donna.vmp
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
tear this poster out and put it on a wall! -
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by @weremountain @marianneradnitzky
"I find myself releasing this work into a world wracked by Covid-19, an environmental problem if there ever was one. Hasn’t it amplified a burning constellation of systemic injustices? Hasn’t it poisoned the basic elements of our social nature? Hasn’t it emerged from beneath us, around us and within us? I’m releasing this work into the world with the hope that it will do its small part to fuel the fire of transformation." —Eleanor Elektra
Viscous Verses Three Chants Against Coronation After Anne Waldman
Food has to be one of the most successful tools used to bring people together. I mean all different types of people eat all different types of foods. Usually, when people travel, they use their favorite search engines to find places to eat. They type “restaurants near me” and proceed to click search. Well, not only does EatOkra provide its users with an organized database of restaurants and food trucks based on their location, but it does so while also highlighting Black-owned restaurants. It’s amazing to see how EatOkra is preserving Black spaces, supporting Black-owned business owners, and spotlighting many hidden gems in various cities all over the country. Though the app was founded in 2016, it’s recently gained an influx of support. It’s no secret that several small businesses have been affected by Covid-19 and with the racial injustice seen and felt across the nation, it is clear that more and more people want to be aware and intentional about where they are spending their dollars. Support goes a long way and EatOkra’s mission is based on support specifically through Black food. Beyond its growing database of Black-owned restaurants, it uplifts the owners of these businesses by giving them a platform to showcase themselves. Not only are you eating well, but you’re also doing good! EatOkra includes links to delivery services, ratings, the option to bookmark your favorite spots, and you can even send your favorite restaurants to friends and family. I recommend EatOkra to anyone who’s up for exploring food and community! This app not only connects you to your next meal but also to local business owners in different spaces. With its growing database, it is sure to help you find a wide range of food options. EatOkra is available for both Android and iOS users for free.
Etiology No Nobody Nobody Knows Nobody Knows What Causes Nobody Knows What Causes All Nobody Knows What Causes All These Nobody Knows What Causes All These Syndromes Nobody Knows What Causes All These Syndromes We Nobody Knows What Causes All These Syndromes We Have Bulletin Three Three People Three People Were Three People Were Shot Three People Were Shot Under
New album available now! https://eleanorelektra.bandcamp.com @eleanorelektramusic
Three People Were Shot Under The El Three People Were Shot Under The El Yesterday Progress Masked Masked Workers
—MAKEDA NICOLAS
Masked Workers Covered Masked Workers Covered Up Masked Workers Covered Up All Masked Workers Covered Up All The Masked Workers Covered Up All The Old Masked Workers Covered Up All The Old Signs
@bostoncompass
—Cait O’ Kane Cait O’ Kane is a poet living in Philadelphia with her family. Viscous Verses is edited by Art & Letters Magazine www.artandlettersmagazine.squarespace.com
STATING THE STATE OF THE STATE OF THE ART ARTS
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An
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“If emotion and thought had a baby it would be a Spirit-driven, heartfelt, thoughtful child that would heal the world by its existence. I make my art to end the arguments and create a way for the energy to exist on its own.”
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“I think it is important to remember that an Artist is a human being—some of us may be aliens, as in off-planet other worlders, so perhaps better said, an Artist is a living being that requires almost all of the same things as the ‘non-Artist’ to subsist, exist, co-exist, survive and/or thrive.”
#
“When I was in Art School during the time of the dinosaurs, we were trained to be ‘fine’ artists and not with a pragmatic eye on survival and thriving. I have learned to be adaptable, flexible and forward thinking, in other words, how to apply all my creative skills to my life as an Artist. ”
O
ninA LAnegrA • AiLirox.wordpress.com
brain-arts.org
“Paramount to thriving as an Artist, I would say, is developing the ‘Attitude’ of someone engaged in a lifelong, long-haul pursuit....One must engage in long-range planning with shortterm, pragmatic steps.” “How you look at your Art, your philosophy toward it, is significant. Are you merely thinking about what medium you work in, your technical skill, and the marketplace for it or are you thinking more holistically? How is the creative process you engage in connected to your immediate environment and the wider community? Is there synergy between your explorations and questions, and the dilemmas in the world around you? Can you connect these arenas in a meaningful and economically fruitful way? What problems are you solving?”
A
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neiL horsky • horskyprojects.com
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