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Roxbury film fest honors Black stories and history, and a West Coast blues fest for July Fourth

Roxbury film fest honors Black stories and history, and a West Coast blues fest for July Fourth

Boston Globe12-06-2025

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Portland, Ore., hosts the 38th annual Waterfront Blues Festival July 4-5 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and on the Willamette River, featuring local legends and national bands, and the city's only sanctioned fireworks display (pictured here).
Waterfront Blues Festival / Jason Quigley
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THERE
A West Coast blues fest for the Fourth of July
The 'other' Portland — in the Pacific Northwest — celebrates July 4 with its 38th annual Waterfront Blues Festival, spanning two days and taking place downtown at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and on the Willamette River, which cuts through the heart of the city. The event, July 4-5, features more than 30 national artists and local legends including, among others, The Main Squeeze, ZZ Ward, The Motet, Allen Stone, Low Cut Connie, The Bayou Boyz, and Southern Avenue whose lead singer, Tierinii Jackson, performs on the soundtrack for this year's film 'Sinners.' Festivalgoers can jump on two blues cruises — or floating concerts on the Willamette — with Sail on Sister on July 4 (3-5 p.m.), featuring Sonny Hess's all-star gathering of Northwest Women Rhythm & Blues, guitar ace Taylor Newville & the Riders, and acoustic blues virtuosos Mary Flower and Lauren Sheehan, and Cruisin' to Memphis on July 5 (3-5 p.m.) featuring two bands and two solo acoustic acts that will compete for a spot at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis next January. The festival hosts the city's only sanctioned Fourth of July fireworks show, an epic display with fireworks launched from a barge on the Willamette (and set to music, even if it's not the Boston Pops). Get a one-day ticket ($40) or two-day pass ($75), or opt for a $200 VIP pass, which gives you early entry, top viewing access, and access to a private bar (with two free drinks) and restrooms; free entry for ages 12 and younger.
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YETI has released its new Hondo Beach Chair, a sturdy seat that holds up to 350 pounds, folds flat for easy transport, reclines in four different positions so you can take a nap or stargaze, and has an aluminum frame and breathable UV-resistant mesh that's comfortable to sit on for hours.
Mike Bagnuolo / YETI
EVERYWHERE
A comfy portable beach chair
Beach season and summer adventures have finally arrived. If last year's favorite camping or beach chair didn't weather winter storage — or survive last year's UV rays — as hoped, consider investing in a new one that should last for years to come. YETI, maker of colorful insulated mugs of all sizes, has released its new Hondo Beach Chair, a sturdy seat that holds up to 350 pounds, folds flat for easy transport, has a padded shoulder strap for carrying, and weighs about 11 pounds — not the lightest chair, but worth it for its sturdiness and durability (it also makes a great last-minute Father's Day gift). The chair has an aluminum frame and breathable UV-resistant mesh that's comfortable to sit on for hours. It has two supportive armrests and a fabric cupholder, and it reclines so you can take a nap, even out your tan, or gaze up at the stars. You can even accessorize your chair: Attach the Hondo Gear Bag to the rung on the back of the chair and fill it with small items such as matches, car keys, bug spray, a book, or a s'mores chocolate bar that's unauthorized for child consumption (it's good to have your own secret stash). The chair isn't cheap — $300 — but it should last for many seasons (YETI offers a three-year warranty if anything within reason goes wrong). $35 gear bag.
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KARI BODNARCHUK
Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at

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25 Items To Carry If You're Going To Disney World
25 Items To Carry If You're Going To Disney World

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25 Items To Carry If You're Going To Disney World

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Save the Dates: Sinners to Stream on Max, The Summer I Turned Pretty Rollout Plan and More
Save the Dates: Sinners to Stream on Max, The Summer I Turned Pretty Rollout Plan and More

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'Sinners' coming to Max. Here's when it will release
'Sinners' coming to Max. Here's when it will release

USA Today

time4 hours ago

  • USA Today

'Sinners' coming to Max. Here's when it will release

The box office success and pop culture phenomenon "Sinners" is set to make its exclusive streaming debut on Max in a couple of weeks. The Ryan Coogler-directed film features Michael B. Jordan in a double role. Coogler's vampire horror film follows twins Smoke and Stack after they return to their small town in Mississippi from Chicago to start a juke joint in the 1930s. "Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers (Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back," the film's synopsis reads. Here is how you will be able to watch "Sinners" on Max from the comfort of your own home. When will 'Sinners' be available to stream on Max? "Sinners" will be available to stream globally on Max on July 4, Warner Bros. said in a news release. Apart from having a debut on the streaming platform, the movie is also set to debut on HBO on July 5 at 8 p.m. ET. How can I subscribe to Max? Max subscription plans begin at $9.99 a month with ads, while ad-free subscriptions cost $16.99 a month. The highest tier, which is $20.99 a month, includes the ability to stream on four devices and offers 4K Ultra HD video quality and 100 downloads. HBO also offers bundles with Hulu and Disney+. When does 'Sinners' come out on 4K Blu-ray/DVD? "Sinners" will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD at online and physical retailers on July 8. Warner Bros. said the digital, 4K UHD and Blu-ray version of the movie will offer special features such as the making of the movie, the creation of the characters and their costumes and deleted scenes, among others. 'Sinners' cast The cast of "Sinners" includes: Watch 'Sinners' trailer Contributing: Saman Shafiq and Brian Truitt, USA TODAY Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_. Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you make a purchase through our links, we may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

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