Cambridge Local First, a nonprofit network of more than 500 businesses, hosts the first 617 Day on Tuesday – which is 6/17 on the calendar, as well as a nod to the local (617) area code. The two-part free event features a small-business summit in the morning and a block party in the evening.
The summit features panel discussions for business owners established or starting out; the evening block party includes games, a beer garden and opportunities to picnic while listening to bands.
Katie Labrie, the executive director of Cambridge Local First, said 617 Day is the “flagship event” the organization has been looking to create as “a celebration of the small community of Cambridge and surrounding areas.” As an annual event, it would travel the city, with Harvard Square being just the first year’s location.
The goal is an event that would “not only remind people to shop local, but would bring local independent business owners together to connect and celebrate,” said Kari Kuelzer, Cambridge Local First board chair, in a press release.
The small-business summit includes three panels: on the Future of Small Business Funding, the Inclusive Imperative (on diversity) and The Joy Economy (on the needs for arts and entertainment). It’s set to be held at The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St.
The panel on the future of small-business funding “was inspired by the fact that the world has changed so much in the last six months,” said Labrie, referring to the end in December of pandemic relief money delivered via the American Rescue Plan Act. Panelists will explore “creative” funding solutions and grants already available to small businesses.
The second panel, The Inclusive Imperative, focuses on how a small-business community can “continue to support and invest in [diversity, equity and inclusion] practices” within the community and businesses themselves “to make sure those valuable programs continue regardless of what’s happening on the federal level,” Labrie said.
The Joy Economy panel follows up on city studies showing the impact that arts, entertainment and culture can have on a local economy, Labrie said. “Now that we are in a postpandemic era, there’s [evidence] that we need to provide more in-person experiences and opportunities to bring people out of their house and into the community,” she said.
Beginning at 5 p.m., Winthrop Street transforms into a block party with game and event booths hosted by local businesses. It will serve as a promotional event, as opposed to a vending event, for businesses including Sasha Salon and Spa, Cloven Playing Tiles, History Cambridge and Tandem Vet Care, which will serve pup cups to pets in attendance.
Block party performances include stand-up from The Comedy Studio, a DJ set and musicians The Sunday Slippers, the Latin hip-hop band FM Collective and the headliner, R&B singer ToriTori.
ToriTori, whose name is Latoria Boyd, is set to release a single in July that she will perform at 617 Day along with showcasing her live-only talent of vocal looping. “It only makes sense” to “pay homage to my hometown,” said the 2023 Boston Music Awards R&B Artist of the Year.
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