😅☕ Does Boston still run on Dunkin'?!

😋 Somerville’s tastiest night of the year is here! Taste of Somerville is back on June 10, where you can sip, shop, and snack on 50+ of the city’s best restaurants and vendors. General admission tickets usually sell out fast, so grab yours here!

😭 Also … yes, the tarps came off at Fenway. See: Hundreds of pasty, drunk dudes, twirling their shirts in the air. Would’ve been a lot funnier if the Sox actually won … 

👀 What’s on tap today:

Up first…

We’re still damp from Memorial Day Weekend … But between this week’s 80-degree weather and this lineup of good news, your shoes and spirits should be dry soon.

Here are the feel-good moments you might’ve missed this month: 

☕ Boston’s coffee scene runs on way more than Dunkin’. OK yes, we might always run on Dunkin’ just a little … but a handful of new cafes and pop-ups are building a Boston coffee boom that goes beyond iced medium regulars. See: Newbery Street Coffee Roasters, Càphê Collective, and Espresso East. And they’re somehow still crushing it with the cards (*cough* rent) stacked against them.

💃 A Mass’ fairy-prom mother gives high schoolers a happily ever after. Going to prom ain’t cheap these days — it can cost $1,000 for the storybook night. *heaves* Enter fairy-prom mother Maristela Rapo. She’s the head of Giving the Glam, a local charity giving local teens free ballgowns, suits, and glam — even a ride in a Ferrari — to help them afford the dance of their dreams. And yes, it’s all free. We’ve truly never seen high schoolers look so happy. :’) 

🤑 To all the millionaires tax haters: Read this. Quick recap: Voters approved a 2022 ballot measure that applies a 4% surtax on all annual income over $1 million. A.k.a. The millionaires tax, which was projected to bring in ~$2 billion a year. Well … it’s already generated over $3.1 *BILLION* this fiscal year, blowing past expectations yet again. Which means lawmakers will have a fat surplus to dole out to transportation and education spending next spring. Yay laws that work!

🎶 Out: Boston Calling. In: Mojo Boston. There was TONS of hype around Mojo Boston, a new music festival spotlighting local bands and DJs. And boy, did it deliver. Despite pouring rain, over 4,000 people squished into City Hall Plaza — ponchos and all — to catch 10+ hours of live music, local art, food, and more. And according to one of the founders, this is just the start of it. “We have very lofty ambitions and goals,” cofounder Charley Blacker said. Stay tuned … 

🎺 The coolest band around Boston lets EVERYONE play. If you’ve ever heard a gaggle of trombones marching around Somerville, it’s probably School of Honk, a radically inclusive street band that parades around Camberville playing happy tunes. It’s a mix of newbs and mentors learning notes together on a Sunday before serenading the community by foot. And even better: They provide instruments if you don’t have one. <3

We asked Members this Q in Saturday’s email and just HAD to know everyone’s thoughts …

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🌏 A Vegas Sphere dupe is coming to a Seaport parking lot. Honestly, this April Fools Day post wasn’t far off, as Massport officials just approved an agreement for a 360-degree “immersive dome experience” in a Seaport parking lot that’ll feature video displays across the ceiling of an enclosed tent. Dubbed “WonderPark 360,” this new venue offers the opportunity for year-round events, including immersive art experiences, live music, and an outdoor space for festivals. The tentative plan? It’ll open sometime next year. 

🚇 Want to make the T safer? There’s a door for that. Yes, the MBTA is looking into adding platform screen doors between trains and waiting passengers to prevent folks from falling — or in some cases, being pushed — onto the tracks. Here’s a mock up of similar idea in London (honestly, they’re pretty slick). Downtown Crossing and Andrew are the two stations under consideration, but it’s technically still in the idea phase, so don't get excited just yet …

🎡 “No Boston Calling? No problem.” — probably local businesses. The musical fest has been a huge $$$ driver for Harvard Square businesses for years. So color us shocked when we learned it’s been business as usual this year, despite Boston Calling being OOO. And even if there is worry about a dip in foot traffic, the head of the Harvard Square Business Association is hopeful things like Sail Boston, the World Cup, and 250th celebrations will offset any losses.  

🍟 These local girl dinner deals are keeping us FED. You’ve got three to pick from: Sonsie’s weekday power lunch special is a $25 triple threat: a crisp Caesar salad, hand-cut fries, and a spritz; Somerville’s Cafe Saint-Germain has a $35 Wednesday night deal that comes with a Caesar salad, truffle fries, and a glass of white; and Wednesday nights = martini nights at the Berkeley, where $15 gets you a classic ‘tini and unlimited(!) truffle fries. BOOM!

🌯 Enjoy a burrito at 90s prices. Anna’s Taqueria opens its 14th location May 26 in Southie. To celebrate, you can get your hands on one of their iconic super burrito for just $3.50 (how much it cost in 1995). 

😅 Watch the Bravo Super Bowl. A.k.a. Part one of the “Summer House” reunion on May 26. IYKYK. Watch party options include: City Tap House, Game On!, Warehouse, and Central Wharf Co.

📚 Have a shelf-care night. Yes, SHELF. If a bookworm and an art student had a baby, they would definitely make this miniature bookshelf crafting night at Trident on May 27.

🍻 Giggle with a golden ale. Cisco Brewers is turning into a FREE comedy club on May 27, as the folks from Comedy Coop bring their best comedians from Boston and beyond.

🍿 Kick off outdoor movie season with a bang. Wednesday’s temps = in the 80s. Perfect weather to catch “Dazed and Confused” at the Speedway with the Coolidge. 

🎨 Get crafty at Craft Food Halls. This make and mingle craft night on May 28 has everything we love: Paint, poems, decoupage, and oh yeah, it’s FREE.

🎤 Sing out at Boston’s local talent show. That’s basically the vibe at Boston Parks first-ever open mic night series on May 28. Berklee kids will perform, along with locals just like you!

🚦 Mingle with Boston singles. Boston’s Young Professionals Association is headed to Club Volo for its summer kickoff party May 29. Expect games, giveaways, and stoplight party vibes.

Some people go out to dinner to celebrate graduation. Others jump out of an airplane … This group of MIT students is the latter. 

This past week, 400 MIT seniors hopped on a bus from Boston to Skydive New England in Lebanon, Maine to go skydiving as their graduation send off. Yes, on purpose.

And fun fact: It's actually the third year MIT students have done this, another sign that dinner with the ‘rents might not be a 22-year-old’s preferred way to jump into their next chapter.

But whether skydiving is on your bucket list or black list (us), we’ve gotta admit, we’ve never seen MIT students look less stressed than when they were jumping out of a plane. Note: This video is from last year, but we imagine the vibes remain.

— Written by Emily Schario

🏴‍☠️ Thanks for reading! Another weird MIT milestone we just learned about? Earning your pirate certificate.

💜 Special shoutout to today's sponsor, William James College, for supporting local journalism and creating meaningful pathways into careers that truly matter.

🎓 The results are in: 44% of B-Siders agree with Harvard’s new cap on A’s — they used to mean something after all! One non-Harvard student made a good point: “if I have to compete with Harvard grads they shouldn’t also get to have a perfect GPA.” Fair is fair!

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