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Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond – The Boston Globe

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Things to do around Boston this weekend and beyond – The Boston Globe


ERIC BENET Holiday cheer abounds at this pair of shows by the R&B smooth-talker, who released the seasonally celebratory “This Christmas” earlier this autumn. The collection — his first holiday offering — includes traditional cuts like “Oh, Holy Night” and “Please Come Home for Christmas” as well as two originals: The call for grace “Christmas Morning,” which features two of his daughters, and the swinging “It’s Christmas,” a duet with jazz-soul vocalist Stacey Ryan. Dec. 8, 6 and 9:30 p.m. City Winery Boston. 617-933-8047, citywinery.com/boston

THEY ARE GUTTING A BODY OF WATER “LOTTO,” the latest full-length from this Philly sludge-gaze outfit, attempts to make sense of the world’s chaos by unpacking modern society amid gargantuan riffs and rumbling drums. Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Arts at the Armory, Somerville. artsatthearmory.org

PINK MOUNTAINTOPS This side project of Stephen McBean, who fronts the hulking prog-punk outfit Black Mountain, adds a bit more power-psych twinkle while still hitting hard. Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Middle East Upstairs, Cambridge. 617-864-3278, mideastoffers.com

MAURA K. JOHNSTON

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JASON RINGENBERG Ringenberg has traveled some in his musical career, from the high-test, slash-and-burn alt-country of Jason and the Scorchers to the music he makes for kids (and grown-ups) as Farmer Jason. Along the way, he picked up a Lifetime Achievement award from the Americana Music Association. Dec. 5, 8 p.m. $17. The Parlour, 1119 North Main St., Providence. 401-383-5858. www.theparlourri.com

THE TALKING HEARTS’ HONKY TONK HOLIDAY It’s a holiday dance party with these local purveyors of ’60s- and ’70s-vintage country music. And if you need to learn some moves or freshen up what you’ve got, show up a half hour early for free dance lessons. Dec. 6, 8 p.m. $30. Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., Somerville. 617-776-6896. www.burren.com

ANNA TIVEL AND JEFFREY MARTIN These partners, both with recent records (Tivel: “Animal Poem”; Martin: “Thank God We Left the Garden”) are touring together again. Tivel describes the proceedings as follows: “I kick things off nightly with new songs in old pants. Then Jeffrey reminds us all how to access the very good molten core of humanity.” Dec. 9 and 10, 8 p.m. $35. Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge. 617-492-7679. www.passim.org

STUART MUNRO

TIGER MOAN BATTLE OF THE SAXES Singer and multi-instrumentalist Amy Kucharik and her vintage blues outfit hold a first Sunday residency featuring special guests each month. This time, it’s a duel between two local saxophone stars: John Clark and Erica Risti. Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m. $20-$25. The Burren Back Room, 247 Elm St., Somerville. burren.com/music

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ERIC MINTEL QUARTET’S A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS Mosesian Arts Centers’ Chords and Cocktails series presents pianist-composer Mintel’s group featuring saxophonist-flutist Nelson Hill, bassist Jack Hegyi, and drummer Dave Mohn, well known for their Dave Brubeck tributes, performing Vince Guaraldi’s beloved score for 1965’s classic “Peanuts” animated special. Dec. 9, 7 p.m. $29-$40. Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. mosesianarts.org

DAVID LEACH QUARTET GBH Jazz Nights presents pianist, composer, and poet Leach with saxophonist Lihi Haruvi, drummer Dor Herskovits, and ubiquitous bassist John Lockwood, performing originals rooted in jazz improvisation, while incorporating influences from American folk, 20th-century classical, progressive metal, and more. Dec. 11, 5:30 p.m. Free, registration encouraged. GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library, Copley Square. wgbh.org/events

KEVIN LOWENTHAL

TALLIS SCHOLARS Under the leadership of founding director Peter Phillips, the sterling British vocal ensemble makes its customary Adventide appearance on the Boston Early Music Festival concert stage. This year’s program features English music dedicated to the Virgin Mary, by composers including Tallis, Taverner, Byrd, Britten, and Matthew Martin. St. Paul Church, Cambridge. Dec. 5, 8 p.m. 617-661-1812, www.bemf.org

