Category: Events

Events for adults, families and kids in Newton, MA.

Newton Community Farm Fall Festival

Celebrate Fall at Newton Community Farm

Did 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

September 21, 2012
$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.

September 20, 2012
Newton Free Library FREE Family Event: Sat, Sept 8, 2-4
FREE Family Event with Free Ice Cream and Live Animal Presentation

The Trustees, Friends and staff of the Newton Free Library invite patrons to a special community celebration on Saturday, September 8. The festivities will be held in front of the library at the Homer Street entrance (or in Druker Auditorium in case of rain) and will include activities for children, teens and adults so bring the whole family!
- Enjoy Cabot’s ice cream scooped by local elected officials and community leaders, courtesy of the Library Trustees!
- Meet Phil McNulty, the new Library Director
- Get your complimentary copy of the newly published booklet on the library’sPermanent Collection of Art; take the tour in person or stream the audio
- Have fun with your kids at a live animal presentation given by Animal Adventures (2:15-3:45 pm)
- Learn about our eBooks andeResources, like online classes
- Ham it up at our Teen Librarian’s costume photo booth.
- Stop by the Friends of the Newton Free Library table and become a member!
Please join the Newton Free Library on Saturday, Sept 8th from 2-4 pm for free ice cream and fun for all ages.
September 6, 2012
Giroux Brothers Martial Arts Open House FREE Event!
Karate for Kids Open House with Demo, Games and Prizes!

SUNDAY, Sept 30th, from Noon to 5
- We are starting off with a kickathon for the Make A Wish Foundation. Our goal is to provide one child a wish which costs $6,500.00. Watch our students kick to do good!
- In addition to the kick-a-thon we will be having raffles.
- After Kick-A-Thon, we will have a performance from our Elite Demo Team who just won the championship at Chun Kuk Do’s International Training Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada this July.
- After the demo we will be presenting certificates to students who achieved black belt or higher level of black belt last year.
- We will also have a slide show with pictures of these students when they started and throughout their training at Giroux Bros. We have over 20 students receiving certificates.
- After the Black Belt Extravaganza, we will open the school and the perimeter up for games, prizes, face painting, etc.
All are welcome.

This is last year’s Elite Demo Team.
September 5, 2012
FREE Family Drop In Art Classes at the New Art Center This Fall

FREE Family Art Classes at the New Art Center

Drop-in Family Visit

Free Drop-in Family Connections Visit, where the gallery becomes the classroom and the art studio. Join us for a guided tour, art activities inspired by the exhibition, and a scavenger hunt.During Out of the Ruins: Reimagining the Romantic Tradition

September 29, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: New Art Center

Drop-in Family Visit

Free Drop-in Family Connections Visit, where the gallery becomes the classroom and the art studio. Join us for a guided tour, art activities inspired by the exhibition, and a scavenger hunt.During New Media/Fresh Paint II deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s Corporate Program

November 17, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Location: New Art Center

August 27, 2012
Young Musicians Classical Concert in Boston

Classical Concert by Kids

From the Top with host Christopher O’Riley, the preeminent showcase for young musicians, announces its 2012-2013 National Tour dates for recording its popular NPR radio program. The tour includes concert events at From the Top’s home base at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall and cities from Beijing, China to Athens, Georgia to Davis, California. Guest artists for the season will include cellist Matt Haimovitz, as well as two professional orchestras – the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra.Ct

Broadcast on nearly 250 stations nationwide to an audience of more than 700,000 listeners each week,From the Top celebrates the amazing performances and captivating stories of America’s best pre-college classical musicians. Considered one of the most popular weekly classical music programs on public radio, the show has been described by the Boston Globe as, “an entertaining, accessible, and inspirational mix of outstanding musical performances, informal interviews, skits and games; the show is a celebration of extraordinary musicians who happen to be teenagers leading fairly normal lives.”

2012-2013 From the Top National Radio Taping Tour*

Locally:
Sunday, October 14, 2012: Boston, Massachusetts
Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory

Go here for ticket information (out in August).

