SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

Astronomy on Tap: From Cold Clouds to Frigid Planets @ Aeronaut Brewing Co., Somerville — A pub-style science night with talks on star-forming clouds and icy exoplanets from MIT and Harvard researchers, plus Star Wars trivia and Artemis mission updates over brews

Monday May 4th

Ridgeline Film Screening @ Bouldering Project, Somerville — Catch the screening of Ridgeline at Bouldering Project, a film about one woman's 69-day thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. Stick around for Q&A, snacks and raffle prizes | FREE • 6-7PM

Chess Nights at the Library @ Somerville Public Library, Somerville — A monthly drop-in chess meetup for all skill levels at the Central Library auditorium, sets provided or BYO board, no registration needed | FREE • 7-8:30PM

Tuesday May 5th

Cinco de Mayo Party @ Tony C's Sports Bar & Grill, Somerville — Swing by for Cinco de Mayo with margaritas, a special menu and a DJ spinning Latin music all night at Assembly Row | FREE • 5PM

Honky Tonk Tuesday Dancing with the Talking Hearts @ The Burren, Somerville — Two-stepping and live country music are back in the Burren backroom, with a quick dance lesson before the band takes the stage. Doors at 6:30PM, all ages welcome | $20 advance / $25 door • 7:30PM

Cinco de Mayo Market & Concert @ Secret Location (TBA), Cambridge — A pop-up Cinco de Mayo market with local vendors, live music and handcrafted specialty cocktails at a secret East Cambridge venue. Address sent 36 hours before the show | $28 • 8PM

Wednesday May 6th

Midday Music and Bike Tune Ups @ Kendall/MIT Open Space, Cambridge — Casa Bikes hosts free bike tune ups, coupled with a live music set from singer-songwriter Mercedes Escobar. First come, first serve for checkups so get in line quick | FREE • 12-2PM

Spades Community Night @ Bow Market, Somerville — A community spades night at Upstairs at Bow with a 90-minute lesson followed by free play with prizes for the winning hands | $15 • 6-9PM

Boston Social Conversations @ Aeronaut Brewing Company, SomervilleReady to move past "What do you do for work?" Get past small talk with a structured social night that sorts you into small groups with conversation prompts. Four rounds of meeting new people at Aeronaut. Hurry only 5 spots left | TBD • 6:30-8:30PM

THE STOOP’S PICK

Boston Open Decks Session and Dance @ The Smoot Standard— 10 DJs get 30-minute slots in an open format night with turntables for vinyl heads, a two-floor venue with a balcony overlooking the dancefloor with house music pumping until midnight

Thursday May 7th

Boston New Works Festival @ Arrow Street Arts, Cambridge — A weekend-long theater festival showcasing 7 original plays from local playwrights and performers across three stages at Arrow Street Arts | $5-25 • Alll-weekend

Astronomy on Tap: From Cold Clouds to Frigid Planets @ Aeronaut Brewing Co., Somerville — A brewery night where Harvard & MIT astronomers break down star formation and Hoth-like exoplanets between rounds, with Star Wars trivia and the latest from NASA's Artemis mission | FREE • 6-8PM

Secure the Bag Cornhole Mixer @ Club Volo, Somerville — Volo continues throwing throwing sport x social mixers with a a singles cornhole tourney at Assembly. Players rotate boards every 5 minutes, followed by a social hour at the on-site Lawnbar | $11 • 6-8PM

Cemetery History Chats @ Milk Row Cemetery, Somerville — Drop-in history chat at the historic Milk Row Cemetery, part of the Somerville Museum's History on the Line series. Walk through and learn about the site at your own pace | FREE • 6-8PM

Thursday x Sofar (Singles Bash) @ Bow Market, Somerville — Live music meets singles event at Upstairs at Bow, hosted by the in secret music peformances and singles events, Sofar and Thursday. One surprise artist plays an intimate set, everyone around you is single and the band handles the icebreaking | $35 • 7-10PM

Boston Open Decks Session & Dance @ The Smoot Standard, Cambridge — A house music open decks night built for the local DJ scene, with 10 sets running 30 minutes each. Sign up to play in person or just come dance with friends | $TBD • 7PM-12AM

WEEKEND SNEAK PEAK

Boston’s 3rd Annual Hot Sauce Festival: Rhythm N' Spice @ The Foundry, Cambridge — Sample 30+ hot sauces from small businesses and pepper farmers, watch chef demos and challenge yourself in spicy food competitions. VIP tasting lounge available with two sessions available

Adult Lego Night @ LEGO Discovery Center, Somerville — An adults-only night at the LEGO Discovery Center with themed building competitions, the Kingdom Quest challenge, photo ops with LEGO characters and prizes, no kids in sight

Somerville PorchFest 2026, Somerville — Somerville’s city wide music festival returns next week; turning porches, front yards and gardens across the city into live stages for one day, with local musicians and bands across genres performing from Teele to Porter Square

AROUND THE CORNER

Dink 'n' Date Pickleball Mixer @ Club Volo, Somerville — Hit the courts at another singles pickleball mixer where players rotate teams and switch courts. All skill levels welcome, drinks and a mixer hour follow

Makers Market Presented by Boston Women’s Market @ Assembly Row, Somerville — An outdoor market with 30+ women-founded small businesses selling handmade jewelry, home goods, artisan food and gifts

Want to partner with The Stoop? Whether you’re a local business, event organizer, or creator, you can now reach out to @ [email protected] with any inquiries.

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