Response Post: Can Boston Ever be Fun?
While local laws have a historical reputation for regulating and restricting the Bostonian people’s inclination to have fun, we cannot fail to mention the number of Boston natives and migrants who have made a legacy in the business of joy-spreading and memory-building. Epicenter Community is honored to partner with and to support some of these against-the-grain thinkers whom are the true “late-night task force” heroes. We can continue to fight for a lift of the BYOB ban and play chase the pop-up venue with the Boston Police Department; but those solutions are simply band-aids covering up the systematic social and economic issues that, over many years, have failed to heal. There are bigger problems at the heart of Boston’s described ‘inability to have fun,’ and it comes down to limitations that most directly affect people and families outside of the Downtown, Back Bay and South End streets. Limitations that force region to determine the rate of social mobility and equity. Epicenter has long now championed a handful of these issues, and will continue to bring to light the amazing talents and ideals of our community’s status-quo fighting innovators and creatives.
Boston may not be inherently fun, but Bostonians sure are. The Hub’s folks and communities have built this city’s nightlife and music scene despite antiquated systems — but not without hard work, excellent partnerships, and ingenious ideas. Boston has no lack of talent and intelligence, and we are proud to support organizations like CLLCTV Boston and OvaEZ who both focus on helping people come together through dance and high spirits.
These two groups plus others around Boston are taking the idea of day-into-next-day dance parties to the next level. By extending party hours, these events allow for more musical exposure, more community partnerships, and of course — more fun. And day parties are not the only events that has been ramping up Boston’s social scene: day drinking spots and specialty brunches have been getting their fair share of notoriety. If you haven’t yet experienced Not Your Average Boston’s RnB Brunch at the Causeway or Dudley Cafe’s Jazz brunch, then you are missing out on good food and even better vibes.
It is clear that music is one underlying themes of Boston’s unique connectivity. Music breeds community — and our music scene is on the up-and-up. Indie bands and hip-hop artists alike are getting recognition for their talents, and more importantly, are using those talents to bring people together. Just ask Killer BoomBox or Xperience Creative, who host a widely popular hip-hop party called the The Workout; they never fail to have a long set list of unbelievably talented and diverse DJs to spin dope vibes all night long.
Boston’s innovators are helping our city thrive, but current systems are not setting them up for sustainable success. Epicenter has been bringing community member together to organize for the reconstruction of Boston’s liquor licensing laws for years now, and our time spent in hearings and in conversation with restaurant owners has brought to light the severity of the liquor licensing cap and the hindrance it places on small businesses. To learn more about the history of and issues surrounding liquor licensing check out BINJ’s The Thirsty Games: Rounds I and II.
Our creatives, organizers, and lovers of fun have stepped up to the plate ready and able to put Boston’s nightlife and music scene on the map, but it is clear the progress will be hard fought without the support of city leadership. It is about time for all of Boston to agree to move our social scene into the 21st century.
