NewtonFestivalLogo | Newton MA News and Politics Blog

You may have seen the banners going up in the last few weeks.  You could have seen the flyers and signs popping up around the city.  You probably received a complete program in the mail.

The first ever Newton Festival of the Arts will begin on Friday, May 1 and run for a month.  It’s a city wide celebration and showcase of dozens of Newton homegrown arts groups presenting music, theater, film, fashion, literature, visual arts, dance, and even a puppet show.

The full program is available here and tickets for all events are already on sale.

Even before it’s begun, the Festival has already done a great job of connecting all sorts of arts groups that have never worked together before or didn’t know of each other – and that’s a great thing.

If all goes well, this very well could become an annual springtime tradition in Newton.

 


StorySlam400Width | Newton MA News and Politics BlogThe Newton Nomadic Theater will be producing another Nomad Story Slam event on May 22 as a part of the festival.   In addition to all of you, the regular storytellers, we’ve invited three local Newton authors to come and tell a story.

* Gail Spector – author of the Legendary Locals of Newton.  It features over 100 profiles of interesting, famous and legendary Newtonians from all walks of life – sports, politics, arts, business

* Dave Kalis – author of Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser.  The true life tale of a younger Dave Kalis finding himself standing atop a Soviet tank, impersonating a photo-journalist, as the entire Soviet Union crumbles around him.   “A real life thriller” says the Boston Globe

Nelson Lipshutz – author of The Mecca Plan.  An international thriller in which a college student’s summer trip to Israel spins wildly out of control.  “For a first novel, this has it all”.

Come join these local authors and tell your own story.  Should be five minutes long, true and be connected to the night’s theme “a long way from home”.  For storytelling tips or more info go here.

We’ve been getting big crowds for these events so far but we expect this one to sell out – so get your tickets early.


Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh- The Newton Nomadic Theater is also finalizing the schedule for a late edition to the Festival of the Arts program.  We’ll be presenting this black comedy by one of Ireland’s most well known contemporary playwrights at locations around Newton from May 15 – June 10.  More details soon!


 

We’re not the only theater in town though.  The Newton Theatre Company will help kick off the festival with a production of Moliere’s “The Imaginary Invalid” at Newton City Hall, 2 PM this Saturday.