IndieFest (5/21) at Upstairs at Bow

Music, comedy, community. A launch party and fundraiser for the CS Independent.

Ticket link in bio or 👇
www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

#cambridge #somerville

Who won comedy last night: Addy Goldstein, whose mom died - Cambridge | Somerville Independent It was heavy on the Jews, the New Jersey, the Emerson College and the filth Monday at the College Comedy Showcase compiled by Myles Beckerman for The Comedy Studio in Cambridge’s Harvard Square. There...

At a College Comedy Showcase at The Comedy Studio, one comic got to the point quickly: “Try to keep it together,” she told the audience. “My mom just died.”

Company gets pushback in proposing to build Union Square homes instead of expected lab space - Cambridge | Somerville Independent Up to 200 new homes with a park, library branch and other community benefits for Union Square made for a sweet pitch, especially when they would replace a proposed lab building at a time labs are sitt...

Up to 200 new homes with a park, library branch and other community benefits for Union Square made for a sweet pitch, but not all were convinced.

Tuesday office hour in Central Square (Toscanini's, 5:30-6:30 p.m.) (corrected) - Cambridge | Somerville Independent The Independent sets up shop briefly this week at Toscanini’s ice cream, 899 Main St., Central Square, Cambridge. (At the southeast end, in the area known as Lafayette Square.) Bring story ideas, ques...

We have a Tuesday office hour to hear story ideas, questions, concerns or complaints, and tonight they’re in Central Square.

What's New in Animals & Plants | Cara Giaimo | Substack non-specious species happenings. Click to read What's New in Animals & Plants, by Cara Giaimo, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

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Cambridge’s Humane Society changed its mission, then quit, as Cambridge changed The phrase “humane society” today conjures up notions of a group dedicated to animal welfare and finding homes for adoptable pets. In previous centuries, humane societies were organizations created to save and enhance human lives. Modeled on the Royal Humane Society that had been established in Britain... The post Cambridge’s Humane Society changed its mission, then quit, as Cambridge changed appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge’s Humane Society changed its mission, then quit, as Cambridge changed

A neighborhood group is forming to fill a gap in North Cambridge A recently launched North Cambridge organization called NoCa Neighbors joins others formed within the past couple of years, the West Cambridge Neighborhood Coalition and Neighborhood 9 Community, to fill a gap that’s chronological as well as geographic. NoCa Neighbors aims to fill an informational need, said founder... The post A neighborhood group is forming to fill a gap in North Cambridge appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

A neighborhood group is forming to fill a gap in North Cambridge

Letter to a traffic engineer A lot of ink has been spilled over the Reid Overpass proposal. For those who don’t read the news, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation aims to replace the crumbling brick structure that carries Memorial Drive traffic where the road intersects with the Boston University Bridge. The designs... The post Letter to a traffic engineer appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Letter to a traffic engineer

Counter intuitive We’re all used to our old New England buildings being retrofitted for awkward purposes and construction that doesn’t keep up with the times. There’s a special kind of pain in seeing projects go up thoughtlessly with flaws that will confront people for years or decades. Two relatively... The post Counter intuitive appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Counter intuitive

Cambridge meetings, April 20-27: William Dawes rides again at a Patriots’ Day observance These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City Calendar and in the city’s Open Meetings Portal. Patriots’ Day observance  Department of Veterans Services, 10:30 a.m. to noon Monday. A reenactment by the National Lancers of... The post Cambridge meetings, April 20-27: William Dawes rides again at a Patriots’ Day observance appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge meetings, April 20-27: William Dawes rides again at a Patriots’ Day observance

Somerville meetings, April 20-27: Police cameras and staying out late for World Cup games These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website. Water, sewage and cop cameras City Council Finance Committee, 6 p.m. Tuesday. This committee run by city councilor Ben Wheeler looks at $8.3 million... The post Somerville meetings, April 20-27: Police cameras and staying out late for World Cup games appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Somerville meetings, April 20-27: Police cameras and staying out late for World Cup games

Somerville Plant-Based Restaurant Week has dishes and deals to help savor saving the Earth There are bargains and special dishes at 19 restaurants for Somerville Plant-Based Restaurant Week, from new specialty pizzas, sandwiches and empanadas to buy-one, get-one deals or up to 25 percent off certain foods. The week is the delicious accompaniment to Somerville becoming the seventh U.S. city to... The post Somerville Plant-Based Restaurant Week has dishes and deals to help savor saving the Earth appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Somerville Plant-Based Restaurant Week has dishes and deals to help savor saving the Earth

