Democracy is a Disability Issue

In a true democracy, everyone can participate equally. Explore how end-to-end accessibility — of media, voting processes and more — is essential for full civic participation of people with disabilities. How might — and should — systems enable::<ul><li>People with blindness / low vision to engage with political information from maps/data visualizations?</li><li>People with auditory and / or language processing issues to participate in community forums, town halls, and meetings with policymakers, amid the lack of standardized, real-time, high-quality captioning?</li><li>People with neurocognitive disabilities to discern mis/disinformation, in order to make informed civic decisions?</li></ul>Join the Museum of Science and Perkins for this vital evening of conversation examining how democracy truly is a disability issue. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Museum of Science, Boston

 The PLUG Presented by PureSpark and the Museum of Science

PureSpark and the Museum of Science help you navigate your mental health by connecting you with the right resources in a special evening of dialogue and community. Start the night with a keynote presentation examining what’s really getting in the way of mental health within the Black community, then connect with a range of therapists and wellness providers during a meet-and-greet that takes over the Museum’s Blue Wing. All you need to set up your first appointment is your health insurance information. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change: The Keys to Our Resilient Future

The City of Boston and other coastal cities are facing major impacts of climate change. What can we learn from Indigenous communities? Could Traditional Ecological Knowledge be one of the many tools to help us become more resilient? Indigenous communities are heavily impacted by climate change and have remained resilient despite loss of land, food insecurity, and many other issues. Join us for our first convening celebrating the work that Indigenous communities locally and nationally are leading to combat water issues such as rising sea levels, flooding, drought, and more. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Being Human: An Evening of Storytelling and Readings Presented in Partnership with Emerson College

Join a panel of Emerson community, including best-selling author P. Carl, along with other luminaries as they take the stage of the Museum to share personal reflections and excerpt readings speaking to the human experience. How are our bodies and brains connected? Why do we need community to thrive? How do our challenges make us stronger? Why do science and history need storytellers? What can we learn from the generations and evolution of societies before us? Experience a night of storytelling like no other, as humanity takes center stage and together we explore who we are and what connects us.

Generative AI and the New Dawn of Life Sciences and Healthcare 

The panel will explore the transformative potential of generative AI in the healthcare and life sciences sector, highlighting key areas where it can bring about significant improvements, including but not limited to:&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Patient-centric care&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Personalized on-demand health advice&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Enhanced precision and personalized physician care •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tailored treatment and health plans&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Accelerating drug development&nbsp; •&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Behind-the-scenes improvements in healthcare settings Panelists will discuss how ecosystem transformation necessitates organizational transformation. They will outline challenges related to data access, authority, metrics, and responsibility that organizations need to address to fully leverage AI’s potential. Don’t miss this robust discussion around the current state of AI in the life sciences and healthcare space and emerging trends, the gap between expectations and actual results, and real-world case studies showcasing the impact of AI in this sector.

A Beautiful Resistance Live!

In her own words, Jeneé Osterheldt created A Beautiful Resistance “to carry on the tradition of Black artists and Black journalists in reclaiming the truth of Black folk. Like Frederick Douglass taught us, there is power in representation. Too often, we are measured by our suffering. Blackness must not be defined by our brutalization. We are more than death. When we are depicted by our extremes, the truth of us is lost. We live, fully. Our joy, our dreams, our everyday stories? That's a beautiful resistance.” Every season consists of a weekly mixtape featuring a short film, a longform story, and a Q&amp;A. The community is invited to share their own beautiful resistance on Instagram. There is music, there is story, there is love. Joy lives here. Join them. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Science and Democracy: What They Are and Why They Need Each Other

Join the Museum of Science for an evening of community and dialogue. Science and democracy need each other to thrive – and both require public trust. In a time of polarization and misinformation, how can we come together to create a new era of scientific and democratic participation? To value their symbiotic relationship? To get back to the basics of what they need to thrive? This vital conversation includes an introduction by Brian Bergstein, editor for the Ideas section of The Boston Globe, and will feature: <ul><li>Danielle Allen, a leading political philosopher, public policy expert, and advocate for democracy renovation. As Harvard's James Bryant Conant University Professor, she heads the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation and Partners in Democracy, working to enhance voice and access in democracy. Among her influential works are Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality and Democracy in the Time of Coronavirus.</li></ul><ul><li>David Kaiser, Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science and professor of physics at MIT. An award-winning author and expert in both theoretical physics and the history of science, David recently served as MIT’s Associate Dean for Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing. His work delves into quantum physics and societal ethics, and he has contributed to projects with Nature, the New York Times, and PBS's NOVA.</li></ul>The evening will be moderated by Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science. Tim is a lawyer by training and is dedicated to helping science centers contribute to building sustainable and humane communities.

Rainbow Tales

Join us as we celebrate voices of the Boston LGBTQIA+ community in this special one-night-only event! Rainbow Tales aims to uncover stories that center and celebrate LGBTQIA+ lives and amplify them to the public through various mediums. This fall, Creative Director and Executive Producer Jean Dolin brings the series to the Museum for an evening of live stories and talks from the LGBTQIA+ community centered on themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, gender identity and expression, trials and triumphs, wellness, climate sustainability, and shared experience.