Elsewhere:
Friday, July 20, 2012: Chautauqua, New York
Presented by Chautauqua Music Festival
Chautauqua Amphitheater

Saturday, July 28, 2012: Beijing, China
Presented by Great Wall International Academy
Recital Hall, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing

Saturday, July 28, 2012: Beijing, China
Presented by Great Wall International Academy
Recital Hall, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing

Friday, October 5, 2012: Troy, New York
Presented by Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Sunday, October 14, 2012: Boston, Massachusetts
Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory

Sunday, October 21, 2012: Greensburg, Pennsylvania
Presented by Westmoreland Cultural Trust and Seton Hill University
The Palace Theatre

Thursday, October 25, 2012: Davis, California
Presented by the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, UC Davis
Jackson Hall

Tuesday, December 12, 2012: Sarasota, Florida
Presented by Artists Series Concerts of Sarasota
Sarasota Opera House

Friday, January 4, 2013: Dallas, Texas
Presented by Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Meyerson Symphony Hall

Saturday, January 12, 2013: Denver, Colorado
Presented by Colorado Symphony Association
The Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex

Saturday, February 9, 2013: Boston, Massachusetts
Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory

Sunday, February 17, 2013: Tucson, Arizona
Presented by UA Presents
Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona

Tuesday, February 17, 2013: Mesa, Arizona
Presented by Mesa Arts Center
The Piper Theater

Sunday, March 3, 2013: Athens, Georgia
Presented by the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center
Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall at the University of Georgia

Friday, March 8, 2013: New Albany, Ohio
Presented by Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts
Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts

Saturday, June 1, 2013: El Paso, Texas
Presented by the El Paso Community Foundation for the benefit of the El Paso Summer Music Festival
Plaza Theatre

July 28, 2012
Auburdale Community Library Events

Auburndale Community Library

TONIGHT! Craft Night ~ Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Scrabble Pendants

WEDNESDAY, July 25 7:30 pm

Your ‘canvas’ is a tiny little Scrabble tile…the possibilities are endless! If you have something tiny, made out of paper, and it’s glue-able onto a Scrabble tile (photos, fancy paper, drawings), you can make it into a little charm for a necklace at our upcoming workshop.

Scrabble Pendants at the ACL

Wednesday, July 25th at 7:30 pm

RSVP to danakhanson@gmail.com

Please bring a good pair of scissors or an Exacto knife

There will be the pendants and all the fixins…including a vast array of paper goodies and punches for your use (though you may feel free to bring your own tiny papers and supplies, as well). As we get a sense of the numbers, we’ll figure out a suggested donation to cover our costs for materials (probably within the $5-$10 range per person). In order to ensure we have enough supplies for our event, please RSVP to danakhanson@gmail.com if you think you will be joining us. Could be a fun mid-summer Girls’ Night Out while the schedules are slow…hope to see you there!

TOMORROW! Harry Potter Introduction To Latin Party
Thursday, July 26 from 5:30-6:30 pm
Join us for this unique party brought to us by some of our ACL Teen Summer Volunteers! If have kids who love Harry Potter or if you have a penchant for Latin, you will not want to miss this…there will be a large Trojan horse and an erupting volcano, too.

Here’s the pitch from our teen organizers:

“Latin is a dead language! Why do you study it? Isn’t boring and difficult to understand?” You might be asking those questions – and yes Latin can be boring and difficult, but it can be interesting too! And it certainly is not dead. Come join us at the Auburndale Community Library on Thursday July 25th at 5:30 for our Harry Potter Introduction to Latin Party! Books like Harry Potter and the Hunger Games are full of Latin references, themes, pieces of the Latin language, and names of famous ancient Romans! We will explore Latin by looking at the Latin references in Harry Potter, hearing stories about Ancient Rome and even do some crafts! So what are you waiting for? Grab your broomstick and some friends and enter a world of Harry Potter and Latin!

Pajama Storytime and Games at the ACL

Wednesday, August 1 at 7:00 pm
A family event at the ACL! We’ll have games and stories for kids–bring the whole family. Refreshments provided by Breadsong Bakery and a selection of games provided by Just Next Door. What a terrific way to show your support for our local Auburndale businesses who are co-sponsoring this event.

