Other upcoming events include a wellness walk in partnership with Tedy’s Team on Oct. 3. The initiative has even featured film screenings, like last year’s event where the aquarium partnered with a Mattapan teen center to host a documentary screening at the Simons Theatre.

“They were all able to dress up and bring their family and just have a really cool experience in a space that, maybe historically, they haven’t been invited to or been able to go to,” Arregoces said.

Per Arregoces, the Aquarium aims to build the waterfront’s “physical resilience” — limiting the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and heat island effect — and “social resilience,” which is bolstered by events like these making the waterfront a place for all members of the community.

“We want to make sure that the community is engaged in all of the work that the aquarium does,” Arregoces said.

Also going on this week: There is an original play coming to the State House, a coffee chat for the young at heart, plus a seminar on ancient art.

Free Events

STATE HOUSE STAGE Plays in Place and the National Parks of Boston are coming together to produce a three-play series called “Suffrage in Black and White,” which discusses the “intersection of race and citizenship throughout the abolitionist and suffrage movements in Boston,” according to a press release from Plays in Place. The first play, “A Light Under the Dome,” will take the stage this week in the State House Senate Chamber. It tells the story of Angelina Grimké’s 1838 speech there. Tickets are free and available on Plays in Place’s website. Aug. 12-15, 3 to 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Free. Massachusetts State House Senate Chamber, 24 Beacon St. playsinplace.com

THE BEE’S KNEES Head to the Tavern at the End of the World for a free concert Tuesday night that is sure to knock your socks off. The “Bees Deluxe,” a blues band mixed with elements of funk, jazz and psychedelia, will play a three-hour set at its debut at the venue. It was founded by Conrad Warre, a guitarist who played with Joe Jackson, and is based in the Boston area. Aug. 13, 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Free. The Tavern at the End of the World, 108 Cambridge St., Charlestown. thebostoncalendar.com

WE ARE YOUNG The Boston Music Project is hosting its first-ever Youth Fest, a festival “by, for, and with Boston Youth,” according to the organization. Head out to Downtown Crossing for a day filled with energetic performances and artists. Headlining performances include hip-hop artist Paul Willis from 4 to 5 p.m. and saxophonist Jonathan Suazo from 5 to 6 p.m. Aug. 14, noon to 6 p.m. Free. 1 Summer St. thebostoncalendar.com

CONNECT Seniors looking to discuss the arts can come to the Kennedy Center of Charlestown for a late-morning coffee. Staff from the Boston Public Art Triennial will be in attendance to connect with seniors to discuss the installations at the Lot Lab. Currently, the Lot Lab features work from Matthew Okazaki and Ifé Franklin, two local artists who specialize in sculpture work, and Hugh Hayden, who is a New York-based sculpture artist. Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to noon. Free. Lot Lab, 15th St. thetriennial.org

ANCIENTS If you’re interested in learning more about ancient art, look no further than the Harvard Art Museum. Dr. Caitlin Clerkin, who works for the museum’s curatorial staff, will hold a seminar with attendees to discuss ancient displays in the museum, including the funerary relief of Ba’altega, from Palmyra, Syria, and the Old Kingdom period funerary reliefs in the ancient Egypt gallery. Plus, Clerkin will take attendees to the study center for a private viewing of a variety of ancient Sumerian, Greek, and Roman objects. Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free. Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge. harvardmuseums.org

FESTIVITIES The African Festival of Boston is back for its 14th annual celebration. Head to the Boston Common all weekend long to hear music, dance, and enjoy food offerings from Taste of Africa from Ghana, Suya Joint from Nigeria, The Liberian Community Women, Cuisine from Cameroon, and more. Performances will include Lumanyano Mzi, a Boston-based South African drummer who graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2023, Albino Mbie, a musician originally from Mozambique who graduated from Berklee in 2013, and more. Aug. 17-18, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free. 139 Tremont St. eventbrite.com

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DISCOVER Every Friday night throughout the summer, Acton’s Discovery Museum, which recently won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, offers free admission to families. Head out to Acton to play in the discovery woods — complete with its wheelchair-accessible treehouse — or check out its many indoor exhibits. While admission is free, reservations are recommended. Aug. 16, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Free. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St. (Route 27), Acton. discoveryacton.org

Emily Wyrwa can be reached at emily.wyrwa@globe.com. Follow her @emilywyrwa.

