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John Adams: The Colossus of Independence

Join John Adams himself as he discusses his earliest beginnings in Braintree through his days as delegate of the Continental Congress and foreign ambassador.

May 11, 2019
Event Date2019-05-11T13:00:00 - 2019-05-11T15:00:00

Hear his opinions of his contemporaries, and how he longs to be home with his "dearest friend," Abigail, and their children. Mr. Adams's singular wit is appealing to children and adults!

The event is included with the price of admission ($1 - $5). 

May 11, 2019
Event Date2019-05-11T13:00:00 - 2019-05-11T15:00:00

Gilding Demonstration

Watch professional gilder, Nancy Dick Atkinson, apply gossamer thin sheets of gold leaf to wooden ornaments, just as craftsmen did in Revere’s era.

May 4, 2019
Event Date2019-05-04T13:00:00 - 2019-05-04T15:00:00

The demonstration is included with the price of admission ($1 - $5). 

May 4, 2019
Event Date2019-05-04T13:00:00 - 2019-05-04T15:00:00

Institute of Contemporary Art Watershed Opening Day

The ICA Watershed opens for the season (May 26 - September 2) with the U.S. premiere of the immersive video installation "Purple" by artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah.

May 26, 2019
Event Date2019-05-26T11:00:00 - 2019-05-26T17:00:00

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Admission to the Watershed is always free, and water shuttle transportation between the Watershed and the ICA is included in ICA/Boston admission.

May 26, 2019
Event Date2019-05-26T11:00:00 - 2019-05-26T17:00:00

Tour of Shirley-Eustis House

Join a free tour of the Shirley-Eustis House, a National Historic Landmark built between 1747 and 1751.

May 11, 2019
Event Date2019-05-11T11:00:00 - 2019-05-11T14:00:00

As one of only several remaining Royal Colonial Governor's residences in the United States, the Georgian-style structure is an architectural and historical treasure, spanning the development of our nation, our commonwealth, and local communities from the mid-18th century to the present.

In 1991, Shirley Place was awarded the prestigious Boston Preservation Alliance Award for best restored small-scale structure in the City of Boston. This former summer estate of William Shirley, Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and Commander-in-Chief of all British forces in North America, was re-modeled by Federalist-era Massachusetts Governor William Eustis. The mansion has hosted a who's who of Colonial and Federalist America. Shirley Place and its grounds are a hidden gem located in Roxbury's Dudley neighborhood.

Tours are offered on the hour. The mansion is only accessible by stairs.

May 11, 2019
Event Date2019-05-11T11:00:00 - 2019-05-11T14:00:00

Boston Women Designers: Then and Now

Join us for a conversation with women working in architecture, design, and planning.

May 14, 2019
Event Date2019-05-14T18:00:00 - 2019-05-14T19:30:00

They will explore social and political landscapes for women designers in Boston today and when they got started, some challenges they overcame to get to where they are today, how Boston compares with other cities on the topic of gender equity, and if Boston is receptive to women in leadership roles. Please note: there will be a pre-talk reception at 5:30 p.m.

Host and Moderator:
  • Catherine Allgor, PHD, President, Massachusetts Historical Society
Panelists:
  • Mikyoung Kim, Founding Principal, Mikyoung Kim Design
  • Tamara Roy, Principal, Stantec
  • Regan Shields Ives, Principal, Finegold Alexander Architects
  • Justine Orlando, Project Manager, Shawmut Design and Construction
May 14, 2019
Event Date2019-05-14T18:00:00 - 2019-05-14T19:30:00

Spark Social: Brighton Edition

Join us for our Brighton Neighborhood Social! Bring your friends, family, colleagues, and anyone else for a drink and bite at the Corrib Pub.

May 1, 2019
  • 6:30pm
  • 396 Market Street
    Boston, MA 02135
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Brighton
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-01T18:30:00

If you're interested in getting more involved in Brighton, want to meet your elected officials and civically engaged neighbors, and want to learn about SPARK Boston, join us! City officials and the SPARK Boston Council are delighted to meet you.

The neighborhood SPARK Social is a monthly meet up celebrating each unique community in Boston and educating folks about the resources and amenities that each neighborhood holds. The SPARK Social is a fun, laid back way for SPARK members (plus their friends and family) to get out and explore the neighborhoods of Boston.

Never been to the Corrib before? The 57, 86, and 501 buses are your friend! They'll drop you off about a block away from the Corrib. You can also take the commuter rail to Boston Landing and walk about a mile/20 minutes to the Corrib from there. There are also several Blue Bikes stations nearby, and an onsite parking lot.

Register for the event

Note for new attendees: SPARK collects emails to add to our mailing list so you can learn about the latest SPARK programming, City news, and more. You can always unsubscribe from the newsletter, but feel free to reach out at sparkboston@boston.gov if you would like to not be added to our list.


En espanol

SPARK Boston te invita a nuestro Brighton Social ubicado en Corrib Pub, 396 Market Street, Brighton, MA, 02135.

¿Interesado en involucrarse más en Brighton?

¿Quieres conocer a más personas que están comprometidas cívicamente?

¿Quieres aprender más sobre SPARK Boston?

¡Únete a nosotros para bebidas!

