Sonja's Boston Blog

Whether you're in the mood for the newest blockbuster, an obscure foreign release, a raved-about art house film, or a midnight sing-a-long, chances are one of these Boston-area theaters will have what you're looking for. Read more.

This Friday and Saturday the School of the Museum of Fine Arts holds its annual Spring Sidewalk Sale. Browse a selection of ceramics, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more made and sold by SMFA students. It's a great time to stock up on gifts or just get something to spruce up your home or office. Read more...

Coming up on Saturday, May 24 is the 15th annual Radio 92.9 Earthfest, Boston's largest free radio station concert. Headlining this year's main stage concert is popular alternative rock band Cake. In addition to musical performances, Earthfest will feature family friendly activities and booths with educational displays, exhibits, and food and product samples. Previous Earthfests have drawn more than 100,000 people. Read more.

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins at sunset on Thursday, May 1 this year. Yom Hashoah is the day chosen by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in 1951 to mourn the millions of people killed in the Holocaust.

The New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston was dedicated in October 1995 to encourage remembrance of and reflection on the great tragedy of the Holocaust. Learn more about the New England Holocaust Memorial and explore a photo gallery of the Memorial.

Photo: Detail of New England Holocaust Memorial. Sonja L. Cohen.

May is a busy month: Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Red Sox games, the Boston Pops. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month. Read more.

Starting this May, Bank of America's annual Museums on Us! month is going year-round. Since 1998 the bank has offered free museum admission in the month of May to customers in participating states, but now the promotion has been expanded from one month to the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. The promotion is both a thank you to customers and a means of increasing public awareness of artistic and cultural institutions. Read more.

Mother's Day is May 11, so you still have a couple of weeks left to plan something nice for your mom. Whether it's a trip to the ballet, a brunch cruise, or a simple picnic in the park, there are plenty of fun things happening in Boston this Mother's Day. Here are some tips on gifts for mom, as well as a list of Boston-area Mother's Day activities. Read more.

If you want to take your mom out for a nice meal this Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11), you should probably make your reservations soon. To help you pick someplace nice, I've compiled a list of some Boston-area restaurants offering special Mother's Day teas, brunches, or dinners. Read more.

It's April Vacation Week and creative young minds can explore the art of printmaking at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. From Tuesday, April 22 through Friday, April 25, the MFA will be hosting the Cogan Family Foundation Vacation Week Adventures, a weeklong series of family activities. Activities will include calligraphy, stamping, printmaking, and papermaking. There will also be demonstrations by special guest Clair Lee Walker, a local artist and author who will demonstrate drawing techniques, and Laura Ziman, a storyteller who will entertain younger children in the galleries. For more information, visit mfa.org.

Tuesday, April 22 through Friday, April 25 from 10 am to 4 pm
Free for children 17 and under with paid adult admission.
(617) 369-3300
mfa.org

Looking for more ways to keep your kids busy? Check out the Top 10 Children's Activities in Boston and Fun Indoor Children's Activities.

The Back Bay is known for being, along with Beacon Hill, one of Boston's wealthiest neighborhoods. It is the home of Boston's tallest buildings and America's oldest public library, and its commercial streets, most notably Newbury and Boylston, are some of the most popular shopping destinations in the city. This photo gallery will give you a look at some of the Back Bay's highlights. Read more.

Photo courtesy Larry Stritof