culture Archives

SOMERVILLE MURALISTS REFLECT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ART IN THE COMMUNITY

“You don’t need to go to a museum to appreciate art.” If you visit Somerville, murals are plastered on every street corner and on business walls. Sidewalks are painted with vibrant colors and patterns. Art has played a pivotal role in the city for many years. The Somerville Arts Council

CLARISSA CALDERON January 12, 2022

THE NEW CRYSTAL BALLROOM IS KEEPING SOMERVILLE THEATER ALIVE

Catching up with Somerville’s new, much-needed live performance venue and function space On September 17, the Somerville Theatre reopened after a 17-month-long closure brought on by the pandemic. Customers of the 107-year-old theater, some who have been catching flicks there for years, walked into a completely madeover venue with an

JULIET NORMAN AND ALEXIS CRANDALL January 7, 2022

SOMERVILLE WIRE: November 16, 2021 WEEKLY ROUNDUP

Sparkle the Dog and her battle with cancer, a citywide election recount, and Open Studio arts events in Somerville Survey SOMERVILLE LOCAL NEWS SURVEY The Somerville Wire is part of the Somerville News Garden project of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. News garden volunteers and BINJ staffers are trying

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN November 16, 2021

SPECIAL FEATURE: GREATER BOSTON’S CHURCH TO CONDO PIPELINE

As more and more former Boston churches are being converted into luxury housing, is the city missing out on potential arts and community spaces?

CLAIRE SADAR AND ALYSSA MALDONADO-ESTRADA October 1, 2021

SOMERVILLE WIRE: September 28, 2021 WEEKLY ROUNDUP

PorchFest makes a live, outdoor comeback, a ribbon cutting ceremony, and an expansion of Somerville Junction Park

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN September 28, 2021

WEST BRANCH LIBRARY ON TRACK TO OPEN SOON

The newly renovated space just opened for curbside service.

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN June 8, 2021

THE LONG GAME: SANCTUARY CITIES FIGHT POINTS TO NEED FOR GLOBAL LABOR PROTECTIONS

Original flag image by Adbusters. Or Betsy Ross, depending on who you ask March 7, 2017 BY JASON PRAMAS @JASONPRAMAS Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of the federal government. Yet Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related federal agencies often rely on local police to help round up undocumented immigrants

JASON PRAMAS March 7, 2017

HARD DRUG TRUTHS: END MANDATORY MINIMUM DRUG SENTENCES

January 10, 2017 BY JASON PRAMAS @JASONPRAMAS The opioid crisis is dire enough without adding insult to injury. With almost 12,000 deaths from overdoses in Massachusetts since the year 2000—increasing sharply in recent years with fentanyl-laced heroin hitting the streets—the human cost to users, their families, and our communities is

JASON PRAMAS January 10, 2017

UNITED WE STAND: AN ADMONITION FOR 2017

January 4, 2017 BY JASON PRAMAS @JASONPRAMAS As another calendar year begins, it is my custom to prognosticate about what I think is most important for my audience to consider in the months to come. Last year at this time, I asked readers if they wanted to live in a

JASON PRAMAS January 4, 2017

PLAY TO WIN: UK LABOUR PARTY LEADER SHOWS THE AMERICAN LEFT HOW TO MOVE BEYOND SYMBOLIC POLITICS

September 29, 2016 BY JASON PRAMAS @JASONPRAMAS Last week—as is the case many weeks every fall and spring in Boston—notices of small scripted protests by an array of area progressive nonprofits, unions, and student groups got me thinking about the rut the anti-corporate American left has been stuck in for

JASON PRAMAS September 29, 2016