Newton Cultural Alliance

Folk Concert and Food Drive May 3rd
2025-05-03 15:00 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Newton City Hall Auditorium, 1000 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Join the men of the Highland Glee Club choir for Cream of American Folk, a concert of mid-century American folk music with guitars and banjo!
Bring along a can of your favorite nourishing soup to help a family in need. Featuring timeless gems like “Wayfaring Stranger” and “Oh Shenandoah”
as well as pop folk favorites like “Louisiana Man” and the sea shanty “Santy Anno”, beautifully arranged for the warm, burnished sounds of men’s voices.
With the strumming talents of Brian Middleton(guitar), Bob Salitsky(string bass), and Don Shulsinger(banjo).
www.highlandgleeclub.com Just click on the ginormous soup can.

Suzuki School presents Violin Graduation Concert & Reception
2025-05-03 17:00 - 18:30 | Suzuki School of Newton, 1615 Beacon St, Waban, MA, 02468, United States
Suzuki Violin Students present a celebration concert of the entire Suzuki Book 7 repertoire including Handel Sonata in A Major and the JS Bach Concerto in A Minor. Led by String Dept Chair, San-yi Lin and Violin facutly Dr. Joy Grimes, these high school students will share their achievements with this free concert followed by a reception. The Newton Watercolor Society will have a new exhibit for people to enjoy as they mix and mingle.

New Phil Orchestra presents Classics III
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:00, 2025-05-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
CLASSICS III
May 3rd and 4th
Luke Blackburn, Symphony No. 1, “Thalassa” (world premiere)

Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade

New Philharmonia Orchestra Season Finale
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:00 | Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
The New Philharmonia Orchestra, Jorge Soto, Music Director, celebrates its 30th Season Finale with a world premiere piece and Rimsky-Korsakov’s beloved Scheherazade. Join us to celebrate our 30 years of bringing “Music for All” to Newton!
SEASON FINALE
Blackburn: Symphony No. 1, “Thalassa” (world premiere)
Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade
Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 4 at 3:00pm
Grace Episcopal Church, Newton
Local composer Luke Blackburn is a great friend of the New Phil – he plays bassoon in the orchestra and is our Personnel Manager! Come hear his piece that honors the ocean and all of the wonders and fears it evokes.

Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra presents New Winds and Friends
2025-05-04 15:00 - 17:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
The Salon Series is Pro Arte’s chamber music concert series. Each performance features a select handful of musicians from Pro Arte’s cooperative along with occasional guest artists to present musical gems not featured in the full orchestral Ensemble Series. They are a perfect way get to know Pro Arte players better. If you haven’t been to one of these fun concerts, they are presented in a less formal manner and feature plenty of opportunity to interact with the musicians and to learn more about the music.

Musical Program

WOLGANG AMADEUS MOZART Kegelstatt Trio, K. 498
W. A. MOZART Piano Quintet in Eb, K. 452

TICKETS

Performers
Kai-Yun Lu, clarinet
Liana Zaretsky, viola
Jennifer Slowik, oboe
Stephanie Busby, bassoon
Robert Marlatt, horn
Miri Yampolsky, piano

Blue Heron presents a Benefit Event: 14th-Century Avant-garde
2025-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Benefit Event: 14th-Century Avant-garde
$100.00 – $500.00 including fees
Benefit Event: 14th-Century Avant-garde
An intimate performance and reception supporting Blue Heron
May 4, 2025, 7pm
The Allen Center
35 Webster St, Newton, MA 02465
Medieval music sounded remarkably modern in the hands of forward-thinking composers like Guillaume de Machaut, Jacob Senleches, and Johannes Suzoy. Their music displayed freedom of thought, fearlessly explored rhythmic complexity, and pushed the limits of what was possible to both notate and perform. Stellar singers Sophie Michaux and James Reese join multi-instrumentalists Scott Metcalfe and Debra Nagy for this mesmerizing program.
All but $20 of each ticket price is tax-deductible.
$500 per person – Blue Heron Avant-Guardian!
Event admission plus exclusive seating and special top supporter recognition in appreciation for above-and-beyond support.
$250 per person – Medieval Trailblazer
Event admission plus special supporter recognition at the event.
$100 per person – General Admission
Admission to the performance and reception.

