WBUR’s inaugural festival kicks off Thursday and will bring brilliant minds from across fields to Boston University’s campus. I’m excited to catch a panel on the future of reproductive rights with actress and activist Busy Philipps and the ACLU’s Jessica Weitz on Friday and a live podcast taping with Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras and Omni Parker House historian Susan Wilson on Saturday. If you’re not heading to the festival, there’s also a romantic musical set in Italy, free live music in Dorchester and more in Greater Boston this weekend.
Thursday, May 29–Saturday, May 31
WBUR is hosting its first festival to celebrate 75 years of journalism. Programming starts on Thursday with a conversation between Eric Ripert, chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin, and Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart with WBUR Morning Edition Host Tiziana Dearing moderating. Later in the evening, there will be a live taping of NPR’s weekly quiz show “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” On Friday and Saturday, there will be a wide range of panels, including a conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, a discussion of otherness and solidarity with author and Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen and a conversation surrounding race and politics with Civil Rights advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw and The New York Times opinion columnist Jamelle Bouie. There will also be live tapings of podcasts and performances, including a kids’ puppet show by Puppet Showplace Theater and a concert by local band Hush Club. Tickets are free for Boston University students, and $32.25 for other students. Single-day tickets are $158.25 and two-day passes are $263.75. [Check out this guide to the ways to spend your day at the festival from WBUR’s Hanna Ali.]
Through Sunday, June 15
The Huntington is putting on a production of the Tony Award-winning production “The Light in the Piazza,” directed by Loretta Greco, the Huntington’s artistic director. In the summer of 1953, Margaret Johnson takes her daughter Clara to Florence to experience the stunning history and culture. She doesn’t expect Clara to fall for an Italian boy in the process. The production explores the multitudes of love and romance through comedy and drama. Tickets start at $29.
Thursday, May 29–Sunday, June 1
Woburn Greek Festival celebrates Greek culture and food at the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Woburn. The festival kicks off on Thursday with a gyro night, where visitors can purchase freshly made gyros. On Friday and Saturday, there will be live music and traditional Greek dancing. On Sunday, Greek band Dilina and the Annunciation Woburn Greek School Dance Group will perform. The festival is free to attend.
Friday, May 30-Sunday, June 1
The Youth Bike Summit works to empower young people of all backgrounds and perspectives through biking. The summit is a three-day national conference where educators, advocates and researchers speak with young bicyclists to inspire civic engagement and advocacy. The event will run at Roxbury Community College. This year’s theme is “Biking and Beyond,” which revolves around youth exploring sustainable transportation solutions. There will be discussions, group rides and workshops, including an introduction to bike mechanics and a discussion of careers in transportation. Registration is $100 for youths and $125 for adults. Bicycles are free to rent. A limited number of scholarships are available for Massachusetts resident students ages 24 and under.
Saturday, May 31
You may have attended Somerville’s Porchfest — now, it’s time for Dorchfest. Local musicians will play the porches of residences in the Ashmont-Adams neighborhood of Dorchester this Saturday. The festival runs from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free live music and kids’ activities. Featured musicians include psychedelic R&B artist Melo Green, the First Baptist Church of Dorchester Choir and soca and calypso group Tempo International Rhythm and Steel. Kids will be able to try out a yoga class, mixed martial arts training and skateboarding lessons.
