Kids Concerts and Live Performances in Brookline
CapabilityMom sent me the Fall Schedule for the Coolidge Kid shows at 290 Harvard Street in Brookline. The shows look great and are well priced thanks to underwriting from Magic Beans and Eastern Bank. When the weather turns nasty, this is a great option to get the kids out of the house while introducing them to the fun of live performances!
This year, we’re once again thrilled to be offering our Kids’ Shows on weekends throughout the fall. The new season launches on Sunday, October 14 at 10:30am with a performance by Coolidge favorites Vanessa Trien & the Jumping Monkeys!
We’ll also be bringing back Mister G, Ben Rudnick & Friends, Scott Jameson as well as new acts, such as the Vento Chiaro woodwind quintet!. From magicians to singers, classic films to storytelling, we’ve got something for everyone this season! See below for details.
VANESSA TRIEN & THE JUMPING MONKEYSSunday, October 14 @ 10:30am
The Coolidge is thrilled to welcome back Vanessa and her band as they perform songs off their new album, Bubble Ride, as well as some old favorites from the award-winning CDs, Carnival Day and Hot Air Balloon. As Boston Children’s Music puts it, “Vanessa’s shows are perfect. It’s hard to explain and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is they do differently, but whatever it is, it really gets the kids (and parents) excited!” Join us on October 14 and find out what all the buzz is about!
Click here to view Vanessa’s official website
Click here for more information and/or tickets
MISTER G
Saturday, October 20 @ 10:30am
Over the past few years, Mister G has been traveling and performing original, bilingual songs for children in Latin America and around the USA. His new bilingual CD, Chocolalala, is an irresistible collection of these songs, blending Latin rhythms, traditional instruments, and Mister G’s uniquely catchy song-writing for children. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dance party. Bailamos!Click here to view Mister G’s official website
Click here for more information and/or tickets
BARI KORAL
Saturday, October 27 @ 10:30amDubbed the “‘IT girl’ in kids/family music” by New York Magazine and the “Sheryl Crow for kids” by the New York Post, Bari’s songs are a huge hit with children and adults. Her catchy, pop friendly tunes, interactive live shows & heavy rotation radio play have earned her thousands of young (and not so young!) fans.Bari’s latest album, Rock and Roll Garden, won the Nappa Gold and Parents’ Choice Award and was picked as top 10 kids album of the year by Time Out Kids.Click here to view Bari Koral’s official websiteClick here for more information and/or tickets
MAGIC BY SCOTT JAMESON
Saturday, November 3 @ 10:30amJoin magician and juggler Scott Jameson at the Coolidge for an extraordinary performance that will have you laughing out loud and perched on the very edge of your seat. Umbrellas will be plucked from thin air, a drawing will come to life, basketballs will be spun and juggled, and a member of the audience will unlock telekinetic abilities.Click here to view Scott Jameson’s official website
Click here for more information and/or tickets
BILLY KELLY AND THE BLAH BLAH BLAH’S
Sunday, November 11 @ 10:30amA fun, clever and silly morning of music not to be missed. Songs about milk, pine cones, springtime, 18-wheelers, the moon, and just about anything else you can think of, in a style described as “Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld (writing) lyrics for all-ages music played by an acoustic Weezer.”Click here for the official website of Billy KellyClick here for more information and/or tickets
VENTO CHIARO
Sunday, November 13 @ 10:30amJoin Vento Chiaro for this FREE concert and meet the instruments in the woodwind quintet. With the support of the Free for All Concert Fund, we are pleased to present this special children’s concert, in which the classical musicians of Vento Chiaro will introduce young audiences to all of the instruments in a woodwind quintet. You will see all your favorite characters from Prokofiev’s Peter & The Wolf and a meet some new ones featured in a brand new piece for kids by a composer who lives in Boston. Bring your favorite stuffed animal with you for the show!Click here to view Vento Chiaro’s websiteClick here for more information and/or tickets
BEN RUDNICK & FRIENDS
Saturday, December 1 @ 10:30amMultiple award winners in family music, Ben Rudnick & Friends’ adventurous acoustic music and lyrically humorous style have won them fans of all ages. Whether on stage or record, the band’s formula of delivering interpretations of favorite, well-known songs combined with infectious original tunes is a winner.Click here for the official website of Ben Rudnick & Friends
Click here for more information and/or tickets
Film: THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
Saturday, December 8 @ 10:30am’Tis the season for love, laughter, and one of the most cherished stories of all time! Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. Academy Award® winner Michael Caine gives a performance that’s anything but “bah, humbug!” as greedy, penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Together with kind, humble Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes — and his heart — to the true meaning of Christmas. Click here for more information and/or tickets
ALASTAIR MOOCK’S HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
Saturday, December 15 @ 10:30am
Alastair Moock and Friends and extra special guests, The Fayerweather Street School Chorus, present a concert of original tunes and holiday favorites. Moock’s most recent album, These Are My Friends, won a 2011 NAPPA Gold Award and featured cameos by Vanessa Trien, Lori McKenna, Rani Arbo, and Mark Erelli.Click here Alastair Moock’s official website
Click here for more information and/or tickets
All shows start at 10:30 am
Stroller parking is available in the downstairs lobby and the theater is fully accessible.
