Thursday, July 3
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (Monday through Friday until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free. This exhibit spotlights the stories of Asian American Women whose collections are held in the Schlesinger Library. It examines how race, ethnicity, gender, citizenship and migration affect our collective memory of history.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge. $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum). A new, intimate collection of stunning crystals, gemstones and jewelry.
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. The exhibition spotlights more than 135 works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints by some of the most significant artists from the Renaissance to the 20th century, including Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Paul Cézanne. The exhibit is open Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17 (except July 4).
Farmer Visits: Green City Growers from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Urban Park Roof Garden at Kendall Center, 325 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. A farmer stops by to tend to raised vegetable beds, inviting all to learn more about the beds and growing processes and help with the harvest.
Emerging Artists exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. at CAA@Canal, 650 E. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. A show juried by Jameson Johnson of the Boston Art Review up through Sept. 12.
Rijah performs at 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. This Jersey girl brings light jazz, a husky voice and picaresque tunes as part of the Berklee College of Music’s Summer in the City concert series, and you can’t help but appreciate the effort to work “petrichor” into any set of lyrics.
Open mic at 7 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $8. A chance to hear who’s going to be discovered among the next great voices in folk, and possibly to be that voice.
Blues Union dances from 7 to 11 p.m. at Dance Union, 16 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville. $10 to $25. A lesson in the first hour, then an hour to socialize, rest or practice with a partner before two hours of social dancing. Wear shoes that allow you to pivot; no need to bring a partner.
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” at 7:30 p.m. at the the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $43 to $160. The musical romantic comedy centers Dougal, in town from England for his father’s second wedding, and Robin, New York native and sister of the bride. Dougal and Robin’s unlikely relationship develops more than 36 hours. Jim Barne and Kit Buchan composed the musical.
Patchwork electronic music night at 10 p.m. at ZuZu, 474 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free, but 21-plus. A showcase for local live electronic music artists.
Friday, July 4
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“Deep Dive: Headquarters of a Revolution” guided tour at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge (every Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday through Oct. 27). Free. Explore Gen. George Washington’s first headquarters of the American Revolution, which celebrates its 250th anniversary this year.
Emerging Artists Exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. (continuing Wednesdays to Fridays through Sept. 12) at CAA@Canal, 650 E. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free.
Brian Parise comedy at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. at Goofs Comedy Club, 432 McGrath Highway, East Somerville (and continuing Saturday). $25. Emmy-winning stand-up and writer Brian Parise (“Last Week Tonight” and “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj”) handles color commentary for the Fourth of July and its aftermath.
Saturday, July 5
Yoga in the Park at 9 a.m. at Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park, 300 Grand Union Blvd. at Assembly Row, Somerville. Free, but register. Enjoy nature while emphasizing breath and body. Bring your own yoga mat and a water bottle. Riverfront yoga is sponsored by Mass General Brigham Health Plan and run by YogaSix.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“Headquarters of a Revolution: The 250th Anniversary of Washington’s Arrival in Cambridge” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge. Free. This special event includes historian talks, family activities, living historians portraying George Washington (John Koopman), Martha Washington (Sandy Spector) an William Lee (Quinton Castle) and story walks.
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. (continuing Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17.) Free.
“Deep Dive: Headquarters of a Revolution” guided tour at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge (continuing every Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday through Oct. 27). Free.
Discover Mount Auburn Introductory Walking Tour from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., West Cambridge. Free, but registration required. This 1.5-mile walking tour will focus on stories of history, monuments, and the lives of those buried at this National Historic Landmark.
Japanese mahjong from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. Free. Players will be organized into skill-based groups and given all necessary materials to play, so no experience or equipment is necessary – but players can bring extra game sets and snacks to share.
Mahjong Tile Club from 2 to 5 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. $10. A half-hour tutorial and then game play (with beer available to buy).
Lilypad Art Jam from 2 to 7 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $5 to $20. A community space for creating art and music.
Lamplighter’s “Beer School” tour and tasting from 4 to 5 p.m. at Lamplighter Brewing, 284 Broadway, The Port, Cambridge. $34, but 21-plus. For this monthly event, each ticket includes one 6-ounce welcome beer and a flight of samples, a guided tasting and behind-the-scenes brewery tour, a beer school “quiz” (with an answer key) and a Lamplighter Beer School diploma.
