SAT 7/4: Harborfest, Cape Verde Fest, Boston Pops, Jazz, Art

Have a few hot dogs (or lobster, mmmm) and a few beers! If you're interested in more, these are some options.

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SAT 7/4

Various Times
Boston Harborfest
at Various Locations around Boston
Many under $10 or FREE

There's other historic/patriotic crap going on, but this is the meaty stuff. I even think it's possible to do all this if you have a visitor in town. And it's also possible if you don't have a visitor in town...

10am to 10:30am

Reading of the Declaration of Independence
at Old State House, State and Devonshire Streets

Read from the same balcony on July 18, 1776

11am to Noon

Annual Oration
at Great Hall, Faneuil Hall (upstairs)
FREE

"A traditional oration given by a prominent citizen"

(It was Craig Ferguson last year, maybe Jason Bay this time?)

Noon to 12:05pm

"Salute to the Nation"
off the US Coast Guard Base, North End
FREE

I'm not sure this is happening, but usually the USS Constitution goes out into the harbor "fires her 21-gun salute."

Noon to 3:30pm

Tours of Fort Independence
at Castle Island, Southie
FREE

One of my favorite places is Castle Island in Southie; there are tours of Fort Independence on Saturday and Sunday. I guess the fort is open on all summer weekends, but could go this weekend...

SAT 7/4

2pm to 7pm
Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
at City Hall Plaza, Congress Street side stage, Boston (Govt Center)
FREE

Cape Verde's Independence day is actually July 5, but in Boston it's been celebrated with America's birthday since 1987. I've seen this listed in previous years but haven't gone. See a photo from a past festival. The turnout is estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. (The local Cape Verdean population is approx. 40k)

Like most of these festivals, there's going to be food, 'family' activities, arts, and crafts. I assume the food has a Portuguese influence, and the sausage guys from North End festas better not be there.

On stage, there's going to be dance and music performances that have been described as "kriol-jazz, hip-hop kriol, and kriol-reggae" as well as traditional styles (which is especially beautiful when Cesaria Evora is singing).

SAT 7/4

8:30pm to 11pm
Boston Pops Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
at Hatch Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Storrow Dr, Boston
FREE

If you've never stood by the Charles to see the fireworks, you really should do it at least once in your life. It's so spectacular in person.

A roof deck party with a good view should suffice, but it wouldn't kill you to stand/sit with the masses. The Longfellow Bridge is open to spectators again, so alternate spots like the other bridges or the Memorial Drive shore shouldn't be as bad. I stood on the Longfellow years ago, and you could hear the music, if not see the big screen.

The concert starts at 8:30pm, and the 21 minutes of fireworks goes off at 10:30pm. Craig Ferguson is back as host, and you know Neil Diamond is going to sing "America" and "Sweet Caroline".

SAT 7/4

10pm
Blaque Lyte
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$8

It's pretty good funky jazz. I don't know if I'd pay $8, when there's a giant fireworks show over the Charles River. Maybe if you got there an hour or two before hand for drinks, you might be able to skip the cover charge... Johnny D's is a spot that I enjoy with or without music. They might even have a TV on the Boston Pops simulcast.

SAT 7/4 & SUN 7/5

Noon To 5pm
Nick Z, "Don't Hassle Me I'm Local": Exhibition
at Fourth Wall Project, 132 Brookline Ave., Boston (near Fenway Park)
FREE

We (I) missed last week's reception where the food & drink would have been enough to make it worth a trip. There's not much but a cool art exhibit. You can see photos as the art is being installed, and that'll make you want to see it.