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Harvard Square
Business Association
February 2025 Newsletter
Events/Deals/News
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Romantic dinners, intoxicating cocktails, decadent desserts, one of a kind gifts and so much more!
There’s love in Harvard Square! Our businesses are offering you sweet and heartfelt gifts and experiences for all of your favorite people. This year’s Valentine’s events feature fabulous food and drinks from Harvard Square’s restaurants, romantic and fun deals from our retailers and a variety of intimate, cozy and entertaining things to do from our cultural icons.
Whatever your heart desires, you’ll find it on our historic streets!
More information available here.
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Cambridge Forum
February 18th
DISASTER NATIONALISM: is it the downfall of liberal civilization?
Are we on the brink of a new and irreversible epoch; one that signals the end of democratic civilization as we have known it? Hard right political groups like Germany’s AfD party, which has roots in Nazi ideology, have celebrated Trump’s second term along with other extreme European politicians like Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban who announced that he had “downed vodka” in celebration of Trump’s win.
Cambridge Forum has invited three experts to consider the current political situation, from a US and global perspective. Richard Seymour, a writer and broadcaster from Northern Ireland, has been watching the disturbing political developments in Europe and elsewhere; his latest book, Disaster Nationalism, analyzes the roots, influencers and threats that this global shift poses. Register here.
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The Sea Hag
February 18th, 25th, 26th & 28th
Tuesdays 2/18, 2/25
8pm - 1 pm
The Goodrich Family Band
No Cover
Grendel's Den's winter house band has made a new home on Tuesdays at the Sea Hag, featuring the vocal and string stylings of Boston's own Zoe Rose DePaz, Eleanor Elektra, Max Ridley, with Lee Fish on percussion.
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Wednesday 2/26
9 pm
Trad Irish Session
No Cover
Queer & Femme led Irish traditional acoustic session led by Clare Fraser and Helen Grace Kuhars
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Friday 2/28
6 pm
The Sunday Slippers
No Cover
A new musical movement is happening and it all started at The Sea Hag. Discover the New Troubadour sound Friday nights while enjoying excellently prepared meals at an intimate dinner with a show featuring Dan (A), Dan (B), Josh (A) and Josh (B).
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February 25
An Evening With Tia Williams: A Love Song For Ricki Wilde
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tia Williams. In conversation with literary social content creator Azanta, they’ll dive into the magic of A Love Song for Ricki Wilde—a modern fairytale that weaves together wit, passion, and breathtaking romance.
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February 27
Love and Literature: Conversation with Judith Rosen
Calling all romantics, bibliophiles, and bookstore lovers! We’re thrilled to host author and veteran journalist Judith Rosen on Thursday, February 27, celebrating her newly released book, Bookstore Romance: Love Speaks Volumes.
In conversation with novelist Laura Zigman, Judith will share the heartwarming stories behind the couples who found their happily-ever-afters in bookstores. Bookstore Romance is more than just a coffee table book—it’s a love letter to independent bookstores, and a testament to the magic that happens when books and love intertwine.
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Harvest
February 23rd
7th Annual Ice Party at Harvest
Our winter celebration is back! We’ll be serving up cocktails, raclette, pot-au-feu, s’mores, and other wintry favorites. Party the night away with a DJ, raffles, and more. Après Ski x 1970's attire encouraged!
Tickets are $75 and include food and two drinks.
This year, we’re excited to partner with Furnishing Hope, who will be selling raffle tickets for amazing prizes, including Dropkick Murphy tickets, a 10-class pack from Majestic Yoga, a gift card to Lovestruck Bookstore, and much more!
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Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
February 27
6:00-8:00pm
BeeFound: Washington & Wheatley Write!
Join us for a historical lecture and poetry writing session where poet Toni Bee and Professor Nicole Aljoe discuss the unique correspondence between General George Washington and Poet Phillis Wheatley Peters. They will attempt to answer lingering questions such as: what were the general’s views on enslavement, and did the poet’s international fame influence the politics of our nation’s first president?