“Haitian Marketplace through Paintings” exhibit from 4 to 9 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., East Cambridge. $15. This exhibit captures the beauty of market scenes, in which commerce and community come alive in vivid hues. The event also pays homage to the legendary Haitian artist and writer Frankétienne, honoring his influence on Haitian art and storytelling.
Taylor Swift trivia night and dance party at 7 p.m. at Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square. $20 to $31. Individuals and groups answer questions about Taylor Swift and compete in an “Eras” costume contest. Don’t forget to bring your friendship bracelets to trade!
Brian Parise comedy at 7, 9 and 11 p.m. Goofs Comedy Club, 432 McGrath Highway, East Somerville (continued). $25.
“Nocturnes” concert from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second St., East Cambridge. $20. The concert features singer and composer Shira Laucharoen, who will present original musical-theater inspired works as well as classic Broadway selections. We wrote about it here.
DIY screenprinting night from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. $45. Dark Mode’s Bow Market storefront gives participants the chance to experiment with design and printing techniques. Each guest gets a T-shirt to print on and can bring their own items or customize a hoodie for an additional $20.
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” (continued) at 7:30 p.m. at the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $35 to $158.
Sunday, July 6
Introduction to bird photography with Nature Man Mike from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mass Audubon Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport. $60 to $75 and adults only. Tips on settings, composition, equipment, light conditions and more from local birder and photographer Michael Bryant. (For DSLR, mirrorless or bridge cameras.)
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. (continuing Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17.) Free.
“Deep Dive: Headquarters of a Revolution” guided tour at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge (continuing every Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday through Oct. 27). Free.
Catherine Bowness and Alex Rubin perform from 1 to 3 p.m. at An Sibin, 1193 Cambridge St., Cambridge. Free. Bowness and Rubin host a “bluegrass brunch” featuring local musicians.
Student spotlight tour from 2 to 2:50 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. A tour led by Harvard students in the Ho Family Student Guide Program. Tours explore three or four works on view through a theme of each student’s choosing.
Poetry reading: Robert Pinsky at 3 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge. Free. The New England Poetry Club sponsors this reading with the U.S. poet laureate reading from his recent book, “Proverbs of Limbo.”
BCM Fest from 3 p.m. at Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free to $28. A twice-annual homegrown celebration of music, song and dance from Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois and other Celtic communities. The event includes a free outdoor show on Palmer Street from 3 to 5 p.m., with evening shows beginning at 7 p.m. for which tickets are $25 to $28.
Craft Café from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. Free. Bring a project to create with other crafters.
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” (continued) at 7:30 p.m. at the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $35 to $158.
Monday, July 7
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (continuing Monday through Friday, until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“Deep Dive: Headquarters of a Revolution” guided tour at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Longfellow House and the Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site, 105 Brattle St., West Cambridge (continuing every Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday through Oct. 27). Free.
250th anniversary of the U.S. Army from 1 to 4 p.m. at Cambridge Common, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Free. (Rescheduled from June 14.) A city-run, family-friendly event to recognize “this significant milestone in American history” and honor the service and sacrifice of Army personnel, past, present and future. The event includes a bounce house; an obstacle course to “test your Army skills” and 90-gallon dunk tank to “test your accuracy and aim”; petting zoo with a pony; caricature artist and face painting; food and music from Monkeys with Crayons and the Uncle Sam Jazz Band. Organized by the city of Cambridge and Office of the Mayor in partnership with the Cambridge Veterans Services Office,.
Liquid Art Workshop: Micropipette Art (Introductory) from 6 to 8 p.m. at The MIT Museum, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $40 and 18-plus. This class instructs participants in creating art using tools found in biology labs: in this case using a pipette to see how it enables researchers to work with the microscopic building blocks of life. This workshop is perfect for fans of adult coloring books and experimental artists … and everyone in between, according to organizers.
Open mic night from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. Free, and 21-plus. Singers, poets, comedians and storytellers are welcome to showcase their talents.
Christopher Shaw Myers reads from “Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of Jaws and Beyond” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Christopher Shaw Myers, nephew of actor Robert Shaw (best known for his portrayal of Quint, the shark hunter in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film “Jaws”), discusses his book recounting the stories his uncle regaled him of “Jaws,” just in time for the movie’s 50th anniversary.
Picture + Panel: Queer Communities with Mike Curato and Kelly Wroten at 7 p.m. at the Boston Figurative Arts Center, 285 Washington St., Ward 2, Somerville. Free to $5 and 21-plus. Curato, author and illustrator of children’s and young adult books and “Gaysians,” his adult debut; and Wroten, author of graphic novels “Cannonball,” “Eden II,” and “Everyone Sux but You” are at this monthly confab of graphic-novel creators sponsored by the Boston Figurative Arts Center, Porter Square Books and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation.
