Revenge of the Book Eaters
Wednesday, September 26th
At the Berklee Performance Center
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
826 Boston is pleased to announce its Revenge of the Book Eaters fundraiser, featuring an eclectic lineup of writers, actors, and comedians including Dave Eggers (co-founder of the 826 National program and author of What is the What), Eugene Mirman (comedian and actor, Flight of the Conchords), Davy Rothbart (creator of Found magazine) and Rodney Rothman (Emmy nominee and author of Early Bird). Music will be provided by Kevin Barnes and Bryan Poole from the band Of Montreal, by San Francisco based duo Mates of State, and Via Audio, a group of Berklee grads whose debut album will be released next month. Book Eaters will take place on Wednesday, September 26th, at the Berklee Performance Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to purchase tickets through Ticketmaster. Tickets are also available via the Berklee Performance Center box office. Tickets are $25 - $150 (VIP) for reserved seating. VIP tickets guarantee the best seats in the house, as well as admission to a pre-event cocktail reception with the performers.
The VIP reception will be held from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the Davis Room at the Berklee Performance Center.
The 73rd Quatroannual Cryptozoological and Semieducational IntraCommunity Technological and Physiological Scavenger Hunt
The Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute, long regarded as Boston’s leading cryptozoological research foundation, has, as you may have heard, endured a difficult year.
Following the near-decimation of our cutting-edge technological underground research lair by a wholly unexpected volcanic eruption, we were devastated by the incineration of our catalog of cryptozoological specimens (numbering close to 7,000) due to a tempestuous fire, still under investigation. (We’re not pointing any fingers, but the “Do Not Smoke Close to the Flammable Yeti Fur” sign was there for a reason.)
While transporting the ravaged remains of our center to our new space at 3035 Washington Street, we were struck by a mid-summer hailstorm, ruining the rest of our files, books, and office supplies. The lone survivor? Our prized jackalope skeleton.
So, in our destitution, we are calling upon you, the uneducated, inerudite public, to help us reclaim our past glory. Located throughout Boston and its surrounding areas, there remain many volumes of books, specimens and general supplies that we want (need) for the guaranteed continuing success of our research cryptic and health-hazardous prizes.
All participants should email scavenge [at] 826boston.org for an identification name and number, map, and complete list of rules and regulations. Rules and regulations should not be taken lightly.
Were you looking for actual details about the Housewarming Party? Our sincerest apologies. Please click here.
826 Boston would like to thank everyone who helped make our first event a great success! At "FILL IN THE _____ : An Evening of Literary & Musical Entertainment to Benefit 826 Boston," held May 23, 2007 at the Cloud Place, our Board of Directors and volunteer staff had the chance to meet many enthusiastic local writers, readers, and educators. Musician Jake Brennan, recently a guest correspondent on Boston.com, provided the soundtrack for the evening while Julia Glass, Tom Perrotta, Heidi Pitlor, and Charles Coe read excerpts from their latest works. While the event rallied support for 826 Boston, guests also helped out our visiting authors by "filling in the blanks" of unfinished pieces. Can't wait for the next 826 Boston gathering? As Julia Glass now says, "time, time, and more David Hasselhoff" — keep checking back for information on upcoming events!
Many thanks to our sponsors Chez Henri, Hammondswood at Chestnut Hill, and Stephanie O'Connell at LitLounge Literary Productions.
826 Boston is holding an in-depth tutoring workshop this Wednesday, October 17, from 5:30 - 6:45 pm at our space at 3035 Washington Street. If you are interested in making a commitment to tutor in one of the following programs, please RSVP to programs [at] 826boston.org.
We need people to commit to both Monday and Tuesday evening, October 22 and 23rd, from 6:30-8:00 pm for the Free College Essay Writing Workshop.
We also need people who can commit to essay-writing tutoring with students of the Greater Egleston Community High School on all of the following dates from 10:30 - 11:50 am on
Tuesday, October 23
Tuesday, October 30
Tuesday, November 6
Tuesday, November 27
If you are interested in working one-on-one with students for either or both of these programs, please email programs [at] 826boston.org.
826 Drop-in Drinking Night
Have you ever wanted to:
Hang out with your fellow 826 volunteer tutors in a laid back setting?
Reminisce about the most excellent time that was had by all at the recent Sasquatch Symposium?
Exchange tutoring tips and memorable stories about your favorite 826 students?
Get inspired by interesting people while in a state of mild intoxication?