Booster seats are also available for the tiny ones.Tickets are $10 adults/$8 children for live acts and $7 adults/$5 children to all films.
All programs are recommended for children ages 3 to 10 unless otherwise indicated.
Don’t get shut out of the show! Buy your tickets early at the box office or online (www.coolidge.org). All children pay admission unless they are held in their parents lap for the entire show.
Coolidge Kids Shows are co-presented by
with additional promotional support from:
Author: Mia
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Coolidge Kids’ Show Schedule in Brookline
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Cirque du Soleil Yoga with Boston Parent Bloggers
Aerial yoga at South Boston Yoga. Anti-Gravity Yoga Blogger Event in Boston
Did you know there is Anti-Gravity yoga (a.k.a. Cirque du Soleil yoga or maybe it’s just me that calls it that?!) in Boston? It’s “off-campus” from Newton in Southie but well worth the trip. I was invited to a Boston Parents Bloggers event sponsored by TD Bank as a way of spreading the message that banking can be a relaxing experience.
I guess it wouldn’t surprise you to find out that Joanna Keseberg, our instructor, is also a circus acrobat? She also runs trapeze and circus instruction parties for kids in Sommerville at AirCraft Aerial Arts. (I was excited to learn this! My middle daughter, PickyKidPix, wanted a trapeze birthday party last year, but I thought Reading was too far.)
Joanna Keseberg, Aerial Yoga and Circus Instructor What is aeriel yoga like exactly? Well … you use those long hanging loops of fabric in a myriad of ways: hanging, sitting, standing, dangling upside down, and as a support to stretch. This loop of red fabric is both strong and versatile. It can be used hammock-like to Trazan-like doing traditional poses like Shavasana, Downward Dog, and forward bends.
I have to say that lying in Shavasana while ensconced in a cocoon-like hammock was extremely relaxing (except for those with claustrophobia). The lying down poses used the fabric as a hammock but with the fabric fully extended into a swinging bubble-like contraption.
Like Vinyasa yoga, we didn’t hold poses for any length of time. The idea is to use gravity both as resistance but in a supported way.
In some ways, it reminded me of pole dancing crossed with yoga, what with all the swinging and loss of balance. Or maybe I made this connection because I was out of my element. I am used to Vinyasa yoga so this was a yoga adventure for me!
It’s also a great core workout which I wouldn’t have guessed but hauling yourself from sitting to standing repeatedly, as well as dangling off to the side on one leg while holding on with one hand does work your core rather well.
Most of us had some yoga experience — Mommycosm just got certified as a yoga instructor — but aeriel yoga was new to all of us. The folks from TD Bank were game enough to do it in their work clothes! Our instructor assured us that yoga newbies can do this and that you don’t need previous experience as a circus acrobat!
MomsFavoriteStuff, Mommycosm and MelanieInTheMiddle (from left to right). As for me, this was the only way for me to do arm balances! Dangling in the air is a lot of fun!
I attended a Boston Parent Blogger event hosted by TD Bank where I received a yoga mat and this class as part of a bloggers outreach event. I was impressed with TD Bank’s creativity pairing yoga with banking — not what a typical bank would think of! I left energized with a yoga buzz! Thanks TD Bank!
