Newton Cultural Alliance

Historic Newton Presents April Vacation Week 2026: Dazzling Decades
2026-04-22 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-23 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-24 10:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave,, Newton, MA, 02458
Travel back in time and immerse yourself in crafts and activities from different decades, including decoupage, shrinky dinks, perler beads, and more! Each day features a unique theme and activities, plus LEGOs, coloring, and outdoor games. Today: Fresh 1990s. Wednesday 4/22: Righteous 1980s. Thursday 4/23: Groovy 1970s. Friday 4/22: Far Out 1960s. Admission: $5 per child per day, adults and kids under 5 are free. Accompanying adults must remain onsite with their child but can utilize a quiet space with free Wi-Fi if desired. Stop by any time during the program. Free street parking on Waverley Avenue is strongly encouraged Tickets can be purchased in advance or onsite.

Hyde Community Center presents Newton Taiwan Day
2026-05-02 11:30 - 15:00 | Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands, MA, 02461, United States
Mark your calendar for the largest outdoor Taiwan festival in Massachusetts. Each year the community comes together at the Hyde Community Center to enjoy vibrant cultural performances, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a joyful celebration of Taiwanese culture. Free admission. Everyone is welcome!

West Newton Cinema presents Join or Die
2026-05-02 15:00 - 17:30 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Directed by Rebecca Davis, Pete Davis
Starring Robert Putnam, Vivek Murthy, Eddie S. Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, Priya Parker, Jane McAlevey, Glenn Loury, Hahrie Han
THE POWER OF BELONGING: JOIN OR DIE
Stronger communities start with showing up.
3:00 – 4:30 PM – “Join or Die” screening
4:30 – 5:30 PM – Club Fair in the Cinema Lobby
The West Newton Cinema, together with The Boston Club, is hosting a special screening of “Join or Die” and a post screening “joining fair” with 15 area clubs and organizations.
“Join or Die” is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America may depend on it. Follow the story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose viral “Bowling Alone” research into the decline in American community lights a path out of our democracy’s present crisis. The film shows that the solution is within reach: getting involved.
After the film, connect with local clubs and organizations, including Green Newton, Newton Free Library, The Boston Club, Ty Burr’s Movie Club, The Highland Glee Club, Newton Camera Club, LGBTQ Newton, Newton Rotary, Newton Lions Club, Newton Women’s Forum, Rock Voices, and more. Discover how you can turn inspiration into action by becoming part of a community.

New Art Center Presents New Yart Sale
2026-05-03 10:00 - 17:00 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Discover an extraordinary collection of original artwork spanning styles, mediums, and price points, generously donated by artists from across Greater Boston. Whether you are a seasoned collector or purchasing your first piece, the New Yart Sale offers an accessible and inspiring way to bring art into your life while supporting creative education in our community. It’s like a yard sale, but full of ART!

Spark Newton Presents Newton Singers Spring Concert
2026-05-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Elevation Chapel, 150 Lowell Avenue, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Join the Newton Singers at Elevation Chapel in Newtonville for an uplifting Spring Concert, an afternoon of music that celebrates the season and our community. This friendly, intergenerational chorus will share a mix of jazz, show tunes, folk songs, and familiar favorites—perfect for music lovers of all ages. Come hear beautiful live choral music, sing along to songs you know, and enjoy a spring afternoon with neighbors and friends.
Free and open to all!
Newton Singers Spring Concert is fiscally sponsored by Spark Newton.

Newton Cemetery & Arboretum presents Pond Fish Tour
2026-05-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-05-08 13:30 - 15:00 | Newton Cemetery and Arboretum, 791 Walnut St, Newton, Massachusetts, 02459, United States
Take a walk through Historic Newton Cemetery & Arboretum and learn about Cold Spring Brook, the four ponds and two lagoons on the property, and the fish and other aquatic life that call them home. Join former Newton resident and Executive Director for Native Fish Coalition Bob Mallard as he explains the history of the property’s waterways and how everything ties together today. Suggested donation: $15. Registration is required.
Click here to register.

