Cambridge residents are invited to enjoy a free dance party at The Cube in Jill Brown-Rhone Park on Wednesday next week. The City of Cambridge has announced that the event will consist of two segments: a traditional dance party with a DJ from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a silent headphone party until 9 p.m. Those interested in the silent disco can reserve headphones by RSVPing to [email protected].
The soiree, part of the City of Cambridge's Shade Is Social Justice program, provides an opportunity to dance while also highlighting themes of urban planning, sustainability, and adaptation to climate change. In the summer of 2024, the program installed three public art structures, including The Cube, which offers shade to visitors in Central Square. Designed by Gabriel Cira and Matthew Okazaki, the structure provides both relief from the sun and a space for community interaction.
An official statement from the City of Cambridge outlines the broader impact of these installations, noting that the increasing heat island effect makes such initiatives essential. In addition to The Cube, the "Growing Shade," feature is located near the Russell Field playground and was created by Alejandro Saldarriaga, a Colombia-raised architect based in Cambridge, in collaboration with Boston's Northeastern University.
Although "SHADE" at Donnelly Field, created by a local youth committee, is scheduled for dismantling on Friday, its impact endures. The designs come from a coalition of local contributors, including the youth committee members Cheryl Rateau, Eli Goncalves, Nico Chandler, Samadhi Simmons, Matt Keane, and Amara Henry-Guity, with support from organizations like Buildingways, Friday Night Hype, Citizens of the World, and others, according to the city's announcement.
The City of Cambridge emphasizes the importance of eco-conscious urban redesign through its website and public art initiatives like Shade Is Social Justice. These projects aim to integrate aesthetics, utility, and activism. As the cityscape changes, the focus on sustainability and livability continues to grow.
