Storytelling and Improvisation

📅 Sunday, January 11, 2026&nbsp; 📍 Museum of African American History, Boston &amp; Nantucket (MAAH)(46 Joy St., Boston) ⏰ Session 1: 1:00-1:30pm &amp; Session 2: 1:30-2:00pm&nbsp; Designed for children ages 4–10 (Pre-K to 3rd Grade),&nbsp;Storytelling and Improvisation&nbsp;is an interactive 30-minute workshop (two back to back sessions) that brings storybooks to life through music. Students will become musical storytellers—using their voices and beginner-friendly instruments to express plot, character, and emotion in real time. A playful, creative introduction to improvisation and performance!

Museum of African American History

INDEPENDENCE

BSU Fellowship Concert: Independence Feb. 6, 2026 @ 7:00PM | Longy School of Music, Pickman Hall For the fifth consecutive year, Castle of our Skins welcomes Black Student Union (BSU) students from local music colleges and conservatories to come together to collaborate, cultivate creative agency, and showcase their talents. Inspired by a theme of “Independence,” students will curate and perform in a capstone chamber music showcase Saturday, February 6, 2026, at Longy School of Music. &nbsp; Longy School of Music of Bard College is accessible by wheelchair users and has accessible restrooms off the main lobby. There is a ramp outside the main building entrance on Garden St, which will bring you into the main lobby, right by the Hall entrance.&nbsp; Pickman Hall does not have an elevator, and all seats in the Balcony will require climbing stairs. The orchestra section is completely flat and requires no stairs. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Castle of our Skins does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and is committed to providing accessible programs and events to facilitate participation. A guest or outside organization must notify Castle of our Skins of any request for an accommodation in advance of the event (ideally 2-3 weeks beforehand). Late accommodation requests, or requests made the day of the event, may not be possible to provide. Please send requests to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:info@castleskins.org?subject=Accessibility%20request">info@castleskins.org</a>.&nbsp;

Pickman Hall at Longy School of Music of Bard College

A Little History

📅 Sunday, February 8, 2026  📍 Museum of African American History, Boston &amp; Nantucket (MAAH)(46 Joy St., Boston) ⏰ 1:00-2:00PM A Little History is a fun-filled interactive educational workshop that highlights the importance of such historic figures as Phillis Wheatley, Garrett Morgan, Angela Davis, Barack Obama and more! Young elementary students are encouraged sing, clap, move, imagine, and invent as they explore the stories of these trailblazing historical figures. Presented by COOS Teaching Artist Caden Burston. The Museum of African American History's Abiel Smith School and African Meeting House are both fully accessible by wheelchair users and have accessible restrooms. More information can be obtained at <a href="https://www.maah.org/boston-location">www.maah.org/boston-location</a> or by calling (617) 725-0022 x330. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Castle of our Skins does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and is committed to providing accessible programs and events to facilitate participation. A guest or outside organization must notify Castle of our Skins of any request for an accommodation in advance of the event (ideally 2-3 weeks beforehand). Late accommodation requests, or requests made the day of the event, may not be possible to provide. Please send requests to <a href="mailto:info@castleskins.org?subject=Accessibility%20request">info@castleskins.org</a>.