The Allen Center presents Kathryn Gearon Artist Reception
2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
You’re invited to an evening celebrating Standing Still, a new body of work by painter Kathryn Gearon. Spend time with the paintings, meet the artist, and enjoy drinks and light bites. Admission is free; registration is required. Click here to register.
About Standing Still:
“My practice is rooted in drawing and painting, yet it is the process that drives the work. Moving between abstract painting, sculpture, and installation, I explore landscapes in all their forms — urban, geographical, imagined, and emotional — as well as the environmental forces that shape them. These layered terrains become metaphors for the equally complex architectures within us: neural pathways, networks of memory, and the lingering imprints of generational influence. Urban spaces, with their weathered walls and shifting surfaces, are a constant reference point. They are palimpsests — marked by grime, graffiti, and rust — where each layer obscures the last while laying the foundation for what is to come. This continual cycle of erasure and renewal parallels the way memory, experience, and history accumulate in the human mind. I see remembered mark-making as a form of storytelling — each gesture a fragment of narrative that connects the past to the present. In this way, my work weaves together personal and collective histories, exploring how generational legacies shape identity while also carving out space for autonomy and self-definition. Through processes of layering, obscuring, and revealing, I consider which marks are allowed to remain visible and which become invisible yet essential, forming the substrate for future gestures. My work invites reflection on how the landscapes we inhabit — both external and internal — are in a constant state of transformation, shaped by time, environment, and the unseen forces of the past.” -Kathryn Gearon
Providence native Kathryn Gearon is a painter, teacher and an advocate for the arts. She has been painting for over 20 years, and received her BFA from Rhode Island College in 2001, and a MFA from The Museum School of Fine Arts at Tufts, in 2018. She has exhibited her work extensively in galleries and public venues throughout Southern New England.
Kathryn Gearon online: https://www.kathryn-gearon.com/

Newton Art Association presents 2026 New Members Show
2026-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
The Newton Art Association presents its New Members Show at the Scandinavian Cultural Center on view May 1 – June 29, 2026. Featuring first-time exhibiting artists and seasoned pros alike who have joined the Newton Art Association within the past 12 months, this exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to view new work and connect with Newton’s artist community. Participating artists are also invited to join for the Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, May 14, from 6–8 PM.

The Allen Center Presents Brush & Lens: Artist Talk with Peter Vanderwarker and Sam Belisle
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Join us for a compelling lecture demonstration on the dynamic interplay between painting and photography— and go behind the scenes with two of Newton’s most celebrated artists, Peter Vanderwarker and Sam Belisle, for a rare glimpse into their creative processes. All attendees will be entered to win one of two signed Peter Vanderwarker prints. Admission is free, but registration is required.
Click here to register.

Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library Presents A Book Talk with Pernille Ipsen
2026-05-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Book Talk with Pernille Ipsen
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Pernille Ipsen, acclaimed author and historian, on her powerful memoir My Seven Mothers: Making a Family in the Danish Women’s Movement. Ipsen, a longtime professor of gender and women’s studies and now full-time writer, tells the remarkable story of the seven women who raised her, weaving together themes of family, feminism, community, and radical social change.
Through intimate storytelling and historical insight, My Seven Mothers asks timeless questions about identity, belonging, and possibility — and reminds us that new worlds are always possible.
🗣️ Don’t miss this chance to hear Ipsen discuss her work and the lives that shaped it, followed by audience Q&A.
Friday, May 15th at 7pm | Free with registration
*Books will be available for purchase. Sales will support the programming at the SCC&L*
“This book is a treasure, especially for a second-wave American feminist who was thrilled to learn of the boldness and courage of our Danish sisters at the very start of the 1970s women’s movement. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
—Vivian Gornick, author of Fierce Attachments
Pernille Ipsen was professor of gender and women’s studies and history at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for fifteen years and is now a full-time writer. The Danish-language version of this book, Et åbent øjeblik (An open moment), was published in 2020 and was awarded the Montana Prize for literature, one of Denmark’s top literary prizes. She divides her time between Madison and Copenhagen.
Tiina Nunnally is the award-winning translator of more than seventy books from the Scandinavian languages, including Sigrid Undset’s epic tetralogy Olav Audunssøn, also published by the University of Minnesota Press. She was appointed Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for her contributions to Norwegian literature in the United States.

