Category Archives: Events

Newton’s New Philharmonia presents Quintessentially American

Newton’s New Philharmonia Orchestra, led by Associate Conductor Jorge Soto, will present Quintessentially American, a program inspired by Leonard Bernstein’s Young Person’s Concert.

Across the globe, cultural organizations are taking part in “Leonard Bernstein at 100”, a two year celebration of the iconic composer, conductor and educator’s life and career. The New Philharmonia will celebrate Bernstein’s excitement and joy of classical music with the help of several young artists.

The New Philharmonia will be joined onstage by student ensembles from the Boston String Academy to perform Gipsy Overture and several colorful and exciting Latin American tangos.

“Bernstein’s considered his 14-year series of Young People’s Concerts with the New York Philharmonic as one his greatest accomplishments”, said Adrienne Hartzell, executive director of the New Philharmonia. “One aspect of these programs was the introduction of new, young and exciting artists. New Philharmonia is delighted to present in our program two highly talented ensembles from Boston String Academy, one of four winners of the MA Cultural Council’s 2019 Commonwealth Awards.”

Soto will also lead the New Philharmonia in performing excerpts from Antonín Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” and Bernstein’s colorful Divertimento, a piece commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1990 that includes the fun and fanciful movements “Turkey Trot,” and “March: The BSO Forever”.

During the concert, the New Philharmonia will ask patrons to support Ventanas, a charitable foundation that helps children with cancer in Venezuela. Continue reading →

Clothing swap to repurpose and redistribute

A group of Newton South seniors are working on a project for their sustainability class. Their mission is to find a way to repurpose and redistribute clothing to the Newton Community.

There will be a drop off bin for your unwanted and gently used clothes (no shoes, please). Anyone is welcome to drop off (students, families, and friends).

Wheeler Commons at Newton South at the following times:
April 8th,  9:00 – 9:40 am or 10:50 am to 2:50 pm
April 9th,  9:00 – 11:05 am or 1:00 – 1:55 pm

On April 12th, 1:15 –  3:00 pm there will be a clothing swap in Wheeler Commons where members of the community can select any clothing items they would like at no cost.

FORJ Newton Event

Please join FORJ and Co-Sponsor, the Harmony Foundation, for their most high profile event of the year! The featured guests are Debby Irving, racial justice educator and celebrated author of Waking Up White and Shay Stewart-Bouley, Executive Director, Community Change, Inc. and blogger of Black Girl In Maine.

Debby and Shay will explore how we can speak openly and honestly in cross-racial conversations, explore racism’s impact on their lives and examine how we can create sustainable connections. Please check out the flyer HERE

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will hold a pre-event meetup at 6:30 pm. Do not miss your chance to attend, to speak with the Mayor and join this community conversation! Attendance is free and open to all. RSVP HERE.

April 9th, 7:30 pm
Angier Elementary School

The Carroll Center for the Blind Walk for Independence

Join The Carroll Center for the Blind Walk for Independence. Get out and walk for a great cause. All are welcome to enjoy a cookout, great music, accessible games, giveaways, and much more. The school with the largest team wins an awesome prize! Register today www.carroll.org/walk.

April 28th, 10:00 am
770 Centre Street, Newton

Opening of the New Newton Highlands Playground

The City of Newton’s Planning & Development Department is partnering up with Parks & Recreation for the official opening of the Newton Highlands Playground. This playground underwent significant improvements, and to celebrate, there will be a family-friendly community event with a series of games and programming for all, including basketball, pickle ball, cornhole, and Zumba presented by the Newton Senior Center!

Flyer available here: Playground Opening

April 26th, 4:00 – 7:00 pm (rain date: April 30th,  1:00 – 3:00 pm)

Who is buried in Metfern Cemetery? Offering Details and Dignity

The Metro Citizen’s Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services invites the public to attend a presentation by students from the Gann Academy in Waltham.

The Gann Academy 11th grade US History students have dedicated their year to learning about and teaching others about the community of people that lived in the Fernald School, the Met State Hospital and were buried in the MetFern Cemetery in Waltham. Their goal is to try to understand how institutions like the Fernald School could have been built and to think more clearly about how we can be a more inclusive society.

We urge you to attend to learn how people with disabilities were abused and disrespected through the years and fortunately how current attitudes have changed to promoting independence and self-fulfillment and quality care for those who have disabilities. Hear how this group of students has changed the ultimate disrespect to several hundred individuals from two state institutions.

Come to honor these students and their accomplishments

April 29th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Price Center, 27 Christina Street, Newton Highlands
Please enter the building from the large parking lot on Christina Street

For questions, please contact Lucie Chansky at 617-244-7310 or luciechansky@gmail.com or Gail Gillespie at 781-314-7501 or gail.gillespie2@state.ma.us

Newton Destination Imagination Creativity Day is May 4th

Join in on Newton’s newest family-friendly, brain-tickling extravaganza! Newton DI Creativity Day is for all kids in grades K-12. Participants will be placed into small groups that will work as a team to solve each exciting challenge.

Challenges span areas including structural engineering, science, math, performance and improv. Kids will have a blast while learning valuable teamwork, project management and STEAM-based skills.

Please CLICK HERE to register and spread the word! It’s going to be a blast!!!!

May 4th, 9:00 – 11:30 am or 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
250 Brookline Street, Newton

Newton PorchFest 2019

Signups for Newton PorchFest 2019, (June 1st – raindate June 2nd) are now open.

PorchFest is an afternoon of free music performed outside of people’s homes. Last year’s inaugural event included 60+ bands. You can participate by signing up to play (all musicians of all types are welcome), host (residents of Auburndale, Lower Falls or Waban), or volunteer.

For more information and to signup see https://newton.porchfest.info/

Don’t Just Stand There…RUN!

Considering running for public office? Or maybe helping someone run for office?

Interested in how local campaigns work?

The League of Women Voters of Newton invites candidates, potential candidates, campaign managers, campaign treasurers, and all interested citizens to a workshop that offers practical information and advice about political campaigns by a group of knowledgeable panelists:

  • David Olson, Newton City Clerk, will give an overview of the local filing and state requirements.
  • Marcia Johnson, former Ward 2 City Councilor, will discuss being a candidate and an elected official, while working and being a parent.
  • Greg Reibman, President of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber, a blogger at Village 14, and former editor with the TAB, Boston Herald and PBS World Channel will discuss effective press/media communications.

Bring your questions and concerns for the panel of experts! Contact the League of Women Voters of Newton at 617-383-4598 or info@lwvnewton.org with any questions.

April 4th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Newton City Hall, Room 211