Newton Cultural Alliance

The Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library presents Takeshi Nagayasu
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
The Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library and The Leroy Anderson Foundation present an afternoon of piano music with internationally acclaimed pianist Takeshi Nagayasu. Nagayasu has performed in major concert halls across New York, Europe, and Asia, and is the recipient of numerous international honors. Takeshi has degrees from Juilliard, Yale and the University of Michigan. The program will feature works offering a vibrant journey from Scandinavian folk-inspired piano pieces to virtuosic Romantic etudes and compelling modern works.

All Newton Music School presents Alex Thomas Faculty Recital- Discovering Grieg
2026-04-04 16:00 - 18:00 | All Newton Music School, 321 Chestnut St, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
All Newton Music School Piano faculty Alex Thomas invites you to an inspiring concert of Edvard Grieg’s most captivating piano works. From tender lyricism to fiery Nordic passion, each performance captures the essence of Grieg’s genius. Immerse yourself in a concert where artistry and imagery blend in perfect harmony.

Andromeda of Boston and Spark Newton present Spring Hafla 2026
2026-04-25 18:30 - 20:30 | Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
Andromeda of Boston and Spark Newton present a vibrant showcase of world dance at Grace Episcopal Church featuring local students and professional performers. Styles include MENAHT (Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic, Turkish), as well as Asian, Balkan, and Eastern European–inspired traditions. Light refreshments provided; Free for Newton residents with reservations.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

All Newton Music School Presents The Portland String Quartet
2026-05-30 16:00 - 17:30 | All Newton Music School, 321 Chestnut St, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
The Portland String Quartet’s final program of the 57th season promises to be a pure, weightless, soaring delight. Blending the luscious sounds of William Walton’s String Quartet in A minor, Haydn’s airy Quartet in C Major (Op. 33, No. 3 “the Bird”), and a volitant folk tune composed by the Danish String Quartet, Airborne is bound to sweep you right off your feet.
Featuring ANMS Faculty Kelly Knox, cello, alongside Callie Brennan, violin, and Brianna Fischler, viola, with Hannah Goldstick, guest violin.

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

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.

The Highland Glee Club Presents Encore! Favorite Songs from Recent Seasons
2026-06-06 15:00 - 16:00 | Scandinavian Cultural Center, 206 Waltham St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Free Performance by The Highland Glee Club Men’s Chorus!
Join us for this very special recap of our favorites from recent concerts, featuring sea shanties, spring madrigals, and a cracker jack barbershop quartet!
At the beautiful Nordic Recital Hall at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton.

Suzuki School of Newton Presents Adult Student Recital
2026-06-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Suzuki School of Newton, 1615 Beacon St, Waban, MA, 02468, United States
Suzuki School of Newton Adult Student Recital
Friday, June 12, 7:00 pm
Head over to Suzuki School of Newton (Room 112) to hear adult music students perform! This is a fun opportunity to connect with fellow aspiring adult musicians and hear the repertoire they’ve been working on. Free to attend!
Click here for more info.

Newton Highlands Village Day
2026-06-14 11:00 - 16:00 | Hyde Community Center, 90 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands, MA, 02461, United States
Newton Highlands Village Day
Sunday, June 14, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join The Hyde Community Center as we celebrate community at the 49th Annual Newton Highlands Village Day happening along Lincoln Street between Walnut and Bowdoin. Stop by for great food, music, arts & crafts, and lots of fun for the whole family. Thanks to the generosity of the event sponsors, all kid activities are FREE! That includes bounce houses, caricatures, and face painting!
Click here for more info.

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 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.
