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Boston ‘Open Streets’ Program Will Expand This Summer

Author Jeff Gorra

Mayor Michelle Wu announced yesterday, the Open Streets will return this summer. This will be the second year of this event. The city hopes that this becomes an annual event. The areas participating this year include Roxbury, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain, Allston, Brighton and Newbury Street in Boston. The program’s intention is to offer “another chance to experience streets as public spaces,” the city press release states.

What is Open Streets?

The Open Streets program limits the amount of auto traffic during an allotted amount of time. When these streets are closed to such traffic, there is no parking or driving cars, buses or motorcycles on the street.

The city describes the regulations by saying, “Open Streets Boston events help people experience streets as public spaces where communities thrive. City streets transform into vibrant, pedestrian-friendly boulevards where people can dream, play, and explore.”

Pedestrians are allowed to cycle, walk or rollerblade/roller-skate during Open Street designated hours, however. Boston officials hope this initiative will further allow communities to engage with each other by connecting neighbors and allowing small businesses to thrive.

When Is Open Streets?

The city layout the following schedule:

Sunday, June 25 – JAMAICA PLAIN
Centre Street
Between: Lamartine Street to South Street
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 15 – ROXBURY
Blue Hill Ave.
Between: West Cottage Street to Warren Street
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, August 19 – ALLSTON / BRIGHTON
Brighton Avenue and Harvard Avenue
Between: Cambridge Street to Commonwealth Avenue
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 17 – DORCHESTER
Dorchester Avenue
Between Ashmont Street and Neponset Avenue
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 15 – EAST BOSTON
Meridian Street from Maverick to Porter and Bennington Street, from Porter to Day Square
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Newbury Street in Boston will follow a different format. Open Newbury Street will take place on Sundays:

July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30
August 6, August 13, August 20, and August 27
September 3, September 10, September 17, and September 24
October 1, October 8, and October 15
10 a.m. until 8 p.m., from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue.

“You cannot help but leave an Open Streets event with a smile on your face and a deeper appreciation for the people who make Boston neighborhoods such a great place to live,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Boston’s Chief of Streets, via Boston.com.

Getting Involved

For more information on how you can volunteer, become a sponsor or have your small business partake as the Boston Open Streets program looks to expand, visit Boston.gov/transportation.

Ranking Massachusetts Best Outdoor Music Venues

Spring is upon us in New England and outdoor live music events will be taking place over the next few months. We have compiled a list of the best outdoor music venues in Massachusetts.

Like many other major markets, the great Boston music scene has a systematic approach to which size venue a particular artist will play when they roll into town. There are not many outdoor spaces that match the exact capacity of another venue in the area. We have a large capacity outdoor venue that come in the form of stadiums and amphitheaters. Deep within the seaport district, there’s a harborside pavilion. Then, adventuring out a bit, there’s a haven within the Berkshire Mountains and a backyard venue (yes, really, a backyard) on the south shore that is booking major national names.

Venturing out

To compile this list, we had certain criteria that would qualify the location to be a potential top outdoor concert venue in Massachusetts. First, it has to be an in-state destination as opposed to in New England. It has to be a venue that is aligned to major tour stops and ticketing platforms. Lastly, it must offer the ability to actually watch the show outside under the open-air sky.

It’s important to note that ground-hosting festivals sites as a one-off weekend or standalone event would not qualify. For example, the Harvard Athletic facilities where Boston Calling weekend takes place once per year.

Those that did rank open for the season starting in late May. Before we get into the list, let’s give an honorable mention to the Cape Cod Melody Tent and South Shore Music Circus (who are sister venues). They were not considered as part of this list due to the fact that although there are open air spaces, you are technically covered under the tent for the duration of the show.

Alas, let’s build some excitement for all of the outdoor concerts coming our way this season and take a look at the best outdoor venues in Massachusetts.

  • #6 Xfinity Center, Mansfield

    What was once Great Woods and the Tweeter Center always gets a plethora of major national tours. It’s your standard amphitheater experience that does not have any local feel in terms of your outdoor environment. This season opens with a bang as Janet Jackson comes to town on May 19th. From Chris Stapleton to The Cure to Snoop Dogg, Xfinity’s 2023 calendar is filled with big names. However, the fact that getting out of the parking lot at the end of the night usually takes longer than the concert, is the primary reason it sits at number six.

  • #5 Gillette Stadium, Foxboro

    Yes, this is the home of the New England Patriots and Revolution about 45 minutes outside of Boston. However, this stadium is the spot for many of the year’s biggest tours. Taylor Swift kicks off a three-night run on May 19th. Luke Combs, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks and Metallica are the other major acts taking the Gillette stage this year. Though the atmosphere is electric, a Patriot Place surrounding the venue helps ensure that the experience feels like you’re in a stadium.

  • #4 Fenway Park

    Sticking with the professional sports theme, Fenway Park has become a Boston landmark for summer concerts in addition to baseball. It’s an ideal location that neighbors the new state-of-the art MGM Music Hall. Regardless of who is performing, seeing a show upon the outfield grass of this historic venue is always an experience to behold. Kane Brown kicks things off on June 23rd, followed by Dead & Company, P!NK, Fall Out Boy, Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band and Guns N’ Roses.

  • #3 Levitate Backyard, Marshfield

    The Levitate Music Festival is always a summer weekend to circle. This same small business has an outdoor venue attached to their surf shop. It’s literally in the backyard. The capacity is a perfect 200 ticket limit, providing an intimate music experience at every show. Food from their in-house Mexican restaurant is available, as is their homemade canned Margaritas. Furthermore, the Levitate Backyard venue attracts major national acts like Trevor Hall, Citizen Cope, G.Love, Ripe and Matisyahu.

  • #2 Tanglewood - Koussevitzky Music Shed, Lenox

    This is an excursion out to the Berkshires that is worth every minute of the drive. You’re free amongst nature in a landscape of green pastures. The outdoor shed gets a variety of special tour stops each summer. Brandi Carlile spoke very highly of the place while performing there last year. James Taylor, Robert Plant, and Train are just some of the names on tap this year.

  • #1 Leader Bank Pavilion, Boston

    The setting is simply breathtaking. A nice evening you are under blanket of stars, dancing to music within a venue that rests right upon the Boston Harbor. You get a cool, salty breeze off the shoreline and have the option to roam out from under the shed. Every note is audible in the fully outdoor spaces and there is clear visibility to the state. It opens on June 2nd and runs nonstop until the season closes at the end of September with Hozier performing.

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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