BOSTON BAROQUE Former Boston Baroque assistant conductor Filippo Ciabatti makes his public company debut leading the company’s annual historically informed performance of Handel’s “Messiah,” featuring soloists Amanda Forsythe, Paula Murrihy, Thomas Cooley, and Roderick Williams with the Boston Baroque Orchestra and a 25-voice chorus. Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 7, 3 p.m. NEC’s Jordan Hall. 617-987-8600, baroque.boston

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MISTRAL MUSIC This local ensemble helmed by Julie Scolnik welcomes the holidays with its traditional Baroque Big Band program, featuring a large baroque ensemble and several assorted soloists performing music by Bach, Handel, Rameau, and more. Dec. 6, 5 p.m. St. Paul’s Church, Brookline; Dec. 7, 4 p.m., West Parish Church, Andover. 978-474-6222, www.mistralmusic.org

A.Z. MADONNA

BLACK NATIVITY One of the most vibrant and cherished holiday traditions hereabouts, “Black Nativity” tells the Nativity story through the lens of the Black experience, with a cast of more than 75 performers. At the helm once again is Roxbury native Voncille Ross, who has been directing “Black Nativity” for nearly two decades. The production combines the “song-play” of legendary poet and playwright Langston Hughes with the music of Boston composer-arranger John Andrew Ross. All of it is gloriously sung by talented sopranos, baritones, and tenors, punctuated by percussion and expressive dance under the leadership of ballet mistress and principal dancer Desiree Springer. Narrating the show is Milton Wright, who also serves as the adult chorus director, working with his associate Marilyn Andry, while Steven Hunter Sr. is the orchestral director. Dec. 5-21. Presented by the National Center of Afro-American Artists at Robert J. Orchard Stage, Emerson Paramount Center. 617-824- 8400, www.blacknativity.org

SWEENEY CLAUS: THE DEMON FATHER OF SLEET STREET It says something heartening about our fair city that so many Bostonians make room on their holiday calendars for Ryan Landry’s brand of inspired mayhem. His new show is a marriage of the Santa Claus story with “Sweeney Todd,” the 1979 Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler classic about a vengeful barber whose dotty helpmeet turns his victims into meat pies. While incorporating video more prominently than he has in the past, Landry blends the melodies of musical-theater classics with his own deranged lyrics, in a combination of homage and desecration. Directed by Kiki Samko and featuring a stellar performance as Sweeney by Thain Bertin in his first outing with Landry’s Gold Dust Orphans. Playing Sweeney’s accomplice, Mrs. Leaveit, is Landry himself. Through Dec. 21. Production by Ryan Landry and the Gold Dust Orphans. At Iron Wolf Theatre, South Boston Lithuanian Citizens’ Association, South Boston. Age guideline is 18-plus. www.tickettailor.com/events/thegolddustorphans/1732579/

MIDWINTER REVELS: A SCANDINAVIAN STORY FOR CHRISTMAS In Revels’s annual celebration of the winter solstice, inspired this year by Gregory Maguire’s “Matchless,” a young boy finds “warmth and light in the darkest days” on an island “so far north that it snows from September to April.” Cast members perform Scandinavian songs and dances, accompanied by an intergenerational chorus. Directed by Debra Wise, with music direction by Elijah Botkin and a script by Wise, Patrick Swanson, and Nicole Galland. On hand will be such performers as David Coffin, David Keohane, Kristian Espiritu, Joshua Wolf Coleman, and Eliza Fichter. Dec. 12-28, with a “virtual encore viewing window” Dec. 28-Jan. 11. Sanders Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge. 617-496-2222, boxoffice.harvard.edu

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DON AUCOIN

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S ’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE… The celebrated Canadian troupe’s Christmas show illuminates the joy of the season with a show filled with spectacular lighting, lively (loud!) music that transforms familiar tunes, and feats of physical prowess that range from the riotous to the breathtaking. A sweet story line based on the titular book is icing on the cake. Great for all ages. Through Dec. 14. $36 and up. Boch Center Wang Theatre. www.bochcenter.org

