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06 August 2008 @ 11:39 pm
Early Music for Late Risers, Sundays at the Somerville Museum  
Reposted from the Somerville Journal blog:
The Somerville Museum presents the following five concerts in its 2008-09 Early Music Afternoons in the museum’s galleries, featuring music from the 16th to 19th centuries performed on period instruments under the direction of Somerville residents Carol Lewis, viola da gamba, and Olav Chris Henriksen, lute. Guest artists in the series include Pamela Dellal, mezzo-soprano; and Janet Haas, Paul Johnson, Mai-Lan Broekman and Alice Mroszczyk, viols.

Concerts are held at the Somerville Museum at 1 Westwood Road, at the corner of Central Street. Admission is $17, $12 for students, seniors and museum members. Reservations are recommended. An informal reception follows each program, where the audience is invited to meet and talk with the performing artists. For reservations or more information, call 617-666-9810.
 
 
06 July 2008 @ 03:40 pm
local music groups?  
I'm getting that itch again, the itch to pick up my clarinet. But I suspect it won't amount to much unless I'm practicing with a group, large or small. Does any such creature exist that would be at my level? I was pretty good many years ago, but it's been hard to keep up so I expect I'm a little rusty.

I should look into the MIT groups but I want to know what else is out there.
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19 May 2008 @ 12:29 am
How to Win Friends and Influence People  
...or at least win friends.

I moved to this area a few months ago from far, far, away and don't really have friends here yet. I'm finally realizing that my job/lifestyle aren't conducive to making friends here, so I wanted to both get some suggestions on awesome social functions and "introduce" myself in case anybody is in a similar situation. My work schedule is demanding enough that I can't commit to regular volunteer gigs, which has always helped me meet people in the past. How do smart, artsy (but not hipster), progressive, twenty-something women make friends around here?

I'll also add that I'm applying to be an adjunct English instructor and I'm a writer, so I'd love to meet people involved in academia and/or writing. I'm happily coupled and not looking for a date; I'd just like to try to form a social life here. If you have any suggestions or want to say hi, let me know of any awesome activities or send me a message.

Thanks! :)
 
 
09 May 2008 @ 02:52 pm
Hear the City as a Symphony  
This is unexpectedly cool. I'd seen this weird contraption up on the top of Tuft's Tisch library, partially assembled, and wondered what it was.

It's an interactive sound installation using the noises of the city to make music.
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Current Mood: creative
 
 
05 May 2008 @ 12:56 pm
MOBA to exhibit in Somerville Theatre!  
Museum of Bad Art will open second branch at the Somerville Theatre:
Somerville - The folks who run the infamous Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) simply couldn't leave well enough alone. Not content to have curious people from around the world visit their basement space just outside the men's room at the Dedham Community Theatre, they're opening a second spot — MOBA 2 — in the Somerville Theatre, again in the basement, but now nearby both male and female bathrooms.

For those not aware of this wonderful institution, it's a collection of artworks that likely didn't turn out exactly as planned. MOBA's Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director Louise Sacco says that, for a piece to hang there, "It has to really be art. It has to be original, sincere, it has communicate something to people, and it has to be interesting."

As a fan of MOBA, this makes me absurdly happy. :)
 
 
Current Mood: cheerful
 
 
13 April 2008 @ 03:46 pm
The Divorced, Jason Anderson and the Best, Math the Band, Hello Shark  
ARTSomerville and The Nave Gallery present
The Divorced, Jason Anderson and the Best, Math the Band, Hello Shark

at The Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., Somerville, MA.
Saturday, April 26th, 2008
All-ages / 7pm / $5

Information: Randy Winchester, RWinchester@ARTSomerville.org, 617-593-3744
[high res digital images & access to sound bytes available]







 
 
13 April 2008 @ 03:04 pm
Jazz Week @ The Nave Gallery  
ARTSomerville and The Nave Gallery present three evenings of jazz at The Nave Gallery, Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, 155 Powderhouse Blvd., Somerville, MA.

Information: Randy Winchester, RWinchester@ARTSomerville.org, 617-593-3744
[high res digital images & access to sound bytes available]

On Friday, May 2 at 8pm ARTSomerville presents an evening of jazz song with artists Celia Slattery, Allyssa Jones and Sandi Hammond.  $10 suggested donation.


 
 
20 March 2008 @ 11:46 am
Elections & Erections: A Chronicle of Fear and Fun  
"The higher politicians climb the pole of ambition, the more of their arses we can see." -- Pieter-Dirk Uys

Internationally acclaimed South African AIDS education activist and political satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys is coming back to Boston, and you're invited to join the fun!