Suzuki School of Newton Presents Multicultural Festival 2026
2026-05-16 14:00 - 18:00 | Suzuki School of Newton, 1615 Beacon St, Waban, MA, 02468, United States
Celebrate community and creativity at the Suzuki School of Newton’s Multicultural Festival 2026, featuring international music, an intergenerational art show, and a delicious global potluck. Join us on Saturday, May 16 from 2–6 PM in Waban for an afternoon of performances, connection, and cultural celebration for all ages.

Newton Yacht Club Open House
2026-05-17 12:00 - 15:00 | newton yacht club, Nontantum Road, Newton, M, 02458, United States
Join us for Open House at the Newton Yacht Club, where you can explore the club’s facilities, meet members, and learn about our social events, and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re an experienced boater or simply curious, it’s a great opportunity to discover what makes the club such a special place to gather, connect, and enjoy life on the Charles River and beyond.

Historic Newton Presents Newton House Tour
2026-05-17 12:00 - 17:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave,, Newton, MA, 02458
Newton House Tour
Sunday, May 17 12:00 noon – 5:00 PM
Advance Tickets: $40 Historic Newton members, $50 general
All Day-Of Tickets: $55
Booklet and wristband pickup at Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds
Welcome to Historic Newton’s 43rd annual Newton House Tour! Each year, Historic Newton presents the Newton House Tour to showcase historic homes in the city. Each private residence is carefully selected by a committee to exhibit how homeowners have made creative renovations and interesting interior design choices that add to the life of a historic structure. You’ll come away with a greater appreciation for historic homes and inspiration for your own projects!
Purchase tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-newton-house-tour-tickets-1983542471929?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

ArsNova Presents Piano in Motion: Whispers to Wildfire
2026-05-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Newton Presbyterian Church, 75 Vernon St., Newton, MA, United States
Pianist Tianhong Yang is celebrated for her profound artistry and commanding stage presence. As a laureate of top prizes in prestigious competitions—including the Liège International Piano Competition and the Antonio Bertolini Competition in Italy—she has captivated audiences at major venues across Europe and America, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s BBC Hoddinott Hall.
She will bring a program that moves effortlessly between elegance, virtuosity, and vivid storytelling. Known for her commanding stage presence and refined musical voice, Dr. Yang invites audiences into a richly varied sound world that spans classical clarity, romantic depth, and rhythmic brilliance.
The evening concludes with a special collaboration: Tianhong Yang joins Anran Qian in Night by Fazıl Say, a piano four-hand work that blends contemporary sonorities with evocative atmosphere, bringing the program to a compelling and memorable close.
Free ticket link: https://www.tixtree.com/e/piano-in-motion-whispers-to-wildfire-f54d693cdf30

West Newton Cinema Reads: Perrotta & Phillips
2026-05-24 16:00 - 18:30 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
West Newton Cinema Reads & Newtonville Books present:
Tom Perrotta, author of The Leftovers, Little Children, and Election, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jayne Anne Phillips reading from, discussing, and signing copies of their new books, Ghost Town and Small Town Girls, followed by a screening of The Last Picture Show.
Tom Perrotta’s new novel, Ghost Town, is a gripping and darkly nostalgic tale about a tumultuous summer in 1970s suburban New Jersey, told from the perspective of a middle-aged writer looking back on events that changed his life—and the story he finally has the courage to tell. Ghost Town reveals the way our ghosts are always with us, even when we think we’ve left them behind.
Small Town Girls is Oprah’s #1 most anticipated book of 2026. Part coming-of-age story, part social history, this tender, sparkling memoir is Jayne Anne Phillips’s love letter to the place and the people who have shaped her perceptions and her writing. Phillips grew up in Buckhannon, West Virginia—dense with forests and small churches, rich in history and misunderstandings. In her singular voice, Phillips re-creates the place she calls home and reflects on her origins, the mysteries of memory, and the troubled annals of the last American centuries.
And in Peter Bogdonavich’s The Last Picture Show (1971), adapted from Larry McMurtry’s novel, we experience an aching portrait of a dying West. Set in Texas in the early fifties, The Last Picture Show portrays the daily shuffles of three futureless teens—enigmatic Sonny (Timothy Bottoms), wayward jock Duane (Jeff Bridges), and rich rebel Jacy (Cybill Shepherd)—and the aging, lost souls who bump up against them. Shot in arresting black-and-white, this hushed depiction of crumbling American values remains a pivotal film (Criterion).
Our event will begin with a reading and conversation between the authors in our first-floor Cinema 2, followed by an audience Q&A and book signing in our lobby, with books for sale courtesy of Newtonville Books. We will then return to Cinema 2 to watch The Last Picture Show.
PANEL DISCUSSION
TOM PERROTTA
Tom Perrotta is the author of eleven works of fiction, including Election and Little Children, which were made into Oscar-nominated films, and The Leftovers and Mrs. Fletcher, which were adapted into acclaimed HBO series.
JAYNE ANNE PHILLIPS
Jayne Anne Phillips is the author of Black Tickets, Machine Dreams, Fast Lanes, Shelter, MotherKind, Lark and Termite, Quiet Dell, and Night Watch, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Her work has been a finalist once for the National Book Award and twice for the National Book Critics Circle Award. The recipient of Guggenheim, National Endowment for the Arts, Howard, Bunting, and Rockefeller Foundation Fellowships, she is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Strawberry Festival 2026
2026-05-28 18:30 - 21:30 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL 2026

