Newton Cultural Alliance

New Art Center presents Teen Build Your Art Portfolio class
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, 2026-04-06 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Commonwealth Chorale Auditions
2026-03-10 17:30 - 18:45, 2026-03-17 17:30 - 18:45 | First Baptist Church in Newton, 848 Beacon St, Newton, MA, 02459, United States
Commonwealth Chorale seeks singers of all voice types who have strong vocal and sight-reading skills. We are especially looking for altos, tenors and basses. The 2025-2026 season marks Commonwealth Chorale’s 50th Anniversary and has been filled with special performances.
In May, we conclude our celebration with Martín Palmeri’s tango-influenced Misa a Buenos Aires (“Misatango”). The program will also feature tango works with tango orchestra and tango dancers! We conclude with Argentinian Alberto Ginastera’s Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah, written while Ginastera was living in the USA after being targeted by the Perón regime for supporting civil liberties.
Auditions will be held by appointment on March 10th and 17th from 5:30 to 6:45. Auditions are held at our rehearsal location at First Baptist Church, 848 Beacon Street in Newton Center, a few minutes’ walk from the Newton Center stop on the “D” Green Line. There is also free parking behind the church and on adjacent streets.
We have scholarships to reduce costs for singers 30 and under! See website for details: https://commonwealthchorale.com
To apply for an audition, click here: https://commonwealthchorale.com/join-us

New Art Center presents Art and Healing: Art Therapists on Creating Connections
2026-03-12 18:30 - 19:30 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
An illuminating talk with practicing studio artists and art therapists, Erin Palazzolo Loparo, M.S.-ATR and Tova Speter, M.A., LMHC, as they explore the intersection of personal creative practice and community-based healing.
This event is free and open to the public, light refreshments will be served.
View the work of Erin Loparo, Tova Speter, and other artists on view March 20th –May 1st in the Art and Healing exhibition at the Mosesian Center for the Arts.

West Newton Cinema presents Ty Burr's Movie Club: The Holdovers
2026-03-12 18:30 - 21:00 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, THE HOLDOVERS follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually, he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
TY BURR’S MOVIE CLUB is hosted by the nationally recognized film critic Ty Burr.
Each month Ty presents and discusses one of his favorite films with the audience. His selections span the spectrum from classics that have stood the test of time to contemporary films that merit a second viewing.

Highland Glee Club presents Enchanted
2026-03-14 15:00 - 16:30 | Newton Highland Congregational Church, 54 Lincoln St, Newton Highlands, MA, 02494, United States
The Highland Glee Club Men’s Chorus and Music Director Sarah Robinson Seeber welcome you to our exploration of the mists, mysteries, and mysticism of the medieval and renaissance times, via chant and chant-inspired music- along with special guest artists, Lilium et Rosa women’s vocal quartet.
Saturday, March 14, 2026. 3:00 pm Doors open at 2:30 pm. Newton Highlands Congregational Church, 54 Lincoln St., Newton Highlands, MA.
General admission $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Children free of charge.

West Newton Cinema presents Oscars Party
2026-03-15 18:00 - 22:00 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Strike a pose at our red carpet photo booth, enjoy a dinner buffet by Anoush’ella, and settle in to watch the Awards with fellow film lovers. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Film critic Ty Burr will serve as MC, sharing commentary, predictions, and reactions as the night unfolds.
Be sure to cast your ballot in our Oscars poll. The guest with the most correct predictions will win a Golden Ticket, granting free admission to West Newton Cinema movies and events throughout 2026.

Orli Shaham at The Allen Center
2026-03-16 19:30 - 21:30 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Join us for an extraordinary evening with acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham performing in the intimate elegance of The Allen Center’s Great Hall. Celebrated worldwide for her grace, subtlety, and brilliance, Ms. Shaham has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras and appeared in recital on the most prestigious stages—from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. Critics have been unequivocal in their praise: The New York Times hails her as a “brilliant pianist,” Chicago Tribune calls her a “first-rate Mozartean,” and London’s Guardian described her performance at the Proms as “perfection.” Don’t miss this special opportunity to experience Ms. Shaham’s remarkable artistry up close in an unforgettable performance. Click here for tickets.

