New England Chinese Dance Festival

To celebrate its 5th anniversary, Bright Pearl Dance Academy will hold New England Chinese Dance Festival at Newton North High School on Saturday, June 21st at 7:00 pm. This special event will feature a wide variety of picturesque dances along with some beautifully crafted costumes, accentuated by various props, including umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and lanterns. The performances will showcase several delightful, ravishing and elegant dance features, some of which were drawn from the unique and aesthetic art forms of dance drama, classical Chinese painting and Chinese calligraphy.

The Dance Festival has two special themes:

Chapter I: “Colorful Bright Pearls and Glittery Bright Stars”
Chapter II: “Artistic Traditions: Poetry in Motion and Classical Elegance”

The first chapter will feature a variety of ethnic dances, performed by dancers of all age groups, and will illustrate the colorful and charming ethnic customs of tribes such as the Dai, Uyghur and Han, as well as graceful and alluring dance moves from the ChaoXian tribe.

The second chapter will feature Chinese traditional, classical dances and contemporary dance highlighting the deep and elegant beauty of Chinese traditional culture as well as the splendid, brilliant aspects and brisk beat of modernity.

Any question please call 617-971-8866 or 347-749-5715

The Asian Pacific American Heritage Film Festival

Two award-winning films are playing at the West Newton Cinema and they are free to K – 12 students, and $10.00 for adults.

On May 21st: “One Big Hapa Family” – a colorful documentary capturing the serious issues of racism and integration, with a spotlight on mixed-race Asians.

On May 22nd: “Linsanity” a documentary film about the rise of Asian-American basketball player Jeremy Lin overcoming discouragements and racism and achieving success through his faith, desire and perseverance.

More information available at www.newtoncommunitypride.org.

Nursery School openings

Temple Beth Avodah Nursery School is now enrolling for the 2014/15 School Year

  • Me 2 Toddler Program 18 months-2.8 years Tues/Thurs
  • Preschool ages 2.9-3.8 years, 3 or 5 day schedule
  • Transition to Kindergarten 4-5 years, 5 day schedule

Flexible Lunch, Enrichment, and Extend and Play options until 5:00 pm. Experienced, nurturing teachers and a low teacher to student ratio. Please contact: Heidi Baker, Director hbaker@bethavodah.org or 617-527-0045 extension 110

Summer art classes

The Arsenal Center for the Arts offers a wide variety of week-long art workshops this summer, from June 16th – August 22nd. Choose from Comics/Cartoons, Creative Creatures, Puppets, Mixed-Media, Drawing, Basic Jewelry, Circus Art, Pottery and much, much more. Morning and afternoon workshops for three age groups from 5+. Supervised Lunch and Extended Day options available. Classes are held at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Free parking and easy access to public transportation.

Registration and Information: 617-923-0100, ext. 8309. Visit www.arsenalarts.org for workshop descriptions. Scholarships and Membership discounts are available.

Boston Patio Playhouse Summer programs

Boston Patio Playhouse, Brookline’s newest youth performance group, is now registering for its 2014 summer programs!

The Backyard Opera Summer Program is open to all students ages 12-18 who are interested in opera, operetta, and classic musical theater. July 7th – 18th, 9:00 am-4:00 pm.

The Front Porch Players Musical Theater Summer Program is for students entering grades 6-10 who love classic and contemporary musical theater. August 18th – 29th, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm.

During each two-week program students will receive training in voice, dance, drama, and backstage skills, while working on either an Opera Gala or a Broadway Musical Revue performance! No auditions necessary, and each student will be cast as a soloist. Both programs are located in Coolidge Corner, Brookline.

Visit www.bostonpatioplayhouse.com for more information and to register today!

Flute & saxophone lessons

New England Conservatory faculty and Oak Hill parent offers flute and saxophone lessons at his studio in Newton Center. Now enrolling new students-reserve today to guarantee your child’s spot for Fall lessons !

For further information and a free trial lesson please contact Amir Milstein at:
amirmilstein@ gmail.com or phone 617-795-5923.

Dig, Learn and Grow with Newton Community Farm this summer.

There is still time to register for one of these exciting summer programs for youth.

  • Farm Sprouts – Pre-school and Kindergarten. Tue, Wed, Thur or Fri, 10:00  – 11:00 am, week of June 16th – week of August 25th. Meets weekly – choose your day.
  • Little Diggers – Students entering Grades 1 and 2. Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, offered the week of July 7th and Aug 4th. 1 week sessions
  • Farmer in Training – Students entering Grades 3 – 5. Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, week of July 7th – week of Aug 25th. 1 week sessions.
  • Socially Aware Young Farmers- Students entering Grades 6 – 9. Mon – Fri, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, offered week of July 14th and July 21st. 1 week sessions.

Pre-registration is required for all  programs. No classes the week of July 4th. For more information and to register please visit the website http://newtoncommunityfarm.org/education/summer-programs/

Table Manners workshop for kids

Do your children’s table manners sometimes make you cringe? A workshop that mixes manners, food and fun can bring relief! Courteous Dining For Children
Sunday, June 1st from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Children ages 8 (or entering 3rd grade) to 10 will savor a delicious meal while learning how to be comfortable and considerate dining at home and away. Peppered with historical trivia, eye-popping props and tales of lessons learned the hard way, this workshop will address topics such as why manners make others (and ourselves) happier; how to introduce yourself (eye contact; the handshake, etc.); dining basics such as posture and mouth closed when chewing; setting the table; napkin/silverware handling; cutting technique; common dining dilemmas; restaurant etiquette; making easy conversation; making your guest feel comfortable; how to be a guest families want to invite back and more…

Limited to 8 students to allow for individual attention.
Location: Bertucci’s 275 Centre Street, Newton
Cost: (all inclusive) $68 for the first family member; $61 for each sibling

Information and registration visit http://etiquettefortoday.net/?page_id=557 or www.EtiquetteForToday.net and click on the sidebar’s “Courteous Dining for Children”’ button.

Feel free to contact Janet Parnes with questions: Office: 866-376-1110; Mobile: 508-566-3203 Email: janet@EtiquetteForToday.net

Etiquette Academy offers summer classes

Improving social and communication skills, projecting confidence, combating shyness, strengthening self-esteem and leadership skills, navigating friendships, resolving conflict, understanding social cues, basic manners and table manners, and more.

Monday, July 7th to Saturday, July 12th

Mind Your Manners: Beyond Please and Thank You
{Grades 2-4}
Noon to 1:30 pm

Etiquette for Middle Schoolers:Peer Pressure and Beyond
{Grades 5-8}
9:00 – 11:00 am

Etiquette for Young Adults:Social Skills for the Real World
{Grades 9-12}
3:00 – 5:00 pm

Open Enrollment at: www.theetiquetteacademy.org  For more information call 617.608.3920 or email admin@theetiquetteacademy.org