Elan Mehler Trio from 7 to 8 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and every Monday). $15. The jazz pianist and composer who’s released 11 albums performs with Max Ridley and Dor Herskovits.
New Material Comedy Night at 8:30 p.m. at The Rockwell, 255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville. Free. Hosted by Andrew Della Volpe, comedians try out their new material with audience suggestions and experimental comedy. We wrote about it here.
The Fringe performs at 10 p.m. at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge (and every Monday) $15. Remaining members of The Fringe (formed in 1971), tenor-saxophonist George Garzone and bassist John Lockwood perform contemporary jazz.
Tuesday, July 8
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (continuing Monday through Friday, until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. (continuing Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17.) Free.
Cambridge Book Bike from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fresh Pond Apartments, 364 Rindge Ave., Cambridge. Free. The Book Bike visits 10 parks over the summer to give away free books and run activities for Cambridge children of all ages. This program is in conjunction with the city’s Summer Food program.
Gallery Talk: “Marks, Stamps, and Tags – Visible Traces of Provenance in the Solomon Collection” from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. A must for getting started in art collecting or art forgery: How to spot signs of who owned works in “The Solomon Collection: Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibition, which helps establish value and legitimacy. The talk is run by Casey Monahan, Cunningham senior curatorial assistant for the Division of European and American Art collection.
Summer nights paddling from 4:45 to 8 p.m. at the Nature Center at Magazine Beach, 668 Memorial Drive, Cambridgeport. Free, but register and 12-plus. This guided ecotour by kayak welcomes paddlers of all abilities. Gear is provided, and the program begins with beginner paddler instruction.
Charlie Weld performs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Urban Park Roof Garden at Kendall Center, 325 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. Weld is a pop and country songwriter performing as part of the Berklee College of Music’s Summer in the City concert series. “For such a young artist, she has the heart of an old soul, wearing empathy on her sleeve,” said Carolyn Kruse, former host of Country 102.5 FM. “It’s likely why she is such an effective songwriter.”
Froca Fitness workout from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at University Park Commons, in Cambridgeport near Central Square, Cambridge. Free. Groove with Froca Fitness founder Sylver Rochelin Randrianantenaina, a dancer from Madagascar.
Summer Concert Series: Ezra Rudel & Friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Danehy Park, just behind the entrance at 99 Sherman St., in Neighborhood 9 just east of Fresh Pond, Cambridge. Free. The trumpet player and composer will be joined by Bahar Badieitabar on oud, Mattias Kaufmann on accordion and a guest! Join them for an evening of original music, folk tunes, and improvisation. Co-sponsored by Club Passim and the Cambridge Arts Council.
Makers and Mocktails at 6:30 p.m. on The Great Lawn at Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville. $45, including a free mocktail. Learn how to paint summer wildflowers in watercolors while enjoying mocktails from the Lawn Bar.
Peter Swanson reads from “Kill Your Darlings” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. New York Times bestselling author of “Eight Perfect Murders” and “The Kind Worth Killing” and winner of the New England Society Book Award discusses his new thriller “Kill Your Darlings” – a very literary mystery in which the marriage of a published poet and teacher of English literature is unfolded backward (shades of Pinter’s “Betrayal”) to a horrible act committed decades earlier.
Claire Jia reads from “Wanting” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. Claire Jia’s debut novel examines envy, friendship and longing between two childhood friends – both seemingly doing great until influencer Luo Wenyu comes back to Beijing to blow everything up. (Even the aging architect of Wenyu’s new mansion gets caught up in her secret.)
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” (continued) at 7:30 p.m. at the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $35 to $158.
Bluesy Tuesy Social Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at New England Science Fiction Association clubhouse at 504 Medford St., Magoun Square, Somerville (and every Tuesday). $5 to $25. DJs play at this weekly partner blues dance event that includes a lesson for beginners in the first hour.
Indie trivia at 8 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free. Test your knowledge every Tuesday. Aeronaut opens the taproom to players and hosts for this independent game of knowledge.
Wednesday, July 9
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (continuing Monday through Friday, until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. (continuing Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17.) Free.
