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.

Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library

Harvard Ed Portal Homework Help

Students ages 6-18, drop by the library to get FREE homework help from a Harvard Undergraduate Mentor! Meets every Thursday excluding vacation weeks. No registration is required. For questions, email Sarah at smahon@bpl.org.

Make Your Ukulele Sing: An Eight-Week Series with Anne Ku

*REGISTRATION IS FULL* Learn how to produce beautiful music using only your&nbsp;ukulele! We all know that the ukulele is a wonderful instrument to accompany songs while we&nbsp;sing. Did you know that you can play full songs with just a ukulele too?&nbsp;In this eight-week course, you will learn everything you need to&nbsp;play songs without taking second place to your voice. You'll learn how to&nbsp;fingerpick the individual notes of a melody, play different accompaniment patterns, finger and switch chords more efficiently and accurately, and combine the melody with the harmony. Most importantly, you'll&nbsp;make music with others in a supportive, friendly environment. All skill levels are welcome! The only prerequisite is that you are able to tune your ukulele. The book&nbsp;12 Timeless Love Songs: Fingerstyle Ukulele Chord Melody Arrangements&nbsp;by Anne Ku will be given to registered students at the end of the course after full participation. To get the most out of this free course, your 100% attendance and participation is required. Class starts promptly at 6:00 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, while supplies last. Participants must have a valid Boston Public Library card in order to take home a ukulele. Registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot. 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. This series is made possible by a grant funded by the Board of Trustees of the Boston Public Library.

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>

Grow Your Own Microgreens! An All-Ages Workshop

Do you want to grow your own food but don't have the space? Come learn about microgreens, the edible and tasty plants you can grow anywhere –– even inside your apartment! Microgreens have a short, 10-day grow cycle and are a powerful way to empower you to grow your own food. Rita Vaidya, owner of North Allston Farms LLC, will guide you through this hands-on workshop. You'll participate in a fun, educational, and interactive experience while giving you the tools and knowledge to successfully grow microgreens. Participants will: Learn the basics of microgreens and their health benefits Participate in an interactive tasting session of four microgreen varieties Discover how easy it is to incorporate microgreens into everyday meals Engage in a planting activity with step-by-step care instructions to grow microgreens <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNYGWiuuSHD/?igsh=NjdvZTRrenFxNTho">Watch our workshops in action!</a> All ages are welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required. Please email Sarah at <a href="mailto:allston@bpl.org">allston@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot. About Your Instructor: Rita Vaidya is the owner of <a href="http://www.northallstonfarms.com/">North Allston Farms LLC</a>. Their mission is to empower people to grow their own food and to provide the local community with fresh, flavorful, and responsibly grown produce. They use non-GMO, organic seeds and soil, and all microgreens are grown pesticide- and BPA-free. Their greens are packaged in plant-based, compostable containers, and they compost their soil for reuse in their outdoor raised beds. In addition to farming, Rita leads hands-on microgreens workshops that bring people together to experience the joy and accessibility of growing their own food. With a quick 10-day grow cycle, microgreens make it easy for anyone—regardless of space or experience—to cultivate fresh, nutritious greens on a windowsill or countertop. Our customizable workshops are designed for all ages and settings, inviting participants to taste, plant, and learn, whether in schools, community centers, workplaces, or at special events. Rita also volunteers her time with the <a href="https://abhealthcollaborative.org/food-access/">Allston Brighton Health Collaborative’s Food Access Committee</a>, working to expand green and growing spaces across our neighborhoods and strengthen community health through food access and education. <img src="https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/uploads/images/full/6be168847057fcab0cb1ebb7b6e43c72/AllstonFarmslogo.png"> This workshop is sponsored by the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative. <a href="https://abhealthcollaborative.org/">Visit their website</a> to learn more about the many ways ABHC supports community health in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. <img src="https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/events/uploads/images/full/72203d3103ddf6f451f9095cb518b0ec/ABHClogo.png">

Storytime with Miss Sherry!

Join Miss Sherry at the Honan-Allston Branch Library for storytime! Toddlers and babies 0 to 3 years old and their caregivers will play and learn with fun bouncing rhymes, finger plays, songs, and books. No registration is required. Email Sarah at smahon@bpl.org for questions.

