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Palmer Plays: A New Music & Event Series
March 27, 2022
on Sundays This Spring on Pedestrian-Friendly Palmer Street in Harvard Square
This Series Has Been Made Possible By Cambridge Plays
The Harvard Square Business Association is pleased to announce a Spring Concert and Events Series on Sundays in Palmer Street in the heart of Harvard Square. Each Sunday through May 29th from 11am – 7pm, Palmer Street will be closed to vehicular traffic. Adorned with fresh spring flowers, new tables and chairs, and even a piano, Palmer Spring provides the perfect respite from a fun-filled day in the Square.
All of our Palmer Plays events are free and open to the public.
March 27 3pm
VibeCheck
VibeCheck is a band from Cambridge made up of teenage multi-instrumentalists, songwriters and producers. Playing a repertoire of indie, electro, rock, funk covers and originals, they can often be found performing in Harvard Square to raptured audiences.
April 3 12pm
Sinti Rhythm
Sinti Rhythm is an acoustic, hot-jazz quartet performing vintage swing in the style of the great Django Reinhardt. Their repertoire includes standards from the Great American Songbook, lesser-known gems from the ’20s and ’30s, compositions by Django, and original pieces. Their instrumentation is clarinet, two guitars, and string bass, played with a propulsive, infectious beat that hearkens back to the pre-war heyday of classic jazz.
April 10 12pm
VibeCheck
VibeCheck is a band from Cambridge made up of teenage multi-instrumentalists, songwriters and producers. Playing a repertoire of indie, electro, rock, funk covers and originals, they can often be found performing in Harvard Square to raptured audiences.
April 17 3pm
Squares in the Square
Squares in the Square are a whipped up soul, RnB, jazz, and funk band with the soul of JB Jr. that can be heard performing on Brattle Plaza in Harvard Square year-round.
April 24 12:30pm
Hare on the Chair Children’s Event
The Harvard Coop, in partnership with the Harvard Square Business Association, is proud to present an afternoon of fun and curiosity in Harvard Square on Sunday, April 24th from 12:30pm – 2:00pm on pedestrian friendly Palmer Street. Author and award-winning elementary educator emerita, Mary Palumbo, will read from her children’s book, THE HARE on the CHAIR. Geared to 3 to 8-year-olds, this is a timeless story that encourages children to learn from mistakes, reassures them that missteps are part of growth, and that learning is a continuous cycle built on relationships, wisdom, courage and yes, even fun. Come meet Mary, her cousin Annie, and join a Storytime reading of this encouraging adventure, and have your own copy of THE HARE on the CHAIR signed. The first 10 people to buy the book will receive a FREE Plush Hare ($18.95 value)!
In addition, there will be a coloring table, take home surprises, tot-friendly treats to eat and music to enjoy!
12:30pm – Storytime Reading
1:00pm to 2:00pm– meet the author, learn about her inspiration, and enjoy craft activities
May 1 11am
Kim Moberg
Kim draws inspiration from both traditional and contemporary musical forms of Americana, Folk, and Country genres. A self taught finger pick style acoustic guitarist, Kim’s passionate and heartfelt vocals mesmerize listeners while her compositions tug at feelings of melancholy, heartbreak and healing and speak to reunion, awakening and social consciousness.
May 8 1pm
Sinti Rhythm
Sinti Rhythm is an acoustic, hot-jazz quartet performing vintage swing in the style of the great Django Reinhardt. Their repertoire includes standards from the Great American Songbook, lesser-known gems from the ’20s and ’30s, compositions by Django, and original pieces. Their instrumentation is clarinet, two guitars, and string bass, played with a propulsive, infectious beat that hearkens back to the pre-war heyday of classic jazz.
May 8 4pm
Sold By Weight Brass Band
Sold By Weight Brass Band brings groovy voicings to a wide mix of composers. From Duke Ellington to Led Zeppelin, to Youngblood Brass to Wulfpeck and Jellyroll Morton, done with an eclectic brass handle attached, so you can carry them off into the funky NOLA-influenced bayou in your mind. Who needs guitars!?
May 22 2pm
OldJack
A Harvard Square favorite! Since their first show way back in 2008, critics and fans knew there was something unique about OldJack. Hailed as the most underrated band in Boston, with three guitars, bass, drums, organ/keys, a female background singer, and a front man from yesterday, OldJack belts out their original material with lots of harmonies, big vocals, and guitar solos galore.
May 29 2pm
Quentin Callewaert
21 year old Quentin Callewaert has only been on the music scene for a few years now, but he is creating a major buzz as one of the most gifted guitarists around. Classically trained, Quentin’s interest in fingerstyle acoustic guitar was inspired by Doc Watson, Merle Travis and Tommy Emmanuel. He is also a gifted singer with a refreshingly bluesy voice that compliments his blend of Americana, gospel and bluegrass.
May 29 4pm
Honest Mechanik
Honest Mechanik is an indie-pop duo featuring Susan Cattaneo and Paul Hansen. With quirky lyrics and ear-worm melodies and dual lead vocals, Honest Mechanik has the vibe of The Velvet Underground paired with the intimacy of Belle and Sebastian.
Cambridge Plays is a series of outdoor entertainment events sponsored by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Office for Tourism, and community partners. Come out and enjoy live music across the city from April to June across the city! Whether you’re up for jazz in Harvard Square, a funky dance party with lawn games in Toomey Park, Eats & Crafts in Inman Square, or even yoga at Dana Park, Cambridge Plays has something for everyone. All events are free and open to the public and fun for people of all ages and abilities. Cambridge Plays is sponsored by the City of Cambridge Community Development Department, Cambridge Arts, the Cambridge Office for Tourism, Central Square Business Improvement District, East Cambridge Business Association, Harvard Square Business Association, Harvard University, Lesley Art + Design, and MIT’s Office of Open Space Programming.
