Watertown Summer Concerts Open This Week with Folk Duo

90-Mile Portage90-Mile Portage, made up of pianist/composer Ben Cosgrove and singer/songwriter Jamie Kallestad, will perform on Aug. 10 in Watertown’s free Saltonstall Park Concert. A concert by folk duo Jamie Kallestad and Ben Cosgrove, known as 90-Mile Portage, will kick off Watertown’s Summer Concert Series. The free concerts are held at Saltonstall Park (next to City Hall) on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Attendees can bring their own chairs and blankets to watch the concert from the grass in front of the stage. The concerts feature a variety of musical styles, and there will be a double-header on July 5, and a kids’ concert on Aug.

Small Saves Cartoon: Where a Goalie Feels Most Comfortable

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Art Exhibit at Library Feature Work of Syrian Painter, Reception Planned

The following information was provided by the Refugee Support Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace:

Honoring UN World Refugee Day, the Refugee Support Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment presents “The Art of Refuge,” a narrative installation of the work of Syrian painter Samera Birawi, who took refuge in Turkey after the bombing of her homeland began. Installed in the T. Ross Gallery of the Watertown Free Public library, The Art of Refuge brings a voice and images that strongly tell a story of life and death, and hope. The paintings, often created from actual photographs of the depicted events, weave a first-hand narrative of a country descending into violence, highlighting its impact on children. Yet, the artist wants to keep alive the memory of earlier peace in her town of Idlib, near Aleppo, in a geographical area of ancestral culture that designed the first alphabets 12,000 years ago, and produced the finest olive oil:

“We will remain there as long as the olive trees remain.”

Exhibit Reception: Thursday, June 22, 5:30-8 p.m., including live Zoom from Turkey with the artist at 6:30 p.m., 1st floor, Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Room. Refreshments will be served

The exhibition will run from June 1-3o, 2023

Three women, born in the Middle East, the United States and Europe, teamed up to convey the art of Samera Birawi: Youla Hana, member of the Refugee Support Group; Sue-Ellen Tcherepnin, President of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the environment/Refugee Support Group Founder; and Christine Arveil, Curator of the exhibition.

Watertown Artists Painting Statues to be in Jimmy Fund’s CowParade New England

Bill Belicow by Dawn Evans Scaltreto will be on display in Kenmore Square near Ace Tickets. (Photo courtesy of CowParade New England)

The following information was provided by the Jimmy Fund:

Local residents and artists, Carol Leonesio and Dawn Evans Scaltreto, have painted and transformed life-size cow sculptures as part of CowParade New England presented by Herb Chambers, a one-of-a-kind public art installation and fundraiser designed to recognize the Jimmy Fund 75th anniversary, benefiting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s lifesaving mission. The cows, Miss Moosachusetts, Bill Belicow, A Wicked Good Bruins Game, A Great Day at Fenway, The Eliot and Space Penguins, are on display from June 24 through September 4. CowParade will be located throughout Greater Boston, including herds sponsored by presenting sponsor Herb Chambers, Coca-Cola, fairlife, HomeGoods, OOFOS, Bond Brothers, Bonhams Skinner and Jordan’s Furniture, the Boston Common Pasture Sponsor. A full pasture map will be available this spring at CowParadeNewEngland.org/PastureMap.

Small Saves Comic: How a Hockey Players Spend Their Summer

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

New England Black Circus Performing at Mosesian Center for the Arts on Juneteenth

Aerialist and New England Black Circus co-founder Amara Berry performs. (Photo by Amanda Macchio Photography)

The following information was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

On Juneteenth, New England Black Circus, New England’s only circus show from the diaspora, will perform at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. An all-Black cast of aerial and ground acrobats will share Circus Stories, based on their lived personal experiences, as they showcase their physical skills. NEBC is a Black-led group of circus performers based in Providence, Rhode Island, with a mission of supporting Black circus artists in New England by connecting them with training, resources, and performance opportunities. The troupe includes aerialists, contortionists, acrobats, and other circus artists. Aerialist Ky from the New England Black Circus performs outdoors on a hoop.

St. James Church Armenian Festival Features Music, Food, Kids Activities and More

St. James Church’s Armenian Festival will be held on Sunday, June 11 from noon to 5 p.m., rain or shine. The festival features live Armenian music: Bob Raphalian, Jay Baronian, Leon Janikian, and Kenny Kalajian. Armenian food will be available, such as shish, losh, chicken kabobs, and vegaterian options. There will also be activities for kids, such as a moon bounce, face painting and more.

See This Week’s Small Saves Cartoon

James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”