*

Recently, I caught up with Tom Bianchi, the current head of the Burren Backroom Series at The Burren pub, in Davis Square, Square, Somerville.

Doug Holder: Tom, how has it been for you as a musician to live and or work in Somerville?

Tom Bianchi: Well, I’ve been making music in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville since 1996, performing at The Burren since about 2000 and curating The Burren Backroom Series since 2011. If this wasn’t a great town to do this in I suppose I wouldn’t be able to do it. We live in a great city with a great community that is very supportive of and hungry for live music. You can spin vinyl, load up a CD, make a mix tape, but nothing replaces being in a room with a great crowd of people all experiencing the energy of humans playing instruments in rhythmic unison and acoustic harmony.

*

Julia Kanno is an artist and poet living in Cambridge, MA.

Pressley Runs Unopposed for Third Straight Democratic Primary Victory

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement following her uncontested victory in the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic Primary:

“I am so humbled by the support from voters across the Massachusetts 7th. I am deeply grateful to my family, and to our dedicated team, volunteers, and supporters. Together, we are powerful. And daily we are working towards a more just world for our neighbors and for everyone who calls this district home. 

Statement on Election Results from Kathleen Hornby’s Campaign

Though the outcome of today’s election for Somerville State Representative (27th Middlesex District) was disappointing, first-time candidate Kathleen Hornby made an impressive showing, becoming an influential voice in the conversation about what progressive democratic leadership should look like. “I got into this race because I believe Somerville deserves effective leadership at the State House,” she said. She focused her campaign on bringing state funding to the district, being radically transparent with voters, and using all the tools of government to drive policies that improve residents’ lives. (It clearly resonated with her supporters; she handily out-raised her opponent.) 

Democratic Party

United States Senator
Elizabeth Ann Warren    10,832

Representative in Congress-Seventh District
Ayanna S. Pressley        10,742

A quick tutorial on why and how the Somerville Fire Department flushes fire hydrants every year.

Primary Election Day is today, September 3. If you’re voting in person, polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Look up your polling place before you head out. You can still vote in person if you’ve applied to vote by mail.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) are inviting the community to join Somerville’s Tenth Annual Evolution of Hip Hop Festival that will take place on Saturday, September 7 (rain date Saturday, September 14), from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Union Square Plaza.