sparkle in December

With Sparklefest already underway it is easy to see why Harvard Square literally shines this time of year. Sparklefest features so many activities that we couldn't possibly list them all, but have tried to highlight a few of our favorites. The month gets off to a running start on Sunday, December 2^nd with the Yulefest 5K taking place in and around Harvard Square. The following weekends, treat you taste buds to the multiple flavors of the season. On Saturday, December 8^th, celebrate the start of Hanukah with Everyone Loves Latkes. On Sunday, December 16^th get into the Christmas spirit by having Breakfast with Santa at the Inn at Harvard.

If you feel the need to burn off a few of those extra calories, on December 16^th, you may wish to head off to the Charles Hotel and open up the ice skating rink for the season.  The opening of the rink at the Charles Hotel is family friendly event that can truly be enjoyed by everyone.

Should you prefer to burn though that long list of gifts to buy, check out the Harvard Square Holiday Fair taking place on selective dates throughout December. You are sure to find just the right and unique gift for anyone on your list.

With all the hurrying around this time of the year, it can be nice to take the time to enjoy the season. The Choir of St. Paul’s will be celebrating the season with music on December 21^st, 23^rd, and 24^th.The December 23^rd performance features an organ recital.

The above events are just a few of the many, many events going on in the area this month. For more information about Sparklefest events please visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Sparklefest-2012-in-Harvard-Square!.aspx. Please keep in mind that while some of the events are free, some require an admission and some require advanced tickets.

Finally, at the end of the month (and year) comes one of Boston’s biggest celebrations of the year. First night has been a tradition in Boston for 35 years and each year it just keeps growing. With family friendly events throughout the city and two fireworks displays (an early smaller one for everyone who can’t stay up and a larger one at midnight to mark the new year), First night is the party of the year in Boston. First Night buttons are required for admission to most indoor performances, but outdoor activities, including the magnificent ice sculptures on Boston Common are free. First Night buttons may be purchased at many local businesses. Please visit http://www.firstnight.org/ for a schedule of events and First Night button details.

We at Harding House wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a joyful New Year!

November happenings...

Music, food and out of this world experiences are just a few of things Harvard Square has to offer this November.

The Fourth Annual Folk Music History Month in Harvard Square will feature live music, lectures and special movie events at various venues across Harvard Square all month long. This celebration of folk music in all its forms is sure to have something for everyone. For more information and to see the schedule of events please visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Forever-Young--The-4th-Annual-Folk-Music-History-M.aspx .

With all the weather changes this time of year, you might think that this planet is a little strange, however, the Harvard Smithsonian Center Astrophysics public event this month will make you feel like you live a perfectly normal planet, comparatively speaking. On Thursday, November 15th, "Strange planetary vistas from Kepler" will the topic of discussion at the Center. The focus of the discussion will be on the incredible diversity of planets observed of  NASA's Kepler mission. For more information please visit http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/events/mon.html . Just remember that as strange as things are around here, at least we are not orbiting two suns.

Not orbiting two suns is just one of things we can be thankful for around here. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Well, for some of us, we can be thankful that we don't have to cook on Thanksgiving. For your convince and true treat for your taste palate, many of the restaurants in Harvard Square will not only be open on Thanksgiving Day (November 22nd), but many of them will be offer special  menus choice and selected wine pairings. Check out http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/News/Come-Celebrate-Thanksgiving-in-Harvard-Square.aspx for more information and samples of the menu offerings at many of the restaurants serving up special menus. Please note that reservations are highly recommended.

We at Harding House wish you a wonderful November and hope that no matter where your plans take you, you remember to enjoy the ride as well as the destination. 

-Audra

October is upon us!

It's Autumn in New England! Time to grab your pumpkin  coffee, donut, muffin, bread, or pie and get going on those wonderful fall adventures.

This October starts off with a twist-- “Sun Day on a Saturday” at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics offers a chance for the curious to see for themselves what is happening on the surface of the sun.  With all the talk in the news lately about solar events and the effect solar activities has on us on Earth, this is a great chance to see for yourself what all the fuss is about. This event is open to the whole family. Please visit http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/events/public_events.html for additional information. And well you are at it, check out the information this month's Observatory Night. October's topic covers the search for Earth-like planets. Are there more life sustaining planets out there?

The next day, you will have no doubt that there is life around here. The 34^th annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest and Honk Parade will take place on Sunday, October 7th. With seven different stages, music lovers of all genres will be sure to find something to their liking. In fact, marching band enthusiast will probably find more than one thing to their liking. The Honk Parade features 35 marching bands parading from Davis Square to Harvard Square. Talk about making little noise. The procession starts at Noon in Davis Square and ends at 1pm in Harvard Square, just in time to join the fun of Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest kicks off at Noon and wraps at 6pm. Please visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Oktoberfest-Entertainment-Lineup-Announced.aspx for performance schedules and more information. (...because this is New England in the Fall, there is a backup plan in case of rain. The rain date is Monday, October 8^th).

Let's hope the rain stays away October 20th and 21st for  the 48 Annual Head of the Charles Regatta . With 9,0000 rowers, the Head of the Charles is the largest two day regatta in the world. And, when you are weaving your way through the 300,000 expected spectators lining the banks of the Charles River, it will feel like the largest two day regatta in the world. For additional information, please visit http://hocr.org/ .

Rather you are on the banks of the river, at a football game, or stroll a college campus during parents' weekend, remember to bring a sweater as the temperatures have started to drop along with the leaves.

Cool September Days

After another long, lazy, sticky summer, the cooler air of September seems to wake us all up and reminds us to dust offer our collective social calendars. This weekend gets things moving in Harvard Square with the New England Americana Festival. With five venues and three nights music, Harvard Square will be jumping September 13th-15th. For performance and ticket information please visit http://newenglandamericana.com/ . For a special treat, check out the Free Daytime Outdoor Stage at Winthrop Park on Saturday, September 15th.

If music is not your thing-how about something a little more “out there”? The Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics opens itself up to the public once a month for free public lectures. On September 20th the topic will be "Hunting Alien Moons." For more information and a list of upcoming public events at the center please visit http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/events/public_events.html . Admission is free, but seating is limited.

Around that same time, on Earth we will be finding our balance. On September 23rd, the 9th annual Revels Reversing  celebrating the Autumnal Equinox will occur. The free event is perfect for families. After a kick off at Winthrop Park at 5pm, follow by a 5:45pm procession to the Charles River, the singing goes into high gear at 6pm. For more information check out the Revels website http://www.revels.org/ .

 No matter what you do in the coming weeks, we at Harding House hope you will take a minute to savor these last few warm days of late summer and enjoy this wonderful time of year when days are still bright and the sunshine is still warm, they will gone before you know it. 

-Audra

this weekend music and history!

On Saturday, June 16th, Harvard Square will be filled with the sound of music! The fifth annual Make Music Harvard Square/Fete de la Musique  will  feature more than 70 musicians representing a broad spectrum of music from folk to classical. Inspired by the annual street music festival in Paris, this event is sure to be a delight for all music lovers. For more information including a performance schedule, please visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/News/Calling-All-Musicians!--The-Fifth-Annual-Fete-de-l.aspx

Before or after the music, you may wish to see a bit of old Cambridge. Cambridge Historical Tours will be celebrating their grand opening on Saturday during the Fete de la Musique with a ribbon cutting on Winthrop St at 1:30pm. To celebrate their grand opening, guides will be leading frees tours in the afternoon and be sure to keep an eye for the costumed guides on stage between musical sets on two of the festival stages. For more information visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/Home/Articles/Cambridge-Historical-Tours-Grand-Opening-Event.aspx