Category: All About Newton

News, events, children’s activities in Newton, MA.

Jewish public art project, 8 Nights, 8 Windows
Boston’s first juried seasonal Jewish public art project, 8 Nights, 8 Windows, will brighten the city’s holiday season with the essence of the Festival of Lights, bringing a fresh understanding of Hanukkah to the entire community for the eight nights of the Jewish holiday, December 6-14, 2015. This innovative public event is sponsored by the New Center for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in partnership with Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston (CJP), and in collaboration with the Boston Jewish Music Festival (BJMF) and the Boston Jewish Film Festival (BJFF). The project is a preview of a new initiative, the Jewish Arts Collaborative, which will be announced in the near future.

The New Center put out a call to artists for works that tell a unique story of miracle, illumination, and innovation. The eight chosen pieces were selected by a jury of notable curators, arts leaders, and arts practitioners. In addition to the artwork, free public events will be hosted at several of the windows throughout the holiday. The art will be on display for the duration of Hanukkah (December 6-14, 2015), in windows throughout the city of Boston:
- Downtown Crossing Roche Bros. (8 Summer St.)
- Pavement Coffee House (44 Gainsborough St.)
- United South End Settlements (566 Columbus Ave.)
- The West End Museum (150 Staniford St.)
- Boomerang’s Special Edition (1407 Washington St.)
- Milk Street Café (50 Milk St.)
- Boston Center for the Arts’ Artist Studio Building (539 Tremont St.)
- Cambridge Trust bank (565 Tremont St.)
A ninth window at Fire & Ice (205 Berkeley St.) will feature 8 Nights, 8 Windows Kids, a stained glass-like community installation created by children, with help from artist Tova Speter. This work is presented in partnership with Temple Israel of Boston and the Families With Young Children program.

“We are so proud to share the beauty of Hanukkah with the community through this first public artistic exploration of the holiday,” said Laura Mandel, the New Center’s Executive Director. “The artists involved in this project are extremely talented, and they are not all Jewish, which underscores the holiday’s deeper universality. We are honored to be able to present their impressive and diverse work as a part of this unique celebration.”

On December 9, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston will host the second annual Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights, a free and open event that attracted over 2,300 people last year. The evening will include candle lighting, a unique Virtual Reality art installation, family friendly art activities, live music, art talks, and more.

For more information regarding the festival, artists, and how you can support the project, visitwww.8nights8windows.com.
December 3, 2015
New Public Art Exhibit at The Street

Check out the new public art exhibit at The Street!

Photo by Nicholas Knight, courtesy of Art Production Fund
The Street unveiled its latest art initiative, Everything, a larger-than-life public art installation by acclaimed artist Hanna Liden. Monumental in size, Everything is bound to stop The Street’s shoppers in their tracks, even in the midst of the holiday bustle, inviting them to take a moment and enjoy the simplest of everyday objects. With a unique dedication to bringing art and culture to its shopping experience, The Street has collaborated closely with Art Production Fund to make the installation possible.www.thestreetchestnuthill.com

Everything will include three carved versions of bagels throughout The Street. One will be a single 5-foot wide, 2-foot tall bagel, another will be 5.5-foot tall trio of stacked bagels, and the third will be a tower of five bagels, standing at 15 feet tall, acting as a makeshift vase, with a tulip at its center. A bright spot this season, Everything will be on view through Winter 2016.

Liden, whose work spans a variety of media, is known for her dynamic sculptural practice, in which she utilizes the casting process to seamlessly replicate and modify familiar objects. She views bagels as both “a great icon of urban living” and “a circle with no beginning and no end, evocative of the eternal cycle of city life.” Everything at The Street follows the exhibit’s inaugural installation in New York City, which was generously supported by Art Production Fund and Kiehl’s Since 1851.

The Street’s love for art has led to three different installations in the past year and a half, each enhancing its incredible shopping experience with delightful cultural encounters. Objects of Desire, by acclaimed photographer Jessica Craig-Martin, remains on view at The Street, showcasing high-contrast, cropped, and fantastical compositions.

