GBH offers a wide variety of in-person and virtual events. From live music recordings, lectures and screenings to our virtual Book Club, tasting events and more, stay connected to our community. Whatever you’re interested in—news, history, the arts or music, we’ve got you covered. Fill your calendar with this rich diversity of events and be inspired, informed and entertained.
If you have questions about any of our events please reach out to Audience Member Services by phone 617-300-3300 or email info@wgbh.org
Featured Events
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In PersonDecember Outspoken Saturdays
The GBH BPL studio will host Outspoken Saturdays, a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists. Every first Saturday of the month, the series will be created in collaboration with spoken word artist Amanda Shea. Join us!
Registration is encouraged for this free event. -
In PersonVirtual
GBH Music Holiday Spectacular 2024
Celebrate the season with the GBH Music Holiday Spectacular, a family-friendly concert and an opportunity for music lovers to be part of a live television production at GBH’s headquarters in Brighton. Hear holiday music from the Renaissance and beyond, including festive Jazz favorites with a harp and violin duo from the Boston Pops; a mesmerizing blend of voice, baroque harp, and harpsichord, with soprano Amanda Forsythe and members of the Boston Early Music Festival Vocal and Chamber Ensembles; Fabiola Méndez, a captivating vocalist and Puerto Rican cuatro player; the Rich Greenblatt Group, a dynamic vibraphone jazz trio; Voices Boston, an inspirational children’s choir led by Dan Ryan; and the Boston University Trumpet Ensemble, injecting a little festive brass into the mix. GBH's Calderwood Studio will be decorated in the spirit of the season, as we salute the beginning of winter and revel in the harmony and warmth of this time of year with traditional carols and unique seasonal compositions.
Greg Ferrisi, host of CRB Classical 99.5's afternoon drive, hosts this one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
Guest have a few ticket options:
The In-Studio Experience from (7:30-9pm ET)- $75 (in-person) ticket, premium seating
- $50 (in-person) ticket, riser seating
- Free, but registration is required
Photo credit: GBH Creative
This event is presented with support from our sponsor
More GBH Events
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VirtualThaw & Freeze: The Ecological, Geological, and Human Stakes of a Warming Arctic
A rapidly changing Arctic is reshaping everything. Polar bears navigate shrinking expanses of sea ice, thawing permafrost threatens coastal villages, destabilizes infrastructure, and exhales methane, and warming temperatures push more species northward into a greener arctic. These transformations are profound, and their impacts can extend far beyond the region’s ecologies that depend on them.
What do these changes mean for wildlife, humans, and the climate? How is all of this going to play out in different regions and ecosystems around the world? Does understanding these changes and seeing them with your own eyes change the way you see everything else?
Join Biodiversity for a Livable Climate for a conversation that convenes story and science, writer and researcher to help shape our understanding of what this means for the Arctic, our climate and the webs of life that depend on both. Jon Waterman, writer for both Patagonia and NatGeo, and author of Into the Thaw, will be joined by Dr. Flavio Lehner, Chief Climate Scientist at Polar Bears International—one a storyteller of the Arctic’s systems, the other a researcher of them.Partner:Biodiversity for a Livable Climate -
Virtual
The Anxious i-Generation
“We are over-protecting children in the real world while under-protecting them online” says Jonathan Haidt, author of THE ANXIOUS GENERATION who maintains that the environment in which kids grow up today is hostile to human development. Haidt traces the current mental health crisis to the mid-2010s when smartphones and social media began to reshape the social landscape for adolescents. Cambridge Forum explores these troubling developments in The Anxious i-Generation.
Furthermore, Haidt argues that smartphone technologies have led to over-parenting e.g. constant notifications and GPS tracking of children’s whereabouts. This in turn, has robbed an entire generation of the resilience, coping skills and independence needed to navigate everyday situations and in turn, created unprecedented levels of societal anxiety. The dramatic decline in mental health in teens has been accompanied by decreases in academic scores for math, reading and science. CF asks what happens when we take phones out of schools and replace screen time with normal extracurricular activities that encourage independence and healthy risk-taking? Well, some forward-thinking teachers and psychologists have been doing exactly that with very promising results.
Our panel consists of Catherine Price, science journalist, founder of Screen/Life Balance and author of How to break up with your phone; Camilo Otiz, Associate Professor of Psychology at Long Island University and licensed psychologist in private practice; Lenore Skenazy, president of the nonprofit, Let Grow and author of Free Range Kids plus Shane Voss, Head of Mountain Middle School in Durango, CO. where he has created a phone-free school environment since 2013.Partner:Cambridge Forum -
Virtual
Monumental Graffiti & The Role of Public Art
What is graffiti – is it vandalism, ornament or art? Anthropologist, Rafael Schacter proposes that we think of it as a monument – and it is indeed an ancient phenomenon. Originally thought to have come from the Italian archaeological term Graffito, meaning a deliberate mark made by scratching or engraving on a large surface such as a wall - nobody really knows. While the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians may have first coined the term, the definition and origins of modern-day graffiti continue to be debated, and Cambridge Forum is delighted to continue the discussion.