During the offseason, the Boston College Eagles football program picked up ten players out of the transfer portal. 

One of those additions was former UNC tight end Kamari Morales. 

The 6-foot-3, 249-pound offensive weapon spent five seasons with the Tar Heels. During that time frame, he appeared in 53 games and tallied 67 receptions for 761 yards and ten touchdowns. 

On Sunday, Morales was asked about his experience so far in Chestnut Hill and the graduate had nothing but good things to say about it. 

“I think it’s exceeded my expectations,” said Morales. “Especially since we’ve gotten a new staff. This new staff has kind of opened up my eyes to a different way of seeing ball and I say that in terms of, previously we didn’t huddle, for example. We were never in a huddle, it was all signal based. It was all just line up and play fast, wasn’t a lot of thinking, they just wanted you to go out there and honestly, most of the routes [was] run the grass, just get open.” 

The Buck Lake Fla., native credited his new way of thinking about the game to having coaches on the staff that have experience in the NFL and bringing the professional style to the team. 

“But here, this is a real pro system so you’re challenged to know all different types of things. You’ve gotta know not just your responsibility but the people around you’s responsibility. Might have to change your route here, you might have to block this differently. I think since Coach O’Brien has come, since Coach Will has come, I think this development for myself and the team has just shot up. So yeah, I think it’s exceeded expectations.”

On a gorgeous summer evening following a gorgeous summer day, the New Kids On The Block proved that they’ve still got it — almost forty years after the release of their first self-titled album. The Boston darlings performed a two-hour set on Saturday, Aug. 10 at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, complete with choreography, confetti, and plenty of falsetto.

The band — Jonathan and Jordan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood — played to a packed house at the outdoor venue, full of women of all ages (and some men, too) decked out in ‘80s inspired neons like hot pinks, lime greens, and canary yellows. There were lots of mother-and-daughter duos, and almost as many high ponytails with scrunchies.

“It’s [expletive] different here!” Walberg yelled to the crowd when the band said hello after a few songs. He did most of the night’s crowd work. The band’s set was joyous and high-energy, full of silly choreography that proved they don’t take themselves too seriously, and that showed all their different personalities.

Formed in 1984, New Kids On The Block (NKOTB) are considered one of the first “boy bands” in the way we use the term today, paving the way for others like the Backstreet Boys and ‘NSync. Hailing from Dorchester, they shot to success in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, performing the halftime show at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. 

Donnie’s brother Mark Wahlberg was in the group for a few months in the ‘80s, but that was back when they were called Nynuk. Following a breakup from 1994 to 2007, they’ve continued to tour and release music, releasing their eighth studio album, “Still Kids,” on May 17, 2024. The kids don’t just sing, either — Jonathan Knight’s been starring in a popular HGTV show with North Shore-based interior designer Kristina Crestin for three seasons. 

Singer and dancer Paula Abdul supported the band as the second opening act, just after DJ Jazzy Jeff’s set — and, as it turns out, NKOTB aren’t the only ones with still-impressive showmanship after decades on the stage. She opened with her hit “Straight Up,” accompanied by dancers and props like spinning tables, after which she made a show of stopping to grab a drink of water, and a few breaths from an oxygen machine. 

“You think I’m kidding?” she asked a chuckling audience. “This is 62, folks!” But 62 looked great on her as she flew through a 30-minute theatrical, choreographed set of medleys, relying heavily on props and backup dancers. Each of her dancers got a solo, too.

The New Kids came out right on schedule, opening with “Magic,” the first track off their most recent record. The set design’s neons matched those in the audience as streamers flew and they shifted into “Summer Love,” the second track off said album, which showcases each of their vocals individually — and they really did all sound great. 

