English (ESOL) Conversation Group

Practice speaking English with other adult learners in an informal and friendly group setting. No registration or sign-up is required. For questions, please call the Honan-Allston Branch Library at 617-787-6313 or email allston@bpl.org

Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library

Sip 'n' Stitch

Join fellow knitters, crocheters, and other needle crafters at the library for an evening of companionable construction and chat over a cup of tea. Bring your own project to work on, trade tips and tricks, and share your ideas and inspirations with friends. Email <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> if you'd like to receive a reminder for this event.

Jewelry Making - Adult Arts & Crafts Night

Join fellow crafters for a night of jewelry making! Whether you are looking to create unique holiday gifts for loved ones or a&nbsp;a special treat for yourself, you’ll leave with a piece of jewelry you are proud of.&nbsp;We will provide supplies, tools, and very basic instruction for bracelets, earrings, and necklaces –– you’ll bring your creativity. Registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot.

Book Club Café

Discover new books to add to your reading list at our Book Club Café! Whether you’re stuck in a reading rut, looking for something new to read, or just want to connect with other bookish people, this book club is for you. We'll provide coffee, tea, and light snacks to enjoy while we talk about books, share recommendations, and chat with other book lovers in a relaxed and friendly environment. Email <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> if you would like a reminder for this event.

Morning Yoga Flow with Juliana Berfield

Join yoga instructor Juliana Berfield for an hour of movement and mindfulness. This Vinyasa Flow class matches movement and breath, building strength and increasing flexibility within a gentle and continuous sequence of postures. The class is moderately paced to cultivate strength, flexibility, and balance within a gentle, continuous sequence of postures.  Whether you're brand new to yoga or advanced, this class is for you! No registration is required, but yoga mats, straps, and blocks are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Email <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> if you would like a reminder email. About Juliana Berfield: Juliana has an extensive background of fitness and yoga certifications and teaching. She is a certified experienced-500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra teacher, Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Senior Fitness Specialist, and MatPilates Instructor, among others. Juliana is passionate about teaching and encourages her students to approach their yoga practice with mindfulness, curiosity and compassion. Her classes are designed to provide a safe, accessible, fun and challenging workout to participants with different levels of fitness experience, by listening and adjusting class content to individual needs, injuries or concerns.  To learn more, visit Juliana's website at <a href="https://yogawithjuliana.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1iiRusye_YXwPrYvUQHOzkwaDGZupppZgLFD144rxwqF-LmcobYOoVhyQ_aem_aDf3y-5OZX9_6t1gWrRKjA">https://yogawithjuliana.com/</a>

The Art of Medicinal Spice Blending

**EVENT IS FULL.** Food is medicine! And medicine can taste delicious. Did you know that we have far more bitter taste receptors than any other, and when we taste something bitter our whole body reacts? Or that aromatic molecules ease gut spasms by irritating our smooth muscles so that they contract and then relax? Come deepen your understanding of how flavor shows up physiologically in our bodies with local herbalist Mo Katz-Christy! In this class, we will learn how to use common kitchen spices to promote circulation, ease gut spasms, modulate blood sugar, and more! After we’ve fully nerded out on chemistry, Mo will guide the class in making our own medicinal spice blends! Each participant will have the opportunity to make their own individualized blend to take home for their household or to gift to someone they love. Part science, part play, this class is for anyone who knows that cooking is the best way to care for our communities. Registration is required. Please email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot. About Your Instructor: Mo Katz-Christy (they/them) is a queer Ashkenazi Jewish herbalist born and raised in Cambridge, MA on unceded Massachusett land. They approach herbalism by connecting folks to the knowledge they already have about their body and herbs through working with kitchen medicine, ancestral traditions, and mulberries falling on the sidewalk! Mo graduated from a three-year clinical herbalism program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in 2022. They work one-on-one with clients to address the root imbalances that are causing dysregulation and to promote long-term healing, focusing on gut health. You can find out more about their work at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmokatzchristy.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csmahon%40bpl.org%7C1b58b3399882432ec28e08ddd9d11180%7Cfa735c71d7954c01b0ae09fa7415b2b1%7C0%7C0%7C638906214599030820%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2Wqc2uuWApgNO%2FmjaiQJf0ns1g9k%2FCxkVSCWyRHMD7Y%3D&amp;reserved=0">mokatzchristy.com</a>.

