Boston joins the international Ladyfest movement this winter with the debut of Boston Ladyfest, February 3 – 5. The fest showcases bands from across the country and the Boston area who are unified in examining the current state of feminism.

More than 25 bands will convene in Cambridge for a three-day festival including the bands Waxahatchee (NJ), This is My Fist! (Chicago) and Alice Bag of famed LA punk band the Bags, as well as readings and workshops. And, throughout January, Boston Ladyfest presents a series of events, including a gallery residency and a screening of the new Le Tigre documentary. Proceeds benefit the Eastern Massachusetts Abortion Fund (EMA). read more...

"This is my first attempt and it's really a memory for my grandmother," Garabed Setrakian welcomed guests to the opening of his exhibition in the Karen Aqua Gallery at Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) on a chilly January 3rd evening.

The exhibition, on view through February 14, begins with a photo montage of Garabed's grandmother in some of her theatrical costumes designed and worn during her career as a traveling actor during the 1920's, and includes a variety of Garabed's hand drawings and digitally produced sketches and air brushed pieces.

The richness, complexity and depth of these pieces makes it hard to believe that, according to the artist, “most of these started with a scribble.” He explained that his grandmother used to draw little scribbles on pieces of paper for him when he was a child, which he then expanded into detailed drawings. read more...

Looking for something fun to do during school vacation week? Go to the forest - no matter what the weather.

The New England Forest exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History transports visitors into nature with realistic recreations of the plants, animals, fungi, and microbes that make up a forest in our region. read more...

Join Scottish artist Siobhan Healy Friday, December 2 at 4:00 at the Harvard Museum of Natural History for an artist talk about her glass sculpture piece entitled “Ghost Orchids” which is on display in the museum’s world-renowned Glass Flowers Gallery. Healy, who specializes in architectural glass commissions for public buildings and sculptural artworks for galleries and public spaces, explains her interest in using art to depict a fanciful version of the rare British wildflower recently rediscovered after it was thought to be extinct for 23 years. read more...

Registration for Cambridge Open Studios (COS) 2012 is now open, and CCTV will again be hosting the Performance Artist Showcase on one of the days during the COS East & Central weekend May 12 and 13 (day TBD). Performances will be broadcast live and recorded for future broadcast on Cambridge public access channels. Each participating artist will get a 15-20 minute "showcase" in which to perform their works. Group performances will be allocated 35-45 minute sets.

Each Spring during Cambridge Open Studios, artists throughout the city open their doors to the public to share their paintings, jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, film, live performance, mixed-media, literary works, and more! The Performance Artist Showcase opportunity is in addition to the opportunity for artists to participate in COS by arranging their own performances/readings and/or opening their studio spaces to the public during regular COS hours.

Studio Locations and Dates - 12pm to 6pm each day read more...

There are lots of fun things for kids of all ages to do in Cambridge this Halloween at libraries, schools, fire stations and youth centers! Check the dates carefully, as some events will happen over the weekend and some on the actual Halloween day on Monday, October 31.

Friday, October 28

• 11:00 a.m. - Haunted Movie Morning for ages 3 and up
  Cambridge Public Library, Main Branch, Children’s Room
  Repeated October 29th at 11:00 a.m.
• 3:00—5:00 p.m.- Halloween Crafts, Stories & Treats
  Valente Branch Library - 826 Cambridge Street
• 3:00—5:00 p.m. - Halloween Party, Games and Treats for ages 9-14
  Linnaean Neighborhood Council and Community School, Cabot House, HAND
• 8:00 p.m.—12:00 midnight - Halloween Dance for ages 14-19(costume encouraged)
  Willis Moore Teen Center - Admission: $3.00 Member, $5.00 Non Member

Saturday, October 29

Last night I attended an opening and performance of “Lateral Canal Ahead” by Rosalind Murray, an Irish artist who draws connections between her native Carlow and Cambridge through narrative, movement, imagery, video, and music.

Both places played a role in the industrial revolution of the 19th century, as evidenced by the train tracks and canals crisscrossing the landscapes. Many Irish came to Cambridge during the Great Famine in Ireland, working in and around the city and contributing to a large population increase in a short time.

Murray’s exhibit is at the Cambridge Arts Council through December 9, and she will be doing live performances in and around train tracks and water across the city this weekend. read more...