JOSÉ MATEO BALLET THEATRE’S THE NUTCRACKER Now in its 37th year, this charming, intimate, and affordable production boasts a simplified story line, Tchaikovsky’s luminous score, and more than 100 children joining in a cast of professionals. This one tends toward warm and cozy, which makes it especially accessible for some younger viewers. Dec. 6-Dec. 21. $25 and up. Strand Theatre, Dorchester. www.ballettheatre.org

SEÁN CURRAN COMPANY / DECENT DANCE Boston native Seán Curran fosters his hometown connections with this collaboration involving one of his company’s founding members, Tony Guglietti, alongside his longtime partner Kristin Wagner (collectively Decent Dance) plus Brian Feigenbaum for “Through Lines.” Celebrating legacy, lineage, and connections, the intergenerational concert features members of Curran’s New York-based company joined by dancers from Boston and beyond. Dec. 6-7. $25.31 and up. Dance Complex, Cambridge. www.dancecomplex.org

UNITED DANCE COMPANY Championing inclusion and working with the Down syndrome population, the company showcases rigorously trained artists of diverse abilities in “The Extraordinary Nutcracker.” An original interpretation billed as the area’s only version of the ballet that is narrated, the family-friendly production transforms a young girl’s holiday journey into a tale about courage, creativity, and love. Dec. 6-7. $46.75. Calderwood Pavilion. www.uniteddance.org

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KAREN CAMPBELL

MARTIN PURYEAR: NEXUS Puryear represented the United States at the Venice Biennale in 2019 with a display of enigmatic sculptural works that, taken together, echoed the fractious unease of a country at war with itself, confronting old ghosts thought long laid to rest. So, what now? “Nexus,” not quite so pointed — it spans several decades of the artist’s 50-plus-year career, the first long-view survey in almost two decades — but it isn’t afraid to connect the obvious dots. Included in this show is “A Column for Sally Hemings,” made for that 2019 Venice display, which pays homage to the enslaved woman who bore Thomas Jefferson five children; in it, an iron rod topped with a leg shackle embeds in a fluted classical column, an emblem of a fire that never seems to go out. Through Feb. 8. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Ave. 617-267-9300, mfa.org

AN INDIGENOUS PRESENT For a long time — and until very recently — “Indigenous” and “present” might have been regarded by the broader public as anathema. The dynamic culture of Indigenous peoples has survived years of assault, neglect, and disregard as archeology, but it’s risen in recent years to greater and greater prominence to arrive at a moment when its vibrance is undeniable. This exhibition takes in much of that arc: Spanning 100 years of art made by Indigenous people, it underscores cultural resilience over generations of hardship to arrive on triumph in the here and now. Through March 8. Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, 25 Harbor Shore Drive. 617-478-3100, www.icaboston.org

GRACE HARTIGAN: THE GIFT OF ATTENTION In 1958, Hartigan was the only woman selected for “The New American Painting” exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, the launching pad for Abstract Expressionism as a popular movement and the foundation of the biggest careers in American art history (Jackson Pollock, anyone?). Hartigan enjoyed a few fruitful years of wide acclaim, but her star fell as others became ensconced in the firmament. Why is anyone’s guess, though being a woman was rarely good for one’s career. Hartigan’s restless energy compelled her to stray far stylistically from the tried-and-true AbEx herd, which made her harder to pin down — also not a great career move, perhaps, but ultimately far better for the soul. Through Jan. 11. Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland, Maine. 207-775-6148, portlandmuseum.org

MURRAY WHYTE

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OBJECTS OF DEVOTION In the best circumstances, art is made with singular intention and a surrender to process. Art-making, in that light, can be seen as spiritual; time in the studio, with its own ritual practices and altars, is like going to church. In this show, curator Stace Brandt explores the kinship between art and spirituality, from how pragmatic limitations like space, time, and money shape artwork to how personal history entwines with it. Artists include Jon Doucette, Jamieson Edson, and Virgilijs Tilks. Through Jan. 17. Distillery Gallery, 516 East 2nd Street, South Boston. www.distillery-gallery.com/exhibitions/2025/objects

CATE McQUAID

COMEDY FOR JAMAICA FEATURING KAM PATTERSON One of the newest “Saturday Night Live” cast members for season 51, Patterson headlines this benefit to help Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Dec. 7, 6 p.m. $51.55. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston.com

