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Boston's Morning Newsletter
6 special Boston Pops concerts to see this spring, from 'Jurassic Park' to Queen
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It’s Friday — and the magnolia blossoms still look stunning on the ground. If you still need to pick up some petals for mom this weekend, consider sending Winston Flowers from WBUR. If you order by noon tomorrow, you can get one of four different options delivered throughout Greater Boston by Sunday, and you’ll support our local journalism in the process.
Now, to the news:
Pops rock: The Boston Pops open their spring season tonight — and there’s a growing shift to appeal to people beyond just classical music fans. Pops conductor Keith Lockhart gave a preview of the lineup this week on Radio Boston. “It’s a lot more about inclusivity and just making people realize that this is a great public institution that was founded to serve everyone,” Lockhart said, though he joked, “I do look at it and go, ‘How am I going to do all that in the next five weeks?’ ” Here’s a look at some of the new and notable performances:
- Harry Connick Jr. (May 10-11): For the first time since 2001, the famous singer and pianist returns to Symphony Hall tonight and tomorrow to perform with the Pops.
- Encanto (May 11 and May 18): Symphony Hall will screen the animated Disney hit movie in two Saturday matinees, with the Pops orchestra live-performing the catchy score.
- Queen (May 15-16): Mark Martell — who provided the vocals for the film “Bohemian Rhapsody” — collaborates with the Pops for two Queen tribute concerts next week. “You close your eyes, and it could very well be Freddie Mercury,” said Lockhart (who said Queen’s “Night at the Opera” was his first rock album).
- Jazz night (May 22-23): Kicking off during the pandemic, the Pops’ “Roots of Jazz” series continues with saxophonist Branford Marsalis (yes, that’s the brother of Wynton Marsalis), with a cameo by viral piano phenom Jesús Molina.
- Jurassic Park (May 24-25): Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster will be projected on screen, with the orchestra performing former Pops conductor John Williams’ iconic score live. The three-show Memorial Day Weekend run includes a Saturday matinee.
- Pride night (June 1): The Pops’ first Pride Night will feature drag star Thorgy Thor, a former contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” who is also a trained violinist. “She will be playing with us on stage, playing solo works with our concert master and all sorts of fun things like that,” Lockhart said.
- Up next: The Pops’ summer Tanglewood concert schedule also branches out. There will be popular Broadway songs, more John Williams tributes and collabs with indie rockers like Trey Anastasio, Beck and Dispatch.
While you were sleeping: MIT’s pro-Palestinian encampment has been torn down. Police officers moved in shortly after 4 a.m. this morning to clear the tents and arrest protesters. Organizers said only about 10 people were inside the camp at the time. Click here for more updates on the development.
- The early morning sweep comes after those at the encampment clashed with police yesterday during a rally on MIT’s campus. MIT said “fewer than 10” people were arrested for blocking traffic. The university has also begun suspending encampment demonstrators.
The fallout in Amherst: Award-winning author Colson Whitehead has withdrawn as UMass Amherst’s commencement speaker, citing the university’s decision to call the police to break up a peaceful, pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. Whitehead called the response, which led to more than 130 arrests, “a shameful act.”
- He’s not the only critic. UMass’s student government issued a vote of “no confidence” in Chancellor Javier Reyes. Rep. Jim McGovern, who represents Amherst, also called the response concerning. New England Public Media has more here.
Look up: New Englanders may actually be able to see the Northern Lights tonight. Due to unusually strong solar flares from a rare cluster of sunspots, the visible range of the aurora is forecasted to cover much of the United States. The Boston Globe reports those as far south as the Cape may be able to see the spectacle overnight Friday. (Whether or not the clouds clear enough will be the big issue.)
- Pro-tip: If you still have your eclipse glasses, you may also be able to see the giant sunspot during the day.
P.S.— What Boston-area singer’s clothing is featured at a new Museum of Fine Arts exhibit? Take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of this week’s stories.
