JUSTBOOK-ISH CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING
A crowd of book lovers gathered on November 23 in Fields Corner to celebrate the grand opening of justBook-Ish, an independent bookstore and gathering space for local organizations, artists, and residents. Founded by Bing Broderick, the former Haley House executive director, and Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, justBook-ish offers a selection of social justice-themed books curated to the unique interests of the Dorchester neighborhood. The event marked the success of a community-led project three years in the making, set into motion when the founders secured a competitive bid to build retail space in the new Dot Crossing building. With the strength of foundation grants, a well-supported GoFundMe campaign, local partnerships with organizations like VietAID, and pro-bono legal support, justBook-ish will be the neighborhood’s first bookstore. In a congratulatory speech at the event, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley lauded the efforts of the founding group. “I want to tell the world that if you want to know how to truly be the architects of change and justice, you need to pay Dorchester and Fields Corner a visit,” she said. “You have provided an incredible blueprint of what is possible when we are intentional, when we are deliberate, in every single way.” Entrepreneurs Maria Fernandes-Dominique and Melissa Mazzeo attended the event in support of their friend Tamika Francis, the culinary director of justBook-ish. Mazzeo, who owns and operates Merry Go Rounds, a children’s consignment business based in Easton, saw hope in the store’s opening. “As someone who is thinking of opening up a location here in Dorchester, I was happy
that they were able to open,” she said. “Whatever the city can continue to do to incentivize small businesses to open physical locations, that would be great to see.” Hailing from Cabo Verde, FernandesDominique looked forward to the store having books that were culturally relevant to the residents of the Fields Corner neighborhood, which is home to diverse community of Americans with Vietnamese, African-American, Cabo Verdean, Irish, and Latino heritage. “I am excited about being able to have books that tell my son and other kids in this neighborhood, especially those from Cabo Verde, about the real narrative of who they are and where they come from,” she said. “I am most excited to come here and get on the rug with my seven-yearold Black boy and read stories together.” Pressley’s speech echoed this sentiment: “As much as it is about building community, it is [also] in defense of our children’s childhood,” she said. The representative took the opportunity to mention the introduction of her Book Saves Lives Act, which seeks to combat the rise of book bans in the United States by ensuring that school libraries maintain a diverse collection of books. Despite the downpour of freezing rain, the warm interior of the new space served as a fitting metaphor for the business’ role as a sanctuary for the community. “We make a promise to continue justly in partnership with the community and with this earth and this land,” said Olayiwola. “Our goal in being here is to make space for all of those voices, for all those stories, for all those narratives of y’all here with us today.”
-------AKBOTA SAUDABAYEVA
HOLIDAY MARKET FORECAST 2024
Where to Buy Gifts Directly from Local Artists Now that the hellish, hot nights of November have passed and thermostats across Boston have been adjusted to prevent pipes from freezing, it’s time we turn our attention to the wonderful tradition of finding tinsel, trinkets, and treats from local artists to gift to our loved ones this holiday season. Don’t miss out on these upcoming markets, and don’t forget to peep the happenings spread for even more options! For early birds, our friends at the North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) are hosting an arts & crafts fair on December 7 (12pm-6pm) with Native American crafts and food at their community center in Jamaica Plain. All are welcome, and the proceeds from the food will be used for youth programming. Brought to you by High Energy Vintage and Existential Thread Co., Small Mart is hosting two special edition holiday markets with 40+ vendors at the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville on December 7 and 21 (11am-4pm). Don’t tell my ma, but last year I bought a pipe in the shape of a shucked oyster at this market, and it’s been a prized possession ever since. Milk Row Studios, which shares an alleyway with Somerville’s beloved Market Basket, is opening their doors on December 8 (12pm-6pm). Enjoy three floors worth of artist wares, free snacks, and holiday vibes (and say hi to BCN family member Emma!).
confront your issue s!!
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Spontaneous Celebrations is hosting their annual holiday market at their Jamaica Plain location on December 13 (6-9pm) and December 14-15 (11am-4pm) allowing you to get some mid-minute local shopping in while enjoying a warm drink. Black Market Nubian is hosting their annual Black Heritage Market at their location in Roxbury on December 14 and 21 (1pm-6pm), serving Caribbean vibes, food, and mocktails for shoppers to enjoy. Maybe you’ve seen the sick poster of creepy Christmas creatures by the one and only @thankyou_sean floating around, but Brighton Bazaar’s Holiday Edition is on December 21 (11am-7pm) at Roadrunner. Check out the first dibs ticket option for early entry if you’re looking to beat the crowd and get some more elbow room! Whether you’ve splurged on the perfect prints for your polycule, or decided to craft your own treats this year, the team at the Boston Compass would love to hear about your holiday wish list (and your New Year’s resolutions) at our “Confront Your Issues!” Party on December 14 (7pm-10pm) at the Boston Figurative Art Center in Somerville. Here’s a toast to another year of local art and successful newspaper issues!
DESIGNERS:
Phoebe Delmonte: p.1,4,5 Akbota Saudabayeva: p.2,3,7 Adrian Alvarez: p.6,8