Halloween Movie Night: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Join us for a fun and spooky showing of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)! This classic stop-motion animated musical follows the residents of Halloween Town as they try to take over Christmas. Light refreshments will be served. No registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> for questions. Run time: 1 hour 16 minutes. Rated PG for some scary imagery.

Acrylic Pour Art Workshop with The Corner Art Room

**Program is FULL. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to be placed on the waitlist.** Enjoy the magic swirls! Create mesmerizing small scale acrylic paint pour art pieces that also make great gifts. An experienced instructor from The Corner Art Room will guide you through every step of the process. All supplies provided – no experience necessary! Please wear clothing you don't mind getting paint on, or bring an old shirt to cover your clothing, as the acrylic paint doesn't wash out once it dries.&nbsp;Your work will need to dry overnight at the library, but you can pick it up the next day or later. Registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot. The Corner Art Room is a Brighton-based nonprofit with a mission to get creative together!&nbsp;Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecornerartroom.com/">their website</a>&nbsp;for events, classes, and gatherings.

Storytime with Laura Macias: A Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with Laura Macias! Join us at the Honan-Allston Branch Library for stories and folk tales from around the world told in English and in Spanish. Storytime includes puppets, songs, and movements for children ages 3-5 years old. Younger siblings are welcome! No registration is required.

Friday Yoga Flow with YogaHub

Ease into the weekend with a refreshing, all-levels yoga flow designed to release tension, build strength, and reset your mind!&nbsp;This energizing yet grounding class links breath with movement and offers options for all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned yogis. Expect a blend of mindful sequencing, full-body stretches, and a calming finish to leave you centered and recharged. Yoga mats, blocks, and straps will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. This series runs every Friday at 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM from August 15 to September 19. Please register directly through <a href="https://goodvibes.yogahub.life/enroll/program?code=KCPM7S">YogaHub's registration page</a>. Your YogaPro will customize the class according to your practice preferences noted on the registration form. Please don't be shy, and DO share your intentions for practice! Forgot to register? No worries! Your YogaPro can register you before class begins. Meet Your YogaPro Emily Jerant-Hendrickson began teaching in 2016 after graduating with a BFA in dance from The Boston Conservatory and has since completed her 300hr and Restorative training at Down Under School of Yoga. Her openness to learning from a wide variety of movement and yoga teachers, commitment to regular self practice, and experience recovering from injuries root her classes in curiosity, creativity, and clear anatomical instruction. Emily’s classes are challenging and intelligently sequenced, and delivered with grounding instruction that prioritizes the needs of the individual.&nbsp; About YogaHub YogaHub was founded upon the idea that personal well-being is the essential ingredient for humanity to thrive. We believe that the practice of yoga, far more than what meets the eye, is a way of living that cultivates happiness and success. We aim to empower every individual with the practice of yoga, and to channel welfare throughout the pulse of every organization we serve. YogaHub provides virtual and onsite yoga classes for businesses, as well as professional development for yoga teachers. <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yogahub.life%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csmahon%40bpl.org%7C7e5d9c32c85140cba57b08dd41568411%7Cfa735c71d7954c01b0ae09fa7415b2b1%7C0%7C0%7C638738562049939607%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=xrUWMXOTMRScaf3fGwlSmQUeVDqUcFieA2MC0n%2FYKBw%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.yogahub.life</a> <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fyogahub.life&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csmahon%40bpl.org%7C7e5d9c32c85140cba57b08dd41568411%7Cfa735c71d7954c01b0ae09fa7415b2b1%7C0%7C0%7C638738562049964413%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=%2F4QfMU0ZJSOvjgMTGuS5Z9XdVYr5jWDWYlpuSVNna6U%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.instagram.com/yogahub.life</a> <a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fyogahub.life&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csmahon%40bpl.org%7C7e5d9c32c85140cba57b08dd41568411%7Cfa735c71d7954c01b0ae09fa7415b2b1%7C0%7C0%7C638738562049978991%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Kun%2F7v4YjETO6FeQX%2Bg%2Fn59qE2XLZRCNWgn2CLTgBKQ%3D&amp;reserved=0">www.facebook.com/yogahub.life</a>&nbsp; FAQ Am I doing it right? There are infinite ways to practice yoga poses, and thus, “right” is somewhat subjective. In fact, the classical yogic texts rarely even mention physical poses, let alone precise instructions for how to do them. Over the course of your practice, you will learn posture variations so that you can make wise choices in class or in your at-home practice. For more on “doing it right” check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyogahub.life%2Fblog%2Fam-i-doing-it-right-or-why-yoga-students-can-stop-worrying-r74c2-5btjw&amp;data=05%7C02%7Csmahon%40bpl.org%7C4432be5d7985434241c008ddc099cb97%7Cfa735c71d7954c01b0ae09fa7415b2b1%7C0%7C0%7C638878489011835938%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=y%2FM9yKKNX1DUSgtuQpWIcElPi1gfnknKRGP5hIgJ86Q%3D&amp;reserved=0">blog post on why you can stop worrying and love the process.&nbsp;</a> How do I prepare for class? Class begins right on time; please arrive early. Clear your space and silence distractions so that you can get the most out of the experience.&nbsp;Wear comfortable clothes that you can move and breathe in. Refrain from eating for about one hour before practice. I’ve never tried yoga or meditation before. Is this right for me? Yes! Yoga and meditation are learned by doing the practice itself, not by prior study. The best way to overcome the fear of the unknown is to dive right in. You are welcome to ask questions before and after class.

