Newton Cultural Alliance

Newton Theatre Company Presents: OUR TOWN
2026-01-31 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 96 Otis Street, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Experience this beloved classic up close with our exceptional professional cast in an intimate venue where every seat brings you into the heart of Grover’s Corners.
Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play is a profound meditation on love, loss, and the precious ordinary moments that define our lives told in Newton Theatre Company’s signature style—immediate, personal, and unforgettable.
Intimate staging. Beloved actors. Our original vision.
Limited seating. Reserve soon. Tickets will sell out.
Our Town will run for three weekends. Tickets available now!
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​Friday, January 16th at 8pm
Saturday, January 17th at 2pm
Saturday, January 17th at 8pm
Friday, January 23rd at 8pm
Saturday, January 24th at 2pm
​Saturday, January 24th at 8pm
Friday, January 30th at 8pm
Saturday, January 31st at 2pm
​Saturday, January 31st at 8pm
Seating is intimate and limited, so get your tickets now!
All performances are at:
St. John’s Episcopal Church, DiMauro Hall
​96 Otis Street, Newtonville, MA

West Newton Cinema presents Behind the Screen: The Testament of Ann Lee
2026-02-01 13:00 - 15:30 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
ABOUT THE FILM:
From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold (The World to Come, The Brutalist) comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known as the Shakers. Academy Award nominee Amanda Seyfried stars as the Shaker’s irrepressible leader, who preached gender and social equality and was revered by her followers. The Testament of Ann Lee captures the ecstasy and agony of her quest to build a utopia, featuring more than a dozen traditional Shaker hymns reimagined as rapturous movements with choreography by Celia Rowlson-Hall (Vox Lux) and original songs & score by Academy Award winner Daniel Blumberg (The Brutalist).
PANEL DISCUSSION FOLLOWS
A post-screening conversation will explore the film’s portrayal of Ann Lee and Shaker spirituality, with particular attention to women’s religious leadership, utopian community-building, and the historical contexts of dissenting Protestant movements in the Atlantic world.
CHRISTOPHER H. EVANS, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of History of Christianity & Methodist Studies, Boston University School of Theology
Christopher Evans teaches and writes on the history of Christianity, American religion, and Methodist history, with additional interests in religion and popular culture. His books include The Social Gospel in American Religion and Histories of American Christianity: An Introduction.
ANN D. BRAUDE, Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer on American Religious History; Director, Women’s Studies in Religion Program, Harvard Divinity School
Ann Braude’s scholarship focuses on American religious history with an emphasis on women and minority religious movements. She is the author of Radical Spirits: Spiritualism and Women’s Rights in Nineteenth-century America and is widely known for her work on the centrality of women to American religious history.
MARGARET LAMBERTS BENDROTH, Ph.D.
Historian of American Protestantism; former Executive Director, Congregational Library & Archives (Boston)
Margaret Lamberts Bendroth is a historian of American religion and the author of FUNDAMENTALISM AND GENDER, 1875 TO THE PRESENT and other works on Protestant history. She served for many years as Executive Director of the Congregational Library & Archives.

Suzuki School of Newton Honors Concert
2026-02-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
A select group of students from the Suzuki School of Newton will perform solo pieces on violin, piano, and harp. The program includes pieces by Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bruch, Corelli, and others. Find out more at newtonfreelibrary.net or suzukinewton.org/events.

New Art Center presents Teen Build Your Art Portfolio class
2026-02-02 17:30 - 19:30, 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 and 13 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.

The Colgate 13
2026-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible harmonies and vocal talents of Colgate 13 A Cappella at The Allen Center!

The Colgate 13 is Colgate University’s premier all-male a cappella ensemble, renowned for its rich harmonies, dynamic performances, and deep musical tradition. The group is the longest running all-male undergraduate collegiate a cappella group in the United States. Founded in 1942, the group has spent more than seven decades delighting audiences with a signature sound that blends classic vocal jazz, contemporary hits, folk, pop, and timeless standards.
Comprised of 13 undergraduate singers selected through a highly competitive audition process, The Colgate 13 is known not only for vocal excellence, but also for its infectious energy, warmth, and connection with audiences of all ages. Their concerts are engaging, family-friendly, and often infused with humor, storytelling, and heartfelt musical moments that make each performance feel personal and memorable.
Beyond campus, The Colgate 13 tours nationally and internationally, performing at schools, libraries, community venues, retirement communities, hospitals, athletic events, private parties, and alumni gatherings. Whether on a grand stage or in an intimate setting, the group brings professionalism, polish, and joy, making them a favorite among hosts and audiences alike.
A Colgate 13 isn’t just a performance, it’s an experience rooted in tradition, camaraderie, and a genuine love of singing together! We can’t wait for you to experience them at The Allen Center.
The Allen Center has limited seating capacity- a seating reservation is required for this event! Follow the Eventbrite link below.

West Newton Cinema presents An Evening with John Sayles
2026-02-07 16:00 - 18:30 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
West Newton Cinema Reads & Newtonville Books present:
The iconic filmmaker John Sayles reading from and discussing his new novel, The Crucible, along with his classic film, City of Hope, with Here & Now’s Robin Young.
Join director John Sayles as he reads from his new novel, The Crucible, following a screening of his riveting film, City of Hope (1991).
In The Crucible, Henry Ford—the Elon Musk of his day—aims to rule both an automotive empire and the rambunctious city of Detroit. In an epic tale ranging from the Prohibition Era to the Second World War, featuring violent labor disputes, misbegotten jungle expeditions, a tragic race riot, and the gestapo tactics of Ford’s private army, Sayles does what he’s become famous for: shows us, through multiple perspectives, the country in which we live.
In City of Hope, an old apartment complex stands in the way of a major commercial development. Its owner, Joe, feels pressure to torch it, and Joe’s estranged son, Nick, soon becomes a pawn in the game. Following the arrest of two teenagers, idealistic city councilman Wynn finds himself torn between what he thinks is right, and what his Black constituents want.
Sayles and Young will walk us through this incredible cast of characters and the themes that make both The Crucible and City of Hope so crucial to understanding our current moment. Their talk will follow with a signing in the lobby, with books for sale courtesy of Newtonville Books.
John Sayles is an independent filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and novelist. He has twice been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and once for the National Book Award. He has written eight novels, including, most recently, Jamie MacGillivray and To Save the Man.
Robin Young is a host of Here and Now, the nationally syndicated radio program produced by WBUR. A Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Robin has been a correspondent for ABC, CBS, NBC, and the Discovery Channel. She is a former guest host of The Today Show and one of the first hosts on Boston’s ground-breaking television show, Evening Magazine.

Jazz Concert with George Russell, Jr. and Friends!
2026-02-07 19:30 - 21:00 | 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.

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.
