I recently discovered the beautiful gem that is Central Square. It’s a wonderful part of Cambridge with delectable restaurants, good thrifting spots, cute cafes and a great theater. Central Square is throwing a block party this Saturday, so if you haven’t made it over there, now is the time. There’s also a discussion of queer culinary history, floral arrangements inspired by art and more in Greater Boston this weekend.
Friday, May 2
As part of the monthly series Curated Cuisine, WBUR’s CitySpace will host an event celebrating the Big Queer Food Fest. The weeklong festival spotlights LGBTQIA+ chefs and queer culinary history. (For more on the festival, you can check out my newsletter featuring the co-founders and chef Tatiana Rosana.) At the event on Friday, WBUR Senior Arts and Culture Reporter Cristela Guerra will speak with James Beard Leadership Award winner Mavis-Jay Sanders, James Beard Award winner Karen Akunowicz and James Beard Award semi-finalist Arnold Myint. Sanders will perform a live cooking demonstration, and guests will have a chance to sample salmon croquettes with grilled spring onion aioli after the event. Tickets range from $10 to $30. It is recommended that guests factor in additional travel time as a Red Sox game is taking place the same night.
Friday, May 2-Sunday, May 4
What’s better than stunning floral arrangements and beloved art? Garden clubs, professional designers and floral volunteers will create arrangements drawing from artworks across the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. The florals will be displayed in front of works throughout the museum. In Gallery 168, visitors can assist designer Jimmy Guzman in constructing floral arrangements and ask him questions about his work. “Art in Bloom” is included with general admission.
Saturday, May 3
If you’re looking for ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, Pao Arts Center is putting on a concert featuring music by contemporary Asian American composers this Saturday. The Sheffield Chamber Players are Violinist Megumi Stohs Lewis, cellist Leo Eguchi, violinist Sasha Callahan and violist Alexander Vavilov and they will perform chamber quartets by Reena Esmail, Lei Lang, Kian Ravaei, Kareem Roustom and Paul Wiancko. The quartet will play selections from Esmail’s three-part series of miniatures “This Is It.” The Sheffield Chamber Players commissioned the third part of the series, which will premiere next year. There will be light refreshments following the performance. The event is free, and guests can reserve a spot online.
Saturday, May 3
Central Square is throwing a block party, and everyone’s invited. Central Square Business Improvement District and Naco Taco will host the celebration filled with food, drinks, games and live music by Mariachi Cuerdas De Plata. There will also be a vendor market with local companies including The Popp Boutique and Freney’s Creations. The party will run on Village Street between Massachusetts Avenue and State Street. VIVA CENTRAL! is free, and guests can pre-register via Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 3
Resistance of Vision is a film festival featuring social justice-themed short films with inaugural screenings in Boston, San Francisco, Wichita and Birmingham this May. The festival was started by former Emerson College Bright Lights programmer Ana Feder and San Francisco IndieFest director Jeff Ross. The organization will hold a screening at The Brattle on Saturday at 3 p.m. The programming revolves around identity, healing and solidarity. General admission is $15.