Poetry prompts will be given/ Writing is encouraged / Open Mic for participants to share / Dinner Served / Free to the public
Toni Bee is a poet, educator, workshop facilitator, and Cambridge Poetry Ambassador. Nicole Aljoe is a Professor of English and Africana Studies at Northeastern University. They are co-authors of the article "Reading and Teaching Phillis Wheatley Peters in Boston," published in the journal Early American Literature. The BeeFound Series: where history, imagination and poetry merge / founded by Toni Bee in 2023.
Free and open to all: register here.
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Harvard Art Museums
February 27th, 28th & March 6th
February 27, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Harvard Art Museums at Night
We’re keeping our doors open late for an evening of art, fun, food, and more!
February 28, 12:30 – 1:00pm
Artist Talk: Susan Meiselas’s 44 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA.
Join artist Susan Meiselas for a special gallery talk about her 1971 portrait series 44 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA.
March 6, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Opening Lecture: Edvard Munch: Technically Speaking
Celebrate the opening of our Munch exhibition by hearing from the exhibition organizers and specialists from the Munchmuseet, Oslo.
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Harvard Common Spaces
Through March 13th
Ice Bumper Cars are here!
This fun activity is the newest highlight of Harvard Common Spaces WinterFest!
Harvard is cranking up the fun this winter as Ice Bumper Cars whiz onto the Science Center Plaza. Join us for zigzagging, bumping, and spinning alongside your friends, fellow students, or even brave passersby! It’s the newest addition to Harvard’s popular WinterFest program which also features fire pits, outdoor games, and music!
Take a ride Wednesdays through Saturdays, from noon to 3:00pm & 4:00pm to 7:00pm, through March 13th (weather permitting). Just $5 for Harvard I.D. Card holders and $10 for the adventure-loving public. (Youthful enthusiasts aged 7–17 need their parents or guardians to join Ice Bumper Cars!)
Learn more at commonspaces.harvard.edu/winterfest.
Tailor-made for everyone craving a dash of winter whimsy, fun, and memory-making. So, bundle up, bring an adventurous spirit, and prepare for laughs!
Harvard Common Spaces - Bringing community spaces and activities to the Harvard campus for over 15 years. Our mission is to provide welcoming places and experiences that foster connection, collaboration, and fun for students, faculty, staff, and the visiting public.
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Experience four electrifying nights of jazz at the Celebrity Series' 2025 Jazz Festival, hosted at the newly opened Arrow Street Arts from March 13-16. This year's lineup features a dynamic roster of artists who embody the genre's boundless creativity and expressive power: pianist and composer Sean Mason and his Quartet; bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh and her Quintet; bassist, singer-songwriter, and composer Mali Obomsawin with her Quartet; and harpist Brandee Younger and her Trio.
The four-night festival with two sets each night promises to be the must-attend event of the spring jazz season. With dramatic lighting and state-of-the-art acoustics, the Arrow Street Arts venue is built to the highest standards and better equipped than any other venue in the city. Intimate table seating and a full bar offering snacks and drinks welcome audiences to this musical celebration of next-generation jazz greats. More information available here.
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Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra
March 8th
8:00pm
Join the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra on Saturday, March 8th at 8 PM in Sanders Theatre for our opening concert of the spring semester! Under the direction of HRO Music Director Federico Cortese, we will be performing Ustvolskaya’s Symphonic Poem No. 2 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 ("The Year 1905"). We are thrilled to welcome you to Sanders Theatre!
Tickets are FREE for Harvard Students with HUID, $25 for General Admission, $50 for VIP.
