The Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown has announced a winter season of performances, exhibitions, and arts education programs. From theater, music, and comedy to new exhibitions and arts education, from returning favorites to new partnerships, there’s plenty of variety—plus love, romance, and break ups—in this season’s programming.
Watertown Children’s Theatre The Giver | January 27-28
Jonas’ world is perfect. Everything is under control and safe. There is no war or fear or pain. There are also no choices. When Jonas turns 12, he is chosen for special training from The Giver—to receive and keep the memories of the community. The Giver is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world. This production features performers in Grades 6-8.
Watertown Children’s Theatre Eurydice | February 3-5
Eurydice reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. This production features performers in grades 9-12.
The David Thorne Scott Band: A Jazz/Americana Romance | February 8
In this season’s third concert with Berklee College of Music faculty artists, this quartet romances us with a fusion of Americana and jazz music. These opposite musical genres do indeed attract! Expect tender yet explosive singing and playing, fresh compositions, unique arrangements, and intimate improvisational interplay. Vocalist and bassist David Thorne Scott is joined by pianist Mark Shilansky, guitarist Eric Byers, and Grammy-nominated violinist Sara Caswell.
New Rep Theatre presents Love Weekend | February 11-12
Internationally-acclaimed pianist/keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Yukihiro Kanesaka will headline this Valentine’s Day event, celebrating love in tributes to two of the most soulful, artistic voices of our time, by two of the Boston area’s greatest vocal talents: the music of Donny Hathaway featuring Leon Beal Jr., and the music of Roberta Flack featuring Athene Wilson.
The Briar & Rusty Show: Briar and Rusty Break Up | February 14
This Valentine’s Day, Boston’s hottest drag couple, Briar Blush and Rusty Hammer, part ways and write a vintage love letter with the help of their friends – some of Boston’s most noteworthy drag and cabaret talent. Combining glamorous drag, steamy burlesque, comedy, live music and more, Briar and Rusty have put together a red-hot evening that will have you shouting, “I will survive!”
One Productions presents Danni Bassan in Boston | February 15
Danni Bassan, lead singer of the legendary Tislam band, comes to the United States to warm your winter with an intimate show full of warmth and love. Together with the guitarist Eden Nir, Danni Bassan will present a special show full of love to celebrate the occasion of Valentine’s Day. The show will include well known and beloved songs written for him over the years, new songs, love songs, and of course songs from the Tislam band, newly and specially arranged for this evening. Performed in Hebrew.
TRANScendent: A Ms. Adventure in Comedy featuring opening acts Cam Ohh and Deby Xiandani | February 25
Ms. Adventure is a trans woman who, with a lot of support from her loved ones, recently came out as a stand-up comedian. With her art, she seeks to promote visibility of being queer and trans and to raise awareness of queer and trans issues. Her jokes were once reviewed by her therapist as, “wait, you say these things on stage?” Don’t worry if you’ve never questioned your gender before; Ms. Adventure will question it for you.
DEAFinitely, Inc. and This Is My Brave present Heart Truth: Mental Health Stories from the Deaf Community | March 4
DEAFinitely, Inc. and This is My Brave present the groundbreaking production, Heart Truth – Mental Health Stories from the Deaf Community. This is the first ever live show featuring twelve Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing storytellers who will share personal stories of mental illness and recovery to break down stigma, uncover access barriers in the mental health system, and celebrate the resilience of the Deaf community.
Exhibitions
From the Heart | January 27-March 10, Opening reception February 2
Mosesian Center for the Arts welcomes Newton Art Association for a joint winter exhibition. Both organizations have partnered in the past, and this time have invited all artists to exhibit works exploring creativity, inclusion, and unity.
Printmaking and Social Engagement | Call to Artists through February 13
Mosesian Arts invites artists to submit work using at least one traditional printmaking technique, either by itself or in combination with digital printmaking techniques and other media. Artists exploring themes of war, trauma, climate change, race, and the complexities of contemporary life that move us to protest to strive for change to fight against injustices and address issues ranging from the personal to the global are welcome to submit work.
Arts Education
Stages & Studios: February Vacation |February 21-24
Join our creative community for four days of visual and performing arts programming! Gr. K-2, Gr. 3-5, and Gr. 6-8 will explore all different types of art. Connect with other participants and teaching artists as we paint, collage, sculpt, write stories, learn theater games, and engage in movement activities throughout the day.
Summer Stages & Studios | Registration Opens January 17
Summer arts education programming at Mosesian Arts fosters an engaging, welcoming, and creative community where students in grades K-12 can explore new art forms, focus on specific interests, learn from professional teaching artists, and make connections with other participants in a variety of weekly programs grouped by age and arts discipline.
The Art, Business, and Science of Voice Acting | February 18
Professional voice actor Dick Terhune presents an info-packed master class for anyone (age 16 through adult) who wants to get into the business of voice acting, and those in the business who want to work more. This three-hour presentation will cover technique, branding, gear, agents, unions, how to work from almost anywhere that electricity and an internet connection are available, and more! Those who attend will leave with immediately actionable information and inspiration to get to work!
About Mosesian Center for the Arts
The Mosesian Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary arts venue on the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts. The 30,000 square foot center, located in an historic 1894 manufacturing shop on a former U.S. Army arsenal, houses a 339-seat main stage theater, a 100-seat black box theater, exhibition galleries, art classrooms, and rehearsal studio. Mosesian Arts is located six miles from downtown Boston, borders Brighton and the Charles, and is easily accessible from surrounding suburbs and MetroWest.
Programs include professional theater and musical performances, comedy, gallery exhibitions, literary and art discussions, and performing and visual arts classes and workshops for all ages. Watertown Children’s Theatre, Mosesian Arts’ performing arts education program, provides exceptional classes and performances for youth and families. The venue also hosts celebrated and cutting-edge performing arts companies from throughout the Greater Boston region.
Find out more about the Mosesian Center for the Arts at www.mosesianarts.org