Greetings Newton!

This post is a little late but there’s so much to do this weekend that I’m going to guess you’ve been busy all week too! Spring is heating up in the arts… How will you choose?!

FRIDAY

Legally Blonde – The Musical
Theatre Ink*
Thurs, March 15 – Sun, March 18
Newton North High School
SOLD OUT

It may seem wrong to start off a calendar with a sold out show but KUDOS to Theatre Ink! I’ve heard rumor that the cast is incredible so I hope you all got your tickets! Senior Emily Paley is starring as Elle Woods; I’ve seen her in action and she is completely engaging and adorable. I’m looking forward to seeing photos from the production! 
US: A Journey at South Stage Cabaret
Newton South High School 
Thurs, March 15 – Sat, March 17

Newton South High School is bringing down the house this weekend too! Using the music of Broadway, the cabaret explores our nation’s history and what it means to be an American. Sounds like the best way to learn a history lesson to me!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Newton Country Players*
Friday, March 16 – Sunday, March 18

Support local theater and a local food bank: Newton Country Players presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat March 9-10 and March 16-18 at MassBayCommunity Collegein Wellesley Hills, a family-friendly production benefiting the Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton. All performances are at 8 p.m., with the exception of the March 18 show, which is at 2 p.m. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first musical features such well-known songs as “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.” Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for students and seniors, and free for MassBay students, faculty, and staff. Donations for the Centre Street Food Pantry will be taken at the door. For a list of needed items, please visit www.newtoncountryplayers.org.

SATURDAY

Sykt Iykkelig (Happy, Happy)
Scandinavian Living Center*
Saturday, March 17 at 1:30pm

Not feeling very Irish? Take in a Norwegian film! “Family is the most important thing in the world to Kaja. She is an eternal optimist in spite of living with a man who would rather go hunting with the boys, and who refuses to have sex with her because she isn’t particularly attractive anymore. Whatever. That’s life. But when the perfect couple moves in next door, Kaja struggles to keep her emotions in check. Not only do these successful, beautiful, exciting people sing in a choir; they have also adopted a child – fromEthiopia. These new neighbors open a new world to Kaja, with consequences for everyone involved. And when Christmas comes around, it becomes evident that nothing will ever be like before – even if Kaja tries her very best.”

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Pub Night & Karaoke Concert
New Philharmonia Orchestra*
Saturday, March 17 at 7pm
First Baptist Church, Newton Centre

New Phil is doing St. Patrick’s Day their way! A lil’ traditional, a lil’ unique and a whole lot o’ fun! Join the party! Featuring traditional Celtic music, audience sing-a-longs, Irish dance, Irish fare, a craft beer tasting and community spirit. Plus it all benefits New Phil’s outreach programs! Learn more here. (P.S. Come say hi if you’re there, I’m one of the emcees!)

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Mistress
Cappella Clausura*
Saturday, March 17 from 8pm-10pm
Episcopalian Parish of the Messiah

Cappella Clausura commemorates the poetry of Anne Bradstreet in Mistress. Featuring the premiere of Contemplations (8, 9) composed by Hilary Tann especially for Cappella Clausura’s celebration of Anne Bradstreet’s quatricentennial. The piece will be played in tandem with Contemplations (21, 22), written in 2005 for the Radcliffe Choral Society.

In addition, they will feature two works by Dorothy Crawford: A Protrait of Anne Bradstreet, based on Bradstreet’s letters and poems, and a new work written for Trium, entitled Naushon. Finally, we fold in madrigals and motets by Bradstreet’s equally remarkable musical contemporaries, Barbara Strozzi and Isabella Leonarda.
SUNDAY

Boston Artists Ensemble 
Trinity Episcopal Church,Newton Centre
Sunday, March 18 at 2:30PM

This stellar ensemble of world-class musicians will perform works by Mozart, Beethoven and Franck. A beautiful Sunday deserves a concert of this caliber. (It might also help soothe your post St. Patty’s day hangover.)

“Where Have I Heard This Before?” Concert
Kammerwerke Orchestra
Eliot Church,Newton
Sunday, March 18 at 7:30pm

Performing music for woodwind chamber ensembles, Kammerwerke will delight the audience! (I secretly love the double reeds.) With works by Strauss, Saint-Saens, Gershwin, Brahms and Dvorak there is something for every classical music lover – plus it’s a great introduction for newbies!

MONDAY

The Warmth of Other Suns – Discussion by Isabel Wilkerson
Historic Newton*
Newton Free Library
Monday, March 19 at 7:30pm

Have you seen Historic Newton’s newest exhibit on slavery? It’s very well done and this discussion will be a wonderful accompaniment. Join Pulitzer Prize–winning author Isabel Wilkerson for a discussion of her book about the epic journey of African Americans from the Jim Crow South to U.S.cities in the North and West in search of a better life in the early half of the twentieth century. She interviewed more than a thousand people, and gained access to new data and official records, to write this definitive and vividly dramatic account of how these American journeys unfolded, altering our cities, our country, and ourselves.

 * Newton Cultural Alliance Member

As always, please let me know if I missed an event by leaving it in the comments! I’d also love to see pictures or read a review if you attend any! Happy weekend to all!