Open Houses for MB Park Improvements Monday, Nov. 25, noon-1pm & Saturday, Dec. 14 @ 9-10am, rain or shine. Meet at the Powder Magazine. (Note: new December date. We will NOT have a tour 12.8.)
DCR’s Rick Corsi will open up the Phase II-1 construction site this Monday and Saturday, 12.14, so that everyone can see recent park improvements.
Over the past months, 11 trees and 1,000s of native bushes and perennials have been planted, the shoreline path has been widened and raised, and seating has been added. And the patio at the Powder Magazine has been expanded and a bluestone and grassy terrace added.
DCR will now leave the fencing up at the park through May 31 to protect plantings, so this will be a special opportunity to check things out.
Official Ribbon Cutting for the New Canoe/Kayak Launch & Outlook–Sunday, September 22 at 2pm
Join in, by boat or by foot, for this celebration of public access to the Charles. Meet at the launch, on the eastern side of the park, beside the BU Bridge.
Benefit Party for Magazine Beach Park–Saturday, Sept. 14, 5:30-7:30pm at the Riverside Boat Club. Tickets $45 each/$80 for two.
Enjoy good food and drinks on the balcony of the Riverside Boat Club (769 Memorial Drive, across from Starbucks) while celebrating and imagining the future of our park. Live music by Ruta Beggars, fresh from Berklee. (They’ve performed at the the main stages of Joe Val Festival, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and Ossipee Valley Music Festival.)
Note: This year, our party will be on the 1st floor of RBC, on the balcony and docks, so prepare to watch a GORGEOUS sunset over the Charles and bring layers.
Tickets: $45 each/$80 for two. Magazine Beach Partners is a 501c3; donations may be tax deductible! You will be able to purchase tickets at the door by check, cash or credit card. (We prefer checks and cash; that way we get more for the park.) Please make checks payable to: Magazine Beach Partners, Inc. OR pay by Paypal here.
Parking: If you need to drive, park in one of the park’s 3 parking lots, or in the Morse School lot on Magazine St., OR on residential streets near Memorial Drive. The Cambridge Police Department has given us a parking consideration.
Note: DCR’s Rick Corsi will provide a tour of ongoing park improvements just before the benefit, at 5pm. Meet at 5pm at the new canoe/kayak launch on the eastern end of the park.
Thank you, event sponsors!
For Everyone
Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool – June 22 – August 22, 11:15am-6:45pm. There is (limited) parking at the park, and changing and showering facilities. FREE!
FREE Swim Lessons
Session 1: July 8-19
Registration: July 1-5 at 11:15am
Session 2: July 22-August 2
Registration: July 15-19 at 11:15am
Session 3: August 5-16
Registration: July 29-August 2 at 11:15am
To register, go to the pool with your child. Be prepared: they may be asked to jump in the water so that lifeguards can assess their skill level. Questions? Comments? Contact Debra Jimenez, DCR’s Learn to Swim Coordinator at debra.jimenez@mass.gov or call 857.283.1298.
Splashing & Spray Deck – May 25 – September 2, 9:30am-7:00pm. Cool of the little ones on the spray deck. There is parking along with changing and showering facilities. FREE!
Boat Launch – The Magazine Beach has a boat launch for canoes, kayaks and other small water craft into the Charles River. Bring your own vessel and enjoy the water. FREE! [Look for news about an official ribbon cutting soon.]
————————–
Children’s Events
Tanglewood Marionettes – Thursday, August 8, 10am
Note: Due to rain predictions, this event will happen at the Morse School Auditorium.
The Tanglewood Marionettes will perform a fairy circus puppet show. Over twenty beautifully handcrafted marionettes will dance, play instruments, juggle, contort, transform, and fly through the air, all to the music of the World’s favorite composers. Recommended for ages 4-7. Co-sponsored by Cambridge Community Schools. Rain location: Morse School. FREE!
____
Events for Everyone
First Day of Summer Strum Along – Friday, June 21, 6-8pm (THIS PROGRAM IS ON.)
To celebrate the beginning of summer, song leader Andrea Gaudette will host a sing-and-play-along show. Bring your own acoustic instrument, a chair, and join in the fun! The repertoire will include an assortment easy-to-play popular and folk songs. FREE!
The Busted Jug Band – Sunday, July 14 at 5:30pm
The Busted Jug Band is a throw-back to the African-American street bands of the early 20th Century. The music is a festive romp through 20th century music featuring early Blues, Rhythm & Blues, novelty tunes, standards, New Orleans Jazz and Hillbilly. FREE!
Traditional Irish Session – Friday, July 21, 6-8pm (cancelled due to heat wave)
All instrumentalists, singers, dancers, and listeners are welcome to join for a traditional Irish jam session. The session is co-sponsored by The Druid in Inman Square and by the Rebecca McGowan Irish Dance company. FREE!