AEM presents Practical Musicianship and Music Theory for Early Musicians
2025-05-05 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-05-12 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-05-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-05-26 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-06-02 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-06-09 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-06-16 17:30 - 19:00 | MA
with Shira Kammen – vielle, voice, harp

5:30 – 6:45 pm, 11 November 2024

Shira
Kammen **
Violin & Vielle

4 Monday sessions, November 11, 18, 25 & December 2, from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. ET

Class Description

ANMS presents Con Brio Lunch Club
2025-05-09 11:00 - 13:00 | All Newton Music School, 321 Chestnut St, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Join violist Scott Woolweaver and his musical friends for a luncheon featuring classical chamber works, complete with fascinating composer anecdotes and lunch.

Bay Colony Brass presents And All That Jazz
2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:30 | Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland St., West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
May 10 7:30pm
Second Church in Newton United Church of Christ
60 Highland Street
West Newton
Free Admission
W.C. Handy – St. Louis Blues March
Duke Ellington – It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing
Billy Strayhorn – Lush Life
David Uber – Jazz Piece for Brass Choir
Louis Prima – Sing, Sing, Sing
Juan Tizol – Caravan
Joseph Turrin – Jazzalogue No. 1
Billy Strayhorn – Chelsea Bridge
Chick Corea – Spain

Newton Baroque presents Harmonia artificioso-ariosa: Music for two violins and continuo by Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber
2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:30 | the allen center, 35 Webster Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
The day is fast approaching when Newton Baroque will take a huge leap and play our first concert at a major international festival. On June 9, we will play an all-Biber program at the Tage Alter Musik in Regensburg, Germany. Before we leave for Germany, we’ll play the concert on May 9 and 10 for our friends in Boston and Newton. The program consists entirely of Partie for two violins and continuo from Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber’s Harmonia artificioso-ariosa. Each of the four Partie on the concert requires a different scordatura tuning, and they are arguably the most astounding works for two violins and continuo from the 17th century. You may have heard us play a few of these pieces before; over the last two years, we have programmed isolated sonatas from the set to prepare for our event in Regensburg, and now you can hear the full program in its entirety. If there were ever a do-not-miss concert, it is this one. These pieces by Biber are incredibly challenging technically, but we have been preparing for a long time, and they are polished and ready. Also, we have been living with them long enough now to engage in even more than our usual amount of risk-taking, and I believe you will be in for a tremendous show. Susanna and Christina are among the best in the world at playing this music, and Cullen and Andrus are in the perfect continuo groove to underpin the violin fireworks.

Hyde Community Center presents Summer at the Hyde
2025-05-11 08:00 - 2025-09-05 17:00 | Hyde Bandshell, 90 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA, 02461, United States
The Hyde Community Center is proud to host its annual summer series featuring concerts, movies, theater productions and cultural celebrations. We hope you will join us in enjoying this wide range of family-friendly events at the Hyde Bandstand beginning this month.
All listed events are free and take place outside on the Hyde Bandstand and Playground. Unless otherwise noted, events are Friday evening; concerts begin at 6 PM, and movies start around dusk. Friday concerts and movies will move into the Hyde Gym in case of rain.

Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts
2025-05-17 08:00 - 2025-06-29 17:00 | MA
🎶 10th Annual Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts 🎶
May 17 – June 29, 2025
The Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts celebrates our local musicians, artists, thespians and creatives for 6 weeks this year with events supported by Newton Community Pride grants. Join us as the City comes alive with music, color, and creativity at various venues throughout Newton.

Suzuki School presents Multicultural Festival 2025!
2025-05-17 14:00 - 18:00 | Suzuki School of Newton, 1615 Beacon St, Waban, MA, 02468, United States
Suzuki Newton’s Multicultural Festival 2025
Join us for an afternoon of music, art, food, and community at the Suzuki School of Newton on Saturday, May 17, 2025!
📍 Location: 1615 Beacon St., Waban, MA 02468
🕑 Time: Festivities kick off at 2:00 PM and continue throughout the afternoon.
🎶 Music Performances:
The afternoon begins with Folk Baroque at 2:00 PM, followed by the dance rhythms of Salsa y Control, and performances by the talented Suzuki Violin Students.
🖼️ Intergenerational Art Show:
Celebrate creativity across ages with an exhibit featuring artwork from Suzuki Preschoolers alongside local Newton artists from the Newton Art Association and Newton Watercolor Society!
🏫 Preschool Open House:
Families with young children are invited to tour the classrooms, meet our teachers and director, and learn about our Suzuki Preschool community.
🍽️ International Potluck:
Bring a favorite family dish to share and experience the world through food. Please include a card listing ingredients and possible allergens to ensure everyone can enjoy safely.
🌟 Admission:
This event is free and open to the public! Kids and adults of all ages are welcome to come celebrate our Newton Community! Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the afternoon making memories with us.
#SuzukiSchoolofNewton #MulticulturalFestival