You can wear your PJs…or just come as you are!

ACL Book Group: The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

Wednesday, August 15 at 7:30 pm

Please join for The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. The ACL has several copies and we encourage folks to keep them circulating briskly over the upcoming weeks so all may have a chance to read our current selection.

ACL Summer Evenings Series–Mark Your Calendars

In July and August, with our reduced hours on Saturdays (10 am to noon, instead of 10 am to 3 pm), we are making up the difference with weekly evening events for our patrons.

Wednesday, July 25: Scrabble Pendant Making

Wednesday, August 1: Family Games Night and Pajama Story Time

Wednesday, August 8: Family Ice Cream Social

Wednesday, August 15: ACL Adult Book Club,The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

July 25, 2012
NewTV features Local Artists – The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II

Who even knew that NewTV had a art gallery? I certainly didn’t. But they do – just outside the offices -and showcase many talented local artists (previously featured artists include Marian Dioguardi and Coleman Rogers) and save the date for the Gallery Reception of The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II on July 18th, 7-9 pm.

Featuring Local Artists – Sharon Schindler, Emily Sper, Jeffrey Hayes, Amy Kaufman, Jeanne Gugino, Jessamyn Martin, Douglas Weisman, and Myra Abelson.

This is a great way to see these artists in a casual setting. You can also see Sharon Schindler’s work in the lobby of the Newton North High School (there is a beautiful photo of the old Newton North printed on birch wood just outside the main office) and some gorgeous photos of Israel at Temple Reyim on Washington Street, Newton.

Save the Date!

Please join us for a wine and cheese reception at NewTV as we celebrate our newest exhibit, The Small Stage: Still Life, Part II. Presented by Newton Open Studios, and curated by Ellen Fisher. Eight artists from Newton Open Studios explore the still life format, presenting a varied and delightful sampling that challenges preconceived notions of the genre. These still lifes often peer into unusual places, occasionally verge on abstraction, and tackle both conventional and unexpected subjects. Exhibit runs through August 20.

From the website:

At the NewTV Art Gallery, we offer a moment to reflect upon a photo, painting, collage, or any frameable medium. We encourage local, emerging and established artists to submit work for one of our quarterly group or solo exhibits, art openings, and on-line exposure. Work is for sale, with pricing established by the individual artists. Please support our state of the Arts!

NewTV | 23 Needham St | Newton Highlands MA 02461

Telephone: 617.965.7200

Fax: 617.965.5677

Email: newtv@newtv.org

As I explored the website I learned of the many class offerings – what a tremendous resource. Classes include Animation Workshops, Studio, Field and Post Production classes and even a Screenwriting class. and Any Newton resident, non-profit organization or business can join NewTV for a small, annual membership fee. Once you’ve signed up, you are eligible to take any classes or workshops offered by NewTV, use any of NewTV’s equipment and book the Conference Room or Studio, all free of charge with your membership.

NewTV is also running a NewTVSummer Raffle

EXCLUSIVE TO NEWTV MEMBERS!

Spread the word about NewTV’s fantastic membership opportunities to your friends and you can enter our Summer Raffle. It’s easy! All you have to do is refer a friend for a NewTV membership. Once they sign up, you are automatically entered in the raffle, with the opportunity to win one of three great prizes!

Grand Prize is a brand new iPad 2

Second prize is a 32 GB iPod Touch

Third prize is a $100 iTunes gift card

An individual membership referral will give you 1 raffle ticket, a family membership referral will give you 5 and a non-profit will give you 10.

Please email Member Services Coordinator Michael Crossen-Sills at michaelcs@newtv.org with your referrals so we can enter you into the drawing.

