Dr. David Guss (Museum Trustee), John Bell (HONK Organizer), Dorothy Kelly Gay (Museum Trustee), Trudi Cohen (HONK Organizer), Reebee Garofalo (HONK Organizer), Barbara Mangum (Museum Trustee) and Honorable Eugene Brune.

HONK! Festival, The Burren Irish Pub & Restaurant, Ebi Sushi. and Cleary Insurance Recognized

The Somerville Museum presented its annual awards at an in-person ceremony in December. The Museum’s awards program honors organizations and individuals that have served the City of Somerville or the Museum, making important contributions to the community.

The Somerville Business History Award recognizes businesses that have contributed to the culture and development of Somerville through length of time in operation and/or impact on the history or culture of the city. The 2023 recipients of the Somerville Business History Awards are The Burren Irish Pub & Restaurant and Ebi Sushi restaurant.   

The Burren Irish Pub and Restaurant was opened by Irish musicians Tommy McCarthy and Louise Costello. in 1996 on Elm Street in Davis Square. In addition to food and drink, The Burren presents music seven days a week, ranging from Irish traditional and bluegrass to folk and rock. Receiving the award was Harry Giles, Burren employee and nephew of the owners. “My aunt and uncle built The Burren through their love of music,” Giles said. “Everyone at the pub feels like family. We are so honored to receive this award.”  For its contributions to the Somerville community for 27 years, the Somerville Museum is pleased to recognize The Burren with a Somerville Business History Award.

Ebi Sushi in Union Square, Somerville was founded in 2011 by owner Jose Garcia (“Ebi” means shrimp in Japanese). The restaurant features classic Japanese dishes and of course, sushi. “We are excited to receive this award,” Garcia said. Ebi Sushi underwent a major renovation in 2021. For its contribution to the Somerville community, the Somerville Museum is pleased to recognize Ebi Sushi. with a Somerville Business History Award.

The Somerville Museum’s Community Service Award recognizes individuals or organizations who have served the city of Somerville through their support of local arts, history and/or culture. This work may take place independently or in partnership with the Somerville Museum.

The HONK! Festival was honored with the 2023 Community Service Award. HONK! is an annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism. Somerville’s HONK! Festival has inspired festivals in cities across the United States, including Providence, New York, Seattle, Austin, and Detroit, as well as festivals around the globe including in Australia and Brazil. Receiving the award were members of HONK’s Organizing Committee Reebee Garofalo, John Belland Trudi Cohen. Cohen is also a founding member of the festival. “Much of the success of this festival is about Davis Square,” Garafolo said. “With its terrific restaurants, public transportation, many outdoor places to gather, generosity, and community-minded spirit, Davis Square has been the perfect place to build the HONK! street band movement.”

The Museum’s Thomas Battinelli Stewardship Award is named in honor of long-time Museum volunteer and supporter Thomas Battinelli (1929-2017). The award recognizes and celebrates individuals or organizations who have demonstrated exceptional support of the Museum, forwarding its mission or strengthening it as an institution.

With quiet dedication over the last 20 years, Wendy Smith and Jack Connolly of Cleary Insurance (formerly Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly) have overseen insurance coverage for the Somerville Museum.  Wendy and Jack work diligently to provide the Museum with the best coverage at the most favorable costs. Their professional advice and guidance has been of immense value to the Museum. The Somerville Museum is pleased to recognize Cleary Insurance, Wendy Smith and Jack Connolly with the Thomas Battinelli Stewardship Award.   

About the Somerville Museum

Located in the heart of the city at the intersection of Central Street and Westwood Road, the Somerville Museum has served as the community’s premier cultural institution for nearly a century. While specializing in the visual arts — including many exhibits with both historical and local significance – the Museum also offers various musical and lecture series, a number carried out in collaboration with Somerville’s public schools. An important meeting place for local historical and cultural organizations, the Museum has a long tradition of encouraging hands-on learning projects for young and old alike. As the only membership supported, non-profit, volunteer-run, community-based cultural institution of its kind in Somerville, members and volunteers are always welcome. For more information visit http://somervillemuseum.org/ To donate to the Museum’s capital campaign, Access for All & More, please visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/accessforall