10th Annual Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts
2025-05-17 19:00 - 21:00 | MA
🎶 10th Annual Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts 🎶
May 17 – June 29, 2025
We are excited to announce that the Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts will celebrate our local musicians, artists, thespians and creatives for 6 weeks this year with events supported by Newton Community Pride grants. Join us as the City comes alive with music, color, and creativity at various venues throughout Newton.
Festival of the Arts Kick-Off Event
Saturday, May 17th, 7 pm – 9 pm at the City Hall War Memorial Auditorium
Bring your cowboy boots and hats and get ready to two-step the night away to the tunes of Surefire Band!
Free & Open to All! Registration is suggested but not required.

New Art pARTy 2025
2025-05-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Garage B, 1420 Soldiers Field Rd, Brighton, Massachusetts, 02135, United States
Join us for a celebration of art, culture, and community.
The New Art Center’s Gala is more than a celebration—it’s an opportunity to directly support local artists and ensure that art continues to thrive in our community.
At the heart of this event is our exclusive art auction, featuring an incredible selection of works from talented local and regional artists. Whether you’re an avid collector or simply passionate about the arts, this is your chance to acquire unique pieces while making a meaningful impact. Every bid helps sustain our mission to provide accessible arts education and creative programming for all.
Your support makes a difference! Purchase your ticket to join us for an unforgettable evening, or take your commitment a step further by becoming a sponsor—a powerful way to champion the arts and gain meaningful visibility in our vibrant community.

Historic Newton presents the Newton House Tour
2025-05-18 12:00 - 17:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave,, Newton, MA, 02458
Welcome to Historic Newton’s 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!
This is the 42nd annual Newton House Tour, and all proceeds benefit Historic Newton’s mission.
Event begins at 12 noon, but in-person ticket sales and wristband pick-up begins at 10AM.

Commonwealth Chorale presents Community and Connection
2025-05-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Church of the Holy Name, 1689 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Community and Connection

Sunday May 18, 2025 at 4pm
Aaron Copland, selections from Old American Songs
Nathaniel Dett, The Chariot Jubilee
Alice Parker, folk song and spiritual arrangements
Fred VanNess, tenor
David McFerrin, baritone
with chamber instrumental ensemble and pianoA Commonwealth Composer Concert

Experience community and connection through the diversity of American folk songs! We can all connect on different levels with what folk songs are about: work and labor, losing or gaining freedom, personal and social tragedies, joy and romance, historical events and movements, faith and spirituality, social or political issues, and the ups and downs of everyday life. Folk songs also provide connections across generations, by celebrating cultural and ethnic heritages or inspiring social activists. The music of Copland, Dett, and Parker explores many of these themes.
In his Old American Songs Aaron Copland arranges American folk songs that feature the pioneer experience, the vastness of America’s natural landscapes, political commentary, and the simple pleasure of entertaining children. Some consider his arrangements to be the characteristic sound of American music.
Nathaniel Dett’s significant and diverse musical legacy includes arrangements of African American spirituals. These arrangements fuse the simple, profound messages of these uniquely American folk songs with the European romantic classical music tradition. Inspired by the spiritual Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Dett’s The Chariot Jubileeexemplifies his blending of these two traditions. The interplay between the chorus and the tenor soloist, along with the dynamic orchestration, creates a powerful and uplifting musical experience celebrating our common humanity.
This season’s Commonwealth Composer is Alice Parker. In her many decades as a composer, she composed a wide variety of music. However, she is especially well known for her classic arrangements of American folk songs, folk hymns, and spirituals. Her love of family and community is reflected in these arrangements. As she told NewMusic USA, “When we sing something perfectly lovely together … and it really clicks, you have this marvelous feeling of brotherhood in the room. We are all human beings. We are all feeling this emotion together at the same time. And this is uniting us. We are not separate.”
Join us to experience music representing a rich mix of collective memory, cultural identity, and emotional expression, reflecting the diverse and evolving narrative of American life.

Fred VanNess, tenor

David McFerrin, baritone

A Far Cry 2025 Spring Soirée
2025-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
We are pleased to invite you to our 2025 Spring Soirée. Together, we’ll celebrate the end of another fantastic season at A Far Cry and unveil what we’re dreaming up for the future.
Featuring highlights such as:

A special interactive performance by the Criers, showcasing new initiatives and musical teasers for the 2026-2027 Season and beyond

Outdoor cocktail hour & generous hors d’oeuvres

Fabulous auction items, dessert under the stars, and more!

