Author: Mia

Free Family Fun at the Arsenal Center for the Arts

Free Family Fun at the Arsenal Center for the Arts

Free Family Fun continues on January 17, from 10AM – 12Noon. These drop-in art and theatre workshops offer the opportunity for families to experiment with paint, paper and collage to create works of art together – and to explore the creative world of theatre games led by the talented staff of Watertown Children’s Theatre. Different projects and games are offered each time.

Upcoming Dates (Saturdays from 10AM – 12Noon):

January 17
February 21
March 21

Free Family Fun days are sponsored by The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation and the Moses Kimball Fund.

For more information, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.arsenalarts.org” www.arsenalarts.org or call 617-923-0100, ext. 8309. HYPERLINK “http://www.medicinewheelproduction.org” The Arsenal Center for the Arts is located at 321 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.

January 16, 2015
Reagle Music Theatre 2015 Vacation Workshops
Reagle Music Theatre

2015 Vacation Workshops and Summer Camp

Now Enrolling!

Aspiring Actors Ages 8-15 Learn Theatre Technique, Acting, Dance and More

WHO/WHAT:

Reagle Music Theatre’s 2015 Winter and Spring vacation Workshops and Summer Camp are now enrolling! Programs are open to all aspiring actors ages 8-15. Along with daily classes in voice, dance, and acting, Reagle’s educational programs provide a positive, nurturing environment in which to develop a variety of performance skills and technique including: Improvisation, Stage Movement, Character Exploration, Auditioning Skills, Vocal Technique, Stage Combat, and Technical Stage Craft. Programs are led by theatre professionals and educators as well as aspiring performers and students. Master Classes with theatre professionals and Broadway guest artists are also offered. All programs end with a final showcase, open to the public, where students present songs, dances and skits.

WHEN/WHERE:

Four-day Winter and Spring Vacation Workshops are held at Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham:
- Winter Vacation Workshop: February 17-20, Tuesday through Friday, 9 am-4 pm
- Spring Vacation Workshop: April 21-24, Tuesday through Friday, 9 am-4 pm
Month-long Summer Camp is held at Kennedy Middle School, 655 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452:
- Summer Camp: July 6-31, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3 pm* [*Special times apply for advanced students – inquire at registration]
FEES:

Winter and Spring Vacation Workshops:

$225 for Waltham residents/$250 for non-Waltham residents. Additional fees apply for early or late drop off/pick off.

Summer Camp:

$800 for Waltham residents/$900 for non-Waltham residents.

REGISTRATION:

For Vacation Workshops and Summer Camp registration, please email camp@reaglemusictheatre.org, call 781-891-5600 or go to website.

# # #

REAGLE EDUCATION STAFF

LAINE JOHNSON (Winter Camp Director)

Laine Johnson joins Reagle Music Theatre as Youth Camp Director with this year’s Winter Camp. She has been directing and teaching theater for over ten years, most recently for Stoneham Theatre’s young company (The Wiz,Shrek) and Beaver Country Day School (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cabaret, The Crucible). She has also directed and taught for such prestigious theaters and schools as the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, the Boston Pops, the New York Film Academy, and Walnut Hill School. She holds an MM (Musical Theater) from the Boston Conservatory, a BA (Theater Studies) from Emory University, and interned at the Alliance Theatre (Regional Tony Award Winner). She is also an accomplished actor and singer, playing leading roles throughout the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Boston.

RACHEL BERTONE (Associate Camp Director/Encore and Advanced Dance Instructor) Rachel Bertone returns to Reagle for her eighth season and proudly continues to wear her many different hats with the company. Besides teaching and choreographing for Reagle’s Youth Programs, she has performed, choreographed, and assistant directed multiple Reagle productions. Holding a BFA in Dance from The Boston Conservatory, she has performed with several other theaters and companies such as Lyric Stage, Fiddlehead, Liars & Believers, Boston Ballet, and Prometheus Dance. She serves on faculty at The Boston Conservatory, Boston Ballet, Jeannette Neill’s Dance Studio, and Artbarn Community Theater.