If your answer is yes to any of these, come to the 826 Drop-in Drinking night!
Here's how it works: On Wednesday, April 23rd between 6:30pm and 8:30pm, go to the OtherSide Cafe (407 Newbury St, Boston). Walk up to the bar, buy yourself a tall beer or other delectable beverage, look around for the group of people who are having the most fun and join in. As simple as a third grade spelling test.
WHERE: OtherSide Cafe, 407 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115
WHEN: Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
WHO: You and anyone you would like to bring.
COST: Whatever your drinks cost.
See you there!
826 Boston
P.S. The OtherSide Cafe is all ages. Feel free to drink soda, smoothies, or any non-alcoholic beverage of your choice. They also have delicious vegan food. 826 Boston is not responsible for accidental friendships, embarrassing stories, laughing til you cry, or any other side effects of the evening's events.
Once you've attended a volunteer orientation, what's the next step? Well, if you're interested in working as a tutor at drop-in starting in January or with our in-schools programming, you need to attend a tutor training! Tutor trainings last about an hour, during which we will go over helpful tips & tricks, role-play our new tutoring skills, and talk about strategies for working with students of different ages, skills, and needs. Here are the dates for the next tutor trainings:
During the Egleston Square Main Street Holiday Celebration & Tree-lighting on Saturday, December 8, 826 Boston will be open from 2:30-5:30 pm for families and children to drop in, warm up, and tell us about their favorite holiday tradition. Feel free to give us a call at 617.442.5400 for more information.
Click here to see photos from the housewarming party.
Saturday’s housewarming included original readings by 826 writing students from Greater Egleston Community High School. The students received warm words of praise and encouragement from local Boston poet Charles Coe. Rousing performances by Teen Empowerment, OrigiNation Dance Group, and Spontaneous Celebrations echoed through the spacious center while families worked on writing projects, munched home-baked cookies, and snapped souvenir Polaroids with our special guest, the Jackalope.
“We are so happy to be part of this community,” Executive Director Daniel Johnson said Saturday, speaking both in Spanish and English. "We welcome you as students, we welcome you as tutors, we welcome you as volunteers.”
Immense thanks to:
Our sponsors: Urban Edge & Greater Egleston Main Street
Our performers: Pete Shungu, Mike Mitchell, Marta Rodriguez, OrigiNation's NIA dance group, Cornell Coley & the Spontaneous Celebrations Drum Unit, Teen Empowerment, & Charles Coe
Our special guest: the Jackalope
Surprise guest: State Representative Liz Malia
The scavenger hunt participants: Liger03, DoverDemon02, Apeface05 & Jacaklope06
Our dedicated interns: Ali, Hope, Katie & Joseph
Our many volunteers: Mary, Kirsti, Mallory, Jen, Fern, Dan, Maggie, Nina, Alex, Jessica, Alyce, Jess, Emily, Shannon, Nancy, Connor, Kristine, Caitlin, Neil, Elizabeth, Robert, Kathleen, Kellie, Joelle, Katie, Honor, Sharon, Paula, Sherrie, Shaula, Jennifer, Chris, Emily, Allison, Charles, James, MC Ryborg, and anyone we neglected to mention
And the 250+ guests who dropped by on Saturday. Thank you so much for welcoming us to the neighborhood!
Housewarming Party: December 1, 2007
Poet Charles Coe shares his music-laced words
OrigiNation dancers defy gravity
Spontaneous Celebrations Drum Unit bangs out a rhythm
Teen Empowerment: "Knowledge is power, and power is knowledge/What we need are more blacks and latins in college"
High-energy moves from OrigiNation
Friends of 826 watch the show
Greater Egleston Community High School Student & 826 Boston programs participant Marta Rodriguez reads an original poem as her son, Abraham, looks on
OrgiNation dancers
Teen Empowerment performers
Performers from Teen Empowerment look on as Charles Coe reads his poetry
Our special guest, the Jackalope
The Jackalope cuts the ribbon on our water fountain, officially opening 826 Boston
MC Pete Shungu spits an original spoken-word piece
Greater Egleston Community High School student Mike Mitchell performs an original piece
Cornell Coley leads the Spontaneous Celebrations drum unit
The crowd listens to MC Pete Shungu
Families writing & mapping their neighborhood in our workshop space
250 of our closest friends
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More from OrigiNation
Neighbors & friends explore the Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute
MC Pete Shungu in the sunshine
State Representative Liz Malia addresses the audience
Executive Director Daniel Johnson & Programs Coordinator Hannah Nolan-Spohn
Students write and draw about their neighborhoods at the workshop table
Original work produced by students at 826 Boston's Comics Workshop
More photos coming soon!