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MCAS Results for Newton Public Schools
MCAS Scores Tell a Story of Diversity and Success in NewtonWhat do the MCAS scores reveal about Newton? One of the big draws for us to move to Newton is the ethnic and socio-economic diversity which is rare in metro west suburbs of Boston.
While the numbers don’t lie, there is back story. Given that Newton has a large degree of kids who speak English as a second language, it’s understandable that their scores would be lower in elementary school as they master two languages. Newton public schools scores handily outperform Massachusetts by 20 percentage points (give or take a few) across all grades and subjects.
What is really interesting (and great!) is that by 10th grade, 96% of students are proficient or higher in English, 94% in Math, and 87% in Science/Engineering. My daughter’s English/Social Studies teacher at Day Middle School raised her three kids in Newton, and, due to redistricting, had two kids in Newton South High School and one graduating from Newton North. She said, “Kids get a great education in Newton no matter where they go.” The numbers concur!
Data is from Department of Education.
Grade and Subject Proficient or Higher Advanced Proficient Needs Improvement Warning/ Failing Students Included CPI SGP Included in SGP DISTRICT STATE DISTRICT STATE DISTRICT STATE DISTRICT STATE DISTRICT STATE GRADE 03 – READING 80 61 29 15 51 46 17 30 3 9 921 93.0 N/A N/A GRADE 03 – MATHEMATICS 78 61 47 27 31 34 17 25 6 14 921 90.5 N/A N/A GRADE 04 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 75 57 28 13 47 44 19 30 6 14 1,029 90.3 63.0 934 GRADE 04 – MATHEMATICS 74 51 35 16 39 35 20 36 6 12 1,031 90.2 61.0 940 GRADE 05 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 84 61 39 17 45 44 13 28 4 11 928 93.8 65.0 866 GRADE 05 – MATHEMATICS 82 57 55 25 27 32 11 26 7 17 934 91.9 64.0 875 GRADE 05 – SCIENCE AND TECH/ENG 71 52 37 22 34 30 23 34 6 14 933 88.5 N/A N/A GRADE 06 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 86 66 42 18 44 48 9 22 4 11 929 94.3 58.0 867 GRADE 06 – MATHEMATICS 83 60 54 27 29 33 11 24 6 16 933 92.6 52.0 874 GRADE 07 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 89 71 32 15 57 56 9 21 2 7 877 95.5 57.0 813 GRADE 07 – MATHEMATICS 79 51 48 20 31 31 14 30 7 18 877 90.2 62.0 815 GRADE 08 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 93 81 36 18 57 63 5 14 2 6 870 97.3 60.0 823 GRADE 08 – MATHEMATICS 80 52 52 22 28 30 13 28 7 19 875 90.3 64.0 831 GRADE 08 – SCIENCE AND TECH/ENG 63 43 11 5 52 38 28 38 9 20 869 83.6 N/A N/A GRADE 10 – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 96 88 61 37 35 51 3 9 1 3 908 98.9 59.0 791 GRADE 10 – MATHEMATICS 94 78 77 50 17 28 4 15 2 7 904 97.3 61.0 788 GRADE 10 – SCIENCE AND TECH/ENG 87 69 54 24 33 45 10 25 3 6 861 94.5 N/A N/A ALL GRADES – ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 86 69 38 19 48 50 11 22 3 9 6,462 94.6 60.0 5,094 ALL GRADES – MATHEMATICS 81 59 52 27 29 32 13 26 6 15 6,475 91.8 61.0 5,123 ALL GRADES – SCIENCE AND TECH/ENG 74 54 34 17 40 37 20 32 6 13 2,663 88.8 N/A N/A Compared to most of Boston’s Metro West suburbs, Newton has a diverse population with significant Asian, African American and Hispanic populations. The elementary schools with Level 2 Assistance and Accountability is due to a large proportion of English as a second language students. Newton provides the support they need as evidenced by high overall scores in 10th grade.
Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (2011-12) Race % of District % of State African American 5.4 8.3 Asian 15.6 5.7 Hispanic 7.0 16.1 Native American 0.1 0.2 White 66.6 67.0 Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander 0.0 0.1 Multi-Race, Non-Hispanic 5.3 2.5 School Accountability Information School School Type Title I Status Accountability and Assistance Level A E Angier Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Bowen Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 C C Burr Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Cabot Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Countryside Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Franklin Elementary School Title I School (TA) Level 2 Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School Title I School (TA) Level 2 Horace Mann Elementary School Title I School (TA) Level 1 Mason-Rice Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Peirce Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Memorial Spaulding Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Underwood Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 John Ward Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Williams Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Zervas Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Bigelow Middle Middle School Title I School (TA) Level 1 Charles E Brown Middle Middle School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 F A Day Middle Middle School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Oak Hill Middle Middle School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 2 Newton North High High School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Newton South High High School Non-Title I School (NT) Level 1 Newton Early Childhood Center Early Elementary School Non-Title I School (NT) Insufficient data -
Calling All Artists for Road Mural! Kids in Grades 3-8th Eligible!
Call for Artists, From 3rd Grade to Adult!Here’s a chance to really make your mark on Newton!
Join Newton Highlands merchants and artists in creating the city’s first-ever Road Mural on Lincoln Street.
As part of Newton’s first Annual Walk-Ride Week, the event takes place on Sunday, September 30th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
We hope to strengthen the community by making the street more joyful and safer for walkers!
Lincoln Street will be closed to traffic for the entire day.
We need adult artists to help create eco-themed murals that highlight all that is “green” in Newton,
We also need children in grades 3 – 8 to help fill in the artwork!
Many hands are welcome, and the results will be semi-durable, hopefully lasting for many months.
This is a free event! Want to join in the fun?
If you are an adult artist and would like to participate, please call Annabelle @ (617) 332-7841 to sign up for a space. -
Help Homeless Children Celebrate Their Birthday
BirthdayWishes.org Needs Your Help
Dear Friends,In the 10 years we have been providing birthday parties to homeless children, we have never seen demand for our services at such a high level. In addition to the shelters, which are at capacity, there are almost 2,000 families living in motels. At least every week, one of our offices receives a request for our services from a new program or agency – and another 20-30 homeless children.To accomodate this growing number of homeless children we need your generous help to replenish our shelves with toys!Here is how you can help:- Shop for toys with your kids or friends
- Organize a toy drive at your local school, church, temple, or club
- Use your Facebook page or other social media to spread the word to family and friends
- Organize a drive at your company
Here is what we need most:- Dora dolls and toys
- Spiderman, Ironman and other popular superhero toys
- LEGOs and MEGA Blocks
- Littlest Pet Shop toys
- Nail polish kits for teen girls
- Toddler toys (stacking toys, blocks, board books, musical toys)
- $35 gift cards for our teen birthday kids (Target, Walmart)
Toys must be new and in orignal packaging. Donations may be dropped off at our Newton Centre office at 11 Homer Street on the 2nd floor of the Trinity Episcopal Church. Our office hours are Monday and Friday 9-3, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9-5.Thank you for keeping the candles lit! I hope to see you soon.Lisa VasiloffCofounder and Executive Director -
Newton BoxART: Chestnut Street
New BoxART Projects in Newton
We were gone for two weeks during the end of August and when we returned, it seemed like there were at least a half dozen new BoxART projects in the works. It’s like coming home to find that your spring bulbs have all burst into full bloom!
This pretty BoxART is on Chestnut Street off Woodland Street with a four season theme! Right now, this BoxART piece is reminding me to go apple picking because winter is coming soon!
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Art Classes for Kids in Newton Highlands
Green Planet Kids presents…
THE ART LOFTCreative Classes for KidsStarts in October – SIGN UP NOW!An exciting new art education program for children ages 2 – 13.Professional Art Teachers & First Quality Materials.Great for busy families – no need to sign up for a lengthy series,just pick and choose each class that interests your child and fits your schedule!For more information and to register, please visit Green Planet Kids website.Green Planet Kids is located at 22 Lincoln Street in Newton Highlands. -
Boston Public Library: Event for Kids to Meet Children’s Authors
Boston Public Library Children’s Book Author Fundraiser
Update: This event is fully subscribed. If you are still interested, there is a wait list. Otherwise, there is always next year!
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There is a great event at the Boston Public Library that raises money for Literary Lights for Children and you and your children can meet children’s and young adult authors. It’s Sunday, September 30 at 2pm. Please go here to purchase tickets.
Sunday, September 30, 2012, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Bates Reading Room, Central Library, Copley Square
The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you to the fourteenth annual Literary Lights for Children tea party on Sunday, September 30th in the beautiful Bates Reading Room of the Boston Public Library.