The Barber of Seville Opera – Sunday, July 28, from 5:30-7:30pm
The Boston Lyric Opera Company will perform a family-friendly rendition of The Barber of Seville. Will Rosina escape the clutches of her guardian and marry the man she loves? Come see this abridged version of the classic opera. The opera will be followed by a selection of arias and opera favorites. FREE!
African Drumming and Dancing – Thursday, August 1, 10am
Join in the fun and learn African drumming and dancing with the percussionist Jafar Manselle. Co-sponsored by Cambridge Community Schools. Rain location: Morse School. FREE!
Who Came Up with That? A Time Traveling Adventure – Tuesday, August 6, 10am Follow along with the Little Red Wagon time traveler theatre as they discover who created some the world’s greatest inventions. Ages 2-8. Presented by Cambridge Arts’ Summer in the City.Rain location: Morse School. FREE!
Behind the Mask Theatre – Thursday, July 25, at 10am
Behind the Mask Theatre presents Cat Mountain, a magical Japanese folktale that comes to life in a theatrical performance. The show includes original music, masks, and traditional Japanese songs. Co-sponsored by Cambridge Community Schools. Rain location: Morse School. FREE!
Stories and Song at the Park – Mondays, July 1-August 5, 10am
Magazine Beach Park will host stories and songs for children. Programs will be led by the staff of Cambridge Public Library’s Central Square Branch. FREE!
Nature Detectives: Preschool Discovery – Tuesdays, July 2-July 30 at 10am (cancelled 7.22 due to rain)
Young children discover Magazine Beach nature through exploration, active observation and activities. Led by Amy Greene & Loni Lehnhardt. For ages 3-6. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Maximum of 30 children allowed. FREE!
Ribbon Cutting for Boat Launch & Outlook– Thursday, August 1, at 9:30am POSTPONED AGAIN. SORRY! Due to cyanobacteria outbreak on the Charles River.
Come celebrate the completion of the Canoe/Kayak Launch & Outlook. Waypoint Adventure will have a group launch from the site at 10am.
Devin Ferreira & Band and Knucklebones – Sunday, August 4, at 5:30-7:30pm
Acclaimed Boston-based hip-hop artist, emcee and saxophonist, Devin Ferreira will perform family-friendly music on Magazine Beach. In addition, Knucklebones of Boston will provide unique play equipment and activities. FREE!
Monday Night Yoga – Mondays, July 8-August 5, 6:30–7:30pm (Cancelled 7.22)
Bring your own mat and join in for an evening yoga class. Classes are led by experienced yoga professionals Carol Faulkner and Scarlet Batchelor. Donation, please!
Carol Faulkner on July 8, 15 & 22; Scarlet Batchelor on July 29 & August 5
*Bird Walks: Mon., May 13 and Sun., May 19 @ 6:30-8am
Meet at the stone Powder Magazine at 6:30 am. We will explore the park, look and listen for migrating birds and search for residents and possible nesting species. Beginners and young birders with a parent are welcome. Please email leader Mari Badger at Mfbadger@gmail.com in advance to let her know that you are coming and to reserve a pair of binoculars if you need them. Rain or high wind cancels.
*Earth Day Cleanup: Sat., April 27, 2019, 9am-12noon
Sign up for the 20th Annual Charles River Earth Day Cleanup at Magazine Beach now by emailing svallieres@thecharles.org. This year organizers will be offering water bottles instead of t-shirts for participants. If you want one, let Sasha know.
*Run of the Charles Relay at Magazine Beach: Sunday, April 28, 11am-3pm
The CRWA needs volunteers on and off the water. For further info, see: https://www.crwa.org/run-of-the-charles. Contact Meg Rivett at 508.698.6810 X10 to sign up or email: rotc@crwa.org.
____
DCR Seeks a Tenant for the Magazine. DCR will soon be seeking a tenant for the granite-block building that is the focal point for the park. Have an interest in the property? Contact: jennifer.norwood@state.ma.us Want to see what the community would like the building to become? Click here: Curatorship Principles & Recomm final.
_____________
Create Your Own Special Events at Magazine Beach
Magazine Beach is a DCR park. To learn how to organize your own special events at the park, click here. If you are a Cambridge youth program, call this # to schedule the playing fields: 617-349-6238. If you are not, email DCR’s Lori George at lori.george@mass.gov or call 617.626.4993.
___________
I am planning on attending the Zumba classes on Magazine beach however, I’m concerned about receiving information for weather cancellations. For example, today is supposed to have rain and thunder storms. I’m ok with dancing in the rain, however I’m not making assumptions for everyone. Please let me know and thank you for your time in advance.
Sosa,
Sorry for the late reply. We were noting rain cancellations at magazinebeach.org, under events. Can you think of a better way to communicate this? Lots of rain on Tuesday nights this past summer!
Is charcoal grilling allowed?
If yes, is there a specific area of the park to do so?
Thank you
Grilling at the park is against DCR regulations, however, folks grill there all the time. Please dump coals next to trash bins and NOT at the foot of trees. We want those old trees to be there for the decades to come….