Since I started the Beat three years ago, events have consistently been the most popular content. The launch of the calendar last fall has amped up that coverage, and later this month, there will be a new way for you to get the curated weekend picks you find in these posts earlier and delivered right to you: in our newsletter! I’ll still be publishing the weekend post here on Friday mornings, but the email version will go out on Thursdays, giving subscribers a head start on planning their weekends. I hope you’ll sign up for the newsletter and send us your feedback once it gets rolling on June 18. For now, here are this weekend’s top event picks.
Saturday and Sunday
Herbstalk: One of the first events I ever wrote about when I started the Beat, Herbstalk is back and bigger than ever this weekend, with two full days of learning and a huge marketplace at the Arts at the Armory. Class subjects range from making kimchi and plant identification to herbs for Alzheimer’s and herbal ecology. The marketplace will feature a variety of vendors, including some selling food so you can eat lunch on site. There are a couple of ticket options and you’ll need to purchase one to access classes, but the marketplace is free and open to anyone.
Saturday
Free Yoga at Assembly Row: Some.Yoga.Studio has teamed up with Assembly Row to host a free class outdoors every Saturday this summer. Sign up on Friday starting at noon for the 9 a.m. class on the shores of the Mystic River in Sylvester Baxter Waterfront Park.
Dancing in the Streets: The Somerville Arts Council is hosting this free outdoor dance festival this summer at various locations in the city. This Saturday’s show features Imitations Dance performing the fix (2015) in the Bank of America parking lot on Highland Ave. in Davis Square at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Sunday
E-Som Market: East Somerville is getting its own monthly pop-up market at La Brasa starting this Sunday. The E-Som Market will feature up to five artisans working in a variety of mediums. This week you’ll find Mudflat Pottery School, Soy Much Brighter candles and jewelry from Madera Y Metal Handmade Wood and Metal Designs.
Assembly Farmers Market: The first Assembly Farmers Market takes place this Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the space next to J.P. Licks and River Bar on the shores of the Mystic River. While some vendors at the market will be familiar to Somerville shoppers, Assembly will have some new vendors, including two Somerville-based businesses (Forge Baking Company and Boston ProJuice). Catch the market, which also participates in the SNAP Match Program, every Sunday through October rain or shine.
SomerStreets: You know it’s really summer in Somerville when SomerStreets returns. Join the festivities this Sunday from noon-4 p.m. at Carnaval in East Somerville. The free event, which shuts down East Broadway to car traffic, features a parade, a bounce house, lots of live music, food, games, kids’ activities, performances and demonstrations and much more.
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for our free email newsletter, launching June 18, to get our weekend event picks delivered to your inbox on Thursdays!