Newton Cultural Alliance

Suzuki School of Newton Presents ¡Cantemos Juntos! - Student Workshop
2026-05-15 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
This workshop is designed for children ages 8-12 of any instrument and any level of musical training. In this workshop Lydia will teach a variety of singing games in Spanish, as well as folk songs from the Andean region of South America. The children will learn the basic dance steps and accompaniment to the songs from the Andes, adding percussion and flutes traditional to the highlands. The songs and some of the singing games will be performed the following day at the Multicultural Festival!

Suzuki School of Newton Presents The Singing Voice: the Heart where Music Begins - Teacher Workshop
2026-05-15 17:00 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
With Lydia Mills, Kodály Teacher Trainer and Director of Instituto Kodály at Fundación Ibáñez Atkinson.
This workshop is designed for instrumental and vocal music teachers. Teachers will participate in the first workshop with the children and stay for a session dedicated specifically to teachers. Lydia will share her insight on teaching with the Kodály approach. Together we will explore how the folk-art tradition of singing games develops self-esteem, connection with peers, and a keen musical intuition, leading ultimately to successful musical literacy training.

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.

Cappella Clausura Presents Worthy of the Highest Praise: Bembo and Vivaldi
2026-05-16 16:00 - 17:30 | Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
“Worthy of the Highest Praise: Bembo and Vivaldi”
May 16th at 4 PM – Grace Episcopal Church on Newton
Are you familiar with the name “Antonia Bembo”? How about “Antonio Vivaldi”? I’d wager that you’re familiar with the latter but not the former – which is exactly the point.
Antonia Bembo was an Italian composer and singer of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The reason you haven’t heard of her isn’t because her music is underwhelming: Bembo’s talent actually took her from Italy to France, where she was employed by King Louis XIV as a composer and singer. Her music has been unduly neglected because of her gender; she is every bit as good as her male contemporaries, and we’re proving it by putting her music side-by-side with the Vivaldi Gloria – one of the classics of the choral repertoire – and letting you draw your own conclusions.
According to one etymology, the name “Antonia/o means “worthy of praise”. In this little-heard work by Antonia Bembo, you’ll hear that she’s just as praiseworthy as any Antonio.
Featuring music by: Antonia Bembo, Antonio Vivaldi, and others

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

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

Historic Newton Presents 250 Years Ago in Newton
2026-06-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
250 Years Ago in Newton
Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 PM
Newton Free Library
Free
If you lived in Newton 250 years ago, who would have been your neighbors? Where
would your children have gone to school? What might you do for a living? In
commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of America, travel back in time
with Historic Newton and explore what life was like around the time of the American
Revolution. Learn about the experience of a diverse array of individuals in Newton and
explore maps and images to immerse yourself in their world. Presented in partnership
with the Newton Free Library. Learn more and reserve your spot at
https://newtonfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/16512072

Historic Newton's Plant Swap
2026-06-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave,, Newton, MA, 02458
Historic Newton hosts its annual Plant Swap at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave, Newton. At this community event fellow gardeners can meet, exchange plants, learn from each other, and share tips and tricks. Participants bring plants and other gardening items to the event and take home something new in exchange. The event is free, but please register in advance to help us plan.
Click here to register.

Historic Newton Presents Mellen Bray and the Union Street Historic District: A Newton Centre Walking Tour
2026-06-14 13:00 - 14:30 | United Kingdom
Mellen Bray and the Union Street Historic District: A Newton Centre Walking Tour
Sunday, June 14 1:00 – 2:30pm
Construction of the new train station in Newton Centre in 1890 inspired local resident
Mellen Bray to commission construction of a commercial block that transformed this
once quiet village. In addition to retail on the ground floor, Bray’s building included
indoor tennis courts, a bowling alley and a grand hall that became a focal point for
social life in Newton Centre. Who was Mellen Bray and where can we see his impact in
Newton Centre today? Explore the Union Street Historic District and learn about this
remarkable inventor, real estate investor and philanthropist who welcomed the new
century with vision and enterprise. This tour will be led by local history buff Tori
Zissman.
Registration is required. Walking tours are $10 for Historic Newton members and $15
for non-members. Meeting location will be shared with registrants. Register at
https://events.humanitix.com/mellen-bray-walking-tour.