Uys' witty new one-man show, Elections and Erections: A Chronicle of Fear & Fun, comes to the American Repertory Theatre's Zero Arrow Club in Cambridge, April 3 - May 4. Show times & more info: www.amrep.org/elections/

 
 
18 January 2008 @ 04:10 pm
Ras na hEireann 5k Foot Race: March 16th in Davis Square  
Ras na hEireann is an Irish 5k race and celebration of traditions dating back centuries - and simply a celebration of spring in Somerville. Everyone (not just those of Irish decent!) is invited, all runners and walkers, to celebrate life, the coming of spring, and to enjoy a memorable race and St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 16th at 11am in Davis Square!

I'm not affiliated with the event (I'm not even Irish!), but I am running and helping spread the word because I think it will be a good time.

The official website with extensive information and registration (limited to 2500 runners and filling fast!) is here.

A FaceBook community that I put up to coordinate with other racers is here.
 
 
Current Mood: calm
 
 
10 December 2007 @ 09:23 pm
[Davis Sq. Theater] Annotated Budget  
For those of you interested in the night club/theater in Davis Square, I have a simple annotated budget ready. At this point, it's very likely that all of the first round financing shares will be gone before the business plan is finished. The annotated budget I've been sending to people seems to be enough for some of them.

If you'd like a copy of it, comment below with an email address and I'll send it to you. Comments here are wide open to comply with the wishes of the moderator. If you would like to leave your email in a screened comment to preserve the privacy of your email addresses, please do so in my LJ.
 
 
10 December 2007 @ 11:34 am
Eliot Pattison  
Eliot Pattison will be at Kate's Mystery Books (2211 Mass. Ave) on Thursday Dec 13th, 6-7:30pm. He'll be discussing his latest Tibetan mystery 'Prayer of the Dragon', which features shan Tao Yun and a young Navajo researcher trying to prove the connection between her people and Tibet. He is an outstanding author and it's a major event to have him here in our community.
 
 
27 November 2007 @ 08:17 pm
Want to own a night club?  
{Stop! Please don't reply to this post by leaving a comment in the Davis Square community. I really do want to hear from you, but for my own sanity, I'm collecting all the discussion in my LJ. Thanks!

Of course you do. Clasping the hand of the regulars, scribbling "OK" on people's checks like Rick in Casablanca, booking acts that are going to be stars — or already are. Who doesn't think that'd be cool?

Well... here's a business opportunity in Davis Square, Loyal Reader.

Details behind cut )
 
 
26 November 2007 @ 12:41 pm
Beckwith and Leblang share their true stories at McIntyre & Moore -- Dec. 12  
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers hosts “You CAN get there from here” with Barbara Beckwith and Judah Leblang. Wednesday, December 12, 7:30-9:00 pm at McIntyre & Moore Booksellers, 255 Elm St. in Davis Square, Somerville, near the Red Line. Free and open to all; wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be served. 15% book discount on store inventory for all those attending* [*discount available for day of event only]. For information call McIntyre & Moore Booksellers (617) 629-4840 or log onto www.mcintyreandmoore.com.
Read more... )
 
 
13 November 2007 @ 11:14 am
Cimbalom Music Reminder  

Just a reminder that the aforementioned Gypsy Cimbalom Band concert that was postponed last month due to the World Series is happening tonight at Johnny D's at 8:30.

 
 
Current Mood: anticipatory
 
 
04 September 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Boston area arts/culture RSS feeds?  
Anyone know of any decent arts/culture (lectures, films, exhibits etc.) aggregators for Boston and the environs? Lots of great people come through the schools/institutions here and give talks, performances and so forth but I haven't found any sort of feed that pulls this sort of stuff together.
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Current Mood: lazy
 
 
31 August 2007 @ 02:06 pm
Looking for a neighborhood  
Hi everyone--

This isn't a post about looking for an apartment, I just wanted some suggestions on neighborhoods.
I'm a Florida native who is planning a move to Boston at the beginning of November. I came to Boston last October, and I fell in love with Davis square- and immediately decided that's the area I wanted to live in. However, in my obsessive searching for apartments, I've noticed that there are far more availabilities in the Allston/Brighton area. I did pass through there on my visit, but I only got off the T in a couple of spots- so I didn't really explore.
So, the real question I am posing- to you that live in and love Davis square; is there any other area that is comparable to Davis-- but still near a T stop?
On a completely other note, can anyone tell me if Cambridge School of Culinary Arts is as cool as it seems to be online?
Thank you so much!
 
 
Current Location: Fl
Current Mood: anxious
 
 
14 July 2007 @ 05:28 pm
ArtBeat on Friday, July 20th and Saturday, July 21st  

Once again, ArtBeat hits Davis Square Friday night, July 20th and all day Saturday, July 21st.   The full schedule is available at http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/artbeat/2007/schedule.pdf

Please let me know if you're interested in volunteering on Saturday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. .  In exchange for a three-hour, shift volunteers receive a t-shirt, dog tag, and meal coupon.  It's a really fun gig for volunteering.  I need greeters to work at our info tables and roaming dog tag vendors to wander the festival selling our dog tags (the suggested donation for the festival). 

