Summer 2006 in Newton

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Finally, It's Summer!

We're surviving the monsoons, and Summer is finally here, and with it a slew of activities, kicked off by the all-day Fourth of July festivities.

Here in Newton, we can take advantage of fresh, Massachusetts-grown produce by shopping at the Farmers' Markets, attend a myriad of events produced by the City of Newton and sponsored by many civic and business organizations (check out the July and August calendars), go swimming in Crystal Lake and/or Gath Pool, and generally take advantage of the many parks.

Newton Farmers' Markets

Opening Tuesday, July 11, the Newton Farmers' Markets operate, rain or shine, on two days, each at a different location, until the end of October:

Tuesdays, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cold Spring Park (1200 Beacon St, just west of Walnut Street), wheelchair accessible, and there is ample parking.
Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St.

The Farmers' Market features Massachusetts-grown produce, plants, jams and jellies, fish, turkey pot pies, cheese, cider, and baked goods. In addition, Newton Pride maintains a booth where you can order bulbs for fall planting.

City Events

The City of Newton and Newton Pride co-produce several performance series in July and August through the Arts in the Parks program. Many of these events are sponsored by various civic groups and local businesses.

For more information, call (617) 796-1540.

Sunday Heritage Festivals at the Newton Centre Green

(Centre Street and Langley Road; Green Line to Newton Centre)

Since I live a hop, skip, and a jump from the Newton Centre Green, I can often be found there on Sunday evenings, enjoying the variety of ethnic food available, admiring the crafts, and listening to the music. The crafts and food start at 5:30 p.m., with the performances at 6:15 p.m. -- 8:15 p.m.

Performances:

Sunday, July 9: Boogaloo Swamis Cajun/Zydeco and New Orleans music. Boston Music Award Winners
Sunday, July 16: Island Breeze Traditional calypso, reggae and bossa nova
Sunday, July 23: Zamir Chorale Jewish Heritage Culture
Sunday, July 30: New Black Eagle Jazz Band Features classic songs from the 20’s - Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton
Sunday, August 6: Sayat Nova Dance Company Celebrating 20 years! Blending the history of the culture with beautiful costumes, dance and music

Tuesday Folk Festivals at the Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead

A concert series in a lovely outdoor setting at Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, 527 Washington St., Newton Corner. Exit 17 off Mass Turnpike (between Walnut St. and Exit 17.)

Gates open at 5:00 pm for picnicking & visiting Museum. No smoking. Please plan to take your picnic remains home with you!

Rain location: Newton Cultural Center Auditorum, Carr School, 225 Nevada Street, Newtonville.

Tickets: Adults $10, Seniors (65+) $8, Child (under 12) $5, Family (max. 4 people), $25. Concert admission includes Museum admission, and the Museum is open until 8 pm.

Performances:

July 11, 6:45 p.m. The John Purcell Jazz Ensemble.
Enjoy jazz and standards from the '30s and '40s. Featuring John Purcell, saxophone; Mark Jacoff, guitar; and Neil Motenko, clarinet.
July 18, 6:45 p.m.: Bill Staines.
Bill Staines delights audiences with his folk music. A New England native, Bill got his start in the famous Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960s, and he remains one of the most popular singers on the folk music circuit.

Wednesday Children's Performances at the Newton Centre Playground

(Tyler Terrace off Centre Street)

Rain location at the adjacent Mason Rice School

A 1-hour long performance series in July at 1:00 p.m.:

July 12: Perry Alley
With music and mime, humor and wit, Betty Lehrmann brings these wonderful tales to life.
July 19: Puppet Theatre
Snow White and other classic tales performed with a twist
July 26 Dave Frye
With guitar, mandolin and banjo, Dave delights with I Wanna Be a Dog and Boppin' Beach Picture Book Tales

Thursday Children's Performances

A 1-hour long performance series in July, 1:00 p.m. Performances are at Ware's Cove in Auburndale (Going west on Comm. Ave., turn right on Melrose Street; left at West Pine). Rain location in adjacent fieldhouse .

Rain location in adjacent fieldhouse.

Performances:

July 13: Michael Zerphy
Music, juggling, humor and a zany style keeps the audience delightfully engaged
July 20: Maria Sangiolo
Captures the imagination of children and adults with original and traditional songs
July 27: David Polansky
Arts in the Parks music teacher engages the audience with his humor and playfulness

Dancing in the Parks

Enjoy the sounds of the Big Bands as you dance under the stars on a warm summer evening. Bring chairs, picnics, your dancing shoes and memories!

August 2: Totem Pole Orchestra with Bob Bachelder
Pellegrini Park, Hawthorn Street, Nonantum. Big band sounds of the 30’s & 40’s from the orchestra made famous at Norumbega Park.
August 9: Tom LaMark Orchestra
Newton Cultural Center, Front lawn, 225 Nevada St.

Independence Day Celebration!

Even before I moved to Newton, I always looked forward to the picnicking and music at Albemarle Field, culminating in a wonderful display of fireworks -- not as elaborate, perhaps, as the better known concert and fireworks on Boston's Esplanade, but a lot easier to get to (and the fireworks are a lot closer!)

As an added bonus, most years, we can also see the fireworks from the neighboring City of Waltham, which starts its fireworks shortly before Newton's ends.

The City of Newton, in cooperation with several civic groups and local businesses, puts on a full day of activities:

Kids Morning at Newton Centre Playground:
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon (cancelled if raining): Grande Pet Parade, Teddy Bear Parade Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Foot Races. FREE Candy, Drinks &Ice Cream.
Master of Ceremonies, Mayor David B. Cohen
12:00 noon -- dusk: Open Air Market & Amusement Rides at Russell J. Halloran Sports Complex (Albemarle Field off Watertown St., Rt. 16).
Handmade and International Crafts, Professional Dealers, Food Vendors
6:00 p.m.: Picnic & Concert at Albemarle Field, featuring Zaitchik Bros Big Band Sounds.
At Albemarle Field. Bring blankets and lawn chairs Food Vendors, Crafters, Novelties
9:00 p.m.: Fantastic Fireworks at Albemarle Field

Parks and Green Space in Newton

The Newton Parks and Recreation Department maintains many parks and green spaces in the City. A list of these appears the City of Newton's website.

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Newton, Mass., Citizens Web Pages www.newtoncitizens.com
Webweaver: Bobbi Fox, bobbifox@newtoncitizens.com
Copyright (c) by Bobbi Fox.
Last Updated: Tuesday, 27-Jun-2006 17:23:24 EDT