Newton Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-19 15:00 - 22:00 | Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands, MA, 02461, United States
Newton Juneteenth Celebration
Friday, June 19, 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Come celebrate. Come connect. Come feel the JOY—this is more than an event, it’s a celebration of resilience, unity, and community pride.
Kick off Juneteenth with an exciting New England Patriots Skills and Drills Clinic at Newton North High School hosted by Newton Community Education, and then join us at the Hyde Community Center from 3PM for an unforgettable celebration of culture, heritage and tradition.
Starting at 3 PM you can look forward to:
🎤 A party atmosphere hosted by DJ Firestarta
🛍️ Shopping unique finds from local artisans & craft vendors
🎶 Live performances that move your spirit (African dancing by Afro Diamond, Newton reggae artist DJ Everla$t)
📣 Meet the New England Patriots cheerleaders
🍴 Two food trucks serving up delicious Caribbean flavors: Reggae Foods and Gourmet Kreyol
🎤 A Summer Concert Series event featuring hip-hop cover band sensation The GRV from 6–8 PM
🎬 Stretch out under the summer sky for an 8PM screening of Black Panther, the critically acclaimed box office delight that defines Black Excellence.
This year we reject division and instead embrace ‘JOYFUL RESISTANCE!’ Together, let’s uplift the value and richness of African-American culture and Black Excellence. All residents and visitors are invited to help celebrate 161 years since the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.
Speaking of excellence, we honor the service of featured guest, Dr. Henry Turner, Newton North High School Principal of 10 years who departs to assume his new role as Superintendent of Reading Public Schools.
We are proud to partner with the Hyde Community Center to seamlessly incorporate Juneteenth into their Friday Summer Concert Series.
Thank you to our partners and sponsors!
Our partners include our fiscal sponsor, Families Organizing for Justice (FORJ), the Newton Coalition of Black Residents (NCBR) and FORJ@Newton North High School (FORJ NNHS). We are grateful for generous support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Harmony Foundation and Village Bank. This Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts program is supported by Spark Newton in collaboration with The City of Newton.

Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library Presents Midsummer Picnic 2026
2026-06-20 11:00 - 14:00 | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Midsummer Picnic 2026
Saturday, June 20th | 11am-2pm
🌻Join us at the SCC&L for our outdoor Midsummer festival!🌻
Celebrate the summer solstice adorned in a flower crown and dancing around the maypole, or sit back and enjoy your picnic lunch while listening to the live music. There’s something for everyone, and all ages are welcome.
🎁boxed lunch prepared by Kaffestugan
🎶live musical performance by Merulae
🌷singing and dancing around the maypole
🍬Swedish candy and pantry goods for sale
⚽Sweden vs. Netherlands World Cup game showing in the Nordic Hall
This will be our last event of the season!
Click here for Tickets
Sponsored by SWEA Boston

Historic Newton Presents Cold Spring Park History Walking Tour
2026-06-25 18:00 - 19:30 | United Kingdom
Where was the original cold spring located? What films were recorded in the park? Where did high schoolers hold secret parties? Traverse some of the 67 acres of Cold Spring Park as you learn about its origins as Alcock’s Swamp to a source of drinking water, a gravel pit, and a trash dump; proposals to develop it for housing, schools, and a golf course; film locations, and much more! This tour will be led by Friends of Cold Spring Park President Alan Nogee.
This tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. We go at an easy pace and will cover around 1 mile. Most of the walk will take place on unpaved, uneven terrain. We encourage you to wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle. All ages welcome!

Tour dates and topics are subject to change. The meeting location for each walking tour will be shared after registration.
Historic Newton’s walking tours are sponsored by Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
