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The Huntington News

Lovestruck Books has heartwarming grand opening in Harvard Square

Eleanor Hardy, news staff

January 27, 2025

Lovestruck Books decorates its exterior with pink, white and magenta balloons. Alongside books, the store set out candy and hosted multiple raffles throughout their opening weekend.

Emily Rodriguez

Lovestruck Books decorates its exterior with pink, white and magenta balloons. Alongside books, the store set out candy and hosted multiple raffles throughout their opening weekend.

Lovestruck Books, Boston’s first brick-and-mortar romance bookstore, opened its doors for three all-day celebrations over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. It officially opened in December 2024 at 44 Brattle St. in Cambridge.

The opening festivities Jan. 17 featured a talk by young adult author Chloe Gong, known for her acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, free George Howell Coffee tastings from its cafe and love-oriented interactive activities. On vibrant pink tables there were craft bracelet stations as part of a collaboration with

“It’s cozy,” said visitor Ruby Barenberg. “I love finding new spaces to chat and sit with friends — places designed for women and people who have similar hobbies.”

Lovestruck specializes in romance and holds prominent historical, young adult and fantasy sections. It also has limited nonfiction and non-romance sections, including a children’s area nestled in its back corner.

“There’s something for everyone here,” said local children’s book author Sarah Jean Horwitz. “It’s very involved.” Horwitz attended a local author panel held virtually by Lovestruck the previous week. Lovestruck plans to host future meet-ups and events designed for emerging local authors, including a Meet Your Local Authors panel scheduled for Feb. 2.

Rachel Kanter founded Lovestruck to “reinvigorate” the lack of inclusive and accessible community spaces lost after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bookstore and cafe is independently woman-owned and operated, mimicking the romance genre’s history — romance literature emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as the sole genre primarily authored for and by women.

“For so many people, romance is the only area they see women’s stories and pleasure being centered,” Kanter said. A lifelong romance reader, Kanter used to be “self-conscious” about her love for romance literature, a genre often dismissed among academics and in pop culture.

Romance literature reached an all-time high in 2023, emerging as the most popular genre in the United States. This increase in popularity can be attributed to social media usage during the pandemic, which invigorated online book-sharing platforms like “BookTok” on TikTok. Readers hoping to escape the confines of quarantine and seek accessible, fun entertainment turned to romance.

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Broadway World

Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals Names Cynthia Erivo 2025 Woman of the Year

The company will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall.

By: Stephi Wild Jan. 22, 2025

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals has named Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning and two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of the Year Award. 

The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding – Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20pm. Afterward, Ms. Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations. 

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals Names Cynthia Erivo 2025 Woman of the Year Image

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals has named Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning and two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of the Year Award. 

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The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding – Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20pm. Afterward, Ms. Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations. 

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

“Looks like someone might need to hold Cynthia’s hand—or finger—during this roast,” joked Hasty Pudding Producer Daisy Nussbaum. “That said, we promise not to be as mean as the wizard. By the end, she’ll be the one who’s truly popular with the crowd.”

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WGBH

Closure of a beloved bar in Harvard Square prompts questions about landlord

Phillip Martin

January 21, 2025

In late December, Dan McGuire said goodbye to friends and longtime patrons of Whitneys of Harvard Square, and locked the doors for good.

Whitneys was one of the neighborhood’s oldest establishments, a mainstay on busy John F. Kennedy Street since 1953. McGuire was forced to close after losing an eviction battle with his landlord, billionaire Gerald Chan.

A spokesperson for Chan says McGuire owed some $44,000 in past due rent. But McGuire countered that he withheld rent following a dispute over upgrades to the building’s electricity system.He claims Chan wanted him out because his bar doesn’t fit Chan’s “profile.”

Chan owns about 13 properties in Harvard Square, making him second only to Harvard University when it comes to property ownership in the neighborhood, according to the Harvard Square Business Association. His holdings include 40 Bow St., which he restored and was honored in 2017 with a Cambridge Preservation Award . Chan’s properties also include the long-shuttered Harvard Square Theater, the empty Dickson Bros. hardware store and the restaurant once occupied by Upstairs on the Square, no longer open to the public.

Some community members worry the once-vibrant urban center filled with local shops is losing its character. The city has tried to step in to address the issues of vacant properties and intimidation tactics. Business owners and leaders say problems have accelerated with Chan’s real estate investments; his companies have purchased some $170 million in property since 2012, according to the Harvard Square Business Association.

McGuire said the neighborhood has turned into a “billionaire’s playground.”

“It’s almost like he wants this to be his square — and it is becoming his square,” he said.

Chan was not available to comment for this story. But Dan White, a manager for the real estate investment firm he owns, Mayhaw LLC, said changes in the square are simply a matter of dollars and cents.