The 2012 honorees are:
“Literary Lights for Children” seeks to raise awareness of children’s literature, promote literacy, honor children’s authors, and raise money for the Boston Public Library’s children’s services and collections. Students selected from Boston area schools introduce and present the awards to each of the honored authors. The honorees then discuss their writing careers and share their love of books with the audience of over 400 children and adults. Tea refreshments are served.Tickets are $40 children, $60 adults
There will be authors: Kevin Hawkes, Christopher Paolini, Mitali Perkins (Rickshaw Girl!), and Gary Schmidt.
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Newton Community Farm Fall Festival
Celebrate Fall at Newton Community FarmDid you know that we have a community farm in Newton? I only know this because it’s my Dad Friend Mike’s family farm on his Italian side. His grandparents sold a portion of farm to the city of Newton and the rest is now what is the Wells Avenue area.
The Fall Festival celebrates the fall harvest as well as raises money for educational programs for kids.
Families, adults, children….all are welcome! Invite your friends and neighbors.
Admission and parking are free! We will have food, baked goods, produce, farm fresh jams, and beverages for sale. Proceeds benefit NCF’s education programs.
Enjoy live music and entertainment, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, pumpkin decorating, and more!
Schedule of Events
11 a.m. Event Start
11 a.m. Live Music by Finally Friday
11:30 a.m. Welcome (Speaker TBD)
12 p.m. Farm Tour
12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. Music & Movement of Newton
12 p.m. Cooking Demo w. Biltmore Bar & Grill
12:45 p.m. Apple Relay w. Boston Sports Club
1 p.m. Farm Tour #2
1:30 p.m. Bread Making Demo w. NCF Instructor
1:45 p.m. Apple Relay
2 p.m. Farm Tour #3
3 p.m. Event End
The day will be full of on-going activities as well:
Children’s Activities
All-Natural Pumpkin Decorating
Milk the Cow – Pine Village Preschool of Newton
Face Painting
Budding Chefs – Newton Community Farm
Seed Planting – Meeting House Preschool
Story Hour – Newton Community Farm
Community Activities
Bake Sale
Farm Fresh Jams
Map of Newton
Prayer Flags
Community Weaving
Farm Stand
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$2.00 Admission at The Discover Museums!
The Discovery Museums Celebrate 30 Years with a Week of 1982 Admission Prices
“Pay and Play Like It’s 1982” Offers $2.00 Admission from September 22 through 28
To say Thank You for 30 years of support from the greater Boston community, The Discovery Museums will reduce admission prices for a week to $2.00 per person, the same price as when the museum first opened in 1982. From Saturday September 22 through Friday September 28, visitors of all ages can explore both museums on the campus and enjoy favorite programs and activities such as Music & Movement, FETCH!™ Lab, PEEP™ Science Adventures, Mixing in Math, LEGO Zone and more, and pay only $2 admission per person as part of the “Pay and Play Like It’s 1982” promotion.In addition to the reduced admission price, memberships will be sold at a 20% discount through the end of the month. Members and children under 1 are not charged an admission fee; teachers are also always free.
About The Discovery Museums
The Discovery Museums are celebrating 30 years of inspiring curiosity. The two museums—the Children’s Discovery Museum for ages 0-6 and the Science Discovery Museum for kids of all ages—are the children’s and science museums of MetroWest Boston, paired on a single 4.5-acre campus in Acton, MA. For 30 years the Museums have served families and schools from towns throughout New England, with a commitment to informal education that enhances classroom learning. The hands-on, playful exhibits, developed by professional educators, inspire curiosity, exploration, experimentation and imagination. The Discovery Museums combine manageable scale, convenient location and free parking to provide a fun and engaging experience where children and adults can discover their world together. For more information, please visit www.discoverymuseums.org.
Hours and Admission
The Discovery Museums are located at 177 Main Street Acton, MA 01720. Tel 978-264-4200. All programs are free with admission: $11.00 adults & children, $9.50 seniors 60+, free for children under 1 and Members. Teachers are always free.
School Year hours
Children’s Discovery Museum: 9am to 4:30pm Tues – Sun
Science Discovery Museum: 1pm to 4:30pm Tues – Fri, 10am to 4:30pm Sat & Sun
Both Museums closed on Mondays.
