hot city! It’s summer in town so go see a ton of free stuff in our July art preview. And we also pay for a few things, because we all want to support art.
Berklee Summer in the City: All month (and all summer), around Boston and Cambridge
Pick up the stars of tomorrow! Pop sensation Betty Who and jazz legend Esperanza Spalding played Berklee College of Music’s free summer program before it went global. Dozens of outdoor spaces host scores of students, alumni and faculty from the college and the Boston Conservatory. Take shows at the Boston Public Library, the Boston Harbor Islands and around the city. (berklee.edu/events/summer)
“The Sympathy Card”: Available now, video on request
Boston writer and director (and occasionally rock ‘n’ roller) Brendan Boogie presents an unconventional comic love triangle in which three women deal with life, death and the first wrong dates. “The Sympathy Card” follows the story of Emma’s death wish to her new wife, Josie: Find new love before Emma dies in order to give the new wife a thumb’s up. (thesympathycard.com)
Fenway Porchfest: July 9, around the Fenway neighborhood
Fenway’s neighborhood jumped into the porchfest craze in 2019 with nearly a hundred artists. After a few years of hiatus, the fest is back for free. Not surprisingly, the area loosely defines “porch” – the diverse range of outdoor stages includes spaces at the Verb Hotel, Massachusetts Historical Society and Museum of Fine Arts. A sample of talent sets: Red Shaydez hip-hop champ, Jamaica Plain Honk Band, Spanish-language balladeer Pauli Camou and Boston Tokyo Tramps busking legends . (fenwayporchfest.org)
Rumfest: July 9, ONCE at Boynton Yards, Somerville
Rumbar Records presents this outdoor festival featuring local garage rock / punk / power pop acts both new and old – The Gypsy Moths, the Dogmatics, Muck and the Mires, the Shang Hi Los and others. Live music will be matched with art dealers, lawn games, and more. Children 13 years and under are free with a guardian accompanying them! (oncesomerville.com)
“Most Ado About Nothing”: July 20 – August 7, Boston Common
“I’d rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swearing he loves me.” Snap! Get a full load of the best Bard barbs by taking the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company on “Most Ado About Nothing” when you return Shakespeare for free on the Common. (commshakes.org)
Boston Landmarks Orchestra: July 20 – August 24, DCR Memorial Hatch Shell
Can’t you do Tanglewood? Get your under-the-sky symphony for the cost of a T-ride with the Landmark Orchestra’s concert series that includes performances of Beethoven’s 9th, the overture of “Romeo and Juliet “by Tchaikovsky,” The Sorcerer’s Apprentice “by Paul Dukas and much more. . (landmarksorchestra.org)
Woods Hole Film Festival: July 30 – August 6, Woods Hole, Falmouth, Cotuit and online
Go to Cape for more from the beach and sharks. This summer the Woods Hole Film Festival enters its third decade with 45 features and 72 shorts – almost half of which are directed by women. Focused on science, music and social justice, the films include the volcano’s love story “Fire of Love” and “Butterfly in the Sky,” a nostalgic look at “Reading Rainbow.” They will examine together Q&A, workshops, master classes and more. (woodsholefilmfestival.org)