CRISTINA MARIANI “I’m just sensitive, emotionally. I’ll cry in movies when my favorite character dies. Like when Leonardo DiCaprio died, I cried so hard they kicked me out of ‘Django Unchained.’” Dec. 5-6, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $28.95-$31.95 The Comedy Studio, 5 John F. Kennedy St., Cambridge. www.thecomedystudio.com

POPCORN COMEDY Peter Liu, who cofounded this monthly show, recently moved to New York City, but is back to headline the last edition of the year. Hosted by Guerby Laguerre and Jason Fishman, with Nicholas Stubblefield, Shelby LeCuyer, Sarah May, and Kevin Lemory. Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. $23.18. Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. www.eventbrite.com

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NICK A. ZAINO III





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What Alex Bregman leaving Boston Red Sox could mean for Marcelo Mayer

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What Alex Bregman leaving Boston Red Sox could mean for Marcelo Mayer


Alex Bregman is off the free agent board after leaving Boston to sign a five-year, $175 million contract with the Cubs on Saturday.

Who will now play third base for the 2026 Red Sox?

Boston has had 23-year-old Marcelo Mayer working out at both third base and second base this offseason.

As a rookie last season, Mayer made 28 of his 35 starts at third base. His other seven starts came at second. He was promoted from Triple-A Worcester when Boston placed Bregman on the injured list May 24 with a right quad strain. The left-handed hitter started mostly at third base against right-handed starters when Bregman missed 43 games from May 24-July 11.

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The sure-handed Mayer is considered Boston’s long-term shortstop. But chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has committed to keeping Trevor Story as his shortstop this season instead of moving the veteran to second base to open shortstop for Mayer immediately. That leaves Mayer as either Boston’s second baseman or third baseman depending on how the roster shakes out.

With Bregman gone, it’s looking more likely that Mayer will play third base.

The options on the free agent and trade markets are dwindling. The Red Sox could target free agent shortstop Bo Bichette to play second base. Meanwhile, free agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who hit 49 homers for the Diamondbacks and Mariners last year, remains available. But the 34-year-old would represent a significant downgrade from Bregman defensively. Suárez finished with minus-six defensive runs saved in 1,347 ⅔ innings at third base last year.

Mayer has the ability to play plus defense at third. He finished with 0 defensive runs saved in 248 ⅔ innings there last year. But the more reps he receives there, the better he should get. Most of his pro career has been spent at shortstop. He played just 48 ⅓ innings at third base in the minors compared to 2,254 innings at shortstop.

“It’s not easy going into an offseason kind of getting reps at every position,” Mayer said at Fenway Fest on Saturday. “I believe that every position requires different traits, different skills, different angles that you need to master. Obviously, I’m doing everything I can taking reps at third and second base and I feel really good at both. So wherever they need me is where I’m going to play. I’m going to do my best out there.”

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He added that playing third base is completely different than playing second base.

“Second base, you’re doing everything backwards,” Mayer said. “Third base, you’re pretty much playing shortstop with less range, kind of quicker reflexes. So yeah, I think they’re just different skills that you need to hone in on to be able to be great at that position.”

Mayer spent the final 58 games of the 2025 season on the IL with a wrist injury that required surgery. He expects to be ready to fully participate in workouts once spring training begins.

“I’m pretty much doing full baseball activity, like a normal ramp-up, as I would for a regular season going into spring training,” Mayer said. “So I feel like I’m in a good spot.”

Mayer’s injury history is another concern if he replaces Bregman. It’s fair to question whether the Sox can rely on him to be available for the majority of a 162-game season.

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The Red Sox asked him to put on weight this offseason to try to make him more durable. He has had issues staying healthy throughout his career so far, never playing more than 91 games in any season in the minors and majors.

“It was one of the main goals I set for myself going into the offseason,” Mayer said. “I weighed in at like 218 right now, which is by far the heaviest I’ve ever weighed in my life. I feel great, stronger and faster than ever. So I feel like my body’s in a really good spot.”

He’s up from 208 pounds at the end of last season.