Lunchtime Concert Series: Gabriella Simpkins from noon to 1 p.m. at the Urban Park Roof Garden at Kendall Center, 325 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. Singer/songwriter Gabriella Simpkins brings her brand of folk, classical, jazz and indie rock to the stage. Co-sponsored with Club Passim.
Exhibition Tour: “Edvard Munch: Technically Speaking” from noon to 1 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. An in-depth tour of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s exhibit “Technically Speaking,” available for viewing through July 27.
Emerging Artists Exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. (continuing Wednesdays to Fridays through Sept. 12) at CAA@Canal, 650 E. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free.
Lunchtime Recital: Carson Cooman performs from 12:15 to 1 p.m. at Harvard Memorial Church, 1 Harvard Yard, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Carson Cooman, research associate in music and composer in residence at the Harvard Memorial Church, is a composer with a catalog of works ranging from solo instrumental pieces to operas and from orchestral works to hymn tunes.
Summer Art Nights: acrylic painting from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cambridge Main Library, 449 Broadway, Mid-Cambridge. Free, but register. Printmaker and painter Brooke Lambert teaches the techniques of acrylic painting. The library will provide all materials.
Books and Brews from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St., near Union Square in Ward 2, Somerville. Free. This month’s title for the drinky, literature-focused social club: The funny trans narrative “Woodworking” by pop culture critic and “Yellowjackets” TV show scripter Emily St. James.
Somerville Poetry Workshop from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Spring Hill, Somerville (and continuing July 16, July 23, and July 30). Flexible pricing. Each session begin with two city poets or summer poems; classes end with 20-minute readings by visiting poets. Topics will include form, line, structure and generative writing.
Paul Doiron reads from “Skin and Bones” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. “Skin and Bones” features a collection of eight original short stories in the bestselling Mike Bowditch series – including one new, never-before-published story – from Edgar-nominated author Paul Doiron.
Molly Beer reads from “Angelica: For Love and Country in a Time of Revolution ” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Nonfiction writer Molly Beer discusses her new book, a view of revolution through the life of Angelica Schuyler Church, Alexander Hamilton’s “saucy” sister-in-law, who was at the heart of salons in Paris and somehow also in the middle of all the big events of early U.S. history – and switching identities as needed. At one point, writes the bookstore, “She was Madame Church, wife of a privateer turned merchant banker, whose London house was a refuge for veterans of the American war fleeing the guillotine in France. Across nationalities, languages and cultures, across the divides of war, grievance and geography, Angelica wove a web of soft-power connections that spanned the War for Independence, the postwar years of tenuous peace and the turbulent politics and rival ideologies that threatened to tear apart the nascent United States.” Close enough to the Fourth of July to count.
Hub Comics “Book Clhub” at 7 p.m. at Hub Comics, 19 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville. Free, but bring a copy of the book with you. June’s title: “Wendy,” a lovingly satirical takedown of artistic pretension by Walter Scott.
Poets Jiwon Choi, Frances Donovan and Gloria A. Monaghan from 7 to 8 p.m. at Grolier Poetry Book Shop on 6 Plympton St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $5 to $10, but register. With an introduction by Eileen Cleary and Mark Pawlak.
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” (continued) at 7:30 p.m. at the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $35 to $158.
The Lilypad Variety Show from 10 p.m. to midnight at Lilypad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge. $5. Enjoy new talent performing music, art, poetry, comedy, and dance.
Thursday, July 10
“Illuminate: Contextualizing Asian American Women’s Stories through the Archives” exhibit (continuing Monday through Friday, until Jan. 23) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Arthur & Elizabeth Schlesinger Library, 3 James St., Cambridge. Free.
“Emeralds” exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., in the Baldwin neighborhood near Harvard Square, Cambridge (continuing through Sept. 1). $15 (including access to the attached Peabody Museum).
“The Solomon Collection: From Dürer to Degas and Beyond” exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., near Harvard Square, Cambridge. (continuing Tuesdays to Sundays through Aug. 17.) Free.
Farmer Visits: Green City Growers from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Urban Park Roof Garden at Kendall Center, 325 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free. A farmer stops by to tend to raised vegetable beds, inviting all to learn more about the beds and growing processes and help with the harvest.
Cambridge Book Bike from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Donnelly Field (Berkshire and York streets), East Cambridge. Free. The Book Bike visits 10 parks over the summer to give away free books and run activities for Cambridge children of all ages. This program is in conjunction with the city’s Summer Food program.
