Upcoming Celebrity Lectures at the Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts has revealed the lineup for this year’s Ruth and Carl J. Shapiro Celebrity Lectures, showcasing a mix of notable personalities:
- Gabrielle Zevin kicks off the series with her lecture titled “Imagining Others” on October 3, focusing on how empathy influences character creation.
- Uzo Aduba, known for her roles in Orange Is the New Black and The Residence, will present “Owning Your Identity” on October 29, discussing identity and storytelling in her career.
- Rachel Dratch, beloved for her time on Saturday Night Live, will engage in a conversation titled “Back to Boston: An Evening with Rachel Dratch” on February 25, joined by podcast cohost Irene Bremis.
The lineup continues with:
- Mo Rocca on December 3, presenting “Mo Rocca’s Variety Pack Approach to Living.”
- Ocean Vuong, author of On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, will host “An Evening with Ocean Vuong” on May 13.
Tickets are now available at mfa.org.
Boston Symphony Orchestra Announces New Chorus Director
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has appointed Jean-Sébastien Vallée as the new director of choruses and conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, effective from the start of the orchestra’s 2026-27 season. Vallée has previously collaborated with the BSO as a guest choral director and expressed enthusiasm about joining the organization.
He aims to enhance the chorus’s community role and is devoted to fostering educational and civic engagement opportunities.
New England Book Awards Highlights
Recent announcements from the New England Independent Booksellers Association have recognized outstanding literary works by New England authors:
- Fiction Winner: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout.
- Nonfiction Winner: Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden.
- Poetry Winner: The Near and Distant World by Bianca Stone, the Poet Laureate of Vermont.
- Children’s Book: Cat Nap by Brian Lies.
- Middle Grade Book: The Forest Revealed by Jada Fitch and Kateri Kosek.
- Young Adult Book: A Prince Among Pirates by Katie Abdou.
These awards celebrate the rich literary talent found in New England.
