Around Town

Watertown’s First Dragon Boat Team Sets Sail, Seeking Support

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The following announcement was provided by the Chinese American Association of Watertown:

Organized by the Chinese American Association of Watertown (CAAW), Watertown now has its first-ever team to participate in the 2025 Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, bringing together paddlers, supporters, and community members for an exciting launch event. With eyes set on their competitive debut at the Boston Dragon Boat Festival on June 7th and 8th, 2025, the Watertown Dragon Boat Team is now seeking local business sponsorships to help support training sessions, equipment, and event participation fees. This is an incredible opportunity for local businesses to gain visibility while championing diversity, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. “We are thrilled to bring this dynamic sport to Watertown,” said a CAAW spokesperson. “Dragon boat racing is not just about competition—it’s about teamwork, cultural connection, and community spirit.

Around Town

Group to Protest in Watertown as Part of International Day of Opposition

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The Tesla Takedown in Watertown on March 1. (Copyright 2025 Joshua Touster)

A Watertown group will be holding a protest in Watertown on March 29. See the announcement provided by William Beckett. Concerned Watertown citizens are invited to attend a non-violent rally against Elon Musk and DOGE. Saturday, March 29, at 10:00 a.m., Tesla Service Center, 457 Pleasant St., Watertown

This rally will be part of an international day of opposition to Musk and DOGE.

Schools

Watertown Middle School Presents “Mary Poppins Jr.” the Musical

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Watertown Middle School will present “Mary Poppins Jr.” on March 28-30. See the information provided by the Watertown Public Schools below. The musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film will go on the WMS Auditorium stage on March 28 at 7 p.m., March 29 at 7 p.m., and March 30 at 2 p.m.

Tickets: General Admission $10, WPS Students Free

Watertown Middle School is located at 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown.

Letters

OP-ED: Housing Group Celebrates Well-Attended Forum on Building 100% Affordable Housing Projects

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One of the most pressing ways that our region’s housing shortage affects Watertown is through an acute lack of deed-restricted affordable housing. It’s quite simple: more of these units would help to keep Watertown’s working people in our city. Yet while Watertown’s inclusionary zoning policy ensures that a proportion of each market rate development’s units are set aside as affordable housing, this only chips away at the shortage. What if, instead, there was a way to build more developments that were composed of just workforce and lower income housing? As an effort to explore more expansive solutions to the affordable housing shortage, Housing for All Watertown hosted a forum on February 23rd to share more about what it will take to build these 100% affordable housing developments (click here for highlights of event).

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting “De-mystifying the Middle East Conflict: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction”

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The Jewish Watertown Action Network will host an event called “De-mystifying the Middle East Conflict: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction” at the Watertown Library. See the announcement from the group below. Curious about the current conflict between Israel and Gaza? Dive deeper and discover the truth behind the jargon. “De-mystifying the Middle East Conflict: Distinguishing Fact from Fiction”

Wednesday, April 2, 7-8:30 p.m.

Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St.

Entertainment

Actors’ Shakspeare Project Brings “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” to Mosesian Center

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The following announcement was provided by the Actors’ Shakespeare Project:

Actors’ Shakespeare Project closes out their blockbuster 2024-25 Season with their first-ever performance at their new home in Watertown, The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts. From April 11 through May 4, ASP will present their latest production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by Elliot Norton Award-winning director and ASP Resident Artist Maurice Emmanuel Parent. Join the Bard’s colorful cast of characters as they flit, frolic, and stumble their way through the woods, aided by moonlight and magic. Inspired by the club culture of late ‘90s and early ‘00s New York City, Maurice Emmanuel Parent’s invigorating new take on this classic play flips the romantic entanglement of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on its head and brings Shakespeare’s most popular comedy into vivid technicolor. Whether you seek to guffaw at the mechanicals, tangle with the love quadrangle, or conjure in the fairy court, this production will enchant long-time Shakespeare lovers and newcomers alike.

Around Town

Winner of Watertown Cultural District Logo Contest Announced

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Cultural District:

The Watertown Cultural District, in partnership with the Watertown Free Public Library, is thrilled to announce Madison Scaletta as the winner of its logo design contest. Scaletta’s vibrant and engaging design, inspired by the colors and landmarks of Watertown, particularly the Charles River, was selected by the Cultural District Partnership for its relevance, joyful imagery, and compositional integrity. “We were impressed by Madison’s ability to capture the spirit of our cultural district in a fun and accessible way,” said Kristen Kenny, Chair of the Cultural District Partnership. “Her design reflects our mission to promote arts and culture in Watertown for all audiences.” Scaletta, a 16-year-old student at Minuteman High School in Lexington, MA, and a competitive dancer, shared her inspiration: “I wanted to incorporate a colorful design while using things/places close to Watertown like the Charles River.