How to save the planet for the 99% Philosopher Nancy Fraser delivered the Senior Loeb Scholar Lecture, “Against the Environmentalism of the Rich,” at Harvard University’s Piper Auditorium on Wednesday. The emeritus professor at the New School for Social Research has made a career out of radical critiques of capitalism. The students, scholars and community... The post How to save the planet for the 99% appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

How to save the planet for the 99%

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority makes real estate moves in North and East Cambridge The most prominent new builder in North Cambridge may now be the quasi-governmental agency the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. Its board voted Thursday to put up six stories of mixed-income housing at 2326 Massachusetts Ave., creating 16 condominiums to each sell for around $800,000, and is moving toward... The post Cambridge Redevelopment Authority makes real estate moves in North and East Cambridge appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority makes real estate moves in North and East Cambridge

Renovated outbound Kendall/MIT headhouse reopens Monday A renovated outbound Kendall/MIT headhouse reopens to passengers Monday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said Friday. Access to red line trains for the past year and 10 months has been through 325 Main St., access that ends as the new headhouse opens for use, the MBTA said. The headhouse... The post Renovated outbound Kendall/MIT headhouse reopens Monday appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Renovated outbound Kendall/MIT headhouse reopens Monday

‘Your Light Is Central’ is an evolving LED art installation that makes a colorful square even more vivid Art is meant to illuminate, and a series of installations called “Your Light Is Central” went live in Cambridge’s Central Square this week to make that literal: The 10 works by Boston’s Masary Studios use elaborate LED constructs to spotlight murals, highlight sidewalks and pop up in... The post ‘Your Light Is Central’ is an evolving LED art installation that makes a colorful square even more vivid appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

‘Your Light Is Central’ is an evolving LED art installation that makes a colorful square even more vivid

Developers are putting backyard cottages ‘on steroids’ to turn them into triple-deckers, former officials say Developers are abusing the ability to create “backyard cottages” in Somerville, which could result in crammed-in but expensive condos that are unaffordable to the renters getting evicted for constriction, residents said Thursday at a joint meeting of the Planning Board and City Council Land Use Committee. Four... The post Developers are putting backyard cottages ‘on steroids’ to turn them into triple-deckers, former officials say appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Developers are putting backyard cottages ‘on steroids’ to turn them into triple-deckers, former officials say

Lesley University faculty say they are ready to strike, and they want protection if the school shuts or sells Unionized core faculty at Lesley University voted by “an overwhelming majority” in support of a strike, the school’s labor representatives at SEIU Local 509 said Thursday. Educators have been bargaining for a contract for nearly two years, they said. Faculty say they are fighting for fair compensation... The post Lesley University faculty say they are ready to strike, and they want protection if the school shuts or sells appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Lesley University faculty say they are ready to strike, and they want protection if the school shuts or sells

Cambridge Police get an abrupt turnover as Christine Elow retires as commissioner Cambridge Police Department commissioner Christine Elow has announced her retirement after 30 years with the city, a spokesperson for the city said Thursday. Her last day is Friday. The change was planned only within the past few weeks, spokesperson Jeremy Warnick said. No formal ceremony for her... The post Cambridge Police get an abrupt turnover as Christine Elow retires as commissioner appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge Police get an abrupt turnover as Christine Elow retires as commissioner

Vinyl Heads, Rejoice Record Store Day returns April 18. A day to celebrate vinyl, record stores and the crate diggers who love them. What started as a grassroots initiative by independent stores in the early 2000s has evolved into a kind of marketing mania in which rabid collectors wait in... The post Vinyl Heads, Rejoice appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Vinyl Heads, Rejoice

Cambridge and Somerville 2026 spring style As spring settles in, people are shedding their winter survival layers. This season blends practicality with quiet expression, polished comfort with subtle personality. Expect a touch of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy minimalism across Harvard Square, getting a bump as the “Love Story” miniseries recedes into the Hulu archives: sleek... The post Cambridge and Somerville 2026 spring style appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge and Somerville 2026 spring style