The Newton Cultural Alliance is happy to announce this year’s 12th annual Strawberry Festival on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. This year’s Strawberry Festival reveals Newton’s best-kept secrets and the hidden gems of our community. You can expect tasting events with wine and chocolate, signature cocktails, fabulous music, a raise the paddle event, and a silent auction. Mark your calendars for the year’s most anticipated social soiree! Please view our Strawberry Festival website for single tickets and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Get Your Strawberry Festival Tickets Here

The Carroll Center for the Blind presents 14th Annual Walk for Independence!
2026-05-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst, 100 Carlson Ave, Newton, M, 02459, United States
Join Us for the 14th Annual Walk for Independence!
The 14th Annual Walk for Independence is happening Saturday, May 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst (100 Carlson Avenue, Newton, MA)!
This free event invites you to walk to raise funds for vision loss and celebrate our community coming together to improve the lives of people with vision loss. Attendees will complete a 1, 2, or 3-mile walk around the Mount Ida campus, followed by activities for all ages!
Event Timeline:
– Registration: 9:00 a.m.
– Walk Kick-Off: 10:00 a.m.
– Post-Walk BBQ & Activities: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Event Highlights:
– Free BBQ & Popcorn
– Accessible Activities
– Assistive Technology Demonstrations
– Event Emcee: Sam Seavey, founder of The Blind Life
– And more!
Learn More & Register Today: carroll.org/walk

Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library Presents Midsummer Pajaki Making
2026-05-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Midsummer Pajaki Making
Celebrate the arrival of summer by making a pajaki (mobile) with us!
Hosting a fun Midsummer craft mashup! Pajakis are a traditional Polish craft–and here we marry it with a Swedish maypole!
They can be small mobiles hung in your home, massive chandeliers displayed in museums, or anything in between! We will decorate ours with midsummer felted flower and strawberries. Leave with your own charming summer decoration.
All materials will be provided. Make sure to reserve your spot early, as space is limited!
Saturday, May 30th | 10am-12pm | $50 per person, $40 for members | tickets

Newton Open Studios 2026
2026-05-30 11:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-31 11:00 - 17:00 | Various Locations Across Newton, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Newton Open Studios returns this spring, celebrating nearly 30 years of connecting artists and the community through a vibrant, citywide open studios weekend.
This year, approximately 110 artists will exhibit in homes, private studios, and group locations across Newton, with the New Art Center (61 Washington Park in Newtonville) serving as one of the major host sites, featuring 20 local artists under one roof. Visitors can explore a wide range of artwork, meet artists in person, and plan their route using the interactive online map, with signature red balloons marking each location.
The event takes place May 30 and 31st, Saturday and Sunday, from 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, offering a welcoming opportunity to experience Newton’s creative community while supporting local artists and businesses.
For more information about attending or participating, visit the Newton Open Studio website here.