About The Street: Located in the heart of Chestnut Hill, The Street has quickly become one of the region’s most delightful destinations for shops, eateries, entertainment and culture. Both a leader in national retail trends and a cornerstone within its Chestnut Hill community, The Street enchants its visitors with a collection of 40 unrivaled brands, as well as lively events by way of art, live music, fitness and kid-friendly fun. MiniLuxe and the first Juice Press in Massachusetts will soon open at The Street, happily neighboring the first Showcase SuperLux, Shake Shack and Splendid in the state, as well as such locally and nationally loved retailers as Vince, Ku De Ta, Jonathan Adler, skoah, Polkadog Bakery, Intermix, Calypso St. Barth, Del Frisco’s Grille, lululemon athletica, Pinkberry, Treat Cupcake Bar, Be Styled and Polarn O. Pyret. New tenants join an already robust lineup including The Container Store, Legal Sea Foods, Aquitaine, The Cottage, Star Market, Eyespot, Comella’s and more. The Street’s recent transformation under owner WS Development led Improper Bostonian to deem its Chestnut Hill home as Boston’s “Best Shopping Destination” and the International Council of Shopping Center’s U.S. Design and Development to recognize the property with a Gold Award in the category of Renovations/Expansions of Mixed-use Projects. The Street is located at 55 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill Massachusetts, directly along Route 9, between Hammond Pond Parkway and Hammond Street. For more information about exciting events and retailer announcements, please visit www.TheStreetChestnutHill.com to join the e-club or follow The Street on Facebook: The Street Chestnut Hill, Twitter and Instagram: @shopthestreet.

About Hanna Liden: Hanna was born in 1976 in Stockholm, Sweden, and lives and works in New York. Liden has been exhibited internationally, including exhibitions at Maccarone, New York (2014), Galleria Lorcan O’Neill, Rome (2013), MDC|Carlson Gallery project space in Paris (2012), Salon 94, New York (2010), Gewerbemuseum, Winterthur, Switzerland (2010), Palais de Tokyo, Paris (2009), Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rome (2008), the 2006 Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum, New York, and Rivington Arms, New York (2004).

December 2, 2015
New Philharmonia Orchestra CELEBRATIONS!

New Philharmonia Orchestra celebrates the holidays with its first Family Discovery Concert of the 2015-2016 season, CELEBRATIONS!, a seasonal program filled with joy, including guest performers from Boston Ballet School Newton Studio, the All City Chorus Treble Singers, and a youth harp ensemble under the direction of Judith Kogan.

Following the program, join us for New Phil’s highly acclaimed Instrument Petting Zoo!

This festive and collaborative celebration is perfect for music-lovers of all ages, and is sure to have something for everyone (for kids from 1 to 92!)

Sunday, December 13 at 3:00pm

First Baptist Church

848 Beacon St, Newton Centre, MA 02459

Adults: $17

Students and Children*: $10

(Students under 25 with ID, Children 18 months to 17 years)

The program will be approximately 1 hour long, followed by an Instrument Petting Zoo!

Click here to purchase tickets: (https://newphil.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0O1200000IS8ZxEAL)

November 29, 2015
Harry Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund’s dinner

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am sending this on to you hoping you can attend the Harry Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund’s annual dinner on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the China Pearl Restaurant in Boston’s Chinatown.

The Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund provides resources to ensure access to the legal system for Asian Americans who are deprived of justice because of barriers such as language, race, culture, poverty or immigration status. The Fund was created in honor of Harry H. Dow, who was the first Asian American admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and who devoted his career to serving the poor and grassroots organizations in Boston’s Chinatown and the South End. Over the past 30 years, the Dow Fund has launched projects including an Anti-Asian Violence Education Project, an Asian Battered Women’s Project, an Asia Immigrant Rights Initiative, Cambodian Outreach Projects, the Chinatown Stabilization Project and a Community Internship Program.

This year, we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and we are delighted to feature Attorney Paul Lee of Goodwin, Procter as our keynote speaker and will be honoring the Honorable Fernande R.V. Duffly, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, Newton residents, May and Tetsuo Takayangi for their tireless commitment to public interest and social justice issues, and the newly appointed Chief of the Fair Labor Division for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

If you cannot attend, would you kindly consider supporting the Legal Assistance Fund with a donation? Your generous support will enable the Dow Fund to continue to support legal services and education to Asian Americans in our Commonwealth.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to see you on the 4th!!

Sincerely,

Amy Sangiolo

Dow Fund Trustee

WEB_DowFund_Inviation-2015 (1)

November 28, 2015
Superintendent’s Community Read

Superintendent’s Community Read

Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 pm

Join Superintendent David Fleishman for a community discussion. Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by New York Times columnist and best selling author Frank Bruni is the selected title. The event will be held at the Newton South Library and will feature a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process.

