Folks, Newton is buzzing with events this weekend! If you were undecided about whether to stay here in Newton or hang out in traffic this weekend, let this week’s Newton Culture Fix help make up your mind!

 

 

 

 

 

TONIGHT

Three Authors, Channer – Meno – Boucher, at Newtonville Books! (not official title)
Newtonville Books
Thursday, July 19 at 7pm | FREE

I haven’t read any of these books but after reading the descriptions I would like to get my hands on all of them. Colin Channer, editor of KINGSTON NOIR, Joe Meno, author of OFFICE GIRL, and POST ROAD Managing Editor Christopher Boucher, author of HOW TO KEEP YOUR VOLKSWAGEN ALIVE all gather at Newtonville Books tonight! Read more.

 

The Small Stage: Still Life
Newton Open Studios* exhibit at NewTV*
Currently on display | Mon – Thu from 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat from 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-6pm | FREE

Newton Open Studios presents “The Small Stage: Still Life part II” at the gallery at NewTV, 23 Needham st, entrance at top of Easy St (next to National Lumber) Eight NOS artists explore the still life format. As with the first installment,NOS hopes this varied and delightful sampling leaves you with an expanded sense of the boundaries of the genre. These still lifes perch in unusual places, occasionally verge on abstraction, and examine unexpected objects.

 

| Newton MA News and Politics BlogArcadia, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Dead Man’s Cell Phone
The Circuit Theatre Company
at Newton Cultural Center
Thursday, July 19 – Sunday, July 22 | $10 for each performance

Here’s another example of why Newton’s arts scene is fantastic: Founded in 2010 by Newton North and Newton South students, The Circuit Theatre Company is an ensemble of young theatre artists dedicated to creating high-voltage, community-enriching theatrical performances in the Greater Boston area. All work is fully acted, designed, directed and produced by students. 

| Newton MA News and Politics Blog Through this student-driven approach, the company hopes to bring new energy to the local arts scene for the entertainment and enjoyment of the community as a whole. This summer’s season includes:

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard
Directed by Skylar Fox
July 19 & 21 at 8pm | July 22 at 4:30pm


| Newton MA News and Politics Blog

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Directed by Madeline Schulman
July 20 & 21 at 6pm | July 22 at 2pm

dead man’s cell phone by Sarah Ruhl
Directed by Jen Diamond
July 20 at 8 | July 21 at 2pm | July 22 at 8pm

 

FRIDAY 
| Newton MA News and Politics BlogOpen Mic Night
West Suburban YMCA*
Friday, July 20 at 6pm | FREE

Students at the West Suburban YMCA have access to a fantastic music recording studio! Get there and check out all their hard work and musical genius!

 

 

SATURDAY

Poopendous! Pops up in Newton Highlands! 
New England Mobile Book Fair
Saturday, July 21 at 1pm-2pm | FREE

“Everyone poops—yes, it’s true—from aardvarks to the humped zebu.”

Missing this event would be as crazy as that line!   Artie Bennett, author of the award-winning and much-acclaimed The Butt Book, delivers the inside scoop on every type and use of poop in his “number two,” spanking-new picture book,Poopendous! Artie will read and sign his superfun new book. You won’t want to miss it. In hilarious verses, with eye-popping illustrations, Poopendous! relates the many, often remarkable uses of poop throughout the world while paying homage to its prolific producers, from cats to bats to wombats! Virtuoso illustrator Mike Moran gives us a veritable Noah’s Ark of critters doing their less-than-solemn doody. So pick up your pooper-scooper and come along for a riotously rib-tickling ride. You just may agree that poop is truly quite . . .  poopendous!

 

SUNDAY

Historic Newton Walks: Mt. Ida College – A Gilded Age Country Estate in 1913
Historic Newton*
Sunday, July 22 at 2pm | FREE 

Join Historic Newton for Historic Newton Walks: Mt. Ida College – A Guilded Age Country Estate in 1913 to learn about how Mt. Ida’s campus is the former 230-acre estate bought for Robert Gould Shaw II by his wealthy parents. See the Shaw Hall, huge polo pony barn, and other structures still suggest what life must have been like for the “Social Set.”  Hear Shaw family stories about Lady Astor, copper mining fortunes, and Italian immigrant Crescenzo Angino of Newton Community Farm.

Meet in Mt. Ida’s parking lot on Carlson Avenue. Enter the campus by turning off Dedham Street near Brookline Avenue, going past residential housing on Carleston Avenue and up to the college gate. Park in first lot on the left, halfway up the hill.

 

Heritage Festival Concert: American Chinese Art Society
Newton Pride
Sunday, July 22 at 6:15pm | Newton Centre Green | Free

Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy the delightful free performance by the talented young dancers of the American Chinese Art Society. The ACAS provides vigorous training in performing arts to proudly share their unique artistic heritage with audiences domestically and abroad. This is a cultural gem that shouldn’t be missed!

 

 

*Newton Cultural Alliance member

 

Heading out of town? Click here for events on the Cape and here for events in the Berkshires.