Photo credits: Ali Reid, Daniel Johnson, Joseph Diaz, Caitlin E. Curran
Take the Orange Line to Green Street or the #39 Bus to the Monument stop.
Download the poster, paste it up, hand it out, email it to friends.
Cloud City (Ben Sisto) is throwing this killer rock show to raise funds which will eventually buy a P.A. system for 826 Boston. A P.A. is a vital tool which will allow creative youth to express
themselves with a clear, professional voice while getting hands-on event production education.
Past events for 826 have included acts such as Mates of State and Of Montreal.
Harry and the Potters (Paul and Joe DeGeorge) are an indie / rock band, themed around the idea that the Harry Potter from Year 7 and the Harry Potter from Year 4 started a rock band - and now, no one can stop the wizard rock. They have used the band as a platform to promote all-ages events, literacy, and are known for high-energy live performances.
Pants Yell! are hands down one of the best indie-pop bands the fine city of Boston has ever produced. (Cloud City's opinion!) Their latest album, Alison Statton, was recently released on the Soft Abuse label, and pays homage to the former Young Marble Giants vocalist.
Ticket prices are as follows:
$50 ticket includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and admission to 7:00 pm event with Mary Gordon.
$100 ticket also includes pre-event cocktail party with Mary Gordon & members of 826 Literary Board from 5:30 - 6:30 pm.
$500 (Patrons of the Pen) and $1,000 (Literary Lions) tickets also include program recognition at the event.
The North American Symposium on Sasquatch Research
Saturday, April 12, 2008
On April 12, 2008, the Greater Boston Bigfoot Institute (GBBRI) will celebrate its grand opening with the North American Symposium on Sasquatch Research (NASSR), which will feature two unique events.
Pledge your support now to secure the Institute Premium Set of your choice--donation levels and premia descriptions can be found here.
Free Family Event
From 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., GBBRI will be open to the public, featuring family writing activities, product demonstrations, music and author readings, and a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Tom Menino at 1:30 p.m. Follow this link for more information.
GOOD Magazine Party
From 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., GOOD Magazine is co-sponsoring a gala event, the proceeds of which will support 826 Boston's free writing and tutoring programs for kids. A mere $20 registration fee will get you in the door, free drinks, and a one-year subscription to Good Magazine. Plus, the event will feature some very special guests, a real, live, cryptozoologist, bigfoot films, and other surprises. Follow this link for more information.
Dates:Tuesday, April 22 & Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Time:1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages:9-11 Enrollment is capped at 15 students Teacher: Robert Davies
Create your own mysterious messages of cryptid exploration. Learn how to write descriptive letters, make different kinds of envelopes, and use tape, tea, turmeric, and other fun things to stain the letters and make them look as if they were over a hundred years old.
Massachusetts Youth Pride 2008
"Actual Reality"
Boston Common
Saturday, May 10, 2008
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
826 Boston will have an info. table at Mass. Youth Pride -- stop by and say hello!
Follow this link for more information on Youth Pride.
Sasquatch Symposium a Smashing Success!
826 Boston, GOOD magazine, and the Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute wish to thank the 300+ people who attended the first annual North American Symposium on Sasquatch Research on April 12th! The unique conference– the first of its kind to be held in Boston– attracted throngs of the curious to the Institute including cryptozoologists and citizen scientists.
Mammalologist Eugene Mirman (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords) cracked up the crowd with his own cryptid inventions– the Very Long Mouse and the Harrison Ford-o-Taur– while award-winning author Jim Shepard read “Ancestral Legacies,” a story about soldiers pursuing the yeti. “Yeti Researcher” editor Josh Bearman and the world’s leading cryptozoologist Loren Coleman joined Shepard and Mirman for a panel titled “Does Sasquatch Exist?” The ensemble entertained questions like “Bigfoot: friend or foe?” and “Should it be illegal to shoot a Sasquatch?”
Giant crab wrestling and leech ballet– both big crowd pleasers– rounded out the seminar’s events. DJ Ripley got the Bigfoot crowd moving as others perused the Institute’s full line of research gear like the Disaster Pod and Jungle Hygiene Kit. Throughout the Symposium, registrants disappeared, one after another, into the Simulactron, the Institute’s own climate-simulation chamber.