“My Favorite Girl” was accompanied by more confetti (this time heart-shaped) and Jordan’s impressive falsetto. They took their neon-colored bombers off for “Cover Girl,” lining up at standing mics behind Wahlberg, Four Seasons-style, as he crooned — and shook his butt, and lifted his shirt. And that wasn’t nearly the only time we saw Donnie Wahlberg’s bare (and very much in shape) torso all night — Jordan’s and Danny’s made appearances, too.

Joey McIntyre referenced Nantasket Beach, and changed some other lyrics.

On lead vocals for “Summertime,” McIntyre changed “Jones Beach” to “Nantasket Beach.” “But you fell for the boy from the city,” became “… from Boston,” and he sang about thinking of Boston in the summertime, rather than his ex-flame. And after “You Got It (Right Stuff),” the crowd’s gratuitous applause lasted for several minutes. 

Donnie Wahlberg’s Boston accent came out.

“It’s different here!” Wahlberg exclaimed when the band got around to some crowdwork. “It’s [expletive] different here,” he said, Boston accent on the “here.” 

“It’s louder, it’s crazier,” he said. “Even the screams have a Boston accent — it’s sexier!”

“It’s different because we come from where you come from,” Wahlberg said. Then the band broke into a series of tracks even more high energy than the last.

A Dorchester flag flew in the crowd.

A fan flew a bedazzled Dorchester flag as the band continued on — they played “Remix (I Like The),” in which they involved the crowd’s vocals, “Block Party,” during which they came down the aisles and stood on individual platforms between the front and mid sections, and “Tonight,” a cute, Billy Joel-esque number ending with a long dance break and some more shirtless-ness.

After a consume change, NKOTB continued on — McIntyre sang a piano solo (“Where Do I Go From Here”), and then came a few different medleys as Wahlberg revealed a bedazzled, green “Boston” tee-shirt under his vest. 

Jordan Knight had a solo, too — “Baby I Believe In You” — during which he threw open his white button down, and Danny Wood shone during “Never Gonna Fall in Love.” The band brought two birthday girls on stage for “Happy Birthday,” with a beautiful vocal harmony at the end.

DJ Jazzy Jeff came back on stage for support with a few tracks, like “Get Down” and “Summertime,” which he originally recorded with the Fresh Prince. A 20-year-old fan came on stage for that one, and knew every single word.

NKOTB covered “Sweet Caroline,” of course.

“I got one more song I gotta play,” said DJ Jazzy Jeff. “Just for Boston?” asked Donnie. “Just for Boston,” said DJ Jazzy Jeff, as he started “Sweet Caroline,” for which the crowd went wild. 

Next, they went into hits like “Kids” and “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” the latter of which showcased Jordan’s impressively strong vocals. 

They threw on some Celtics gear, too.

Ahead of “Step by Step,” the kids changed into bedazzled Celtics jerseys. They finished up the set strong with “Hangin’ Tough” and “Better Days,” another track off their recent album.

The night was chilly by the time the set ended at 10:55 p.m., the post-concert mood joyful and the ponytails only a little disheveled. I just hope no fans were taking shots every time one of the New Kids did a hip thrust.

Setlist for New Kids On The Block, Xfinity Center, Aug. 10:

Better Days

Magic

Summer Love

My Favorite Girl

Cover Girl

Dirty Dancing

Summertime

You Got It (The Right Stuff)

Remix (I Like The)

Block Party

Tonight

Where Do I Go From Here? / Treat Me Right

Call It What You Want

Popsicle / Games / This Is How We Do It / Stay With Me Baby

Baby I Believe In You / Never Gonna Fall In Love / Paradise City

Happy Birthday

Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time) / Valentine Girl

Please Don’t Go Girl

Get Down

Dance With You / A Love Like This

In The Night / Long Time Coming

Summertime (by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince)

Sweet Caroline

Kids

I’ll Be Loving You

Step By Step

Hangin’ Tough / We Will Rock You