Drag Bingo Night with Rose Quartz!

Join us for a fabulous evening of bingo, laughter, and glam at the library, hosted by the dazzling Rose Quartz! This isn't your typical bingo night—prepare for a unique twist, with multiple rounds packed into one hour. Expect fun, fast-paced gameplay, exciting prizes, and performances that’ll leave you speechless (and maybe a little bit jealous of the wigs)! Rose Quartz, your fabulous hostess for the evening, will keep the energy high and the bingo balls rolling as she serves up sass, style, and a sprinkle of comedy. With every round, the excitement grows—who knows, you might just win something fabulous while enjoying some jaw-dropping performances along the way! Whether you're a bingo aficionado or just looking to have some fun, this is the perfect chance to enjoy a night of entertainment and maybe even some surprise giveaways. Come for the bingo, stay for the fun, and get ready to be shook by Rose Quartz’s performance! This event is for adults only. No registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> if you'd like to receive a reminder for this event.

BPL Seed Library

The Boston Public Library’s Seed Library invites you to create your own resilient garden! We have a variety of seeds to help you get started growing your own vegetables, herbs, and flowers. This year we have even more native seeds, which are adapted to our climate and can help support local wildlife. Even if you don't have the time or space to grow vegetables outdoors, many of our seeds are for you. Herbs can thrive in indoor environments, and native wildflowers can be spread anywhere there is open soil - no watering necessary. You can pick up seeds <a href="https://www.bpl.org/locations/honan-allston/">whenever the Honan-Allston Branch Library is open</a>. Be sure to share your garden pictures and stories with us using #BPLSeedLibrary #BPL #BostonPublicLibrary #BPLResilientGardening