Awareness in Sound

Awareness in Sound&nbsp;is an immersive 45–60 minute auditory workshop that centers the healing and grounding power of mindful listening. In a world filled with constant noise, speed, and pressure, this session offers space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with one’s internal landscape. Participants are guided through performed musical selections—from the meditative lines of&nbsp;J.S. Bach&nbsp;to contemporary works by&nbsp;Reena Esmail, Mario Lavista, and others. After each piece, attendees engage in short reflections that heighten their awareness of how sound affects their bodies, emotions, and thoughts. As the workshop progresses, participants explore sensory awareness and experiment with guided improvisation. The workshop concludes with closing reflections and practical take-aways for integrating mindful listening into everyday life. Led by COOS Teaching Artist&nbsp;Matt Williams II, this workshop is ideal for students, community groups, arts organizations, workplaces, and anyone seeking new tools for self-care, creativity, and internal grounding. &nbsp; Accessibility:&nbsp;Piano Craft Gallery's front entrance on Tremont Street has stairs leading down into gallery, with handicap accessible entrance as needed at apartment entrance. Once in the gallery, it's a singular-level space with two accessible bathrooms for public use. Public Transit:&nbsp;Orangeline (Massachusetts Ave.), #1 Bus (Massachusetts Ave. at Tremont St.), #43 Bus (Tremont St. at Northapmpton St.), Greenline (Symphony) Parking:&nbsp;Unmetered street parking on Tremont St., Camden St., Columbus Ave., &amp; Massachusetts Ave. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS: Castle of our Skins does not discriminate on the basis of disability, and is committed to providing accessible programs and events to facilitate participation. A guest or outside organization must notify Castle of our Skins of any request for an accommodation in advance of the event (ideally 2-3 weeks before). Late accommodation requests, or requests made the day of the event, may not be possible to provide. Please send requests to info@castleskins.org.

Piano Craft Gallery

SPOT/LIGHT: Tim Hall & Zahili Zamora 

Spot/Light Concert: February 21 @ 7:00PM | Black Market Nubian Castle of our Skins' Spot/Light Series at Black Market Nubian continues with Tim Hall (<a href="https://www.timvhall.com/bio">https://www.timvhall.com/bio</a>&nbsp;) an Afro Cuban quartet with electric bass, drums, piano and saxophone, and Zahili Zamora (<a href="https://www.zahilizamora.com/">https://www.zahilizamora.com</a>). COOS presents split-bill performances spotlighting innovative, local, Black artists across genres—from jazz to global to genre-defying soundscapes.&nbsp;&nbsp; Supported by City of Boston Neighborhood And Downtown Activation grant.&nbsp; Tickets: $50 (2 drink tickets included. Cash bar after)&nbsp; $5 card to culture&nbsp;

Black Market Nubian

Castle of our Skins' Edutainment Showcase

Saturday, December 13 | 2:00–3:45PM Roxbury Public Library – Community Room 149 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119 Free with RSVP | Cookies &amp; cider provided 🍪🍎 Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of creativity, community, and learning. Our Teaching Artist Mentees—emerging Black artists from Boston-area music institutions—have been hard at work developing their own signature “edutainment” workshops. Now, they’re debuting their projects for YOU! Bring your family and your curiosity as you experience three interactive mini-workshops designed for Grades 4–12 audiences. Stay for all, or drop in for what you can—and share your thoughts through a short, fun feedback survey. Enjoy cookies, cider, and a peek into the future of culturally responsive arts education in Boston. Your voice will help shape the next chapter of Castle of our Skins’ educational programming! Why Attend? ✨ Free and family-friendly 🎵 Experience brand-new teaching artist workshops 🗣️ Share your feedback and ideas 🍪 Cookies and cider served 🌟 Support emerging Black teaching artists Parking &amp; Accessibility: Free parking lot next to the library with accessible ramp at the front entrance. The Community Room is on the left upon entering. Public WiFi available. Story

Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library

SPOT/LIGHT - Zili Misik and Ron Mahdi Jazz Trio

Spot/Light #1 Concert: November 22 @ 7:00PM | Black Market Nubian Launching our new Spot/Light Series at Black Market Nubian, COOS presents split-bill performances spotlighting innovative, local, Black artists across genres—from jazz to global to genre-defying soundscapes. The series begins with Zili Misik (<a href="http://www.zilimisik.com/">www.zilimisik.com</a>) and Ron Mahdi Jazz Trio.&nbsp; Supported by City of Boston Neighborhood And Downtown Activation grant. &nbsp; Tickets: $50 includes food &amp; 2 drink tickets&nbsp;Cash bar after.&nbsp; $5 card to culture tickets &nbsp; 6:30pm, doors open 7-7:45pm, set one 8-8:45pm, set two 9-10:00pm mingle/goodbyes