Disrupt The Narrative

Disrupt the Narrative is an experiential conversation series centered on radical narrative change, inviting artists and communities to explore how they have/are disrupting the narrative. From the narratives of James Baldwin to Zora Neale Hurston, Sobonfu Somé to Steve Harvey, one common thread unites their works: timelessness. Across centuries, their experiences remain both relatable and uniquely their own. Disrupt the Narrative adds immense value by offering expertise, inspiration, and educational insights that enrich discussions. Speakers bring deep knowledge and personal narratives that resonate with audiences, inspiring them to challenge norms and advocate for social change. Their presence not only educates on complex issues but also empowers attendees to take meaningful action in their communities. By sharing experiences of narrative disruption, speakers serve as catalysts for thought-provoking conversations and collective engagement, fostering a sense of community and inspiring ongoing efforts towards equity and social justice. Don't miss the premiere of Disrupt the Narrative at the Museum, featuring special guest Dee-1 in conversation with series creator, Catherine Nakato.

Music as Medicine: An Evening with Daniel J. Levitin

Tickets: $30; includes a copy of I Heard There Was a Secret Chord by Daniel J. Levitin Neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author of This Is Your Brain on Music Daniel J. Levitin comes to the Museum to reveal the deep connections between music and healing, in celebration of his newest release, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord. Music is one of humanity’s oldest medicines. From the Far East to the Ottoman Empire, from Europe to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas, many cultures have developed their own rich traditions for using sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind. In his latest work, Levitin explores the curative powers of music, showing us how and why it is one of the most potent therapies today. He brings together, for the first time, the results of numerous studies on music and the brain, demonstrating how music can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments, from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, to cognitive injury, depression, and pain. Levitin is not your typical scientist — he is also an award-winning musician and composer, and through lively interviews with some of today’s most celebrated musicians, from Sting to Kent Nagano and Mari Kodama, he shares their observations as to why music might be an effective therapy, in addition to plumbing scientific case studies, music theory, and music history. The result is a work of dazzling ideas, cutting-edge research, and jubilant celebration. I Heard There Was a Secret Chord highlights the critical role music has played in human biology, illuminating the neuroscience of music and its profound benefits for those both young and old.

Soul Speak

Following the sold-out run of Crown of Times, ReRooted Productions is back at the Museum of Science with their new conversational and performance series Soul Speak. This engaging series will explore themes related to cultural identity, community activism, and Black self-care. Join us for the premiere Soul Speak event, "When Black Men Breathe." Dr. Evan Auguste, a psychologist and professor at UMass Boston, will lead the panel discussion, joined by other special guests and performers. Doors open at 7:00 pm; presentation begins at 7:30 pm.

¡A Bailar!: Cultural Preservation in the Face of Climate Change

Join us for an evening at the intersection of movement, music, and community. Through the lens of artistic expression, a diverse roster of New England’s leading artmakers and dancers will amplify the importance of the arts and dance as a vehicle and catalyst for sustainability and cultural preservation. As the impacts of climate change continue to reshape our world, the arts, particularly dance, offer powerful ways to foster a culture of stewardship and interconnectivity. This conversation will explore how dance can address environmental justice through emphasizing the importance of community building and advancing equity. After the discussion, stay with us following the conversation as the Museum’s Blue Wing turns into a celebration of the sights and sounds of the Hispanic and Latinx culture and community featuring lessons, performances and audience demonstrations, dancing to DJ music, and more!

Moving Close to the Ground: A Messy Love Song

Celebrate Disability Pride Month at the Museum of Science with disability writer and activist Eli Clare as he combines storytelling and critical thinking to explore the lived experiences and meanings of crawling and scooting in the natural world. What do we lose when non-disabled people value strong steady walking over other modes of mobility? This July, Eli comes to the Museum and reveals the intimacy and slowness he encounters when he moves close to the ground in an illuminating and vital evening of dialogue and exploration.

A Beautiful Resistance: Live!

As Jeneé Osterheldt, Deputy Managing Editor for The Boston Globe, tells us, she created A Beautiful Resistance “to carry on the tradition of Black artists and Black journalists in reclaiming the truth of Black folk. Like Frederick Douglass taught us, there is power in representation. Too often, we are measured by our suffering. Blackness must not be defined by our brutalization. We are more than death. When we are depicted by our extremes, the truth of us is lost. We live, fully. Our joy, our dreams, our everyday stories? That’s a beautiful resistance.” Every season consists of a weekly mixtape featuring a short film, a longform story, and a Q&amp;A. The community is invited to share their own beautiful resistance on Instagram. There is music, there is story, there is love. Joy lives here. Join them. Doors at 7:30 pm; show at 8:00 pm.

Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves

Don’t miss an evening of conversation with the Museum’s Center for the Environment celebrating the release of Nicola Twilley’s Frostbite. How often do we open the fridge or peer into the freezer with the expectation that we’ll find something fresh and ready to eat? It’s an everyday act — but just a century ago, eating food that had been refrigerated was cause for both fear and excitement. The introduction of artificial refrigeration overturned millennia of dietary history, launching a new chapter in human nutrition. We could now overcome not just rot, but seasonality and geography. Tomatoes in January? Avocados in Shanghai? All possible. In Frostbite, Nicola Twilley, New Yorker contributor and cohost of the award-winning podcast Gastropod, takes readers on a tour of the cold chain from farm to fridge revealing the transformative impact refrigeration has had on our health and our guts; our farms, tables, kitchens, and cities; global economics and politics; and even our environment. In the developed world, we’ve reaped the benefits of refrigeration for more than a century, but the costs are catching up with us. We’ve eroded our connection to our food and redefined what “fresh” means. More important, refrigeration is one of the leading contributors to climate change. Twilley asks: Can we reduce our dependence on refrigeration? Should we? Frostbite makes the case for a recalibration of our relationship with the fridge—and how our future might depend on it.

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

S19: interest based

WBUR’s 75th birthday celebrations 💫

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

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.