DAN RODRIGUEZ (Vocal Instructor/Music Director) Recent shows at Reagle Music Theatre include South Pacific, Chicago, Bye Bye Birdie, Oklahoma! (IRNE nom.), The Sound of Music, Hairspray (IRNE nom.), and La Cage Aux Folles (IRNE, Best Music Direction). A graduate of Oberlin, Dan is now a freelance musician who has worked with many companies in the Boston area including The Lily’s Revenge and The Blue Flower (IRNE winner), at the American Repertory Theatre. His work has earned him three IRNE Awards for Best Music Direction and several more nominations. His work has been praised by such theater luminaries as Adam Guettel and Stephen Schwartz. Dan is also an active accompanist, teacher, conductor and composer.

Additional staff members have included JOEY CULLINANE, MATT PHILLIPPS, LENNI KMIEC, MEREDITH SARAN, DAN SULLIVAN, SARA SEXTON and SHAYNA PLOTNIK.

# # #

About Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston, Inc.

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston (RMT) has been bringing Broadway-quality musical theatre to the greater Boston area for 46 seasons. Under the creative direction of Robert J. Eagle the non-profit theater company’s professional productions have earned IRNE and Moss Hart Memorial Awards as well as rave reviews from critics. Reagle’s productions have attracted Broadway stars and legendary performers including Patti LuPone, Sally Struthers, Vicki Lawrence, Andrea McArdle and Shirley Jones. In addition to a trio of summer musicals, RMT annually produces a Celebrity Concert Series and original musical revues including a Christmas spectacular and Irish musical revue. RMT is also committed to supporting arts education for area youth through its Summer Camp, theater workshops and by using theatre techniques to support the Waltham Public Schools’ curriculum. For the latest information on Reagle Music Theatre’s programs and performances see www.reaglemusictheatre.org, and follow RMT on Facebook (ReagleMusicTheatre) and Twitter (@ReagleMusicThtr).
January 15, 2015
Solar Workshop at Waban Library Center Jan 21
Solar Workshop – Waban Library Center
Wednesday, January 21 at 7 PM

1608 Beacon Street, Waban, MA 02468

Brought to you by the Newton Solar Challenge

An educational presentation, interactive Q & A and “breakouts” covering:

How will solar work at my home? How will solar “look” on my house?

Show me the numbers!

How does solar reduce increasing utility bills (after recent 30% NSTAR utility increases)?

How does solar provide a “payback” on investment?

What is a “solar loan” and how can it help me?

Workshop Sponsors: Green Decade Newton, The Village Bank, BarnRaise Energy, Blue Selenium Solar and Sunlight Solar

Facebook Event here

For a free solar evaluation for your home, please visit here.
Brought to you by Green Decade Newton, The Village Bank and the Newton Solar Challenge Team
January 14, 2015
Fire & Ice Festival in South Boston
WHAT: “Fire & Ice Festival”

WHEN:

·         Friday, Jan 2 from  4-8pm (fire performers will begin at 5pm)

·         Sat, Jan 3 from 11 am-8pm (11-5pm ‘ice’, 5-8pm ‘fire’)

·         Sun, Jan 4 from 11 am -8pm (11-5pm ‘ice’, 5-8pm ‘fire’)

WHERE: The Lawn on D; 420 D Street in South Boston

The event will feature all of the following:

“ICE”
- A Winter Pavilion (designed by Design Museum Boston) will be made entirely out of ice and will feature an ice bar serving up seasonal alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks including hot cocoa, coffee, wine, beer and more!
- A massive 5-foot-high and 50-foot-by-50-foot *ice labyrinth for guests to walk through to discover an intricately carved ice structure. The maze will be constructed with approx. 270 blocks of ice weighing 300lbs each.
o ***This is the visual!! I could help coordinate to get a photog get footage and/or pics of the structures going up, if you wanted, just let me know!
- Family-friendly activities for children of all ages
- Recorded music will be playing throughout the day
*Ice labyrinth will be designed in tandem by Ice Effects (Rockland, MA) and The Lawn on D’s creative producer, Christopher Wangro.