“That is the nature of the business,’’ White said.“We want the square to be as vibrant as we can, and we do our best to make that happen.”

read more…

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Harvard Gazette

Cynthia Erivo is Hasty’s Woman of the Year

‘Wicked’ star will receive Pudding Pot on Feb. 5

January 21, 2025 2 min read

“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo has been named the recipient of the 2025 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Award, Hasty Pudding Theatricals announced on Tuesday.

From Erivo’s celebrated performances in the film “Harriet” and Broadway’s “The Color Purple” to her recently critically acclaimed role as Elphaba in Universal’s “Wicked: Part One,” the Pudding is proud to celebrate her truly unique and impactful presence in the world of entertainment, said organizers.

Erivo is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and producer, as well as an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG nominee. Erivo will guest star in the second season of “Poker Face,” Peacock’s critically acclaimed series starring Natasha Lyonne.

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Hannah Frazer, Man and Woman of the Year events coordinator. “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

“Looks like someone might need to hold Cynthia’s hand — or finger — during this roast,” joked Hasty Pudding producer Daisy Nussbaum. “That said, we promise not to be as mean as the wizard. By the end, she’ll be the one who’s truly popular with the crowd.”

The Woman of the Year Award is Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the prize has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Erivo on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20 p.m. Afterward, Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production “101 Damnations.” 

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NPR

Sense of Place: This Harvard Square club is a longtime haven for folk musicians

January 21, 2025 1:21 PM ET

By Raina Douris, Miguel Perez

Matt Smith, Club Passim’s managing director

George Murphy/WXPN

Cambridge, Mass., is full of grand academic buildings. It’s a place that oozes prestige, grandeur and history.

But nestled in an alley in Harvard Square, down some stairs and so unassuming that you might walk by without even realizing it was there, is a legendary music venue as important as any of Cambridge’s stately halls.

Club Passim has been a sanctuary for folk music for over 60 years. Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Bob Dylan and arguably any major folk musician you can think of have all performed at this intimate venue.

To kick off our Sense of Place: Boston series, we talked with Club Passim’s managing director, Matt Smith, to find out how this modest club became a cornerstone of Boston’s music scene.

Smith and World Cafe host Raina Douris on the stage of Club Passim.

George Murphy/WXPN

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Boston Globe

George Howell comes full circle in Harvard Square; The Regal Eagle lands in Sharon

Plus, Bakey comes to Kendall Square, and Marseille closes in the South End

By Kara Baskin Globe Correspondent,Updated January 16, 2025, 10:40 a.m.

George Howell Coffee Café is now open at the new Lovestruck Books (44 Brattle St.) in Harvard Square. It’s a homecoming for Howell, who started The Coffee Connection in the Square 50 years ago. Sip coffee alongside breakfast sandwiches and lunchtime toasts. The café also has plans to become a wine bar by night.

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Boston Eater

Where to Eat Around Harvard

13 spots that work for any situation, from late-night pizza to high-end dinners perfect for when the parents visit

by Celina Colby and Annie Harrigan  Updated Jan 15, 2025, 2:22pm EST

Harvard University’s neighborhood in Cambridge, Harvard Square, is home to an excellent restaurant scene. Diverse options ranging from Japanese barbecue to a bakery specializing in Belgian liège waffles mean that residents, students, and staffers alike don’t need to travel outside of the area for great food. Here are 13 spots bound to check the box for any type of situation, from quick, wallet-friendly meals to high-end dinners perfect for when the parents visit.

Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Season to Taste

Following a recent relocation to a larger space on Massachusetts Avenue, Season to Taste is back in action with chef and owner Robert Harris’ upscale take on local, farm-to-table dining. The restaurant boasts an elegant, intimate dining room and a seasonal menu featuring local fare like Nantucket Bay scallops and Island Creek oysters alongside globe-trotting dishes like miso-braised cabbage with Calabrian chilis and crispy arepas with Colombian beans and apple celeriac slaw.

1678 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

(617) 826-9037

Visit Website

Two arepas in a white sauce with pickled vegetables and cheese sprinkled over top.
Arepas at Season to Taste.

Felipe’s Taqueria

In the infamous battle between Felipe’s Taqueria and El Jefe’s Taqueria to be named the best Mexican spot in Harvard Square, we are staking a claim for Felipe’s. While Felipe’s may not stay open as late as El Jefe’s, it does have something that its nemesis does not: a rooftop bar.

21 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 354-9944

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Russell House Tavern

Looking for somewhere to take your parents (or, have your parents take you, and pay) for family weekend? Russell House Tavern has got you covered. Located in heart of Harvard Square, Russell House Tavern has a sprawling menu of pizzas, pastas, and a raw bar with oysters, clams, and chilled lobster tails.