Hope to see you there!

 
 
13 April 2007 @ 09:16 am
A night of Italian vocal music at La Spina  
For immediate release: April 10, 2007

Boston Opera Collaborative announces
A night of Italian vocal music at La Spina in Davis Square

Saturday, April 28 at 8:00pm

La Spina
381 Summer Street
Somerville, MA 02143

Reservations
Seating starting at 7:30pm
La Spina
(617) 440-6284
More information )
 
 
16 February 2007 @ 03:26 pm
Rehearsal Space  
Does anyone know of a place or places in Somerville or Cambridge where a band could rent or share a rehearsal space? Any suggestions would be great.
 
 
16 February 2007 @ 02:07 am
GirlNQueers Talent Pageant Tonight & Sun. Lisa King Tribute  
 
 
11 February 2007 @ 10:52 pm
Luthier near Davis?  
Hi All,

Just got an acoustic guitar and need to get it setup (adjust action, change strings, stop buzzing etc.) - maybe this is a do it yourself job but I'm completely clueless. I know there are a few guitar shops around. Was wondering if any guitar shop is recommended for working on acoustics - since it seems that rocking bobs and also the shop on highland deal almost exclusively in electric guitars. There are also places up and down mass ave - which ones do good work? Should I just go to the music emporium or is that overkill?

Thanks!
 
 
11 February 2007 @ 08:45 pm
Photography Group?  
Are there any photo clubs or groups that are active in the DS area? None of the Boston Flickr groups seem very active, so I figured I'd ask here. I haven't been active in a club since college and I miss having a bunch of real life photogs to talk to on a somewhat regular basis.

Thanks!
 
 
15 September 2006 @ 07:07 pm
Brazilian Festival in Union Square, Saturday 9/16  
The Union Square Brazilian Festival takes place tomorrow (Saturday) from 6 to 9 pm in Union Square Plaza. It is part of the Somerville Arts Council's ArtsUnion series.

The festival will present arts and activities representing
the southern region of Brazil. Cultural activities, including dance classes
and musical performances by Forro No Escuro and Batuk Axe, will offer the
local community, particularly the Brazilian population residing in Union
Square, an opportunity to engage in some of southern Brazil's most cherished
traditions.
 
 
18 August 2006 @ 10:07 am
 
I saw this posting in the Somerville Arts Council mailing list, and I thought I'd repost it here to give it a wider exposure, in case some "non-artists" didn't see it.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT; Program Director-Books of Hope )

(Note: I have no connection to the Arts Council, just felt like sharing some particularly cool info more widely... I wish I could do this job!)

(PS - The Somerville Arts Council digest is a very handy e-mail to get everyday, I find - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/somartscouncil/)
 
 
Current Music: XTC - making plans for nigel
 
 
16 August 2006 @ 08:29 am
Golf in Union Square, this Saturday!  
Play a mini-golf course designed by local cartoonists and artists at The Somerville Open this Saturday, August 19th from 3 to 6 PM in Union Square. Each hole in the temporary mini- golf course has a different theme. In addition to golf, there will be music, a "customize your golf ball" crafts station, and, at the end of the day (6:30-8:00 PM), a "Draw Your Own Comics" Workshop taught by the artists at the Washington Street Arts Center, 321 Washington St, Somerville.

Holes will be designed and built by local artists including Jef Czekaj (Nickelodeon's GRAMPA AND JULIE: SHARK HUNTERS), Craig Bostick (GO-GO GIRL), and members of the Miracle 5 art Collective.

Admission is free and the course is suitable for all ages. Rain date is Sunday, August 20.

The Somerville Open is part of ArtsUnion, which brings strange and unusual events to Union Square throughout the late summer and early fall.
 
 
14 August 2006 @ 12:06 pm
Crazy For You  
The MIT Musical Theatre Guild proudly presents its Summer 2006 production...

CRAZY FOR YOU
The New Gershwin Musical

Music and Lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin
Book by Ken Ludwig
Co-Conception by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent
Inspired by Material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan
Originally produced on Broadway by Roger Horchow and
Elizabeth Williams

WHEN
September 1-2, 7-9, 14-16 at 8 PM
September 3 at 2 PM

WHERE
Kresge Little Theater, MIT Campus
48 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA


CRAZY FOR YOU is the story of Bobby Child, a well-to-do 1930's playboy, who's dream in life is to dance. And despite the serious efforts of his mother and soon-to-be-ex-fiancee, Bobby achieves his dream! Memorable Gershwin tunes include I Can't Be Bothered Now, Bidin' My Time, I Got Rhythm, Naughty Baby, They Can't Take That Away from Me, But Not for Me, Nice Work if You Can Get It,
Embraceable You and Someone to Watch Over Me. It's a high energy comedy which includes mistaken identity, plot twists, fabulous dance numbers and classic Gershwin music. - Tams-Witmark


TICKETS
$12 general, with discounts available for students, seniors, and large groups

INFORMATION and RESERVATIONS
Visit our web site at http://web.mit.edu/mtg/
Email mtg-tickets@mit.edu
Call (617) 253-6294
 
 
10 August 2006 @ 04:06 pm
Tomorrow in Union Sq - silent film with live band  
As part of ArtsUnion, the Somerville Arts Council will present the silent film Battleship Potemkin Friday night, with a live band called KNOWmovement Orchestra providing the soundtrack. The event will take place outdoors in Union Square. I'm not sure if it starts at 7:30 pm or 8 pm, as I've seen different publicity with different times on it.

See the ArtsUnion page for more information.
 
 
14 July 2006 @ 09:13 am
ArtBeat starts tonight at 5:30 pm  
with a series of band concerts in Seven Hills Park, behind the T station and theatre. The show runs until about 11 pm.

ArtBeat continues all day tomorrow, throughout Davis Square.

Please buy a $3 dog tag to help support the event. Buy an ArtBeat T-shirt, too. I'll be working the Seven Hills Park table tomorrow from 11 am to 1 pm. Stop by and say hi!

The full ArtBeat schedule
The schedule as a PDF
 
 
07 July 2006 @ 07:11 am
art event in new Porter Sq plaza, Saturday 7/8  
Saturday, July 8, 10:30 am: Meet in front of CVS for a Porter Square Public Art ACTS Tour

Tour begins with dancers, actors and a juggler playfully responding to the unusual new shapes and spaces created by Toshihiro Katayama's Porter Square Landscape Design. Next, the tour rounds the corner to the Davenport Street Mural for an interactive performance inspired by the artwork and history of the neighborhood. Optional: finish with conversation, coffee and goodies at Porter Square Books and Café Zing!

Public Art ACTS is a collaboration between the Cambridge Arts Council and Underground Railway Theater.

This event is part of Cambridge Discovery Days, which includes many other walking tours throughout Cambridge this Saturday.
 
 
02 July 2006 @ 10:41 am
"Art Beat" comes to McIntyre & Moore for the month of July  
McIntyre & Moore Booksellers proudly hosts several ArtBeat “reCycle/reNew” festival activities, sponsored by the Somerville Arts Council. McIntyre & Moore Booksellers is located at 255 Elm St. in Davis Square, Somerville, near the Red Line. Free and open to all; wheelchair accessible. For information on these store activities, call McIntyre & Moore Booksellers (617) 629-4840 or log onto www.mcintyreandmoore.com.

ArtBeat Festival activities @ McIntyre and Moore Booksellers:
Read more... )
 
 
28 June 2006 @ 05:31 pm
ArtBeat, July 14-15  
Davis Square's annual ArtBeat festival will take place Friday evening and Saturday, July 14 and 15. This year's theme is "reCycle/reNew".

The full schedule is now available online, both as a web site and as an 8-page PDF file.
 
 
20 June 2006 @ 06:19 pm
Theatre @ First presents one-acts  
Reserve your tickets now for the Third Annual One-Acts Festival!

See how love, life and art can come together in unexpected ways.
Sometimes it brings laughter, sometimes understanding, but it is
always interesting. Come witness these as Theatre @ First proudly
presents "Festival @ First: Surprise Kisses".

The eight one-acts will be presented on the following dates:

Thursday, Friday & Saturday July 13, 14 & 15 at 8 pm
Sunday, July 16 at 3 pm
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, July 20-22 at 8 pm

Tickets are only $10. We offer discounts for students, seniors,
and groups of 10 or more.

You can order tickets online at http://theatreatfirst.org or
call our toll-free ticket line at 1-877-557-5936 or
email tickets@theatreatfirst.org

First Church is located at 89 College Ave. in Somerville,
4 blocks from the Davis Square stop on the Red Line, and
is accessible to the physically challenged.

For more info, check our web site at http://theatreatfirst.org
 
 
25 May 2006 @ 12:20 pm
Name The Festival Contest  
Theatre@First (community theatre of Davis) is seeking title suggestions for our summer one-act festival. The winner (if selected from submissions) gets a pair of tickets to the festival on the date of their choice. I don't want to fully x-post here, but you can see it at [info]theatreatfirst.
 
 
21 August 2003 @ 01:18 pm
the beat goes on  
the beat goes on

how the arts revitalised somerville -- a good read.
 
 
Current Music: New Order - Shellshock - International: The Best of New Order