Newton Cultural Alliance

Boston Ballet presents: The Nutcracker
2021-12-11, 2021-12-10, 2021-12-09, 2021-12-08, 2021-12-07, 2021-12-06, 2021-12-05, 2021-12-04 and 2 more dates | Citizens Bank Opera House, 539 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Let your dreams come to life
Take time for joy with your family and friends at New England’s most beloved holiday tradition. With brave toy soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and a tree that grows to the sky, The Nutcracker conjures the childlike wonder in us all.
Slip away into the warm drawing room of the Silberhaus family and watch as Clara’s surroundings transform before your eyes. From the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy to the iconic snow scene, this classical ballet set to the beloved music of Tchaikovsky continues to enthrall audiences of all ages.
The Nutcracker marks Boston Ballet’s return to the Citizens Bank Opera House, and the shared magic and excitement of this heartwarming production feels more meaningful than ever as the curtain rises again. Join us in dreaming of sugarplums, candy canes, and the bright season ahead.
All patrons must present proof of vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID test before entering the venue and must wear a mask inside the theater at all times, regardless of vaccination status.
To purchase tickets and read the full COVID policy, click here.

Theatre Ink presents: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
2021-12-10 19:30, 2021-12-09 19:30, 2021-12-08 19:30 (America/New_York) | Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Purchase in-person tickets HERE. For virtual tickets, click HERE.

Newton Free Library presents: You Came Through The Ruins - Tagore's Songs and Poems of Life and Renewal
2021-12-09 19:00 - 20:00 | ONLINE, United Kingdom, E16 2DQ
Join Maitreyee Chakraborty and friends for a special concert that will focus on the works of the Bengali poet, Rabindranath Tagore. He was a writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Maitreyee is trained in the classical Indian vocal tradtion.
When the world crumbles around us, death tolls rise and intolerance grows, Rabindranath Tagore’s words and music offers solace and perspective.
Joining Maitreyee will be Monami Roy, Raka Dutta, Swadhina Guhathakurta and Swati Biswas. Swati and Swadhina will be dancing. Raka will be reciting some poems and Mona will be discussing the relevance of the songs.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Newton and Wellesley Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Registration for this program will end two hours before the start time. The login information will be sent just after registration closes. Please be sure to check your spam folder in case it lands there.

Newton Theatre Kids presents: Fall Classes - Devising Ensemble
2021-12-09 18:30 - 20:00, 2021-12-02 18:30 - 20:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Join NTK’s all new Devising Ensemble! Our first program for middle schoolers gives participants the opportunity to explore new forms of performance and hone their artistic skills, all while creating an original piece of theatre as an ensemble. Specifically tailored to the interests of the students, this class is an excellent opportunity for young performers to expand their artistic horizons and learn more about their craft. ​Open to Students in Grades 6-8. ​Tuition: $385
Thursdays from 6:30-8 pm
September 9th through December 16th
​Taught by Abby Lass
Location for all classes: FUUSN – First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton
1326 Washington St, Newton, MA 02465
We follow closings for all Newton Public school holidays and snow days.
We want theatre to be accessible to everyone.
If you are interested in learning more about Newton Theatre Kids scholarships, please email Melissa.

Newton Theatre Kids presents: Fall Classes - Charlotte's Web
2021-12-09 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-12-08 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-12-06 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-12-02 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-12-01 16:00 - 17:30 | First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Join lovable pig Wilbur and his best friend, Charlotte the spider, in this fun, heartwarming re-telling of E.B. White’s classic story, Charlotte’s Web. We’ve got dancing, acting, scenery-making, and parts for everybody! ​Tuition: $385. Open to Students in Grades K-5
Location for all classes: FUUSN – First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton
1326 Washington St, Newton, MA 02465
We follow closings for all Newton Public school holidays and snow days.
We want theatre to be accessible to everyone.
If you are interested in learning more about Newton Theatre Kids scholarships, please email Melissa.

Historic Holidays in Newton
2021-12-07 17:00 | ONLINE, United Kingdom, E16 2DQ
How did residents of Newton celebrate the winter holidays in previous centuries? Our short videos explain family traditions at the Jackson Homestead and the Durant-Kenrick House in the 18th through 20th centuries, including baking gingerbread, donating clothing and toys to Newtonians in need — and avoiding festivities altogether. Gain a perspective on the holidays and receive a recipe to try in this program that takes place Tuesday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. on Zoom. Register here.

Highland Glee Club presents: A Holiday Songfest
2021-12-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave., Needham Heights, MA, 02494, United States
Featuring traditional favorites from Gregorian Chant to Jazz, Franz Schubert to Irving Berlin, selections for Christmas and Chanukah, and a singalong – holiday fun for the whole family!

