Upcoming Events
Kathryn Gearon Artist Reception
Join us for a reception celebrating Standing Still, a new exhibit by painter Kathryn Gearon. The Providence native's process-based abstract paintings explore landscapes in all their forms — urban, geographical, imagined, and emotional — alongside the environmental forces that shape them. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free; registration is required.
Tuesday, May 12, 6:30- 8:30 pm
Brush & Lens
Photographer Peter Vanderwarker and painter Sam Belisle present a compelling lecture demonstration on the dynamic interplay between painting and photography. Go behind the scenes with two of Newton's most celebrated artists for a rare glimpse into their creative processes. All attendees will be entered to win one of two signed Peter Vanderwarker prints. Admission is free, but registration is required.
Thursday, May 14, 6:30 pm
Ari & Mia
Sister duo Ari Friedman (cello & voice) and Mia Friedman (fiddle & voice) bring their chamber-folk magic to the stage in a special CD release celebration! Hailed as "strikingly beautiful, distinctive and exhilarating" (No Depression), Ari & Mia weave original compositions with Southern and Northeastern fiddle traditions and the early American songbook into something entirely their own.
Saturday, May 16, 7:00 pm
Allison Eldredge & Pei-Shan Lee
Cellist Allison Eldredge and pianist Pei-Shan Lee perform Beethoven's celebrated cello sonatas— works renowned for their emotional depth, technical brilliance, and bold, innovative structures that offer a profound window into Beethoven's humanity and genius.
Sunday, May 17, 3:00 pm
Strawberry Festival 2026
The Newton Cultural Alliance is happy to announce the 12th annual Strawberry Festival on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30 - 9:30 pm. This year’s Strawberry Festival reveals Newton’s best-kept secrets and the hidden gems of our community. You can expect tasting events with wine and chocolate, signature cocktails, fabulous music, a raise the paddle event, and a silent auction. Mark your calendars for the year's most anticipated social soiree! Please view our Strawberry Festival website for single tickets and corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Thursday, May 28, 6:30 - 9:30 pm
The Black Feathers
Back by popular demand, Welsh folk duo The Black Feathers return to The Allen Center for an evening of original songs and rich, soaring harmonies. This Linda Plaut Festival of the Arts program is generously supported by Spark Newton in partnership with The City of Newton.
Thursday, June 6, 7:30 pm
In The Galleries
Standing Still- Paintings by Kathryn Gearon
The exhibit showcases the work of Providence native, Kathryn Gearon, whose process-based, abstract paintings explore landscapes in all their forms- urban, geographical, imagined, and emotional- as well as the environmental forces that shape them.
On View April & May 2026, Reception Tuesday, May 12, 6:30- 8:30 pm
What to Expect- FAQ
Is there parking on site? Where can I park? Parking is located at the intersection of Webster and Cherry Streets. Limited parking is available in the onsite Webster Street lot, with additional spaces in the onsite Cherry Street lot. Overflow parking can be found at Family Access (492 Waltham Street, one block away), as well as on Webster Street and in the municipal lot between Cherry and Elm Streets. Please do not park on Cherry Street
Do you have handicapped parking? Is the building ADA Accessible? Yes. There are handicapped accessible parking spaces in both of our parking lots. Our building is fully ADA accessible. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us at contact@newtonculture.org.
Can I purchase tickets at the door? We recommend purchasing tickets online to reserve your seats, as many of our events do sell out. However, for events that do have remaining tickets available, we will offer them for purchase at the door.
Do I need to print my ticket? A NCA Staff member will check you in at the door with the last name you used to reserve your tickets. As such, there is no need to print out and bring a physical ticket.
How long will the program last? Our programs vary in length, with most running about an hour and a half with a brief intermission.
Will there be food or drink available for purchase? Depending on the nature of the performance, we typically host a light reception or have Nate's Cafe open to purchase food and drink after each program.
We look forward to seeing you soon at The Allen Center!
Event Special Offers
The Allen Center/Newton Cultural Alliance offers discounted rates in order to broaden accessibility to cultural programming, like the concerts, performances, festivals, art installations, classes, and workshops offered by the many talented groups and artists here in Newton and beyond.
Please note that for all offers, some restrictions may apply.
MCC Card to Culture Program
The Allen Center/Newton Cultural Alliance is proud to participate in the Card to Culture program, a collaboration between Mass Cultural Council and the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Massachusetts Health Connector, and the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.
EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders can purchase up to four tickets per card at $5 each; kids are free.
To access the discount online, please enter the corresponding promo code for your card from the list below. Purchase your ticket from the individual event page rather than the season overview page. You can also contact The Allen Center/NCA by emailing operations@newtonculture.org or calling 617.332.4300 and identifying yourself as an EBT, P-EBT, WIC or ConnectorCare card holder.
For EBT and P-EBT cardholders, please use promo code EBTTAC.
For WIC cardholders, please use promo code WICTAC.
For ConnectorCare cardholders, please use promo code CARETAC.
See the complete list of participating organizations offering EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare discounts.