City Calendar

Thursday

June 1

• 12:00 AM

  Symbolism and Subversion: An Exhibition of Jennifer Regan's Stitched Narratives

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  On Display May 2 - July 31 Lobby & Second Floor, Main Library When author Jennifer Regan moved to Cambridge in the late 1980s, she had an artistic and feminist awakening. She had recently left behind a whirlwind life as the spouse of a prominent Buffalo politician. Newly divorced, middle aged, and in an unfamiliar city, Regan found artistic expression in poetry, painting, and most significantly quilt making or rather creating "stitched narratives," thematic stories sewn with symbolism and subversion. Reworking the traditional themes of American quilts, such as a focus on biblical stories, she created narratives negotiating femininity, marriage, motherhood, and society through a feminist lens. For some of her pieces, Cambridge became a focal point - either directly inspiring her or serving as her subject. The Renaissance, politics, and societal inequities deeply influenced her other pieces. Regan's career as an artist in Cambridge flourished and she created over 100 pieces between 1989 and 2006. Her stitched narratives can be found in the New England Quilt Museum and Burchfield Penny Art Center collections. This exhibit features the Library's newly acquired Jennifer Regan Stitched Narratives and explores the ways in which Cambridge influenced her artwork and new feminist perspective. View these exciting new additions to the Library's Archives and Special Collections on display at the Main Library in the Lobby and the Second Floor. Join us for an opening reception on May 11 at 6:30 pm with a talk by quilt expert Pamela Weeks and educator Jennifer Regan as they discuss the rise of arts quilts and Jennifer Regan's role in the movement.

• 10:00 AM

  Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Would you like to make your own vinyl signs, stickers, or images to transfer to T-shirts and other textiles? In this workshop, you can learn how to use our Roland Camm-1 GS-24 vinyl cutter. You can then design a sticker and cut it with our vinyl cutter! Registration is required. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

• 11:00 AM

  Toddler Story Time (Main)

  Main Library, Rey Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  We invite children and their caregivers for 20-25 minutes of stories and songs. Children ages 2-3 and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 45 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.

• 2:00 PM

  Videography 101 (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Step into the Hive's state-of-the-art recording studio and film a short video of yourself in front of our green screen. Then, spend some time becoming familiar with video editing software while working with your footage. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

• 2:30 PM

  STEAM Academy: iFp Studio

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Studio is a teen-powered design and innovation program where teens channel their energy and creative vision to imagine and build a better world. Blending art, design, science, technology, and storytelling within a social justice framework, teens engage in real-world client-sponsored projects. Innovators for Purpose (iFp) is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that inspires high-potential, diverse young people to discover their passions, develop innovative mindsets and cultivate marketable skills to solve problems they care most about. Summer Studio teens are funded in part through the Mayor's Summer Youth Employment Program. The Cambridge Public Library STEAM Academy is part of Cambridge STEAM Initiative's efforts to enhance and expand students’ access to quality STEAM learning experiences. Made possible by generous support from the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund and Verizon.

• 4:00 PM

  Afternoon Sing-Along (Main)

  Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  It's a Library dance party! All ages. This program can accommodate 130 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.

• 4:30 PM

  24 Annual Youth Poetry Awards (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Join us for the 24 Annual Youth Poetry Awards celebrating youth poets K-8 who live or attend school in Cambridge.

• 5:30 PM

  Fiber Arts Adventure with Lenni: A Machine-Sewing Workshop Series

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Continue building your machine-sewing skills AND create bespoke sewn crafts! Design your own fiber arts adventure under as you make dinner napkins, high-visability patches for being seen at night, and customized wearable Hivemade creations. This four-part series is led by fiber artist and designer Lenni Armstrong. Skills practiced include: identifying and straightening a fabric's grain, straight stitching, making hems and more. Registration is required. Those registered for the first session will automatically be enrolled in the following weeks. Spots are very limited; kindly only enroll if you plan to make all four workshops. May 18 May 25 June 1 June 8 This workshop is designed for patrons who know the basics of how to use our Janome sewing machines.