Our bulbs are pushing their way up out of the warming gardens to tell us that spring is here. On Saturday morning, the spring celebration of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, will be at the library for all to enjoy. There is music to go along with the springing of spring, a concert of an Armenian trio at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Friday, and a folk music concert on Saturday night at the Canadian American Club. On Sunday, it will be time for some history focused learning, with a talk on Watertown’s patriot printer, Benjamin Edes, whose printing press apparently affected the course of the Revolutionary War. After the talk, if you’re feeling hungry, head to the Condesa Restaurant to dig into a plate of steaming tamales for National Tamale Day.
NOWRUZ FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 22, 10:30 a.m.
Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St.
It’s time to celebrate the Persian New Year, so head to the library for a special Nowruz celebration in collaboration with Watertown Library & Sponsored by the Mass Cultural Council. Nowruz is a vibrant celebration of new beginnings, the arrival of spring and celebration of nature, cultural traditions, and community spirit. You are invited to join for a day of fun, learning, and cultural exchange. This event is free and open to all ages.
For more information: Click here
NATIONAL TAMALE DAY
Sunday, March 23, 12 p.m.
Condesa Restaurant, 80 Arsenal Yards Blvd.
It’s time to dig into the delights of tamales this Sunday at Condesa. Imagine the steamy smell of the corn husk, the tasty corn masa surrounding the spiced (but not necessarily spicy) filling of meat and vegetables. Tamales are very special, and Sunday is national tamale day. Who knew?
For more information: Click here
THE SECRET TRIO CONCERT
Friday, March 21, 7:30 p.m.
Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.
THE SECRET TRIO is made up of three astounding musicians. Macedonian clarinetist Ismail Lumanovski, Armenian oud player Ara Dinkjian, and Turkish kanun player Tamer Pınarbaşı exude pure joy when performing together, resulting in music which is at once deeply rooted in their respective traditions, and yet startlingly innovative. Their arrangements and compositions blend western harmonic colors with micro-tonal modes, jazz-inspired improvisation with “odd” time signatures, and classical sophistication with folk melodies.
The concert is organized by the Society of Istanbul Armenians of Boston (SOIAB) and the proceeds from the event will be used in support of the Armenian schools in Istanbul.
For more information: Click here
CAOIMHIN FEARGHAIL (Uilleann pipes) and CHRISTINE DELPHINE (Fiddle) CONCERT
Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m.
Canadian American Club, 22 Arlington St.
The Canadian American Club presents a folk concert of uillean pipes and fiddle music with two renowned performers. Caoimhín was the 2012 recipient of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, and has many other accomplishments including being chosen as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards in 2021. In 2019, Christine released her debut solo album, “When the Aster Blooms” . The album is a collection of original tunes and songs inspired by her native New England folk music and her love of Irish traditional music. $20 general admission, $10 for Pipers Club members and members of the Canadian American club.
For more information: Click here
THE PRESS AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION: WATERTOWN’S MOST FAMOUS PRINTER, BENJAMIN EDES
Sunday March 23, 2-3:30
Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St.
Without the printing presses of Boston, we wouldn’t have had a revolution! Why was Boston such a hot bed of sedition and incubator of the American Revolution? How did the printing press impact Boston’s rise to rebellion? How were newspapers produced and by whom? Who was Benjamin Edes, Boston’s most infamous patriot printer? These questions and more will be answered in this presentation. Gary Gregory founded Lessons on Liberty Inc. in 2003 to give historically accurate educational tours of Boston’s Freedom Trail. He immediately noticed the need in Boston for more hands-on history and in 2005 founded The Printing Office of Edes & Gill, a reproduction 18th century colonial print shop. This program is free and funded by a 2024 grant from the Watertown Community Foundation.
For more information: Click here