Corrib Pub, 396 Market Street, Brighton, MA, 02135

Miercoles 1 de mayo

6:30PM-8:30PM

May 1, 2019
  • 6:30pm
  • 396 Market Street
    Boston, MA 02135
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Brighton
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-01T18:30:00

How to manage difficult professional conversations

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on this nearly universal challenge.

April 29, 2019
  • 6:00pm
  • 120 Tremont Street
    5th Floor Commons
    Boston, MA 02108
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-04-29T18:00:00

How do you coach a team member who's not pulling their weight? How do you say no to a customer you've built a long-term relationship with? How do you provide effective feedback without creating damaging conflict?

Uncomfortable workplace conversations are never easy but when managed well, they can be enormously effective. Suffolk University and SPARK Boston invite you to join us for an insightful panel discussion on this nearly universal challenge. Our panelists are leaders from a range of different industries and they'll share advice you can immediately put into action.

Register for the event


Our event is conveniently located right at Suffolk University's downtown Boston campus at 120 Tremont Street. Complimentary light refreshments will be provided. There will be an opportunity to network after the panel.

April 29, 2019
  • 6:00pm
  • 120 Tremont Street
    5th Floor Commons
    Boston, MA 02108
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-04-29T18:00:00

Future of Childcare Challenge

Join us for a discussion about the crisis around the high cost of childcare.

April 27, 2019
  • 9:30am - 2:30pm
  • 200 Portland Street
    Boston, MA 02114
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
    West End
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-04-27T09:30:00 - 2019-04-27T14:30:00

In partnership with Mayor Walsh's SPARK Council and Office for Women’s Advancement, The Future of Childcare Challenge brings together individuals from a variety of sectors to discuss the crisis around the high cost of childcare. The event, which takes place on April 27, will include panels of childcare experts and speed networking, where participants collaborate and brainstorm ideas for Childcare Challenge Request For Proposal (RFP) submissions.

Registration is free, and onsite childcare courtesy of CozyKin requires additional registration through the CozyKin site. To learn more, and register, visit our registration page:

RSVP for the event

April 27, 2019
  • 9:30am - 2:30pm
  • 200 Portland Street
    Boston, MA 02114
  • Contact:
    Spark Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
    West End
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-04-27T09:30:00 - 2019-04-27T14:30:00

BCYF Girls Summit 2019

Registration is closed. The BCYF Girls Summit is now full.

May 11, 2019
  • 11:00am - 3:00pm
  • 300 The Fenway
    Boston, MA 02115
  • Contact:
    Erika Butler
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-11T11:00:00 - 2019-05-11T15:00:00

The 2019 BCYF Girls Summit theme is "Working on Me."  This FREE event includes workshops, resources, food, fun, music, and the opportunity to meet women leaders. Workshops topics are: My Body, My Temple; Coping with Trauma; Spa Experience; Building Me Up; Not Your Average Yoga; Healthy Relationships; Express Yourself.


A special thank you to our partners and supporters who make this summit possible:

  • Boston Police Athletic League
  • Lingzi Lu Foundation
  • Shannon Grant
  • Foundation for BCYF
  • Simmons College Community Engagement
  • Mayor’s Office of Women's Advancement
  • Mayor’s Office of Health and Human Services
  • Women in Blue
May 11, 2019
  • 11:00am - 3:00pm
  • 300 The Fenway
    Boston, MA 02115
  • Contact:
    Erika Butler
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-11T11:00:00 - 2019-05-11T15:00:00

Housing Expo

More than 250 people attended the Housing Expo on May 18, 2019.

We will hold another Expo in October. Watch for specific details in August.

May 18, 2019
  • 9:00am - 1:00pm
  • 15 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
    Boston, MA 02124
  • Contact:
    Julio Pilier
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
  • Boston Home Center
Event Date2019-05-18T09:00:00 - 2019-05-18T13:00:00

Prospective homebuyers and homeowners attended workshops and met with the more than 45 lenders, realtors, and partner agencies.

If you were one of those who attended, or were one of the lenders, realtors or partners agencies, we'd like to thank you for making the Expo a success.

If you were not able to make it to the Expo, we'd like to remind you that the Boston Home Center continues to offer a variety of workshops and classes to help both homebuyers and homeowners. Look for current workshops on our classes page.

 

 

 

May 18, 2019
  • 9:00am - 1:00pm
  • 15 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
    Boston, MA 02124
  • Contact:
    Julio Pilier
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
  • Boston Home Center
Event Date2019-05-18T09:00:00 - 2019-05-18T13:00:00

Talking to Lenders and Realtors

One great advantage of the Housing Expo is that you have the opportunity to meet with a number of lenders and realtors, including some you may not have even known about! The Expo also gives you the chance to compare one lender or realtor with another.
If you’ve never met with a lender or realtor before, you may not be sure what to say. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of common questions. These are just suggestions; you can substitute your own questions.

QUESTIONS FOR LENDERS 

  • Where should I start? What should be my next step?
  • How much do I qualify for?
  • How do I know I am getting the best mortgage?
  • I want to have a payment no higher than $1500 per month. Is that possible?
  • Do I need any savings or is there a zero % down payment with low closing costs?

QUESTIONS FOR REALTORS

  • Why do I need a realtor?
  • Do I have to have a home inspection? (What if I do not buy the house; it's a waste of my money.)
  • Can you help me if I do not buy in the City?
  • Do you have listings in the area I'm interested in? 
  • Do you have or have you sold affordable/deed-restricted properties?
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