Brookline Music School (BMS) is pleased to present a Classical Piano Master Class led by world renowned conductor and pianist Andy Icochea Icochea on Saturday, May 19 at 4:00pm. The event will feature student performances from the BMS piano department followed by interactive coaching sessions with Mr. Icochea Icochea. The event is free and open to the general public.
For more information: www.bmsmusic.org

Volunteers needed for Historic Newton’s 30th Annual House Tour, Sunday, June 3, noon – 5pm.

To volunteer for this year’s house tour please email newtonhousetour@gmail.com

The classic story of Charlotte’s Web paints a picture of childhood on the farm, in which the power of friendship can conquer anything. WCT’s Play Factory brings this heartwarming tale to life, performed by an ensemble cast of 2nd-4th graders, including Amelia Ventouris of Newton, directed by Elizabeth Gutterman.

Performances are May 18- 20 in the Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts.  Seating is limited. General admission tickets are $10 and will be available beginning May 8th through WCT’s website or at 1-800-838-3006.

Newton North’s Theatre Ink and Newton South’s South Stage proudly present their 29th Shakespeare collaboration, “Twelfth Night,” one of the greatest comedies ever written.  A tale of lust, loss, and confusion; whilst Lovers fall in and out of love, a pack of Fools rush round, mocking and subverting their passions, hopes and fears. With mistaken identity, cross-dressing and heartbreak, the play offers a beautiful yet painful exploration of everything love inspires.

Directed by Meghan Kenny at NNHS Little Theatre at 7:30PM on May 10, 11, 12. Tickets $8 at http://www.theatreink.net

The whole family can find something fun to do at Kids FunFEST on Mother’s Day weekend! Held at Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., the FunFest will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 12 & 13, 10am-5pm. The kiddie amusement rides, sand art and face painting are both days. Sunday only features dance demonstrations and fun moves with All That Jazz Dance Studio. There are outstanding handmade and international crafts to browse, and many kids of food vendors on site. Don’t miss this weekend of activities, music and food and fun! Admission is free. Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org for more information.

ANNUAL HOUSE TOUR TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! Our 30th Annual House Tour takes place on Sunday, June 3rd. Tickets purchased in advance (before 5 PM on Friday, June 1), are available at a discount; you may buy your tickets online or by calling 617-796-1450. Tickets are $20 for Historic Newton members, $30 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at the Jackson Homestead. Tickets purchased on June 3 will cost $25 for Historic Newton members and $35 for non-members. To volunteer to help with the tour, please e-mail us at newtonhousetour@gmail.com. As a volunteer, you will receive a complimentary ticket (a $30 value). We ask you to work only 2.5 hours during the tour, assuring that you have time to use your ticket. You can buy House Tour tickets at: http://apps.newtonma.gov/jackson/calendar/house-tour_list_2012.asp And, becoming a sponsor of our House Tour is a great way to increase visibility for your business. Visit here for more information about sponsorship: http://apps.newtonma.gov/jackson/calendar/house-tour_sponsorship_2012.asp

Sunday, April 29, Noon – 4 PM – NEWTON SERVES – BURYING GROUNDS CLEAN-UP
Monday, April 30, 7:30 PM – ENCOUNTERING SLAVERY AND RACE IN NEW ENGLAND
Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, noon – 5 PM – NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND
Thursday, May 24, 7:30 PM – HISTORY BOOK CLUB MEETING

Sunday, April 29, Noon – 4 PM
NEWTON SERVES – BURYING GROUNDS CLEAN-UP Join community members in Newton’s day of service by cleaning up Newton’s historic burying grounds. Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org to register to volunteer at either East Parish or West Parish Burying Ground.

Monday, April 30, 7:30 PM
ENCOUNTERING SLAVERY AND RACE IN NEW ENGLAND Gloria White Hammond: Enslaved Women of Sudan Sudanese slaves are mostly women and children who have been abducted violently from their homes by slave-traders. Since 2001, while working as a pediatrician and minister, Gloria White Hammond has traveled to Sudan to help liberate enslaved women and offer paths for them to resume normal lives. At the Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada Street, Newton.

Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6, noon – 5 PM
NEWTON COMMUNITY WEEKEND
Newton residents are invited to enjoy free admission to the museum

Thursday, May 24, 7:30 PM
HISTORY BOOK CLUB MEETING
This month’s book selection, The Great Influenza, by award-winning historian John M. Barry (author of Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, which the Book Club previously read and enjoyed) is a powerful story with multiple narrative strands that combine to describe the history of science and disease in America leading up to the deadly influenza pandemic of 1918. It explores how the impact of the disease revolutionized American science and public health, leading to crucial discoveries that we are still using and are learning from today. The Book Club is free and open to new members

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS

NEW EXHIBITION – Confronting Our Legacy: Slavery and Antislavery in the North: This new exhibition transforms the lower gallery of the museum into a three-dimensional learning center with hands-on activities and information about colonial slavery, the Underground Railroad, and local abolitionists. It draws on fresh new research, focusing on the Jackson family that lived in the Homestead, as well as on other abolitionists from Newton or with Newton ties.

Newton and the Civil War: In celebration of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, Historic Newton will be featuring a changing exhibit showcasing Newton residents in the Civil War.

Peeking into Newton’s Toy Chest: The values and lessons toys teach us, as shown by the Historic Newton collection. Children’s attractions include hands-on toys and a model train on an elevated track.

Mapping a New Town: 1714-1874: Maps depicting Newton’s growth over the centuries are displayed; special activities for children are also featured.

Norumbega: Romance and Recreation by the River: An exhibit on Newton’s now vanished amusement park, zoo, and swing-era ballroom.

Newton Salutes! Adams Street Synagogue: Celebrating Our Centennial: The exhibit describes the history of Newton’s oldest synagogue, illustrated by period photographs.

The Newton History Gallery features tools, furniture, clothing, and toys to illustrate the Newton of the past.

The Jackson Homestead and Museum is open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM weekends. It is closed on Mondays.

If you need special assistance for any of these programs or exhibitions, please call 617.796.1450.

The classic story of Charlotte’s Web paints a picture of childhood on the farm, in which the power of friendship can conquer anything. WCT’s Play Factory brings this heartwarming tale to life, performed by an ensemble cast of 2nd-4th graders including Amelia Ventouris of Newton, directed by Elizabeth Gutterman. Performances are May 18- 20 in the Black Box Theater at the Arsenal Center for the Arts. Seating is limited. General admission tickets are $10 and will be available beginning May 8th through WCT’s website at www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org or at 1-800-838-3006. For more information, visit WCT’s website or call 617-926-ARTS.

Thursday, May 3 at 7:30 PM

NewtonPAC needs YOU!

NewtonPAC only exists when parents join together to create it!

Do you have topics you want to hear about? People you want to hear from?
Do you want different types of meetings? Mornings? Evening? Small Groups?

Plan to attend on May 3rd to brainstorm goals for 2012-2013

Room 210 at The Education Center, 100 Walnut Street, Newtonville.
Networking and light refreshments beginning at 7:15 pm.

Questions, contact Sandy and Jo-Louise at info@newtonpac.org.

Newton Parent Advisory Council (NewtonPAC) for Special Education meetings are free and open to all people interested in learning more about special education in Newton.

Monday, May 21, 2012 at 7:00pm

Brookline Music School (BMS) presents Music of Joy, Sorrow, and Stillness, a free performance in our Faculty Recital Series. Join BMS faculty pianist Valerie Ross, violinist Aubrey Burdick, and tenor Joshua Pelkey for Music of Joy, Sorrow, and Stillness, a recital exploring the wide range of expression possible in art music. The evening opens with a joyous suite of ancient dances written by J.S. Bach, followed by Messsiaen’s transcendent Theme and Variations for violin and piano. From there, the program takes a more meditative turn with John Cage’s peaceful “In a Landscape” and Marco Simoni’s “Echi”, a short piece of echoing chords interspersed with explosive, dance-like outbursts. The evening will close with excerpts from Schubert’s heart-broken “Winter’s Journey” for tenor and piano and one of Gabriel Faure’s beautifully tragic Nocturnes for solo piano. Admission is free and a brief reception will follow.

Music of Joy, Sorrow, and Stillness is one of Brookline Music School’s yearly faculty concerts, performed and presented by BMS piano faculty Valerie Ross. BMS’ renowned faculty offers an array of unique and educational concerts throughout the year at the Kennard House and at numerous community locations. The superb quality of educational offerings at BMS is made possible by the high level of arts education, musicianship and pedagogical experience of the faculty, with over half of its internationally trained faculty members holding a Masters degree or higher.