FUUSN Presents What the World Needs Now: A Community Gathering for Justice and Peace
2026-03-21 14:00 - 16:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St, Newton, MA, 02465, United States
First Unitarian Universalist Society presents a song filled interfaith community event, featuring a community folk song sing-along, a performance by an Interfaith choir, and a keynote talk by Tinya Seeger (Pete Seeger’s daughter). While the gathering is free and open to the public, freewill donations will support non-profit Democracy Forward. Co-sponsors for the event include the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton, Green Newton, and More Than Words.

Next-Arts presents the Newton Piano Summit
2026-03-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland St., West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Brazilian Legends: pianist Hélio Alves, bassist Gili Lopes and drummer Rafael Barata. Deep groove, fearless interplay, and that unmistakable Brazilian pulse, delivered at the highest level.
Lee Fish & Friends: An amazing blend of Jazz, Soul and Folk from drummer Lee Fish, pianist Jiří Nedoma, bassist Max Ridley and saxophonist Edmar Colon.

Cappella Clausura presents Blood and Honey; Modern Visions of Hildegard
2026-03-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States
Cappella Clausura, an a cappella ensemble of eight to sixteen singers who perform music by Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary composers, present Hildegard’s music for Saint Ursula at Grace Church in Newton. Hildegard von Bingen – the “patron saint” of Cappella – wrote an abundance of vivid music and poetry about Saint Ursula. These chants celebrate womanhood and independence. In this program, Cappella Clausura presents Hildegard’s music for Saint Ursula interspersed with micro-commissions from five emerging composers from the Boston area.

Karen Walwyn at The Allen Center
2026-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Steinway pianist Dr. Karen Walwyn returns to The Allen Center for an illuminating lecture-recital celebrating the incredible life and works of Florence Price. A leading expert on Price’s music, Dr. Walwyn recorded the world premiere of Price’s Concerto in One Movement with the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble at the Center for Black Music Research in 2011. Her April 9, 2022 release of Price’s complete solo piano works garnered two five-star reviews from Fanfare, with critics praising her as “perfectly attuned” to the composer’s voice and describing the recording as “a marvelous release.” Dr. Walwyn serves as a Mellon Faculty Fellow and Professor of Music at Berklee College of Music. We hope you’ll join us for this special opportunity to hear Walwyn’s brilliant and exciting interpretations of Florence Price.
Click here to reserve tickets.

Next-Arts Presents the Newton Piano Summit
2026-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Second Church in Newton, 60 Highland St., West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Grammy-winning New York jazz pianist David Kikoski is a blazing improviser whose fearless harmonic imagination, deep swing, and lyrical touch have made him a legend among musicians worldwide.
Alexei Tsiganov is a world-class jazz pianist and vibraphonist known for his virtuosic improvisation, genre-blending compositions, and deep impact on New England’s creative music scene. He returns for his third Summit performance, teaming up with Kikoski and playing on his first love, the vibraphone.

Newton Art Association and New Art Center present Demo: Monotype Printmaking with Lynda Goldberg
2026-03-24 18:00 - 20:00 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Hosted by Newton Art Association at New Art Center, Lynda Goldberg will demonstrate her process, from initial idea to pulling the first original print, and the second “ghost” print. She’ll share what she loves most about monotype printing and walk through the inks, papers, and materials she uses. She has exhibited widely throughout New England, with work held in corporate, private, and nonprofit collections in the U.S. and abroad. She currently teaches at the New Art Center in Newtonville, MA and the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain. Visit her website here: Lyndagoldberg.com.

West Newton Cinema presents Cosmic Coda
2026-03-25 19:00 - 21:00 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
Join West Newton Cinema for the Local Spotlight screening of Cosmic Coda with a post-film discussion with the Filmmaker MJ Doherty and Senior Research Scientist Peter Fritschel. COSMIC CODA is about the in-between moments of scientific discovery – how it feels going to work each day on a machine that tests both the limits of our universe and our ability to comprehend this mind boggling goal.