(click on image to view at Amazon)

For more information about the event, go here.

November 27, 2015
College Admissions Book Talk
Dear Newton Families,

As many of you know, college admissions has become an increasingly frenetic and pressured process. While our high schools in Newton have developed a college planning philosophy designed to support students and families, the energy, angst and resource devoted to the process can push some students and their families to the brink. What should we do about a phenomenon that can feel out of control?

New York Times columnist and best selling author, Frank Bruni, has written a compelling new book which offers a thoughtful perspective on college admission. In sum, Bruni argues that where a student goes to college is far less important than many of us previously believed. The book offers a counter narrative for students and their families who feel that their future and self-worth depends on a “yes” or a “no” from a certain group of colleges.

(click on image to view at Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

I think Bruni’s perspective is especially timely given that we have seen a spike in stress and anxiety among our students. Since reading the book, I have a consistently quoted Bruni when the topic of college admissions comes up in conversation: “Where you go is not who you’ll be.” I hope this message resonates with others after reading his book.

On Wednesday, December 2^nd, I will hold a superintendent/parent book discussion on Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be. It will give us an opportunity to talk about the book as a community and hear from a panel with extensive experience in the college admissions process. The panelists will include:
- Jennifer King, College Consultant and Retired Guidance Department Head, Newton South High School
- Beth Swederkas, Guidance Department Head, Newton North High School
- Ronne Patrick Turner, Associate Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions – Northeastern University
Here are the details:

December 2^nd (7:00 p.m-8:30 p.m.)

Newton South Library

Here is the link with further information about the book. We have also included articles written by Frank Bruni on the topic.http://www.newton.k12.ma.us/bookdiscussion2015

I hope to see you for what should be a lively conversation on December 2^nd.

Sincerely,

David Fleishman

Superintendent of Schools
November 26, 2015
Reagle’s Annual Christmas Show

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston Presents

ChristmasTime

The one Boston Christmas spectacle guaranteed to warm any heart!

December 4-13, 2015 at The Robinson Theatre, Waltham

Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will present the beloved musical extravaganza ChristmasTime from December 4-13, 2015 at the Robinson Theatre (617 Lexington St. Waltham, MA, 02452). has been delighting children and adults for 33 years with Yuletide magic from the inspirational Living Nativity to the delightful Teddy Bears’ Nutcracker.

Audiences are transported by the Victorian Christmas, Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and spectacular precision dancers. A regional cast of 200 is gift wrapped in fabulous Christmas sets and costumes – all backed by a full, professional orchestra.

Individual tickets range from $35 to $63; group tickets are available at a discount. Tickets can be purchased at www.reaglemusictheatre.com, by calling 781-891-5600, or at the theater box office.

ChristmasTime is a spectacular musical presentation featuring a cast of almost 200 adults, children and families from across the Greater Boston area. Performers come together on the Reagle stage bringing with them all the comfort and joy of the season.

Begin your Christmas tradition with a choir of carolers presenting a Victorian Christmas, and delight as the young ballerina Clara dances to visions of sugar plums in the Teddy Bears’ Nutcracker. Children will also be enchanted as 100 boys and girls are transformed into adorable elves in the colorful Santa’s Workshop.

Performances of ChristmasTime will run Friday Dec 4^th and 11^th at 7:30 pm; Saturday Dec 5^thand 12^th at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm; Sunday Dec 6^th and 13^th at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Tickets

Tickets for ChristmasTime make the perfect holiday gift! Gift certificates available for any amount or value. Tickets are $35 to $63 for adults; discounts apply for youth and seniors. Student rush seats at 50% off are available one hour before curtain with a valid college ID.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.reaglemusictheatre.com, call 781-891-5600, or visit the theater box office at 617 Lexington St, Waltham, MA, 02452. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on performance days until show curtain. Group rate tickets are available by calling group sales at 781-891-5600, ext. 1201, or emailing groups@reaglemusictheatre.org.

November 24, 2015
Jenny Johnson Wine Tasting at Upper Falls Liquors

Jenny Johnson Hosts Complimentary Tasting of Her New Sparkling Wine at Upper Falls Liquors in Newton, MA

WHAT:            On Tuesday, November 24^th, 2015, Emmy award-winning executive producer and Boston-based entertainment and lifestyle television personality, Jenny Johnson will host a complimentary tasting of her new sparkling wine at Upper Falls Liquors in Newton, MA from 5:00PM to 7:00PM. The tasting will be perfectly paired with small bites from Chef/Owner Paul Turano from Cook in Newton, MA.