Schacter’s newest tome, Monumental Graffiti is a hefty and heavily researched read. In it, he shows why graffiti demands our urgent attention as a form of expression that challenges power structures by questioning whose voices are included in, or excluded from, the public space.
Schacter is joined by Cambridge graffiti artist, Caleb Neelon, co-author of The History of American Graffiti.Partner:Cambridge Forum -
Virtual
Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words with Michael Owen
Gain insight into the life of Ira Gershwin, the man behind some of the most memorable lyrics of the Great American Songbook. Biographer Michael Owen reveals the life of this remarkable American, the son of first-generation immigrants, who has often been in the shadow of his brother George Gershwin.
The first lyricist to win the Pulitzer Prize, Ira Gershwin (1896–1983) has been hailed as one of the masters of the Great American Songbook, a period which covers songs written largely for Broadway and Hollywood from the 1920s to the 1950s. Now, in the first full-length biography devoted to his life, Michael Owen draws on extensive archival sources to craft a rich portrait of the modest man who penned the words to such well-loved songs as “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and “They Can’t Take That Away from Me.” Owen’s book celebrates George and Ira Gershwin’s collaboration and Ira’s extensive work with other songwriters. Ira Gershwin: A Life in Words brings the publicity-shy lyricist into the spotlight he deserves.Partner:American Ancestors Boston Public Library -
In PersonVirtual
14th Annual StreetTalk 10-in-1
Livable Streets is holding their 14th annual StreetTalk 10-in-1. As the tradition goes, 10 speakers will take the stage to talk about topics like Boston transit history, public art, new approaches to housing, and more.
Light refreshments will be availble, along with a cash bar.
This year's speakers are (more to come):- Maha Aslam, Program Manager: Streets + Transit, LivableStreets
Topic: A Day in the Life of a Transit Advocate - Lorraine Fryer, Senior Content + Culture Manager, LivableStreets
Topic: How to Create a Cohousing Community in 10 Easy Steps - Reynaliz Herrera, Founder & Director/Composer/Scriptwriter/Lead Performer of "Ideas, Not Theories"
Topic: Reynaliz Herrera’s Bicycle Music: Percussionist & Composer - Jarred Johnson, Executive Director, TransitMattersf
Topic: Fairmount Electrification - Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary of Transportation & CEO, Massachusetts Department of Transportation
- Pete Wilson
Partner:LivableStreets Alliance - Maha Aslam, Program Manager: Streets + Transit, LivableStreets
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Virtual
False Narratives: Understanding Contemporary Native concerns, including harmful images, and why change matters
Representatives from Native communities and tribal serving organizations make the case for revamping school mascots, the state seal and flag, and addressing other important issues necessary to strengthen the fabric of Massachusetts and its Indigenous communities.
With Nicole Brewer-Lowry, MSc, Boston Site Director, Native American Lifelines, Melissa Ferretti, Chairwoman, Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, J. Cedric Woods, PhD, Director, Institute for New England Native American Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Tara Mayes, GBH Associate Communications Director, will facilitate the discussion.
This virtual program is supported by: Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, Institute for New England Native American Studies, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Native American Lifelines, Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band, City of Boston Equity and Inclusion Cabinet, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, and MassHumanities.Partner:MassINC -
In Person
December Outspoken Saturdays
The GBH BPL studio will host Outspoken Saturdays, a spoken word poetry event for emerging artists. Every first Saturday of the month, the series will be created in collaboration with spoken word artist Amanda Shea. Join us!
Registration is encouraged for this free event. -
In PersonVirtual
The Governor, the Sheriff, and the Sawyer: a New Hampshire Perspective on the Coming of the Revolution
Join the Paul Revere House for the final event in their 2024 Lowell Lecture Series. This three-part series focuses on the lesser-known express assignments Paul Revere completed. Speakers will share the importance of his courier work as part of a communications system that involved complex overlapping networks of leaders of all stations. The series will also explore the very practical aspects of long-distance horse journeys and the local colonial politics in key communities Revere interacted with.
Paul Revere made multiple rides to New Hampshire to pass messages between Patriot groups. The conventional narrative of the American Revolution emphasizes the role of extra-legal events in Massachusetts such as the Boston Tea Party and Stamp Act riots. Yet, extra-legal actions were not exclusive to Massachusetts—New Hampshire had a long tradition of protest, especially when connected to timber. Laws passed by Parliament in 1708 and 1722 that claimed pine trees for the masts needed for the Royal Navy, among other items contributed to growing discontent with colonial rule, reflected in a series of demonstrations and riots through the 1700s. By late 1774, New Hampshire colonists were seizing Royal munitions.