Soul Speak Alchemy Box - A Meditative Art Workshop

**Program is full. Email Sarah at smahon@bpl.org to be placed on the waitlist.** Join Kim Larkin from Klassic Kreations for a&nbsp;unique, soulful, and meditative art program!&nbsp; We'll&nbsp;transform an 8 x 8 kraft box into your own 3-D Alchemy Box to&nbsp;manifest your hopes and dreams. We will decorate the inside to represent&nbsp;our innermost desires and goals, as well as the outside to reflect&nbsp;our outer personas. A wide variety of mixed media and colorful wrapping papers are provided as well as fun paper punches, ribbons, inspirational text and imagery. We will have a journaling exercise which will be sealed and&nbsp;placed inside. Each artist will receive a piece of rose quartz for their box as a symbol of self-love.&nbsp;Meditative music and herbal teas will help set the inspiring tone. Let your inner child come out to play and take time to listen to your soul speaking. Registration is required. Email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to reserve your spot. About Your Instructor: Kim Larkin is the owner/presenter for Klassic Kreations, LLC. She&nbsp;travels throughout New England and on Zoom, presenting fun,&nbsp;educational programming that stimulates both the mind and senses.&nbsp;She has been an Art Educator and Commercial Chocolatier for over&nbsp;20 years, is a NAHA Certified Aromatherapist, Specialty Coffee&nbsp;Assoc. of America Certified, Kripalu 200 hr. Ayurvedic Health&nbsp;Certified, and is a Usui Reiki Master. She is the author of&nbsp;It's Easy Being Queen: (when you know your&nbsp;worth)&nbsp;found on Amazon. She offers an interactive, uplifting&nbsp;workshop celebrating self-empowerment based on the book’s&nbsp;themes.&nbsp;Kim truly enjoys bringing community together by presenting and&nbsp;sharing her interactive programs. To learn more about Klassic Kreations,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klassickreations.com/">visit her website.</a>

Hydration Station - A Natural Skincare Workshop

Learn about some of the most beneficial skin hydrators for skin, such as desert Jojoba, Moroccan Argan, Shea butter, Rose Hip and more.&nbsp;The nature of carrier oils, essential oils and how they can benefit our skin will also&nbsp;be discussed. For the hands-on portion of this workshop, we will create a personalized vegan lotion and a hydrating oil product.&nbsp; A fun aromatherapy quiz and recipe handout will round out this informative class. No registration is required. Walk-ins are welcome! This unique, soulful, and meditative art program is led by Kim Larkin from Klassic Kreations. For questions, email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a>. About Your Instructor: Kim Larkin is the owner/presenter for Klassic Kreations, LLC. She travels throughout New England and on Zoom, presenting fun, educational programming that stimulates both the mind and senses. She has been an Art Educator and Commercial Chocolatier for over 20 years, is a NAHA Certified Aromatherapist, Specialty Coffee Assoc. of America Certified, Kripalu 200 hr. Ayurvedic Health Certified, and is a Usui Reiki Master. She is the author of&nbsp;It's Easy Being Queen: (when you know your worth)&nbsp;found on Amazon. She offers an interactive, uplifting workshop celebrating self-empowerment based on the book’s themes. Kim truly enjoys bringing community together by presenting and sharing her interactive programs. To learn more about Klassic Kreations,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.klassickreations.com/">visit her website.</a>

Hygge Night

Celebrate the spirit of winter joy at the Honan-Allston Branch at our Hygge Night! Hygge, pronounced hoo-gah, is the Danish idea of coziness and contentment during the cold months. Hygge nights at home are filled with warm beverages, soft blankets, candlelight, and good company. On Wednesday, January 28, adults are invited to enjoy tea, coloring pages, a curated playlist, and a virtual roaring fireplace. Pick up a Hygge Kit to take home too –– it's filled with goodies to make your winter a little cozier. While you're here to pick up your Hygge Kits, explore our Winter Reading Challenge! BPL's Winter Reading Challenge runs January 1 to February 28 and challenges you to read a book by an author from each of six geographic regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. Pick up a reading log, exclusive enamel pin, and get recommendations. For those who cannot attend, Hygge Kits, reading logs, and pins are available at our circulation desk. Reading logs and pins are available January 1 - February 28. Hygge Kits are available on a first-come first-served basis beginning at the event on January 28. You can also download your reading log online at <a href="http://bpl.org/winter?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1RgADfjp2iWaqBOh2vZgkSOdi-tnXJMt0OJEwART6Ac8ZWWAFRPEll59Q_aem_fniejBA3gPhDX35H367igg">bpl.org/winter</a> beginning January 1, and pick up a Hygge Kit at any of the <a href="https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=hygge">other participating branches</a>. Learn more about the BPL's Hygge Kits and participating BPL Branches on our Hygge webpage: <a href="http://bpl.org/hygge?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3l6OHOOUlNs8G0S2heUW97hjDboDlRmsfRnl-T-p4iMG40WR0M14yRIao_aem_RRdz1Zxr1sXzFw2bpsm9Iw">bpl.org/hygge</a>

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

Jewelry Making - Adult Arts & Crafts Night

**Event is full. Please email Sarah at <a href="mailto:smahon@bpl.org">smahon@bpl.org</a> to be placed on the waitlist** Join fellow crafters for a night of jewelry making! Whether you are looking to create unique holiday gifts for loved ones or a a special treat for yourself, you’ll leave with a piece of jewelry you are proud of. 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.

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.

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

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 🚨

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

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