I'm a long-time resident of our fair city of Cambridge, MA, which I love dearly. Prior to becoming a NeighborMedia correspondent in 2009, I was already active in the arts community, participating in Cambridge Open Studios and in my local neighborhood arts association.
In my role as a citizen journalist, I've had the opportunity to inform the community about opportunities to participate in the rich arts opportunities offered by our city, through the Cambridge Arts Council and other organizations. This includes informing the community of upcoming deadlines for sharing artistic work - and encouraging ALL creative people, even those who may not think of themselves as artists, to participate in the yearly Cambridge Open Studios. My goal with these interviews/stories is to encourage Cambridge residents to expand their view of what art is and who is an artist, which hopefully increases participation in the arts.
By constantly being on the lookout for interesting stories about our city, I've discovered, explored, and brought the community on my journeys along the African-American Heritage Trail and Women's History Walks. These journeys increase public awareness of the rich heritage of Cambridge.
I had an opportunity to sit down with Jason Weeks, Executive Director of the Cambridge Arts Council, to hear about some of the amazing arts happening currently and in the future in our fair city. Take a listen the the interview.
Here are just a few highlights:
It seems fitting today, April 3, as we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and mourn the ongoing racial and economic injustice against which he fought, to also honor Harriet A. Jacobs (1813-1897) - abolitionist, author, and women’s rights advocate - who lived in Cambridge for part of her life.
“Throughout its 30-year history, CCTV has always been place for people, especially those who haven’t had a voice or have been marginalized, to tell their stories.” Says Frank Morris Lopez, NeighborMedia Coordinator. “The Human Library offers another way for people to connect and hear each other’s stories one-on-one in order to better understand others in our community.”
I chose Kendall Square on an unseasonably warm Saturday afternoon as the setting for my sixth in this series of Cambridge Soundwalks.
Twas the day before Christmas
And all through the Square
People were dashing hither and there
Getting books, toys, and treats
And dinner to share
With family and friends
From near and from far
Merry Christmas to all
I chose Inman Square on an October Saturday afternoon as the setting for my fourth in this series of Cambridge Soundwalks.
Crowds flocked to the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts' Local Craft Spirits Festival Friday night to enjoy this event offering Massachusetts and New England based local craft distilled spirits, cider, artisan beverages as well as a bit of craft beer. The final tweet gives the appearance that your @Neighbormedia correspondent was blotto, but this was actually due to low light.
On Thursday night, September 28, the Cambridge Arts Council celebrated the re-dedication of Bernard LaCasse's 1980 mural, Beat the Belt, at 730 Memorial Drive.
The artwork tells the story of the "Inner Belt,” a mid-20th century proposal by the U.S. Federal Government for an eight-lane highway that would have looped around downtown Boston and gone right through the neighborhood of Cambridgeport, destroying hundreds of buildings and displacing thousands of people. Residents battled the highway until winning the fight in 1970.
I chose Harvard Square on the second Saturday in September as a setting for my third in this series of Cambridge Soundwalks.
“Women won the right to vote almost one century ago, and it was a hard-fought victory that only came about due to generations of women activists who refused to accept the status quo of being second-class citizens,” said Mayor E. Denise Simmons. “Yet 97 years after that milestone, we must recognize that there is still so much work to be done in ensuring that women are given the same status, the same respect, and the same opportunities as men in this country.