Peter Flood, author of the 2014 Revere House Gazette article, "A Week in December – Paul Revere’s Secret Mission to New Hampshire, will join the discussion.
Presented in partnership with GBH, the Suffolk University History Department, Milton Historical Society/Suffolk Resolves House (Milton, MA), Carpenters’ Hall (Philadelphia, PA), Fraunces Tavern Museum (New York, NY), and the Portsmouth Athenaeum (Portsmouth, NH), with funding from the Lowell Institute. For more information, please contact staff@paulreverehouse.org or visit paulreverehouse.org.Partner:Paul Revere Memorial Association -
Virtual
Beyond the Page with Kate Quinn
Join us for another exciting edition of Beyond the Page, featuring author and lifelong history buff, Kate Quinn!
Kate Quinn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of Southern California, she attended Boston University, where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in classical voice. She’s written a number of novels, including four in the Empress of Rome Saga and two set in the Italian Renaissance before turning to the 20th century with books like The Alice Network, The Huntress, The Rose Code, The Diamond Eye, and most recently, The Briar Club.
She and her husband now live in Maryland with three black rescue dogs. Check out more about Kate Quinn here.
GBH's Craig LeMoult will moderate the conversation.
This event offers two ticket options:
Attend the event $0
Attend the event + receive a SIGNED copy of The Briar Club + GBH membership $60
Please note that books will be shipped out following the event. -
In PersonVirtual
Great Decisions with Dr. Emily Reichert | Climate Technology
Will the United States and other powerful countries approach current and future climate initiatives with an increased commitment to nationalism? Or could a growing spirit of international accord develop to confront the “common enemy” of climate change?
Join WorldBoston for a timely discussion of this topic with Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of MassCEC and former CEO of Greentown Labs.
This program will feature an expert presentation, live audience Q&A, and time for networking and discussion with other globally-oriented participants in the Newsfeed Café.Partner:WorldBoston -
In PersonVirtual
GBH Music Holiday Spectacular 2024
Celebrate the season with the GBH Music Holiday Spectacular, a family-friendly concert and an opportunity for music lovers to be part of a live television production at GBH’s headquarters in Brighton. Hear holiday music from the Renaissance and beyond, including festive Jazz favorites with a harp and violin duo from the Boston Pops; a mesmerizing blend of voice, baroque harp, and harpsichord, with soprano Amanda Forsythe and members of the Boston Early Music Festival Vocal and Chamber Ensembles; Fabiola Méndez, a captivating vocalist and Puerto Rican cuatro player; the Rich Greenblatt Group, a dynamic vibraphone jazz trio; Voices Boston, an inspirational children’s choir led by Dan Ryan; and the Boston University Trumpet Ensemble, injecting a little festive brass into the mix. GBH's Calderwood Studio will be decorated in the spirit of the season, as we salute the beginning of winter and revel in the harmony and warmth of this time of year with traditional carols and unique seasonal compositions.
Greg Ferrisi, host of CRB Classical 99.5's afternoon drive, hosts this one-of-a-kind holiday experience.
Guest have a few ticket options:
The In-Studio Experience from (7:30-9pm ET)- $75 (in-person) ticket, premium seating
- $50 (in-person) ticket, riser seating
- Free, but registration is required
Photo credit: GBH Creative
This event is presented with support from our sponsor
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In Person
GBH Jazz Nights with Fabiola Mendez
GBH Music and JazzBoston are co-hosting a new series to showcase the breadth of incredible jazz talent in the Greater Boston area. The event is held on the second Thursday of every month through February.
This month, Fabiola Mendez and her quartet will be performing original selections from their newest album "Flora Campesina," a fusion of Puerto Rican folk melodies with Afro-Caribbean and Jazz influences.
Tickets are free, but registration is encouraged. Please note that by registering for this event you agree to receive email communications from GBH Music.About Fabiola Mendez:
Fabiola Mendez Ally Schmalling Photography
Fabiola Méndez is a Puerto Rican cuatro player, singer, educator, and Emmy-nominated composer focused on the exploration of culture and identity through story-telling. Her music is a blend of Folk, Afro-Caribbean & Jazz, with the cuatro, a ten-string traditional guitar of Puerto Rico, as the lead melody. Recognized as the Latin Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards, Fabiola and her band have performed on national and international stages, including: NPR Tiny Desk, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the Hatch Memorial Shell in Boston, the Harris Theater in Chicago, Santurce Fine Arts Center, among many others. She has received numerous awards, such as the Quincy Jones Award, the Brother Thomas Fellowship, ASCAP Lucille and Jack Yellen Award 2022 and a Children's and Family Emmy nomination for Outstanding Interactive Media in 2023. Fabiola holds a Bachelor's in Music from Berklee College of Music, where in 2018 she became the first graduate to play the Puerto Rican cuatro as principal instrument.