Ample free parking across the street. Reception to follow.

Newton Art Association presents: Demo with Jason Turner
2021-12-05 14:00 - 16:00 | MA
Jason Turner was an innovator. His approach to handling watercolor was radically different from many of his contemporaries. Far from being a watercolor purist, he often used unconventional materials and constantly reinvented his approach to watercolor painting. For those who love this artist’s work and have some experience with watercolor, this demo will offer a practical eye opening glimpse into the great master’s working methods. Click here for more info.

Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair 2021
2021-12-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Rd, Newton, MA, 02459
Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair 2021-
Sunday, December 5th at Newton South High School
The Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair is back for its 18th year! This annual craft event will take place on Sunday, December 5th,
10 am-4 pm at Newton South High School, 140 Brandeis Road. Come shop for unique handmade items from more than 50 local artisans. You’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list including jewelry, textiles, woodwork, framed art, and more. There will be no shipping delays or empty retail shelves to deal with, so come over on Sunday, Dec 5th for this relaxed shopping event with live music too. Admission is $5 with kids under 12 free. Celebrate Newton is produced by the Newton Cultural Alliance, an advocacy non-profit supporting over 30 local arts and culture organizations. For event and exhibitor information visit celebratenewton.com.

New Art Center presents: Luminaria Workshop for Parents and Kids
2021-12-05 10:00 - 11:30 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Make a festive luminaria candle-holder to adorn your home this winter! Parents and kids will add their creative twist to a lovely luminaria decoration for themselves or as a gift for friends and family. Children younger than 2nd grade must be accompanied by an adult. All houses will be made from red air dry clay and can hold a battery-operated tea light. Click here to register.

Scandinavian Cultural Center presents: Book Talk - "For the Love of Cod" with Eric Dregni
2021-12-04 13:00 | ONLINE, United Kingdom, E16 2DQ
A journey to find Norway’s supposed bliss makes for a comic travelogue that asks, seriously, what makes Norwegians so damn happy—and does it translate?
Norway is usually near or at the top of the World Happiness Report. But is it really one of the happiest countries on Earth? Eric Dregni had his doubts. Years ago he and his wife had lived in this country his great-great-grandfather once fled. When their son Eilif was born there, the Norwegian government paid for the birth, gave them $5,000, and deposited $500 into their bank account every month, but surely happiness was more than a generous health care system. What about all those grim months without sun? When Eilif turned fifteen, father and son decided to go back together and investigate. For the Love of Cod is their droll report on the state of purported Norwegian bliss.
Saturday, December 4th | 1pm | FREE with registration | register here
ABOUT ERIC: Eric Dregni is an associate professor of English and Journalism at Concordia University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he teaches writing. He has written or cowritten travel memoirs and essays about Minnesota, Norway, and Italy, as well as guidebooks and books on popular culture in the American Midwest.

New Art Center Artist Talk: Anthony Romero & Çaca Yvaire
2021-12-03 18:00 - 19:00 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Anthony Romero is a Boston-based artist, writer, and organizer committed to documenting and supporting artists and communities of color. His collaborative practice engages intercultural contact and historical narratives in order to generate reparative counter-images and social transformation. Recent projects and performances have been featured at The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts (Omaha), the Blue Star Contemporary (San Antonio), The Institute of Contemporary Art (Boston) and the Mountain Standard Time Performative Art Biennial (Calgary, Canada).

Çaca Yvaire is an Afro-Indigenous territorial scholar-practitioner and student of planetary science, political geoecology, and the arts. He brings a unique lens to conservation work. He is primarily invested in stimulating and uplifting an infrastructure that supports a rich and imaginative solidarity between lifeways, and honoring the varied traditions of relating sustainably to the world around us through non-industrial agroecology, agriculture, silviculture, aquaculture, etc. that have been historically side-lined by imperialist design.
Register here.

Newton Art Association presents: Legal Issues for Artists
2021-12-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
What are your rights and legal obligations as an artist? What do you need to know about copyrights, contracts, commissions, and consignments with galleries? What are your precise legal liabilities?
These and other artists’ rights issues will be discussed by Nicholas M. O’Donnell at our second professional workshop.
Zoom link for the event is found here.

New Art Center presents: Teen Zine - GR 9-12
2021-12-01 18:00 - 20:00 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
In this 6-week course students will print and produce their own zine – a small circulation of self-published work using a combination of both text and imagery. Students will develop their own short stories and/or poems and use these pieces to create visual imagery to support their writing. By the end the of the course students will print a limited-edition zine using a variety of print methods both by hand and using a press. Click here to register.
Notes: no class 11/24
