Massachusetts NOW Rally to End Period Poverty

by Patrick Wilson

On Thursday, October 5th, 2023, the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition (MMEC) will hold a rally at the State House to support the I AM Bill to Increase Access to Menstrual Products (H. 534/S. 1381). The bill is currently being considered by the Public Health Committee, and the MMEC is urging supporters to attend the rally and make their voices heard.

Period poverty is a serious problem in Massachusetts, with one in five students struggling to afford menstrual products. This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including school absenteeism, health problems, and social isolation. The I AM Bill would help to address period poverty by ensuring that free menstrual products are available in schools, shelters, and prisons.

The MMEC is a coalition of over 400 menstrual activists and organizations working to end period poverty in Massachusetts. The coalition has been advocating for the I AM Bill for several years, and the rally on October 5th is a key part of their campaign.

Why is the I AM Bill important?

The I AM Bill is important because it would help to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts has access to the menstrual products they need. This is essential for public health, education, and equity.

Period poverty can have a number of negative consequences for people who menstruate. For example, people who cannot afford menstrual products may have to miss school or work, or they may have to use unsanitary methods to manage their periods. This can lead to health problems, such as urinary tract infections and infections of the reproductive tract.

Period poverty can also have a negative impact on people’s social lives. People who cannot afford menstrual products may avoid participating in social activities because they are worried about leaking or having an accident. This can lead to social isolation and stigma.

The I AM Bill would help to address these problems by ensuring that free menstrual products are available to everyone who needs them. This would help to improve public health, education, and equity for all people in Massachusetts who menstruate.

How to get involved

There are a number of ways to get involved in the fight to end period poverty and support the I AM Bill. You can:

Attend the MMEC rally on October 5th at the State House
Contact your state legislators and urge them to support the I AM Bill
Donate to the MMEC or other organizations working to end period poverty
Volunteer your time to help distribute menstrual products to people in need
Talk to your friends and family about period poverty and the importance of menstrual equity

Every little bit helps. By working together, we can end period poverty in Massachusetts and ensure that everyone has access to the menstrual products they need.

* This piece was created with the help of ai.

How NYC’s Bowery Presents Is Saving Music in Northampton, Massachusetts

by Patrick Wilson

If you’re a fan of live music in New England, you’re probably familiar with Bowery Presents, the New York City-based music venue operator that runs Terminal 5 and SummerStage in NYC, as well as Royale and Roadrunner in Boston, The Sinclair in Cambridge, and more. But what you might not know is that Bowery Presents is now expanding its reach beyond the city, and its latest target is the historic Calvin Theater in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The Calvin Theater has been a cultural hub in Northampton since 1924, but it’s been closed for most of the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, with Bowery Presents at the helm, the theater is set to reopen early next year, and it’s poised to become one of the most exciting music venues in the region.

Bowery Presents is known for its eclectic programming, and the Calvin Theater will be no exception. The company plans to book a wide range of artists, from indie rock to hip hop to electronic music. And with its state-of-the-art sound system and intimate setting, the Calvin Theater is sure to be one of the best places to see live music in New England.

The reopening of the Calvin Theater is also good news for the Northampton economy. The theater employs dozens of people and attracts thousands of visitors to the city each year. So whether you’re a local or just visiting from out of town, be sure to check out the Calvin Theater when it reopens next year. You won’t be disappointed.

Bowery Presents’ acquisition of the Calvin Theater is a win-win for everyone involved. The people of Northampton get a new music venue, Bowery Presents gets to expand its reach, and music fans get to see their favorite artists in a great setting.

* This piece was created with the help of ai.

A Night for Justine: A Tribute to a Boston Music Icon

by Patrick Wilson

On October 6, 2023, the Boston music community will come together to celebrate the life and legacy of Justine Covault, a beloved musician, promoter, and founder of Red on Red Records. Covault passed away suddenly in June 2023, leaving a void in the Boston music scene.

A Night for Justine will be held at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville, Massachusetts, and will feature performances by some of Covault’s closest friends and collaborators, including Quest For Tuna, The Croaks, The Black Threads with guests, The Bags, Dink Pinkerman, Tom Baker and the Double Down, and The Unclean with guests.

Covault was a tireless supporter of the Boston music scene. She was a founding member of the band Justine and the Unclean, and she also played in the band Justine’s Black Threads. In 2020, she founded Red on Red Records, an independent record label that released music by a diverse range of Boston artists.

Covault was known for her passion for music, her generosity, and her kind spirit. She was a true friend to many, and she will be deeply missed.

A Night for Justine is a chance for the Boston music community to come together to celebrate Covault’s life and legacy. It is also an opportunity to support her family and Red on Red Records, two things that were very important to her.

The concert is open to the public, and tickets are available now. For more information, please visit the Crystal Ballroom website or the A Night for Justine Facebook page.

Set Times

7:00 PM – Doors

7:30 PM – Quest For Tuna

7:40 PM – The Croaks

8:20 PM – The Black Threads with guests

9:10 PM – The Bags

10:00 PM – Dink Pinkerman

10:50 PM – Tom Baker and the Double Down

11:30 PM – The Unclean with guests

Please note that the set times are approximate and may change.

A Night for Justine is more than just a night of music. It is a chance to gather and remember Justine’s passion for music, her generosity, and her kind spirit. It is a chance to celebrate the impact she had on the Boston music scene and the countless lives she touched.

* This piece was created with the help of ai.