Inman Eats & Crafts street fair May 17 is the start of a powerful event rotation for the all-local square The year’s Inman Eats & Crafts street fair is set for noon to 4 p.m. May 17, setting up on Cambridge Street in Inman Square between Springfield and Prospect streets. Called a celebration of everything Inman Square – “eclectic retailers, fabulous makers, our casual eats and culinary treats”... The post Inman Eats & Crafts street fair May 17 is the start of a powerful event rotation for the all-local square appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Inman Eats & Crafts street fair May 17 is the start of a powerful event rotation for the all-local square

Cambridge city councillor McGovern urges a boycott of Citizens Bank over its support of ICE Pressure against Citizens Bank for its political investments has grown to include Cambridge city councillor Marc McGovern, who posted a video Wednesday explaining why he is leaving the Providence financial institution after 23 years – and urging other customers to join a boycott that takes their money... The post Cambridge city councillor McGovern urges a boycott of Citizens Bank over its support of ICE appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Cambridge city councillor McGovern urges a boycott of Citizens Bank over its support of ICE

Aerial view of the Main Cambridge Public Library, showcasing modern and historic architecture amidst autumn foliage. Buildings are surrounded by green spaces and pathways, with a cityscape in the background.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading and talk by Tracy K. Smith, one of the nation's foremost experts on poetry, at the Cambridge Public Library! 📚🗣️

- Thurs., April 16, 2026
- Main Library (Lecture Hall)
- 6-8pm.

This event is hybrid. Registration is required: https://camb.ma/4bUWwu3

The last three A.R.T. plays in Harvard Square share a theme for Trump’s America The plays that start off the American Repertory Theater’s 47th and final Cambridge season were announced Wednesday, and the three titles make for a hardly subtle message for Trump’s America. The three run August through January, after which Tony-winning artistic director Diane Paulus switches her attention to... The post The last three A.R.T. plays in Harvard Square share a theme for Trump’s America appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

The last three A.R.T. plays in Harvard Square share a theme for Trump’s America

Three squares, three worlds of coffee: Yego in Teele, Bom Dough in Inman and Maprang in Union The places on our maps called “squares” are a geometric curiosity here in Massachusetts. They are clearly not squares – certainly not the three I’ve chosen to for coffee this week, which are convergences, a hub or meeting point of several roads. Older “squares” might have meant... The post Three squares, three worlds of coffee: Yego in Teele, Bom Dough in Inman and Maprang in Union appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Three squares, three worlds of coffee: Yego in Teele, Bom Dough in Inman and Maprang in Union

These foods could be made from a can or box, but you’re going to want to DIY instead Today’s question is about making it yourself. Love me some DIY food. What’s something you insist on making more or less from scratch that the rest of us might just break out a box or can for? Two things leap to mind immediately, and they are broths... The post These foods could be made from a can or box, but you’re going to want to DIY instead appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

These foods could be made from a can or box, but you’re going to want to DIY instead

Herb roasted potatoes at Veggie Grill $4 This visit started off poorly. Veggie Grill offers a Junior Burger for $8 that had me excited to think a decent burger was out there under our $10 cutoff – after all, the owners of this plant-based chain began with a business called Next Level Burger.... The post Herb roasted potatoes at Veggie Grill appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Herb roasted potatoes at Veggie Grill

Get a peek at the new Urban Hearth; Bon Me has a meal subscription; Assembly Row adds farmers market See the new Urban Hearth The last day of service at the current Urban Hearth at 2263 Massachusetts Ave., North Cambridge, is May 30, according to a Monday email from Erin Miller’s restaurant specializing in seasonally driven menus of locally farmed and foraged foods. “If this dining... The post Get a peek at the new Urban Hearth; Bon Me has a meal subscription; Assembly Row adds farmers market appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Get a peek at the new Urban Hearth; Bon Me has a meal subscription; Assembly Row adds farmers market

Political notes: Get to a Barber campaign kickoff, meet new candidates, see endorsements and fundraising There’s a campaign kickoff tonight in Medford for state representative Christine Barber, running in a hotly contested primary to replace retiring state senator Pat Jehlen in the 2nd Middlesex District. This means stepping away from the safety of a 34th Middlesex District seat Barber has held since... The post Political notes: Get to a Barber campaign kickoff, meet new candidates, see endorsements and fundraising appeared first on Cambridge | Somerville Independent.

Political notes: Get to a Barber campaign kickoff, meet new candidates, see endorsements and fundraising