We thank everyone who attended this year’s Symposium! Stay tuned for the Institute’s upcoming film series, which will feature such legendary flicks as “Snow Beast” and “Sasquatch Odyssey.” And, as this year’s Symposium fades, remember the sage words of Bigfoot researcher Daniel Perez– “It looks like a man in a Bigfoot suit until you see a man in a Bigfoot suit.”
Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 5-8 pm
Egleston YMCA, 3134 Washington St.
Free prizes, food, music, games and entertainment
Rain or Shine
For more information, call Fran Smith at 617-697-8531
Sponsored by 826 Boston, Boston Neighborhood Network, Boston Police Department District E-13, Boston Public Library Egleston Branch, Dimock Center, Friends of the Rafael Hernandez School, Greater Boston Egleston YMCA, Teen Empowerment, The Boston Foundation, Urban Edge.
Join us for the first fall installment of drop-in drinking! Gather with other 826 Boston tutors to share food, drink, and a generally good time.
When: Tuesday, October 14, 2008, 7 pm
Where: Sunset Grill & Tap, 130 Brighton Ave., Allston
Who: Your fellow tutors & anyone who might be interested in getting involved with 826 Boston (i.e., bring a friend!)
Price: Whatever your food & drinks cost.
Hope to see you there!
Egleston Square Community Howl
Join the Egleston Square Community on Friday, October 31 for an afternoon of free activities for all ages!
Wear your costume, bring your friends & family, and get lots of sweet treats while participating in fun activities all afternoon.
2:00-5:00 pm, Neighborhood Treats at Bromley Heath Cave (all ages)
2:00-5:00 pm, Boo to Bad Health at Dimock (10 & under)
3:00-6:00 pm, Scavenger Hunt at 2908 Washington St. (all ages)
3:00-6:00 pm, Scream Empowerment Haunted House (all ages)
4:00-5:00 pm, Scary Stories at 826 Boston (12 & under)
4:30-6:30 pm, Youth Costume Party at 2908 Washington St. (12 & under)
6:00-8:00 pm, Oktober Fest at Yawkey Boys & Girls Club (all ages)
8:30-11:30 pm, Egleston Scare Teen Costume Party at YMCA (15+)
Click here to purchase a limited edition literary broadside.
Click here to preview the one-of-a-kind literary broadsides available for auction.
When: Friday, December 12, 2008 6 to 8 PM
Where: Robert Klein Gallery 38 Newbury Street, Boston, 02116
The Robert Klein Gallery is accessible by MBTA Arlington and Copley stations. Street and lot parking is available; lots are on Exeter St. and on Newbury St. between Dartmouth & Exeter. Please click here for a map of the gallery.
Who: Over 50 well-known artists including Kiki Smith, Jane Marsching, Michael Mazur, David Macaulay, James Jean, Kay Ruane, and youth writers from Boston neighborhoods
What: A unique creative collaboration and art auction to benefit 826 Boston’s writing and tutoring programs for city youth. This event is free and open to the public.
Why: 826 Boston is helping hundreds of Boston’s children and teenagers with their creative and expository writing skills though highly imaginative, free programming offered in city schools and at 826 Boston’s writing and tutoring center in Roxbury’s Egleston Square.
In the spirit of recognizing and nurturing some of Boston’s youngest writers, over 50 artists from Boston and beyond are lending their creative vision to the cause by responding directly to the literary work of youth involved in 826 Boston’s free writing programs. The resulting letter-pressed broadside prints produced by Rope-a-Dope Collaborative will be auctioned off at this event. In addition 25 visual works by leading artists including Kiki Smith, Jane Marsching, Michael Mazur, David Macaulay, James Jean and Kay Ruane, will be auctioned off during a silent auction in order to benefit 826 Boston’s free writing and tutoring programs.
Join your fellow tutors, workshop leaders, story-tellers, designers and all-star volunteers at 826 Boston for a night of appreciation around the holiday season! Come celebrate, exchange tutoring tips and memorable stories about your favorite 826 students, get inspired by interesting people while in a state of mild intoxication, or just meet some new people. New friends welcome.
WHERE: Doyle's Cafe at 3484 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain
WHEN: Tuesday, December 16th, 2008, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Likely later as well.
WHO: You and anyone you would like to bring.
COST: Whatever your drinks and food cost.
Voice of Witness presents Out of Exile
Please join us on Thursday, December 18, 2008, at 7:30 pm at 826 Boston for a very special event by the Voice of Witness project, featuring a reading, discussion and book-signing by editor Craig Walzer, narrators from Out of Exile, an incredible new book about Sudan, and Franco Majok, founder of the Wunlang School in Wunlang, Sudan.