14 John F. Kennedy St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 500-3055

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A white plate filled with black-shelled mussels mixed with fries.
Chatham mussels and fries at Russell House Tavern.

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The Hourly Oyster House

This seafood-heavy spot serves scallops, salmon, calamari, and, you guessed it, oysters. The ample raw bar and New England-inspired menu pair with craft cocktails and a well curated beer and wine list.

15 Dunster St (Mount Auburn), Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 765-2342

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Wusong Road Tiki Bar

This two-story tiki bar and dim sum restaurant is serving up some of the best drinks and small plates in Cambridge, not to mention an immersive, highly-decorated interior that changes with the seasons.

112 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 528-9125

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Two wooden peacock-style chairs sit in front of an intricately carved wooden table in a tiki-themed restaurant.
Inside Wusong Road.

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Sally’s Sandwiches

Located in Harvard’s Smith Campus Center, Sally’s Sandwiches and Blackbird Doughnuts is your one-stop shop for some of the best sandwiches and doughnuts in Cambridge. If you’re in the mood for a savory breakfast, go for the Gallows breakfast sandwich — complete with fried eggs, bacon, cheese, avocado, spicy aioli, and a hashbrown on an Italian baguette, this sandwich is the perfect morning or afternoon pick-me-up. Or if you’re hankering for something sweet, you can’t go wrong with one of Blackbird’s classic doughnuts like the Boston creme or salted toffee.

11 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 482-9000

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CBS News

Massachusetts restaurant donating drink sales proceeds to California fire relief efforts

By Paul Burton

Updated on: January 12, 2025 / 1:43 PM EST / CBS Boston

CAMBRIDGE – As wildfires continue to cause destruction in California, people and businesses in Massachusetts are looking for ways to help victims. One restaurant in Cambridge is doing its part to support relief efforts by donating proceeds from part of their menu.

Donating to wildlife victims

Source Restaurants, located on Church Street in Harvard Square, is donating all the money from their Perfect Harmony Drink.

“We are going to be donating our proceeds from the Perfect Harmony to go out to the families and all of the people out in California to help get them back on their feet,” owner Brian Kavorkian said.   

The restaurant is partnering with World Central Kitchen, which provides hot food and cold drinks to first responders on the frontlines of the fires. 

Kavorkian says he’s happy to know their impact is now being felt and fed across the country. 

“Terrifying and one of the worst things I’ve ever seen, and I lived in California, so seeing that makes me feel so sad for all the people that I know out there,” he said.

Source Restaurants prides itself on supporting nearby communities by using products that are within 100 miles of their restaurant, so they said they are more than happy to help people who will need to rebuild in other communities.

“It means a lot to me to give back there, especially to the communities, because you know the struggles that the people are going through, and it’s going to be so hard to get your life back on track,” he said. 

Brian says Source Restaurants will be donating the proceeds from The Perfect Harmony Drink from now until the end of the month.

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WGBH

The Brian O’Donovan Legacy Artist Grant will be awarded for the first time at BCMFest

Listen • 23:57

Boston Public Radio

Brian O'Donovan pictured on stage during a production of "A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn," March 16, 2019. He's greeting the audience, with his arms outstretched.
Brain O’Donovan hosting “A St. Patrick’s Day Celtic Sojourn,” March 16, 2019
Nicole Updated Headshot

Nicole Garcia

January 10, 2025

The 22nd Annual Boston Celtic Music Festival will take place from Jan. 16-19 across various venues in Cambridge and Somerville. The event celebrates the traditions of Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois and other Celtic cultures.

A Brian O’Donovan Legacy Artist Grant will be awarded for the first time at this year’s festival.

The grant recognizes an artist who embodies the spirit of community and musical collaboration. Rakish, the inaugural recipient, will be featured during the festival finale, with more artists to be announced, along with a tribute to O’Donovan.

“We wanted to do something that would celebrate his musical legacy,” said Lindsay O’Donovan, reflecting on her late husband’s influence on the Boston Celtic music scene on Boston Public Radio Friday.

One of the festival performers, fiddler Hanneke Cassel, credits Brian O’Donovan for fostering the spirit of live music.

“It’s really hard to even come up with a great description of everything he did for the scene,” said Cassel. “Boston is such a unique place … bringing together the Irish, Cape Breton and Scottish communities.”

The festival has expanded over the past two decades, reflecting the growing appreciation for Celtic traditions in Boston.

“We were doing things mostly in Harvard Square, but being able to expand it into bigger spaces in Davis Square has been a really great thing to bring more people in,” said Matt Smith, managing director at Club Passim. “This is the biggest BCMFest ever.”

“When you’re playing music with people, it kind of surpasses … even if people have different ideas and opinions about how things should be run, music brings that together,” said Cassel.