Overlooked Treasure in Watertown, MA (ALMA)

One of the reasons I moved to Boston when I was 19 was to experience the Armenian American Diasporan experience here in the Boston area. Along with college and working in record stores, I soaked up the plentiful options of Armenian events every month. If it wasn't a lecture or dance, I would go to the Armenian markets in Watertown, MA and stock up on some Armenian food. While living in the Chicago area was fine, there was no concentrated Armenian section there to "feel at home".

16 years later, I've become very spoiled in the Armenian American environment. Also, going to Armenia on an almost yearly basis has made the Armenian American environment a little less interesting. However, before I take things here for granted, I wanted to point out one of the most interesting and important landmarks here in Boston for Armenian-Americans. It is the Armenian Library and Museum of America (ALMA)

I am promoting a concert there of oud legend John Berberian on November 5, 2005 at 7:30pm on the 3rd Floor Gallery. He will be accompanied by former Night Ark band leader Ara Dinkjian. The address is 65 Main Street, Watertown, MA. I was just there visiting Mariam and Berge who run the day to day operations there to take another look at the 3rd floor space to see how the stage will be set up, etc. While in conversations with them, I was shocked to find out that a bulk of their visitors are from out of town and are non-Armenian. With a significant number of Armenian Diasporans living here in Boston, I encourage those who live here to visit this really amazing museum. There are too many people to name and thank for the creation of the museum, but, the two who stand out are Gary and Susan Lind-Sinanian who have worked there for years and are extremely dedicated to the overall look and feel of the museum. They are really unsung heros of the Boston community in my opinion.

Anyway, if you haven't been to ALMA, make some time this fall to go visit. If you want to catch some music and take in the art as well, hopefully we will see you there on November 5th. Tickets can be obtained here. My walk through Watertown the other day gave me a new appreciation of how vibrant and interesting the Boston community is, and can continue to be. Like those Armenians in LA, sometimes you take for granted all the choices around you.

Other points of interest include the Hairenik Building with its bookstore and CD store. Lena does a great job there. There is the Baikar/Armenian Mirror Spectator Building on Mt. Auburn St with Alin. Apo's Ashjian's dance studio right on the corner of Nichols and Bigelow. Gary Garabedian's ACME TV, where half the store is dedicated to Armenian and Middle Eastern CD's. Then, there are the Armenian Bakery's on Mt. Auburn Street. Plenty here to do when looking for that Armenian "shot" every so often.