“All Stars: The Sensational History of Athletics as Entertainment” exhibit from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Houghton Library, at Quincy and Harvard streets in Harvard Yard, Cambridge. Free, but register. Curators Matthew Wittmann and Karintha Lowe of the Harvard Theatre Collection discuss their exhibition of the wild period before athletes went professional, when boundaries between sport, theater, and spectacle were blurred. The curators will point out highlights from the materials on display during a guided tour.
Emerging Artists Exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. (continuing Wednesdays to Fridays through Sept. 12) at CAA@Canal, 650 E. Kendall St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. Free.
Summer Concert Series: Gabe Kuchan from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Palmer and John F. Kennedy streets, Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Gabe Kuchan is a guitarist and songwriter who fuses funk, jazz, neo-soul, rock and folk. Co-sponsored by Club Passim and the Berklee College of Music.
“Secure the Bag” cornhole mixer at 6 p.m. at Club Volo, 301 Assembly Row, Mystic River, Somerville. $10 to $15. Four players toss noncompetitively – no scores are kept – at this singles event focused on men seeking women and women seeking men, with organizers seeking advice on inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ connections and gender nonconforming folks at volopass@volosports.com. A mixer follows the game play.
Kintsugi workshop for beginners at 6 p.m. at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. $125. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with natural lacquer and gold powder. Class time is three hours long and you will be provided with all the materials you need – including broken pottery.
“History On The Line” exhibition from 6 to 8 p.m. at Prospect Hill Park, 68 Munroe St., Somerville. Free. A “History Un-Locked” drop-in chats to celebrate Massachusetts’ 250 years.
“Bar Stars 2025” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the top of the Artisan West Parking Garage at Assembly Row, 355 Artisan Way, Assembly Square, Somerville. $40. Watch bartenders make their restaurants’ signature drinks to compete for your vote. Restaurants include Cocolee, Earls Kitchen + Bar, Fuji at Assembly, Legal Sea Foods, Lucky Strike, Outback Steakhouse, Parla XXI, Posto, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Salt + Stone, The Lawn Bar, The Row Hotel, The Smoke Shop BBQ, Toca Chida and Tony C’s.
After Dark Series: Tangible from 6 to 9 p.m. at The MIT Museum, 314 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge. $10 to $20 and 21-plus. Hands-on play such as designing your own musical instrument or using flexible mesh structures for interactive, expressive creations. Craft your own DIY stress ball. Get live demonstrations of work by Hiroshi Ishii, including a shapeshifting tabletop that changes based on hand movements above it and an interface that lets you become digital, then interact digitally with the physical world – like an online avatar that can push a button, play with a ball or maybe even remove a tumor from a world away.
Anne Whitney Pierce reads from “There But For Grace” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge. Free. Cantabrigian and author Anne Whitney Pierce discusses her new book, in which a 53-year-old divorcee reenergizes her sex life in a year of reliberation – a fictional opposite to Melissa Febos’ writeup of a year of celibacy in “The Dry Season” – that turns into a funny look at the modern nuclear and extended family.
Mary Jo Bang reads from “Paradiso” at 7 p.m. at Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge. Free. Poet Mary Jo Bang’s translation of “Paradiso” completes a reworking of Dante’s 14th century masterpiece with language and references recognizable to readers in the 21st century without, apparently,. losing meaning or majesty. “Bang has recognized that the ‘Comedy’ is a living poem,” author Shane McCrae says. “Having translated it into a language alive to the very moment in which it is meant to be read, Bang has done the impossible: she has revitalized that which is eternal.”
A Night in Spain: Music and Food from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, 56 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge. $30. Tapas, sangria and live music and dance, Spain without leaving Cambridge.
Candle Making and Intention Setting from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Union Square, Somerville. $60. All materials are included to make a 16-ounce soy candle with herbs and flowers.
Pub sing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the café at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville (and the second Thursday of each month). Free. A pub-style singalong where anyone is welcome to lead – drinking songs, sea chanteys and any song with a singable chorus will be appreciated!
A Kiln Theatre presents “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” (continued) at 7:30 p.m. at the Loeb Mainstage, 64 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge (and continuing through July 13). $35 to $158.
Movies on The Lawn: “Paddington in Peru!” at 8:30 p.m. at the Great Lawn at Assembly Row, 399 Revolution Drive, Somerville. Free. The second of three monthly events welcomes families and friends to bring blankets to this outdoor movie. This 2024 film follows Paddington and the Brown family as they visit Aunt Lucy in Peru and takes them on a journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru.
A stronger
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