Newton Cultural Alliance

Jazz Concert with George Russell, Jr. and Friends!
2026-02-07 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Get ready to groove at the George Russell, Jr. and Friends, Free Jazz Concert! This in-person event brings together some amazing jazz talents for a night full of smooth tunes and good vibes. Whether you’re a jazz lover or just looking for a chill evening, come join us and enjoy the rhythms live at The Allen Center. It’s all about music, friends, and a great atmosphere. Beverages available for purchase before and during show. Don’t miss out—see you there!
In the event of a sell out, we will have a waitlist for any unclaimed tickets. Any unclaimed reserved tickets will be released five minutes before showtime.

West Newton presents Behind the Screen: Sinners
2026-02-08 13:00 - 15:30 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
SINNERS is a genre-defying period horror drama written and directed by Ryan Coogler, set in 1932 Mississippi during the Jim Crow era. The story follows twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, who return to their hometown to open a juke joint for the local Black community, only to find that an ancient, supernatural evil threatens their celebration and their lives. The film blends Southern Gothic, blues music, historical memory, and supernatural horror, creating a richly layered narrative about community, survival, and cultural expression.
POST SCREENING PANEL DISCUSSION
Our panel will explore the film’s fusion of music, history, and horror, considering how SINNERS engages with African-American cultural traditions, the symbolic role of blues music in confronting evil, and the artistic choices that make the film a singular cinematic experience.
JAKE BLOUNT, A.M.
Musician, Scholar, and Music Consultant on SINNERS;
Specialist in Traditional African-American Music and Afrofuturism
Jake Blount is an award-winning musician and scholar whose work bridges performance, research, and advocacy. He specializes in African-American traditional music and Afrofuturist approaches, and his recordings have appeared on best-of lists from NPR, The New Yorker, and Rolling Stone. Blount served as a music consultant on SINNERS and his work often interrogates the cultural and historical roots of American music.
JOEL LARUE SMITH, Ph.D.
Associate Teaching Professor, Tufts, Pianist, Composer, Arranger
Joel LaRue Smith has been the Director of the Tufts Jazz Orchestra (formerly the Big Band) and Jazz Activities at Tufts University since 1996. He is also a pianist and composer known for moving seamlessly between jazz, classical, gospel, and Afro-Cuban repertoire. He has performed globally at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Royal Albert Hall, and has received numerous awards including ASCAP’s distinguished George and Ira Gershwin Award.
BILL LOWE, Ph.D.
Composer, Performer, Educator; Leader of Signifyin’ Natives
Bill Lowe is a distinguished bassist trombonist, tuba player, composer, and educator with decades of experience in creative music. His ensemble Signifyin’ Natives explores African-American musical traditions through improvisation and collaboration, and Lowe has performed and taught extensively throughout the United States and internationally.

New Art Center presents Teen Build Your Art Portfolio class
2026-02-09 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-16 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-02-23 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-02 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-09 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-16 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-23 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-03-30 17:30 - 19:30 and 18 more dates | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Teen Build Your Art Portfolio class // All Levels // GR 8-12 // Mondays with Mattea Weinberg
This all-levels class is perfect for teens looking to build strong skills and prepare a competitive portfolio for college art programs. Students will draw from life, experiment with materials, and create meaningful, finished pieces—all with the support and guidance of an experienced instructor. Whether applying to art school or simply wanting to grow as an artist, this class offers the structure and feedback teens need to succeed.

Lydian String Quartet at The Allen Center
2026-02-19 19:30 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
An Open Rehearsal
The Naumberg Award-winning Lydian String Quartet, recently named Ensemble in Residence at The Allen Center, will deliver the four open rehearsals with two Beethoven quartets framing contemporary works that demonstrate Beethoven’s lasting influence and providing new context for listening and understanding these canonical works in today’s world. Buy Tickets.

Newton Baroque presents Bringing It Home with Brescianello: Concerti a Tre from the Stuttgart Court
2026-02-27 19:30 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Bringing It Home with Brescianello: Concerti a Tre from the Stuttgart Court
On February 27, join Newton Baroque at The Allen Center for a program of Concerti a Tre by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello. Susanna Ogata, Jesse Irons – violin, Alison Gangler – Oboe, Sarah Freiberg – cello, Andrus Madsen – harpsichord.