9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero
2026-03-26 19:00 - 21:00 | West Newton Cinema, 1296 Washington Street, West Newton, MA, 02465, United States
9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero
To inaugurate the We the People: Finding Our Voices speaker series, we invite you to a special VIP private screening of the newly created film 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero. The evening will continue with a forum with Carolyn Lukensmeyer, founder of AmericaSpeaks, Jerren Chang of Partners in Democracy, and community leader Marcy Crary. The screening will take place at West Newton Cinema. Admission is free, but registration is required. Join us for this powerful opening event as we come together to reflect, learn, and begin an important community conversation.

Theatre Ink presents 9 to 5 The Musical
2026-03-26 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-27 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-28 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-03-29 14:00 - 16:00 | Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
Get ready to clock in for big laughs and even bigger heart with Theatre Ink’s production of 9 to 5 The Musical! Featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, this high-energy comedy follows three determined coworkers who take control of their office—and their futures. Presented by Theatre Ink, Newton North High School’s Teaching and Working Theatre, this production showcases a student-centered community dedicated to artistic collaboration and a disciplined work ethic. 9 to 5 The Musical will be presented at Newton North High School Performing Arts Center, 457 Walnut Street, Newtonville, MA 02460.

New Art Center Presents Winter Student & Faculty Pop-Up Show
2026-03-27 17:00 - 19:00 | New Art Center, 61 Washington Park, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
New Art Center winter term students and instructors display their work at this end-of-term pop-up show! View wonderful new works of art and meet the artists, students, and instructors at New Art Center. This event is free and open to the public.

Historic Newton presents Revolutionary Newton
2026-03-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Ave,, Newton, MA, 02458
Historic Newton celebrates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution! Join us in exploring what life was like in 18th-century New England. Reenactors will scatter the museum exhibits and grounds to create an immersive experience of revolutionary life. Guests can participate in hands-on period-specific activities and listen to reenactors debate politics, describe daily life, reminisce on military service, and much more. A scavenger hunt will guide visitors through interactive spaces where they can ask questions and engage with the exhibits and the people who once occupied them. View special 18th-century artifacts from the collection on display for the first time this decade. Shop new and exclusive merchandise and see what your local museum can do for you! This event is free and open to the public.

The Scandinavian Cultural Center & Library presents Takeshi Nagayasu
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00 | 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.

Curtain Up Hits the Road! at The Allen Center
2026-03-29 15:00 - 17:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
Cherry Street Music at The Allen Center presents an unforgettable afternoon of fresh, original musical theater! Experience brand-new songs written and performed by the talented students of Berklee College of Music, featuring standout pieces from the winners of Berklee’s annual Curtain Up competition. This wonderful showcase will be hosted by Julius P. Williams, III, Berklee professor and featured artist on Britain’s Got Talent. Be among the first to hear the next generation of musical theater come to life in an intimate, up-close performance you won’t want to miss!

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.

The Allen Center presents A Scottsh Cèilidh
2026-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 | The Allen Center, 35 Webster St, WEST NEWTON, MA, 02465, United States
The Allen Center
April 4, 2026, concert information
Day: Saturday
Date: April 4
Time: 7 pm
Title: A Scottish Ceilidh
Artists: Summer McCall and band
A Scottish Cèilidh is an evening of Gaelic folk music and dance led by caller Summer McCall and
her band. Pronounced “KAY-lee,” a cèilidh is a traditional Scottish (and Irish céilí) social
gathering centered on lively, inclusive group dancing. Guided by a caller who explains each
step, the event welcomes dancers of all ages and experience levels — no prior experience
necessary.
Summer McCall has been an active member of Boston’s Celtic music community since 2019 and is a
regular session musician on fiddle and cello. She serves as the director of the Boston Celtic Music
Festival, presented annually by Club Passim. Her band features Elizabeth Anderson