***FUN FACT: Ice Effects is the same company that pioneered the David Blaine ice stunt, they created the ice box David laid in!)

“FIRE”
- Live fire performers (think ‘Cirque du Soleil’ style! Courtesy of American Repertory Theater and The Oberon) – 5-8p
- Food Trucks: Legal Sea Foods & Stoked Pizza will be serving up free samples of warm chowder & small bites between 5pm – 8pm (during the duration of the fire performances)
- There will be propane fire pits (3-6 units for people to sit around)
MORE INFO: http://www.lawnond.com/winter-on-d/
December 31, 2014
Words That Mean Something Else in MA

22 Words that mean something totally different in Massachusetts than they do anywhere else from Movoto.

Do you know what they mean?

My personal favorite:

#20 Packie

Source: wikimedia user Fletcher6

What it means everywhere else: Something you do when your going on a trip.
What it means in Massachusetts: Where you buy your booze (The Package Store).

#1 Sox

#2 Yankees

#3 Wicked

#4 Regular

#5 Vineyard

#6 Ma

#7 Patriots

#8 Dunks

#9 Lobster

#10 Bubbler

#11 The Cape

#12 Frappe

#13 Chowder

#14 Fah Daze

#15 Green Monster

#16 Beanpot

#17 Curse

#18 St. Patrick’s Day

#19 Bowling

#21 Tonic

#22 Barrel

December 30, 2014
Moving Elementary Boundary Lines

December 2014

Dear Newton Families,

As many of you are aware, we have begun an exciting time of facilities renovation and expansion in the Newton Public Schools. The recently renovated Carr School, which is currently housing the Angier School during its renovation, is a terrific modern facility. We expect our Long Range Facilities Plan to continue for many years. A key aspect of this plan is not only the rebuilding and renovation of aging buildings but also expanding their capacity to meet the needs of our growing population. A new Angier school will open in January 2016, with Zervas to follow in September 2017. A renovated or rebuilt Cabot is planned for January 2018.

We currently have schools that are over crowded and a few schools that will soon reach expanded capacity. As a result, we will address the student assignment process, a task that will involve moving elementary boundary lines. We expect that the student assignment plans will be addressed in phases, in order to match the timing of the various school construction and/or renovation projects. The initial phase for the first three schools will be addressed this year and additional phases will occur as the plan for rebuilding/renovating elementary schools continues for the next 15-20 years.

I am well aware that shifting elementary boundary lines represents a significant change. Please keep in mind that most residences across the City will remain in their current districts. However, our space challenges necessitate some movement. As a result, we have created a Student Assignment Working Group, which will develop criteria for evaluating various assignment scenarios based on mapping data and other information. A recommendation will be made to the School Committee by the end of the school year.

We fully appreciate that communication and community engagement are essential when making such changes. In addition to providing regular updates at School Committee meetings, there will be public meetings that will focus solely on this topic. Student assignment planning will be on the agenda when School Committee members join me at PTO meetings in each of the schools over the next few months.

Our goal is to develop a process that is thoughtful and sensitive. We will be certain to update you over the course of the year and further information will be provided on our website.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman
Superintendent of Schools

Current Zervas Elementary School District Street Map

December 29, 2014
Good Manner Class for Kids

CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite Greater Boston to Host The Etiquette Academy in 2015

Today, children are confronted with numerous social situations at school, on play dates, and in public which heightens their awareness of proper manners and self-presentation.

Why should I use good manners when my friends are not? I want to fit in, what if my classmates make fun of me? What are social cues, and how do I read them? What is a leader, and how do I become one? Why should I learn the adult way of eating? Why write thank you notes? How should I act when I am at a friend’s house? Or in a restaurant? How can I feel more comfortable when speaking in front of an audience?

These skills and knowledge do not always come naturally for children, and they will continue to struggle in social situations well into their adolescence without the proper tools to conquer these issues.