The Hyde Community Center Presents 4th Annual Newton Highlands Klezmer in the Park
2026-06-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands, MA, 02461, United States
Join us for music, dancing, and fun for the whole family at the 4rd annual Newton Highlands Klezmer Dance!
We’ll dance the evening away on the field in front of the Hyde Community Center Bandstand to the sounds of the Boston Festival of New Jewish Music All Stars.
Last year’s klezmer dance saw about 300 people at the Hyde. This year, let’s see if we can get even more friends, family, and neighbors to join in the fun.
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Huge thanks to our sponsors and supporters, without whom this could not happen: The Boston Festival of New Jewish Music, the Newton Cultural Council, The Massachusetts Cultural Council, Spark Newton, and the Boston Synagogue.
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FAQs
Do I need to reserve tickets?
– No. But your registering lets us send you a reminder about the event and any notes about the weather or other updates.

Is it free?
– Yes. But it’s definitely not free to produce, so your donations are always welcome.

Are kids allowed?
– Absolutely. This is a family-friend event. Plus, there’s a playground on the side of the field.

Do I have to dance?
– No. You’re welcome to hang out and listen to the music.

What if I want to dance but don’t know how?
– Never fear. We’ll teach you!

Do I have to be Jewish to dance to klezmer music?
– Of course not. The music and dances come from Ashkenazi Jewish culture but we welcome everyone to join in the fun.

Is there food?
– While there is not food provided at the bandstand, there are plenty of restaurants offering takeout within a four minute walk.

Are there restrooms at the bandstand?
– Restrooms are available inside the community center behind the bandstand.

New Art Center Presents Queer Figure Drawing + Pop-Up Art Exhibit
2026-06-17 18:30 - 21:30 | New Art Center (61 Washington Pk, Newton MA), 61 Washington Park, Newton, M, 02460, United States
Join the New Art Center for a welcoming evening of figure drawing celebrating queer and diverse bodies and identities.
Two models will pose for a series of short and extended poses, offering participants the opportunity to explore gesture, form, and expression through live drawing.
Artists of all experience levels are welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring their own sketchbook and drawing materials, though a selection of supplies will also be available for experimentation.
Funded in part by Spark Newton as part of the Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts, in collaboration with the City of Newton.
This drop-in program has a registration fee of $15. If the registration fee presents a barrier, please contact Marte Humbert at marte@newartcenter.org for financial assistance.
For artist interested in participating in our exhibition, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/fC7NoEMgc9f3GREJ7

New Art Center Presents Creative Process 2026 Opening Reception
2026-06-18 17:30 - 19:30 | The New Art Corridor (Trio), 245 Walnut St, Newton, Massachusetts, 02460, United States
Join us for an opening reception as New Art Center proudly presents Creative Process, a community-wide exhibition celebrating artistic growth, learning, and discovery. Featuring artwork created between September 2024 and June 2026, the exhibition showcases the diverse voices and evolving talents of New Art students and faculty.
The exhibition includes work by children, teens, adults, and teaching artists across a variety of mediums, including painting, pastels, mixed media, and more. From early explorations to refined pieces, each work reflects experimentation, dedication, and the shared spirit of creativity that defines New Art.

Newton Cemetery & Arboretum Presents Artist Talk with Kasey Kaufman
2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Newton Cemetery and Arboretum, 791 Walnut St, Newton, Massachusetts, 02459, United States
Join Newton Cemetery & Arboretum Artist-in-Residence Kasey Kaufman for an artist talk on her ongoing Memory Quilt Project, an evolving series of mixed-media works composed of intimate “memory tiles” built from fragments—images of nature, place, objects, handwriting, and absence—layered together the way memory itself is formed: imperfectly, emotionally, and over time.
Inspired by the cemetery’s history and landscape—and by stories shared by families remembering loved ones buried there—the work reflects themes of grief, connection, love, and remembrance, and considers what remains after loss. Kasey will share images from the project, discuss her process and research, and reflect on how personal and collective memory shape the pieces.
Before becoming a full-time artist, Kaufman spent more than two decades as an award-winning television journalist at WBZ-TV. She now explores storytelling through paint, texture, and collage, exhibits throughout the East Coast, and is a member of the Copley Society of Art.
Parking is available in the parking lot next to the chapel.
Register in advance ~ Space is limited.
Donations gratefully accepted! Suggested donation: $15
Click here to register.