For any general questions, please contact hro@hrorchestra.org
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Tutoring Plus
April 10th
Join us for Tutoring Plus' Full STEAM Ahead Celebration on Thursday, April 10 from 5:30–7:30pm. Enjoy delicious food provided by Bar Enza, an open bar, and special presentations by our students and staff. This annual fundraiser aims to raise $70,000 to support our programs and ensure we meet the changing needs of our families. We’ll also be honoring Fletcher Maynard Principal Bobby Tynes as our 2025 Children’s Champion. Please register now (tickets are free) and consider donating to help us continue our vital work. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessica Sue-Kam-Ling-Lewis at jessica@tutoringplus.org.
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The Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast now opens at 7:30am daily. To celebrate, we are running a BOGO 50% off promo, weekdays only, 7:30am-10am.
*Offer not available on Monday Holidays 1/20/2025 and 2/17/2025. Offer available to in-restaurant dining only at all 13 Friendly Toast locations. Discounted meal will be the lower priced of two ordered. Applicable on combinations of any two Appetizers, Signature Brunch, Benedicts, Handhelds, Bowls, Omelets, Scrambles, or Sweet Stuff. Not applicable on Sides or Tiny Toast. BOGO 50% can be applied once per table and is non-combinable with other offers. Offer subject to end at any time.
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Hunt's Photo & Video
Visit Hunt's Photo in Harvard Square through February 18th and take advantage of 18-Month Zero-Interest Financing! Explore our latest selection of cameras, lenses, and accessories—perfect for anyone looking to dive into photography or videography.
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Off the Beaten Path
Food Tours
Fridays, Saturdays and private tours are available.
Calling all chocoholics! Join us for a delectable adventure through historic Harvard Square. You'll hear interesting stories about the Square, learn fun facts about chocolate and sample the best and most interesting chocolaty treats around. Harvard Square has a flourishing food scene with some of the best and most unique food in the city. Each tour is a fun 90 minutes and includes 4 stops with plenty of treats and less than a mile of walking. We can't wait to take you on a unique, chocolate adventure!
This tour is suitable for all ages. $40/pp. Guests must purchase tickets in advance. Use code HARVARDSQUARE and enjoy 10% off!
Harvard Square Food Tour
Haven't been to Harvard Square lately? Do you know we have a tiki bar?
Revisit Harvard Square on our new FOOD TOUR!
Booking Saturdays at 11:30am, this memorable experience is offered weekly. You'll eat a satisfying array of yummy eats, from Greek to Latin to the best pizza in the world. Tour also includes a Mai Tai or yummy mocktail.
Harvard Square Donut Tour Sunday's from 11am-12:30pm. This tour delves into the history of donuts, and it's fun for locals and visitors.
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Give the Gift of Harvard Square
Harvard Square Community E-Gift Cards are available. Gift your special someone with shopping, dining and entertainment options. The Harvard Square E-Gift Card can be used at a variety of establishments: see the list here.
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Bon Me
It's Back! Our Winter Seasonal Special: Japchae
Available now at the Smith Campus Center our Japchae features springy sweet-potato glass noodles entwined with vibrant veggies and topped with zesty gochujang chicken. It’s all brought together with a savory, subtly spicy sauce that creates the perfect harmony of textures and flavors.
Trust us, your taste buds will be dancing with joy with every bite! Available for a limited time—don't miss out!
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Distressed Children & Infants International
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER/INTERNSHIP POSITIONS – Make a Difference in Cambridge!
Are you looking to gain meaningful volunteer or internship experience in the Cambridge area while making a real impact on the world? Join Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI) at our Harvard Square office to help underprivileged children, their families & communities locally and globally.
This is a unique opportunity to:
· Make a meaningful impact by supporting child rights, alleviating poverty, preventing blindness, protecting the environment, and empowering the Cambridge community.
· Build your skills in nonprofit operations, leadership, event coordination, and fundraising.
· Strengthen your resume and develop your career goals while working with a dedicated and inspiring team.
We are urgently seeking motivated individuals who are passionate about creating change. You can work directly out of our Harvard Square office, gaining hands-on experience, or remotely, depending on your schedule. Whether you have a few hours a week or more, we’ll create a plan tailored to your availability and interests.