Out of Exile, a collection of oral histories, features an introduction and select interviews by Valentino Achak Deng and Dave Eggers. The book gives voice to victims of abduction, displacement, and slavery in Sudan.
OUT OF EXILE
The Abducted and Displaced People of Sudan
Edited by Craig Walzer
With an introduction, additional interviews, and an afterword by
Dave Eggers, Valentino Achak Deng, and Emmanuel Jal
Decades of conflicts and persecution have driven millions from their homes in all parts of the northeast African country of Sudan. Many thousands more have been enslaved as human spoils of war. In their own words, the narrators of Out of Exile recount their lives before their displacement, the reasons for their flight, and their hopes of someday returning home.
Included are the stories of:
ABUK, a native of South Sudan now living in Boston, who survived ten years as a slave after being captured by an Arab militia.
MARCY AND ROSE, best friends who have spent the vast majority of their lives in a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. They remember almost nothing of their former homes in Sudan.
MATHOK, who struggled to find opportunities as a refugee in Cairo, but eventually fell into a world of gangs and violence.
JOHN, a teacher fighting to keep a school for Sudanese refugees alive in a poverty-stricken slum in Nairobi.
Help 826 Boston win $25,000! Virgin America Airlines is awarding $25,000 to the Boston non-profit that receives the most votes. Help 826 Boston win in 5 easy steps!
1. Log on to revolutiontakesflight.com
2. Click on the "Non-Profit Causes" Tab
3. Scroll down to 826 Boston and click on the "Vote" icon to the left
4. You'll be asked to create a username and log in - you can be sure your vote counted if the white "Vote" plane turns into a pink "Voted" plane.
5. Send the link to a friend!
Thanks for your support of 826 Boston!
The Youth Week Talent Showcase, will be on Wednesday, April 22, from 7 - 9 pm here at 826 Boston. The event is free, open to the public and will feature talented youth from around the Roxbury/JP community. Come out to enjoy original music, poetry, dance, comedy, and more!
Download the Talent Showcase flyer.
826 Boston is partnering with other Egleston Square organizations to hold the 2nd Annual CommUnity Howl on Friday, October 30 from 4-6 pm! Local youth will be participating in a scavenger hunt around the area starting at one of our 4 starting spots and then ending at 826 Boston where there will be a raffle, costume parade, trick-o-treating and other Halloween activities! We are looking for volunteers to help out with this event by setting up the center, chaperoning, and helping with events. Email maya [at] 826boston.org if you're interested in signing up.
You can check out the event flyer by clicking here.
A fundraiser for 826 Boston featuring 
826 Boston, GOOD magazine, and the Greater Boston Bigfoot Research Institute wish to thank the 300+ people who attended the first annual North American Symposium on Sasquatch Research on April 12th! The unique conference– the first of its kind to be held in Boston– attracted throngs of the curious to the Institute including cryptozoologists and citizen scientists.
Mammalologist Eugene Mirman (HBO’s Flight of the Conchords) cracked up the crowd with his own cryptid inventions– the Very Long Mouse and the Harrison Ford-o-Taur– while award-winning author Jim Shepard read “Ancestral Legacies,” a story about soldiers pursuing the yeti. “Yeti Researcher” editor Josh Bearman and the world’s leading cryptozoologist Loren Coleman joined Shepard and Mirman for a panel titled “Does Sasquatch Exist?” The ensemble entertained questions like “Bigfoot: friend or foe?” and “Should it be illegal to shoot a Sasquatch?”
We thank everyone who attended this year’s Symposium! Stay tuned for the Institute’s upcoming film series, which will feature such legendary flicks as “Snow Beast” and “Sasquatch Odyssey.” And, as this year’s Symposium fades, remember the sage words of Bigfoot researcher Daniel Perez– “It looks like a man in a Bigfoot suit until you see a man in a Bigfoot suit.”
OUT OF EXILE
826 Boston is partnering with other Egleston Square organizations to hold the 2nd Annual CommUnity Howl on Friday, October 30 from 4-6 pm! Local youth will be participating in a scavenger hunt around the area starting at one of our 4 starting spots and then ending at 826 Boston where there will be a raffle, costume parade, trick-o-treating and other Halloween activities! We are looking for volunteers to help out with this event by setting up the center, chaperoning, and helping with events. Email 