r/CambridgeMA

While we usually celebrate Lenny’s big anniversaries with the New York Philharmonic, today marks a fascinating "where it all began" moment.

​On April 21, 1939, a 20-year-old Harvard student named Leonard Bernstein stepped onto the podium at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge, MA.

He wasn't conducting a standard symphony; he was leading his own incidental music for a student production of Aristophanes’ ancient Greek comedy, The Birds.

​At the time, Bernstein was still finding his feet. He had recently met Aaron Copland and was soaking up every bit of musical influence he could find. The music he wrote for The Birds was described as witty, sharp, and already showed signs of that "Bernstein flair" that would later define West Side Story and Candide.

​It’s incredible to think that 87 years ago today, the same man who would eventually become a global icon and a titan of American music was just a nervous undergraduate conducting his peers in a college play.

Just a guy djing with girls dancing behind him, for no obvious reason

Davis Sq Somerville, MA on a rainy Sunday, the minute church got out. Driving slowly on a wet road that pedestrians cross frequently (one of the densest neighborhoods of families in the US outside NYC and Miami). University nearby. Approaching a line of cars at a red light. And still this driver needs to (just absolutely needs to!) speed by.

I know what the haters are going to say: "you were crawling dude! Dashcams make cars look like they're going faster and you were just absolutely crawling! You were probably looking for a spot on that street!"

I wasn't looking for a spot on the right side btw, I park on Hall Ave when we go to Davis. I was meeting up with another family with young kids to go on a rainy neighborhood walk.

People, it's not a race! You can go 15mph for a minute, you'll live.

Noticed this metal ring on the curb while on my daily neighborhood stroll! I believe it is for hitching horses in a precar era. Such a cool piece of history that is so easy to miss. Does anyone know how many Cambridge has? Where they are? Does the city try to preserve them with construction?

TEN days away from the night of the year!! 100% of profits will be donated to MIRA Coalition, Embrace, and GLAAD. If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation! This is how we make a better world- for everyone.

Event details:

$20,000 in raffle giveaways

52 small businesses in Boston

Cocktails and dinner

Dancing and drag queens

Curated gift bags

Link to purchase a ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defend-our-community-benefit-tickets-1774644622839?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

Link to make a donation: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/944H4MH5TJL76

Here's this week's events as usual with what's been trending since posting on Sunday night. The Pine-Car Derby (prep tonight + the big race on Saturday) seems to be stealing the show along with Space-related events on Thursday night.

What's Trending:

• Pine-Car Derby prep @ Bow Market (build your own racer) later today
• Movie Trivia @ Crystal Ballroom tonight
• Astrobiology talk at Somerville Public Library on Thursday night

This weekend's events with times, ticket costs and links with full details: https://www.thestoopmedia.com/p/race-week-from-boylston-to-bow

Subscribe to the newsletter (FREE) to get event drops each Sunday and Thursday night every week: https://www.thestoopmedia.com/?close_draft_preview=true

Tuesday, April 21st

Pine-Car Derby Car Cutting Workshop @ Bow Market, Somerville — Sketch a design for Bow's first annual derby and have the pine block cut to spec on-site

Crystal Ballroom Movie Trivia @ Crystal Ballroom, Somerville — Monthly trivia hosted by local film-scene heads with prize rounds and pizza by the slice

Wednesday, April 22nd

Earth Day Festival @ Science Center Plaza, Cambridge — Freecycle swap, electronics recycling, free bike safety checks, and sustainability tables

Boston Poetry Slam @ Cantab Underground, Cambridge — Weekly open mic with three-minute slots for poetry, prose, or performance

Line Dancing with LDQ @ McCarthy's, Cambridge — Country hits and classic line dances with lessons between songs, no partner needed

Thursday, April 23rd

Astrobiology Talk: The Search for Alien Life @ Somerville Public Library, Somerville — NASA Ambassador John Sheff on whether we're alone in the universe

Drink & Draw @ Aeronaut Brewing, Somerville — Group-generated prompts for doodling and swapping stories through pictures, supplies on hand

Weekend Sneak Peek

Earth Day Spring Mega Market @ Cambridge Crossing, Cambridge — First outdoor market of the year with 100+ vendors, a beer garden, DJs, and live music

1st Annual Pine-Car Derby @ Bow Market, Somerville — Race a pinewood car you built down a sloped track, prizes for speed and design

Running & Writing @ Constellation, Somerville — A neighborhood run followed by a writing workshop with local author David Tannenwald

Around the Corner

SWAP: Adult Clothing Exchange & Block Printing @ Kendall/MIT Open Space, Cambridge — Bring gently used clothes, browse for replacements, and block print something fresh

Harvard Arts Festival @ Harvard University, Cambridge — Four days of programming with 150+ events from performances to workshops

PRAB has received 101 complaints since 2013, according to a report presented to the Cambridge City Council on Monday. It has substantiated just seven.

https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2026/4/15/police-advisory-board-concerns/