“Moving well,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Saturday at Fenway Fest. “Actually, Trevor was surprised the way he’s moving. Fast. It seems like his offseasons, the last two or three, he’s always rehabbing or trying to catch up. Not this year. I had a conversation with him toward the end of the season and he basically said, ‘I’m ready, I’m ready.’ And we’ll see, we’ll see how it works out. But the kid, he’s a good baserunner, he’s a good defender, he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Obviously there’s a few things offensively that he needs to improve, but that’s everybody. And I like the player. I like him a lot. I don’t think he’s afraid of this environment. He actually likes it. So just go out there and play in spring training.”

Another question mark is whether Mayer is ready to be an everyday starter who faces both righties and lefties?

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Cora typically avoided batting Mayer against lefty starters and relievers last year, like he does with most all his young left-handed hitters. Mayer went 4-for-26 (.154) against southpaws while starting five games against them. He was 13-for-48 (.271) with a .300 on-base percentage, .458 slugging percentage and .758 OPS in 50 plate appearances against lefties for Triple-A Worcester before his promotion.

The Red Sox faced left-handed starters in 28% of games in 2025.

“I think he can play every day,” Breslow said at the GM Meetings in early November. “I certainly wouldn’t want to set limits on what he’s capable of doing. He hasn’t and that’s something we of course need to be mindful of.”

Cora said while discussing Mayer, “Facing lefties in spring training is going to make them better. If we don’t face them, we’ll figure out. … So just try to get them against lefties. Same with Roman (Anthony), same with Wilyer (Abreu), same with Jarren (Duran). That’s something that, like I said, we’ll talk with Bres and see where we’re at.”



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Red Sox shed light on plans for outfield, including Ceddanne Rafaela’s role

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Red Sox shed light on plans for outfield, including Ceddanne Rafaela’s role


Last year the Red Sox had a unique and enviable problem, which was that at full strength the club had more starting-caliber outfielders than it had available lineup spots.

Injuries kept that from being an issue most of the season, but for some stretches the only way the club could accommodate everyone was by playing Gold Glove center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela at second base.



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Boston woman flummoxed after rat makes a home in stroller she left on porch

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Boston woman flummoxed after rat makes a home in stroller she left on porch


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Boston Reddit did not mince words when it came to the best way of evicting this brazen stroller squatter.

A Boston woman is dealing with an unwelcome tenant on her front porch — a rat that has turned a baby stroller into a cozy winter hideaway.

The woman shared her ordeal Thursday on the r/Boston subreddit, explaining that she had left her stroller, complete with a muff, on her second-floor porch. When she checked on it later, she discovered a rat had moved in.

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“I stupidly left our stroller with a muff out on the porch,” she wrote. “Today I found a big rat is nested in there. I can’t see clearly, but it seems it has chewed up the muff lining and is using the filling for a nest.”

The woman said she’s called a few pest control companies, but instead of offering immediate removal, they just tried to sell her a long-term bait boxing service. 

“…Which is fine, but I urgently need someone to just safely remove the rat and the nest so I can clean or dispose of the stroller if needed,” she wrote, adding that she couldn’t secure a next-day appointment and felt Monday was too far away.

Turning to Reddit for advice, the woman asked whether she should attempt to remove the rat herself, saying she was worried about being bitten or contracting a disease. “Which professional can I call?” she asked.

Redditors reacted with a mix of humor and practical advice. The top comment began, “Sounds like it’s their porch now,” before offering an elaborate plan involving a bucket trap and joking that the rat could then “go on to be a Michelin star chef at a French restaurant,” a nod to the 2007 film “Ratatouille.”

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Others suggested she evict the rat by vigorously shaking the stroller or whacking it with a broom, while many urged her to cut her losses entirely and throw the stroller out.

“I honestly wouldn’t ever use it for a small child after a rat had been cribbed up there,” one commenter wrote.

Pest control experts generally advise against handling rats without professional help. According to Terminix, rodents can become aggressive and scratch when threatened and may carry diseases such as hantavirus and leptospirosis.

“When it comes to getting rid of a rat’s nest in the house, DIY treatments won’t cut it,” the company warns on its website.

Boston has been grappling with heightened rat activity in recent years, prompting a citywide rodent action plan known as BRAP. City officials urge residents to “see something, squeak something!” and report rodent activity to 311. Officials said response teams are typically dispatched within one to two days.

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Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.





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