MassQ Ball

MassQ Ball 2025: Color Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 10:00PM-4:00PM | The Arnold Arboretum (Rain Date: Oct. 18, 2025) <a href="https://castleskins.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3ae554edc6afdd339c48e3dca&amp;id=c7a114c8d2&amp;e=7e67c6b36d">MassQ Ball: Color</a> is a large-scale celebration of ritual, performance, and cross-cultural arts featuring the diverse artistry of Boston's communities of color. Free and family-friendly, this event weaves together music, dance, visual arts, and spoken word with ritual, nature, and the joy found in creative expression and cross-cultural celebration. Supported by the City of Boston, The Arnold Arboretum, Create &amp; Record, Celebrity Series of Boston, Eastern Bank, Bethel AME Church, Blick Art Supplies, WCVB, The Bay State Banner, TCGT Entertainment and The Wellness Collaborative.

Arnold Arboretum

Centering Culture: A Mass Q Ball 2025: Color Event Prelude

Join dancer/choreographer Mar Parilla, percussionist Cornell Coley, and interdisciplinary artist Ifé Franklin in a conversation rooted in culture, intentional place making, and the beautiful connections that arise when both are centered. Moderated by Castle of our Skins' Artistic Director Ashleigh Gordon, this discussion is a prelude to the MassQ Ball 2025: Color event in which all three artists will be showcased. The MassQ Ball - a large-scale celebration of ritual, performance, and cross-cultural arts, featuring the diverse artistry of Boston's communities of color - will take place at The Arnold Arboretum on Saturday, October 4th from 10-4pm. Free and family-friendly, this event will weave together art, movement, dance and spoken word with ritual, nature, and the joy found in creative expression and cultural celebration. Learn more at MassQBall.com.

St. Augustine's African Orthodox Church

📅 Sunday, September 14&nbsp; 📍 Museum of African American History, Boston &amp; Nantucket (MAAH)(46 Joy St., Boston) ⏰ Session 1: 1:00-1:30pm &amp; Session 2: 1:30-2:00pm&nbsp; Designed for children ages 4–10 (Pre-K to 3rd Grade),&nbsp;Storytelling and Improvisation&nbsp;is an interactive, 60-minute workshop (two 30-minute sessions) that brings storybooks to life through music. Students will become musical storytellers—using their voices and beginner-friendly instruments to express plot, character, and emotion in real time. A playful, creative introduction to improvisation and performance!

Sound Medicine and Mindfulness

&nbsp;📅 Sunday, August 10&nbsp; 📍 Museum of African American History, Boston &amp; Nantucket (MAAH)(46 Joy St., Boston) ⏰ 1:00-2:00pm&nbsp; Sound Medicine and Mindfulness is a 45 minute immersive auditory experience. Introducing concepts of meditation and mindfulness, the program guides participants through an introductory guided meditation and sound bath. The session is led by COOS teaching artist, Deshaun Gordon-King, a certified Sound Healer. &nbsp;

MassQ Workshop with Daniel Callahan

MassQing is an art-form that uses the human face as a canvas to reveal one’s inner state. In preparation for the return of the MassQ Ball to the Arboretum on October 4th, learn the origin, technique, and meaning of this practice and then engage firsthand in the conception and creation of your own MassQ. Led by transmedia artist Daniel Callahan, the workshop will start with a 10-15 minute presentation on what MassQing is, and then we’ll break out the paints and try it out for ourselves! Inclement weather policy: Participants will be notified via email at least 24 hours in advance if a program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice.&nbsp;<a href="https://arboretum.harvard.edu/events-2/adult-education/">Click here to view our full inclement weather policy.</a>&nbsp;If you have questions about the status of a program, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu">publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu</a>&nbsp;or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.