The Strawberry Festival
2025-05-29 18:30 - 21:30 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
The Newton Cultural Alliance is happy to announce this year’s 11th annual Strawberry Festival on Thursday, May 29th. A celebration of deeply rooted community, the Strawberry Festival will include a rich harvest of local music, art, and cherished time with friends. Enjoy a light dinner, refreshing drinks, and two exciting ways to give back: Raise the Paddle and our mini Silent Auction. Please view our Strawberry Festival website for single tickets and corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Love, Life, and Death: Pieces for voice, piano, and viola
2025-06-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Church of the Redeemer, 379 Hammond St, Chestnut Hill, M, 02467, United States
A performance of art songs by composers Michael Berkowitz, Johannes Brahms, Andrew Gretzinger, Ruth Hertzman-Miller, Maru Seng Hkawn, Marcea McGuire, and Yuseok Seol.
Performers: Kayla Kovacs (soprano), Nina Gojcaj (mezzo soprano), Nicholas Alessi (tenor), Alec House-Baillargeon (bass), Marcea McGuire (spoken voice), Andrew Gretzinger (viola), Yuseok Seol (piano)

House Concert with Rising Star Sam Robbins, Cam Olver opens
2025-06-06 19:00 - 21:00 | House Of Play House Concerts, Newton, MA, 02461, United States
Come join us for our next house concert with singer-songwriter Sam Robbins. This is a rare opportunity to be up close with a-soon-to-be-famous contemporary folk musician! Cam Olver will be opening with his unique fingerstyle guitar. You will be welcome in our friendly home. Drinks, snacks, and plenty of joy provided as we connect through music to the larger circles among us.
Sam Robbins is often described as an “old soul singer songwriter” whose music evokes singer songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne. Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive national touring, from sharing the stage with artists like Jason Mraz and Liz Longley, and as a main stage performer at festivals like Kerrville and Falcon Ridge. Robbins has gained a reputation as one of the brightest rising stars in the national folk music community.
https://samrobbinsmusic.com/home
Cam Olver, a Newton based solo guitarist specializing in fingerstyle will be opening. Cam creates intricate arrangements that seemingly defy the capabilities of one instrument and emulate the lavish construction of a full band.
https://camolver.com
To reserve a seat, ASAP, email Susan at houseconcertsnewton@gmail.com. Info will then be sent to you. Suggested minimum $25 donation goes directly to musicians. Doors open at 6:30.

Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra presents Serenade for Strings
2025-06-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland St., West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Pro Arte welcomes James Burton, Conductor of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, for a captivating program of orchestral gems. The concert opens with Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, a lyrical, intimate work brimming with English charm. Next, journey to the heart of Americana with Copland’s beloved Appalachian Spring, a radiant celebration of hope and simplicity. Cooperative member Aron Zelkowicz brings fire and finesse as the cello soloist to Boccherini’s Cello Concerto in G Major, a showcase of Classical-era brilliance and virtuosity. The evening culminates with Dvořák’s Czech Suite, a vibrant tapestry of Bohemian dance rhythms and folk melodies that will leave your spirit lifted. Join us for this richly textured program, where tradition meets inspiration and every note tells a story.
Please note the program change as of May 4, 2025. The premiere of Elana Langer’s When The Sun Came Round For Tea: concerto for trumpet and orchestra has been postponed.

EDWARD ELGAR Serenade for String Orchestra in E minor, Op. 20
AARON COPLAND Appalachian Spring Suite for 13 Instruments
LUIGI BOCCHERINI Cello Concerto No. 3 in G Major, G. 480
ANTONIN DVORAK Czech Suite, Op.39

TICKETS

Suzuki Newton's Advanced Recitals!
2025-06-08 16:00 - 18:30 | Union Church in Waban, 14 Collins Rd, Waban, MA, 02468, United States
Come join the Suzuki School of Newton as we present our most advanced students in recital! Every year we gather to celebrate the hard work of our students who have overcome the challenge of advancing through the Suzuki repertoire with a recital of selected students and pieces. Don’t miss this opportunity to see what is possible with the Suzuki approach to music education!
Sunday, June 8th 2025
4:00pm & 5:45pm
Union Church of Waban
14 Collins Road, Waban, MA 02468