Crafting Herbal Salves & Lip Balms

**This event is full. Please email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to be placed on the waitlist.** Join us for an immersive workshop at the Honan-Allston Branch Library where you'll learn the art of crafting herbal salves and lip balms. Follow along as herbalist and aromatherapist Tanya Tanaro&nbsp;guides you through each step of the process, and leave with the natural skincare products we create together to enjoy. During this&nbsp;two hour workshop, you'll learn:<ul><li>Introduction to herbal salves, including benefits and uses</li><li>Discover the healing properties of plants, herbal infused oils, and&nbsp;essential oils</li><li>Engage in the step-by-step process, including blending ingredients&nbsp;and pouring the final product, and understand how each ingredient&nbsp;contributes to the effectiveness of your herbal preparation</li><li>Gain practical skills and confidence to craft herbal remedies at home</li></ul>About the Instructor: <img src="https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/uploads/images/full/ca788627edd040447bb902a928474d25/Screenshot2025-04-29143455.png"> Tanya Tanaro, RYT 500, is a certified yoga instructor,&nbsp;herbalist, aromatherapist, and Kripalu Mindful Outdoor&nbsp;Guide. She founded Rustic Heart Wellness where she focuses&nbsp;on connecting people with the healing wisdom of nature. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rusticheartwellness.com/">Rustic Heart Wellness.</a>

The Art of the Micro-Memoir with Otto Vock - A 3-Week Workshop

Micro-memoirs are a form of personal essay that experiment with storytelling and unlikely paths of autobiographic writing. The Latin root of the word ‘essay” is a verb meaning “to attempt, to try.”  In this three-week workshop, led by Otto Vock, we’ll produce and revise micro-memoirs that attempt to convey our personal way of witnessing and understanding culture, history, and the minutiae of daily life. We’ll think about our writing process as an exhibit of cultural artifacts we walk our reader through. We’ll explore what surprising insights emerge from putting distant observations into close conversation. We’ll be looking at the work of Ross Gay, Hanif Adurraqib, and Aracelis Girmay to inspire our thinking and engage in guided scaffolding exercises to make the task of brainstorming and starting a new piece less daunting.  No experience is required. Everyone has an important story to tell, and we’ll make sure you have the support to tell it on your terms. NOTE: The third class on May 30 will be a reading where participants read their work to library patrons and community members. All are welcome to attend. Registration is required. Please visit the event link to register. For questions, email BPL's Community History Department at <a href="mailto:communityhistory@bpl.org">communityhistory@bpl.org</a>. Facilitator Bio: Otto Vock is a Jewish Non-Binary poet and educator from Jersey City, NJ, now residing in Somerville, MA. Their poetry has previously appeared in The Offing, The Plum Creek Review, The Quinobequin Review and Pigeon Pages NYC. They’re the primary author of the companion curriculum for Phil Kaye’s book of poems, Date &amp; Time, made in partnership with Button Poetry and Project VOICE. Otto currently instructs in-person and online poetry workshops across Boston Public Library branches and in youth residencies across Boston Public Schools with Mass Poetry. They are a master’s student at Tufts University’s Educational Studies program.

Fun with Ukulele - A Six Week Series

**This series is now full.** Have you always wanted to learn an instrument? Do you already play the ukulele but want a refresher course? Join us for a six week journey and learn how to play the ukulele! No matter what your musical background, you will learn how to use the ukulele to make music. In this course, we will explore the 20% you need to play the 80% you want: chords, chord progressions, accompaniment patterns, tablature, and songs with and without words.&nbsp; To get the most out of this free course, your 100% attendance and participation is required. Class starts promptly at 6:30 PM.&nbsp;Participants must arrive 15-30 minutes early to set up. Ukuleles will be available to borrow and take home for the duration of the series. Participants must have a valid Boston Public Library card in order to take home a ukulele. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR <a href="https://www.anneku.com/">Anne Ku&nbsp;</a>believes that the ukulele is the easiest and fastest way to make music and connect with others. After earning her Master of Arts in Music, with research on ukulele song sheets, she started uke clubs and taught at adult education centers in the Greater Boston area and ukulele festivals. She hosts 3 Chord Thursdays, a thematic song session in Zoom with nearly 4,000 members in Facebook and monthly meet-ups in Zoom for Ukulele Instructors International.

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.

smahon

Experiences