How to Get Started:
Visit www.distressedchildren.org or contact us at ehsan@distressedchildren.org or +1-857-292-9186 to learn more and get involved.
This is your chance to create a lasting impact and be part of a mission that changes lives. Join us today and become a force for good!
Together, we can make a difference!
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Harvard Federal Credit Union
Interested in becoming a member of Harvard FCU? There's a pathway for everyone! Learn more about eligibility here.
Already a member? Help our community grow and earn a special reward this February! Refer friends and family, and you’ll each receive $100 when they join! Terms apply. Start referring today at harvardfcu.org/referral.
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Industrious
Your dream office in Harvard Square is waiting.
Thoroughly professional and thoughtfully designed, Industrious’ flexible workspaces support companies of all sizes and stages. We believe that the right workplace can move your business forward by giving your team members spaces to focus and collaborate in — spaces that make them proud to come to work.
Click here for a tour or more information.
We are excited to share that we've simplified the way you book meeting spaces. No need to go through third party websites - book your meeting right on our website! Start booking your meeting today.
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Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre
Welcoming international guest artist Christina Johnson back to JMBT studios at the end of the month! Sign up for her masterclasses here.
| Always wanted to learn ballet? It's not too late! Join our new Adult Introduction to Ballet class on Saturdays starting in March! 10 weeks, 10 classes, designed for absolute beginners with no experience. Register here. | |
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J.P. Licks
J.P. Licks is hosting our 6th Annual Sock Drive to benefit Rosie’s Place. The drive will last throughout February into the first week of March. We hope to spread the love into our community by giving back to our community! For every pair of new socks donated, receive a $1 off coupon for your next visit. There are donation boxes at all of our stores.
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MA New Listings
COMING SOON!
130 Mount Auburn Street - University Green, Cambridge - Harvard Square | $1,350,000 🏠 Rare opportunity at University Green one of Cambridge's most desirable concierge buildings.
Single Property Website With Information
Southeast-facing 1 bed 1 bath at University Green offers an exceptional living experience in one of Harvard Square’s premier concierge buildings. Ideally located just a block from Harvard Square’s vibrant shops, dining, & transit, this professionally managed residence offers both convenience & tranquility. High ceilings, recessed lighting, & a spacious layout enhance the tastefully updated interior.
1🛏️ 1 🛁 1176 sqft 📍 Deeded Garage Parking Private Patio (Approx 400 square feet) Private Garden Concierge, In Unit Laundry 🫧🧼 Strong Reserves Soon to be completely renovated common areas (finish next month)
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Patagonia
Donate to LA Fire Relief Organizations for a Chance to Win Patagonia Gear
Hi Cambridge, I’m Gary, the store manager here at Patagonia Cambridge. I moved out here two years ago from Altadena, Ca. Like many of you, I’m devastated to see my community impacted by the Eaton fire. Last week, I headed out west and volunteered with local nonprofits to provide aid for those in need.
If you’re looking for ways to support, you’re in luck! Here at Patagonia Cambridge, we are hosting a Chance to Win to raise funds for a few amazing organizations, @outwardboundadventures, @pasadenajobcenter, and @altadenamountainrescue.
Donate online or in store through February 28th and you’ll be entered into our Chance to Win. Once you have donated you can either DM us a digital receipt or show us your receipt in person to be entered. Winner will be announced March 1st. One entry per donation of $10. For example, $30 would be 3 entries. One item per person.
Prizes include:
40L Wheeled Duffel
Down Sweater Hoody
Better Sweater
Synchilla
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Lumin Health
Lumin Health is a leading mental health and depression treatment center in the heart of Harvard Square. We have helped countless people rediscover joy through safe, innovative therapies like insurance-covered esketamine (Spravato) therapy for treatment-resistant depression and ketamine therapy — all in an uplifting, medically monitored environment. Our patients often report significant improvement after just a few sessions.
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Harvard Square
Business Association
Two Brattle Square, Mezzanine
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-3434
www.harvardsquare.com
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