And Freedom's Reign

Join us at the historic African Meeting House for And Freedom’s Reign, an immersive event honoring the words, legacy, and spirit of Frederick Douglass. Experience the Museum’s *NEW* AI-powered hologram of Douglass in an interactive pre-event, followed by an activity and a special performance by students from Project STEP. At 3:00 PM, a concert brings Douglass’ timeless speech, <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/nations-story-what-slave-fourth-july">“What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”</a>, to life, featuring a live reading with moving string quartet interludes performed by Castle of our Skins’ String Quartet: Matthew Vera, Grant Houston, Ashleigh Gordon, and Francesca McNeeley, alongside youth readers. Presented in partnership with the Museum of African American History, Boston Modern Orchestra Project &amp; Odyssey Opera’s As Told By initiative. Join us June 20th at 7:30 PM for a performance <a href="https://odysseyopera.org/frederick-douglass/">Ulysses Kay’s opera Frederick Douglass</a>, presented by Odyssey Opera and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. This program is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities, which provided funding through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). Don’t miss this fusion of history and music. Reserve your spot today!

Them Poems Alone Won't Save Us

🎙️ Them Poems Alone Won’t Save Us An immersive evening of poetry, music, and reflection Join us for&nbsp;Them Poems Alone Won’t Save Us, an exploration of poetry as a form of radical love and resistance, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.castleskins.org/creative-in-residence">Carmin Wong, Castle of our Skins’ Shirley Graham Du Bois Creative in Residence.</a> Carmin Wong is a Guyanese-born poet, playwright, and digital humanist whose work deeply explores themes of homeland, heritage, and community freedom. A dual-title Ph.D. student in English Literature and African American and Diaspora Studies at Pennsylvania State University, Carmin’s work has been recognized by the Academy of American Poetry and performed at leading cultural institutions across the country. Her plays and poetry weave archival research with personal storytelling, reclaiming lost narratives while offering a space for reflection and healing. In this 90-minute experience—part art gallery, part poetry reading—you’ll be immersed in Carmin’s antidisciplinary creative practice, where poetry, music, and dance intersect to create a powerful space for self-reflection and communal connection. Poetry alone won’t save us—but it can open the door to deeper connection and action. &nbsp; 📅&nbsp;Event Details: 📆&nbsp;May 24, 2025 📍&nbsp;Goethe-Institut Boston&nbsp;(170 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02124) 🎟️&nbsp;Tickets:&nbsp;$25 general admission | $10 students &amp; seniors | $5 Card to Culture Limited seating available—secure your spot today! Doors open at 7:00 📅&nbsp;Exhibition Only Viewing (Bonus Addition!): 📆&nbsp;May 30, 2025&nbsp;| 🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍&nbsp;Goethe-Institut Boston 🎟️ Free with suggested donation

Goethe-Boston

Alchemy

Castle of our Skins’ Portrait Concert&nbsp;Alchemy: featuring composer Jonathan Bailey Holland Ensemble-in-Residence Castle of Our Skins returns to the Longy School of Music of Bard College for an immersive three-day residency focused on the music of&nbsp;Jonathan Bailey Holland.&nbsp;Its sixth residency, COOS teams up with Bailey Holland to work with students in master classes, classroom visits, and affinity spaces, and present a capstone portrait concert featuring chamber music from the composer. Post-concert reception to follow.

Pickman Concert Hall

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

castleskins

Experiences

Storytelling and Improvisation

INDEPENDENCE

A Little History

Awareness in Sound

SPOT/LIGHT: Tim Hall & Zahili Zamora

Castle of our Skins' Edutainment Showcase

SPOT/LIGHT - Zili Misik and Ron Mahdi Jazz Trio

MassQ Ball

Centering Culture: A Mass Q Ball 2025: Color Event Prelude

Storytelling and Improvisation

Sound Medicine and Mindfulness

MassQ Workshop with Daniel Callahan

And Freedom's Reign

Them Poems Alone Won't Save Us

Alchemy