Johnson, who has been steering the people of Boston and greater New England toward choice dining and drinking experiences for more than a decade through her work as a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and television host (“Dining Playbook” and “TV Diner”), is now turning local imbibers on to her own brand of brut. A genuine lover of bubbly, Johnson has always been attracted to the celebratory spirit that revolves around sparkling wine and its ability to spontaneously transform an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one. This fall Jenny Johnson teamed up with Penny Gadd-Coster, executive director of winemaking at Rack & Riddle in Healdsburg, CA, to create Champy, a Sonoma County sparkling wine that celebrates life—and the hard work that goes into it.

Champy is a 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir blend produced in Sonoma County, CA. Its sparkle is derived from the traditional method of fermentation, also known as the méthode champenoise, in which a secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle. At this one-time tasting guests will have an opportunity to taste and purchase one of the first bottles of Champy from the founder herself. For more information please visitwww.bechampy.com.

WHERE:          Upper Falls Liquors, 150 Needham St, Newton, MA 02464

WHEN:            Tuesday, November 24^th, 2015, 5:00PM – 7:00PM

COST:              Free to the public. *Please note: Must be 21 or older.

About Champy

Champy was founded by entrepreneur, two-time Emmy award-winning executive producer and Boston-based entertainment and lifestyle television personality, Jenny Johnson. A genuine lover of bubbly, Johnson has always been attracted to the celebratory spirit that revolves around sparkling wine and its ability to spontaneously transform an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one. In 2015 she collaborated with Penny Gadd-Coster, executive director of winemaking at Rack & Riddle in Sonoma, CA, to develop Champy a high-quality sparkling wine that would inspire people to celebrate life, not just on momentous occasions but every day. The chardonnay and pinot noir blend produced in Sonoma County, CA is of the finest quality and retails at a desirable price, allowing people to celebrate moments both big and small with a glass of Champy. Be Present. Be Spontaneous. Be Champy.

November 22, 2015
Close Call Casting Call

Hi there,

My name is Shannon Walsh and I work with a company called Strickman-Ripps Casting. We are a NYC based casting company that specializes in finding real people for television, internet and non-fiction media projects. You can learn more about us at www.strickman-ripps.com.

We are currently working on an important campaign for a major company. It is designed to inform the public about the dangers of accidental injuries, involving children.

The project will feature real people who have experienced a “close call” where a child was involved in an accidental injury in or around the home. Perhaps the close call resulted in an injury from which the child recovered, a survival story where maybe the parents were moved into action to prevent it from happening again. Have you or a friend of yours experienced a “close call” with a child from an accidental home injury relating to Fire, Drowning, Poisoning, or Furnitrue/TV Tip-Overs? Would you or they be willing to share that story on behalf of awareness and preventing a similar or worse situation from happening to another family?

Those who are featured in the final project will be able to share their stories on a national level with the hope that their experience and insight might help to prevent similar situations. They would be fully compensated for their participation in ths project as well.

Please feel free to call with any questions at 212-966-3211 or email us at research@strickman-ripps.com.

Thank you so much for your time.

All the best,

Shannon Walsh

Casting Director

November 22, 2015
My Life in China Screening

My Life in China

Followed by Q&A with Director Kenneth Eng

Sunday, November 22, 2:00 PM
Sackler Auditorium/Tufts University, 145 Harrison Ave, Chinatown
$7.50 IN ADVANCE | $10 DONATION AT THE DOOR |
$5 with STUDENT ID | FREE Youth/SENIOR/CHSNE Member

BAAFF will be hosting an additional screening on Saturday 11/21@7:30pm at Modern Theatre/Suffolk University (525 Washington St).

Buy tickets here.

About Director Kenneth Eng: After graduating from Boston Latin School, KENNETH ENG left for NY in 1994 to study film at the School of Visual Arts. His thesis: “Scratching Windows”, was broadcast on WNET as part of Reel NY’s 4th Season (NY local PBS).

In 2007, Ken was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship to launch “My Life In China”, a film that retraces his father’s epic journey to America in search of a better life.

November 21, 2015