Open Studios 2023 will take place on Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7. More than 300 artists across Somerville will open their studios to the public to display their latest work and meet visitors. The artist directory is now online, so you can find your favorite Somerville artists and preview this year’s event at any time. Physical maps will be available at a corner near you in Somerville. Somerville Open Studio 2023 weekend hours: Saturday and Sunday, May 6 – 7, noon-5:00 p.m. Visit www.somervilleopenstudios.org.

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In May, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission partners with local organizations to host events honoring Somerville’s history and historic assets. Thursday, May 4, will be the launch of Docent Opening: Old Powder House at intersection of Liberty Ave. and Powderhouse Terrace, off Broadway. On Saturday, May 6, Jane’s Walk will take place. Celebrate Jane Jacobs, a world-renowned urban activist on a walk exploring “Boynton’s Changing Yards.” The walk will start at Union Sq. Dunkin’ Donuts and end at 101 South St./Portico Brewing. More about Jane’s Walks at janeswalk.org. All events are open to the public, ADA accessible, and rain or shine. For more information visit somervillema.gov/departments/ospcd/historic-events-and-education.

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To those celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Aida Sousa-Braga, who celebrates this week. Happy birthday this week to Linda Beebe, who is celebrating this week. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Beverly Childers this week. We hope she has a great celebration. Happy birthday to Dennis Sullivan. We wish him a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Barb Balkwill, G. P. Redmond, Fred Parker, Eric Pedro Sr., Johnny Ferola, Jack Costello, Karen Mancini, Millie L McCarthy, Cynthia Saltman, Jason Mackey, Jim Breath and Jill Mariea a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight Series presents David Wax Museum, touring with their full ensemble in support of an exuberant new album, You Must Change Your Life. Thursday, May 4, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. Purchase your tickets at: https://artsatthearmory.org/events/arts-at-the-armory-spotlight-series-presents-david-wax-museum/.

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Tufts Camp Kesem is holding their annual Make the Magic event. It is their annual fundraising event for children whose parents have cancer. You are cordially invited to Camp Kesem’s Make the Magic Ball at Seaport on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Omni Boston Hotel. The evening will include a truly inspirational program, compelling speakers, and an opportunity to support children through and beyond their parent’s cancer. It will also be a chance for you to interact with other members of the community, such as dedicated healthcare professionals, some of the most esteemed professors at top institutions, and many others. To purchase tickets for the main event, please click on or paste into your browser the following link: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0013c00001obpjKAAQ/events/vevt:8afe585a-373f-4c3f-ad90-4d98429e5e3e/home/story.

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Celebrate CultureHouse’s opening event on May 5 at 20 Broadway from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Meet the team behind CultureHouse East Somerville and enjoy some tasty local treats as they usher in this new (but temporary) addition to the neighborhood. CultureHouse East Somerville will have its soft opening on May 3 and will be open from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday until June 3. They are still looking for artists, creatives, non-profit organizations, and businesses in the East Somerville area to program the space throughout this month. Find the programming call here: https://forms.gle/sfTjtXJe1Aoxx7vv9.

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The Free Lockboxes for Seniors Program is intended to provide police, fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) access to your residence in the event of an emergency where you are unable to open the door. A key to your residence will be stored in a secure metal storage device, like a realtor’s lockbox, at your residence. The access code to the lockbox will only be available to police, fire or EMS personnel and used only during an emergency. The program is targeted towards Somerville residents who live alone and are aged 65+, or those who are disabled and/or suffer from major medical issues at any age. Individuals living in apartment complexes or other facilities with maintenance staff are not eligible for this program. For more information, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov.

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Join the conversation to kick off arts and culture capacity planning in Somerville. Cultural Ambassadors will host conversations with interest groups (i.e., music, dance, literary arts) and identity groups (BIPOC, Immigrants, etc.) to explore how best to expand Somerville’s cultural capacity. Visit somervilleartscouncil.org for the complete list of conversations.

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Musicians, where do you rehearse and perform? As part of their ongoing art space initiatives, the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) is interested in understanding where musicians rehearse and perform. If you are a Somerville musician, please fill out this short questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/0iMCFX5fUR.

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The Somerville Council of PTA’s is asking families to fill out a brief survey about School Photography Services. The survey closes Monday, May 8. Find the form on SPS Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/SomervillePublicSchools.

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Next Wave/Full Circle is turning 50 this year and you are invited to the birthday celebration. Join the family-friendly event on May 18 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy food with friends, buy a T-shirt, and watch slideshows of NW/FC over the years. RSVP to nwfc50thcelebration@gmail.com.

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Upcoming 2023 Spring Community meetings: Ward 6: Mon., May 8, Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave. Ward 1: Tues., May 9, East Somerville Community School Cafeteria, 50 Cross St. All Ward Meeting in Spanish: Weds., May 10, East Somerville Community School Cafeteria, 50 Cross St. This meeting will also be livestreamed on the City of Somerville YouTube page, and shared on the Spanish language Facebook page fb.com/SomervilleCiudad. Meetings run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., with refreshments and meet-and-greets starting at 6:00 p.m. Unsure about which ward you live in? Find out with the MySomerville address lookup tool at www.somervillema.gov/mysomerville.

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Somerville Council on Aging Music & Munch Program, Wednesday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom meets the second Wednesday of each month. This 45-minute session will treat you to a playlist of diverse musical offerings: a little jazz, some “oldies but goodies,” a smidgen of classical, a dip into barbershop, a trip to Broadway. The music is taped but the experience is live. Your guide is Somerville resident Laura Zoll, trained as a medieval musicologist and with a life-long love of all things musical. Learn a little, sing-along, relax and enjoy some music while you munch. Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov You will then receive your email invitation to join the program via Zoom.

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The Welcome Project is excited to announce the 14th Annual YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City. Please join in to celebrate the work of immigrants across the Boston area and highlight local restaurants that reflect the diverse and beautiful community Somerville has become. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event or purchase tickets, please use this link: https://bit.ly/YUM2023

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Join the Center for Teen Empowerment and the Dojo at Somernova for our Block Party Friday, May 5, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Alley, 24 Dane street in Somerville. There will be a bouncy house, music, prizes, food trucks and more.

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