Paradise Rock Club
This legendary live-music venue might be a quarter-century old, but its state-of-the-art sound system delivers crystal-clear beats and fuzz-free acoustic sets. Fans love being within mere feet of their favorite rock stars, and even though national acts such as the Flaming Lips and Jack Johnson sometimes swing through, the Paradise still promotes smalltime local bands looking for their big break. 967 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA crossroadspresents.com/paradise-rock-club.
On Centre
The smorgasbord of locally made jewelry, wood-topped Paddywax candles, and cheeky Blue Q novelty socks at this airy gift shop (pictured) never fails to impress. oncentrejp.com.
Fountain Street
A relatively new player in the SoWa arts district—they relocated in 2017 after six years in Framingham—the Fountain Street team not only champions contemporary arts, but also advocates for local creatives and collectors. Their membership-based gallery provides both well-established and emerging artists a chance at exhibiting, while their community events, installations, shows, and online marketplace allow buyers many different ways to score abstract paintings, mixed-media sculptures, metal prints, and more. 460C Harrison Ave., Ste. 2, Boston, MA fsfaboston.com.
Artist and Craftsman
This Central Square shop is an underground playground for arts and crafts aficionados. Beautiful pastels and oil paints, sculpting supplies, and surprises for the kids crowd the shelves, and the genial employees are happy to lend their expertise to dabblers and established craftspeople alike. 580 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 2139, artistcraftsman.com.
Mario Diacono Gallery
Diacono chooses quality over quantity. Exhibitions at his Fenway gallery rarely include more than a few works, but they are always good works, like those of Italian neoexpressionists Francesco Clemente and Enzo Cucchi and New York painters Eric Fischl, Julian Schnabel, Philip Taaffe, and David Salle. 84 Petersborough St., Boston, MA .
Clark Gallery
Fine taste, strong commitment to the best local work. Lincoln, MA
Gallery Kayafas
Owner Arlette Kayafas's gallery represents a broad cross-section of Boston art. There are works from established local icons—Jules Aarons's photos of the old West End, First Night founder Clara Wainwright's quilts. But Gallery Kayafas has come into its own as the place to see new queer visual art in Boston from Boston, with artists such as Jess Dugan, Caleb Cole, and A. B. Miner grappling with the fast-shifting politics and emotions of today as they shape the landscape of the future. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, gallerykayafas.com.
The Sevens Ale House
The only people unhappy with the Sevens are those standing in line when a regular patron walks by them and through the door. Some of the regulars should have their mail delivered here. 77 Charles St., Boston, MA .
Peabody Essex Museum
The longest continuously operating museum in the U.S. is also one of the area’s best for kids. Model ships anchor the vast maritime collection, while rotating exhibits are often colorful and interactive, not to mention displayed in large, disaster-proof open spaces. There’s more fun to be had in the Maker Lounge, where children take part in arts and crafts activities. Expect even more to explore when the new wing opens in 2019. 161 Essex St., Salem, MA 01970, pem.org.
Janet Jeghelian
She received positive press form the New Yorker portraying her as a prime challenger to Ted Kennedy. Alas, the article appeared on the Monday after the former radio talk show host failed to muster the meager 15 percent needed to make the ballot at the Republican state convention.
Nolde Again
MFA curator Clifford Ackley spent six years researching the artist but initially failed to mention in his presentation that Nolde is widely believed to have been a Nazi sympathizer.
Cardinal Bernard Law
Law compared the Catholic Church crisis, in which he personally failed to respond to countless reports of pedophilia by priests over decades, to the September 11 attacks, in which foreign suicide terrorists launched a surprise strike on the United States.
Tavern on the Water
Opened eight months ago, the Tavern has great water views, outdoor dining, and outrageous sunset jazz and entertainment in the summer on Thursdays and Fridays. Come by car, water taxi, or sail over on your yacht. 1 Pier 6, Eighth St., Charlestown, MA .
Singing Beach
Leave the car at home. Singing Beach—so named for the lyrical sound the sand makes when you walk on it—is just a 10-minute stroll from the Manchester commuter-rail station. 119 Beach St., Manchester, MA 10944, .
The Jazz Boat
A cruise, a concert. Every Wednesday evening through September 9, with two sailings a night. And if you don't like jazz, there are reggae, dance-band, and classical cruises other nights of the week. Commonwealth Pier, .