Deadline is August 31, 2012

July 6, 2012
Newton South Student Wins Operation Sail 2012 Essay Contest

15-year-old Joshua Sander, a junior at Newton South High School, is the winner of Boston’s Operation Sail essay competition and will ride on the U.S. Coast Guard tall ship, Eagle, at the start of OpSail Boston on June 30. – Photo – Tamir Kalifa for The Boston Globe

As part of Operation Sail 2012, high school essay contests were held in all the participating cities. This is the winning essay from Boston, written by Newton South High School junior Josh Sander. It was chosen by the chief judge of the OpSail Essay contest, William H. White, author, historian, and board member of both the USS Constitution Museum and Operation Sail, Inc.

The story of the Revenue Cutter Service

By Josh Sander

During the Revolutionary War, many captains smuggled their goods past the British to avoid paying taxes on it, and many saw no reason to stop at the end of the war. As a federal debt crisis loomed, the Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton saw an opportunity to seize revenue and submitted a proposal for the creation of a “Revenue Cutter Service” to “seize vessels and goods in the cases in which they are liable to seizure for breaches of the Revenue laws.” In 1790, the Revenue Cutter Service was created. Later, its mission was expanded to include enforcing the unpopular embargoes passed by Congress to protest European violation of American neutrality.

Despite the unpopular laws, the RCS earned respect for their quality, responsibility, and fairness in administering them. The Revenue Cutters were also responsible for rescuing distressed sailors, bringing supplies to lighthouses, carrying messages, and charting the coast. To do this, the RCS was equipped with ten fast and agile shallow-draft cutters, each based at a major trading port. The cutters could be equipped with ten carronades (though the ships rarely carried a full complement of guns), and a crew of fifteen to thirty men. The RCS, most notably the USRC Pickering, first fired in anger during the “Quasi War” with France, which took place almost entirely at sea. By the time the War of 1812 had begun, the Service had expanded to fourteen ships.

This is an excerpt…click here to read the rest of this essay on Boston.com – The story of the Revenue Cutter Service.

June 30, 2012
Music with Philip: Free Concerts and Classes for Kids
When my kids were smaller, we used to drive to Brookline to take parent/child music classes with Philip who is like the Pied Piper. My kids adored his music classes and it was completely worth the drive! He also has some free events coming up on the North Shore. I know … very far away, but just check out the dates in case you are headed there for other reasons like the beach or to meet a friend.

Free Concert at Swampscott Library Tomorrow …
Concert by the Sea! This Tuesday!
FREE!Bring your family to sing and dance barefoot on the green! Weather permitting, the concert will be on the beautiful lawn outside the library and the Town Hall, just across from the end of King’s Beach.

I am very excited to perform with my family band! My wife Joanna and daughter Sophia will add their exquisite harmonies, backed up by the talented Michael McClung on bass and Whisky Wolinski on drums. Bring a picnic supper to enjoy. Treadwell’s Ice Cream will be selling sundaes as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Swampscott Public Library. Enjoy face painting and temporary tattoos for the kids.

Concert will be inside if weather gets yucky. Everybody yell: “NO RAIN!” Swampscott Public Library website

More Upcoming Shows
All kinds of fantastic events are happening in Marblehead for the Festival of the Arts weekend! Live music, arts, crafts, food and more. The Children’s Festival is Sunday from noon to 3pm is on the lawn of Abbot Hall, so head on over at 1pm for a family band concert sure to get you and your kids singing, dancing, laughing and grooving together!

www.marbleheadfestival.org/
Come to the beautiful Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA for a lively Sing-and-Dance-Along Show! We will explore the “Dream Big” theme with songs and stories both original and from around the world. I will be joined by the very talented Ranko Stevanovic on accordion. Weather permitting, the show will be outdoors.

His upcoming classes in Brookline:

Sing, Play, Grow with Philip Alexander

Weekly Parent/Child Music Classes

Mondays in Brookline

Summer Registration Now Open! Classes Start July 9th.

CLICK HERE for complete schedule and registration information, or to set up a free sample class.

You may also call (617) 818-0346 or email to songphil@gmail.com

“Philip is an excellent teacher and quite kind and enthusiastic. We love him!” – Beth K, Brookline

“Philip is very excited and enthusiastic! He makes it fun to come to class and easy to engage and be active.” – Kristen M, Brookline
June 25, 2012