Weekend Fun: River of Light, Dance, 1800s Fashion, New Seafood Restaurant, Seed Packing

This winter weekend starts off with two events that highlight bringing more light to our winter days. On Friday night at the Watertown Center for Healing there is a special dance called a Biodance which is about bringing together music, movement and positive feelings. Then on Saturday afternoon, the River of Light Lantern Parade is happening at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. It was so beautiful last year. I highly recommend going to see it or even better, bringing your own lantern to join in the parade. And, I’m excited to share that my brass band, Good Trouble Brass Band and the Watertown High School Band will be accompanying the parade. If you prefer a smaller gathering, there is a seed packing party at the library on Saturday morning. You can help the library get seeds ready for their seed library reopening in February. On Sunday the Gore Estate is giving a talk about early 19th century women’s fashion. It’s in preparation for their upcoming Regency Ball. Finally, I have another restaurant recommendation. We have a new seafood restaurant in town, Boxfish, which I expect will be fantastic as it’s the same chef as at Cha Yen, Manita Bunnagitkarn, who is sharing with us her cooking expertise in the old Cha Yen space, but this time focused on seafood.

JIM’S VIEW: Boy’s Basketball Goes Toe-To-Toe With Undefeated Winchester 

Not every sporting event is created equal. Some games have all the makings of something special and then turn out to be duds. Others seem like a mismatch on paper, but turn out to be great games. Some even surprise and disappoint all before the final buzzer sounds. Tuesday night, Watertown hosted Winchester and one did not know what to expect. 

Paul Jost and Jim Ridl Bring Soulful Jazz Storytelling to the Mosesian Center for the Arts

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

The Mosesian Center for the Arts brings its relaunched jazz series, Chords and Cocktails, into the new year with an evening of soulful storytelling and virtuosic musicianship. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 at 7:30 p.m., acclaimed vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Paul Jost is joined by pianist and composer Jim Ridl for an intimate and compelling performance in the Charles Mosesian Theater.

City of Watertown Thanks All for Successful Community Food Drive

Food collected from multiple locations across the City during the Community Food Drive in November and December.

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the entire Watertown community – residents, businesses, volunteers, and more – for supporting the community food drive hosted through November and December 2025. Thanks to everyone’s efforts together, thousands of food items were collected to support our pantries, community fridge, and directly to families in need.

Watertown Group Hosts Vigil in Memory of Renee Good

People came out for a vigil for Renee Good, the woman killed in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. (Photo, copyright by Joshua Touster)

The following information was provided by Indivisible Progressive Watertown:

On Saturday morning, Jan. 10th, Indivisible Progressive Watertown hosted an emergency vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good who was murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 7th.