The Etiquette Academy of New England’s 8-week long etiquette program for grades 2 to 12 cover topics such as improving social and communication skills, projecting confidence, combating shyness, strengthening self-esteem and leadership skills, navigating friendships, resolving conflict, understanding social cues, basic manners, table manners, and more.

Programs are specifically developed for each age group, taught in a fun and interactive way, and the final class takes place at a local upscale restaurant where students get to show off their newly perfected skills!

The program has received outstanding reviews from parents, teachers and yes-even students.

Give your child the skill set to succeed as tomorrow’s leaders. Trust us – your child will thank you (eventually).

Now enrolling for Winter 2015 at CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite in Newton Upper Falls beginning January 10th!

For more information and to enroll visit www.theetiquetteacademy.org or call 617.608.3920.

About The Etiquette Academy of New England

The Etiquette Academy of New England is an academic institution dedicated to enhancing social skills, improving communication techniques, and developing leadership qualities necessary to succeed personally and professionally.

Included in ‘The Best of the New for 2012’ by Boston Globe Magazine they are committed to offering the highest quality programs in the fields of contemporary etiquette, protocol, communication and social skills development. They offer classes and workshops for adults and youth, and partnerships to schools, higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, restaurants, businesses and more.

About CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite

CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite is an advanced after-school and summer enrichment center specializing in critical reading, writing, and thinking.

CHUNGDAHM ReadWrite, an after school reading and writing enrichment program, is now registering for year-round Literary Analysis, Expository Analysis, Issue Analysis, Reading & Writing Workshop, and SAT classes for grades 1-12. ReadWrite is also pleased to announce several upcoming programs including Vacation Days, an all-day program designed to give students a leg up during school holidays. Students will work on school assignments, improve their reading and writing skills, and participate in plenty of creative fun. We will be offering Vacation days on January 19th, April 3rd, and for the entire weeks of the February and April school recesses. Contact us to learn more! www.BostonReadWrite.com | 857.404.0170| info@BostonReadWrite.com

December 28, 2014
Family Art Stencil Class at Historic Newton

Tuesday, December 30th at 2:00 pm

Stunning Stencils

When the Kenricks moved into the Durant House in the 1790s, they mad eth ehome their own by painting the wood floors with stencils! Come learn about the unique floor decoration at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds and try your hand at stenciling your own lunch bag.

Cost: $25 per family ($20 for members) includes museum admission and materials. Prepaid registration is required, limit 25.

Call: 617-796-1450 to register.

Location:

The Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds

286 Waverly Avenue

Newton Corner, MA 02458

December 27, 2014
BAOTG Holiday Soccer Clinic with Charlie Rugg of the LA Galaxy
BAOTG Holiday Soccer Clinic with Charlie Rugg of the LA Galaxy

BAOTG is happy to announce Charlie Rugg of the MLS Champion LA Galaxy will once again be participating in our Holiday Soccer Clinic on December 27.

Charlie and the BAOTG coaches will run skill sessions like the “pro’s do it”. At the end of the clinic Charlie will give the players an opportunity to ask questions and will stick around to sign autographs! Bring a shirt, ball or other memorabilia to have signed by Charlie!

BAOTG will be offering 2 clinics:
- Ages 8 – 12 (9 – 10:30 AM)
- Ages 13 – 17 (11 – 12:30 PM)
The clinic will take place at The Meadowbrook School of Weston and will cost $35.

Click HERE to register.
December 26, 2014
Yoga Benefit Class with Dawn Davis Yoga

Yoga Benefit Class for

Newton-At-Home on Friday, December 26th!

9:30 am at The Windsor Club

1601 Beacon Street, Waban, MA 02468

Newton-At-Home helps older folks in our community continue to live safe and active lives in their own homes. Check out the important work on their website. For more information, please contact our very own Julie Plaut Mahoney at volcoord@newtonathome.org.

Class cards won’t apply for this special class, its entirely a donation-based effort. 100% of what comes in at the door will go to NAH.

December 25, 2014