Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Suspending Operations Citing Pandemic, Uncertainty About Performance Space

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Watertown-based New Repertory Theatre announced it will be suspending operations beginning July 21. The company based at the Mosesian Center for the Arts had to cancel the end of its 2019-2020 season and its entire 2020-21 season. It has put on a pair of moving plays in outdoor locations around Watertown. 

“As with many cultural institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic led to fiscal challenges for the New Repertory Theatre,” said the statement from New Rep, which was published by the Newton Needham Regional Chamber. Along with the pandemic, New Rep faces uncertainty about its stage space. 

“Additionally, our performance venue, the Mosesian Center for the Arts, is undergoing renovations, which adds to the COVID-related uncertainty we are already experiencing regarding mounting in-person performances in the near future. With these challenges in mind, the Board of Directors of the New Repertory Theatre has made the decision to suspend operations until we determine next steps for the organization,” the announcement said. 

New Rep will be making more announcements in the near future, the announcement said. “We have informed the staff of this decision and the reasons for the suspension.

Around Town

Applicants Wanted for Watertown’s New Public Arts & Culture Committee

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town of Watertown provided the following announcement:

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking eight (8) Watertown citizens interested in servingon the Public Arts and Culture Committee. The Town of Watertown has established a Public Arts Master Plan that was created through the efforts of a steering committee that included a number of representatives of stakeholder organizations in the community that deal with arts and culture, as well as Town departments and the Town’s consultant, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. The Honorable Town Council adopted the Watertown Public Arts Master Plan at its meeting on February 23, 2021. The Watertown Public Arts Master Plan includes a number of implementation strategies, including Implementation Item 1A, a recommendation for the creation of an appointed Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) that acts as a permanent, standing advisory body to the Town of Watertown, to make recommendations over two core program areas:

1) Art in Public Places: Permanent, semi-permanent, temporary, and ephemeral artworks and activations that create a vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and connected public realm. This may include semi-permanent projects as well as temporary artworks and installations funded through a variety of funding sources.

Entertainment

Watertown’s First Arts Market Planned This Summer; Artists, Sponsors & Volunteers Wanted

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Anaïs MarkwoodThe first Watertown Arts Market will take place in August. Organizers hope it will be similar to the Watertown Farmers Market, shown above. Watertown’s first Arts Market will take place in August, and organizers are looking for artists, sponsors and volunteers. The Watertown Arts Market will take place at Arsenal Park on Saturday, Aug. 21 from noon to 5 p.m. The free event will bring together “the abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and arts- and culture-related businesses based in and/or serving the Watertown area,” according to the announcement by the Watertown Arts Market Committee.

Arts

Watertown Cultural Council Welcomes Eight New Council Members

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Cultural Council:

Beginning in June 2021, the Watertown Cultural Council will add eight new members, doubling its present size. The new Council members will enrich the scope and capability of the WCC as it expands its programs and outreach in the greater Watertown community in 2021-22. Roberta Rosenberg, new Chair of the WCC, notes that: “The WCC is very fortunate to have the artistic, cultural and administrative abilities of this new group. We look forward to having a successful year. These new members will add to the already excellent work of our returning WCC officers who include: Gretchen Neeley, Secretary, and Sheri Kennedy, Treasurer, as well as Aramais Andonian, Elizabeth Kent, Emma Clement, and Stephanie Hackett.”

During 2021-22, the 15 members of the WCC will be evaluating and funding new grants projects funded by the Mass Cultural Council.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center Bringing Live Music, Comedy, and Earfull Series to Town This Summer

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Will Dailey will give his first live performance since 2019 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts Live at the Mansion. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

The Mosesian Center for the Arts is thrilled to bring live, in-person events back to the Arsenal on the Charles. Despite being shuttered since March 2020 and now closed for major lobby renovations, the arts organization will be presenting five fabulous evenings of entertainment on the grounds of the historic Commander’s Mansion on Wednesday evenings this summer. On June 23, seven-time Boston Music Award-winner Will Dailey will take the stage fresh off Boston’s Hot Stove Cool Music benefit as he gears up for Eddie Vedder’s Ohana Music Festival later this summer. This will be Will’s first live show back in front of an audience since 2019.

Entertainment

Ben & Jerry’s Community Celebrations Each Saturday Feature Music, Artists

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Arsenal YardsBen & Jerry’s Community Celebrations feature live music every Saturday. The Ben & Jerry’s at Arsenal Yards is hosting Community Celebrations each week with live music, local artists and giveaways. Arsenal Yards provided the following information:

Ben & Jerry’s x SRS present Community Celebration each Saturday at Arsenal Yards! Visit Ben & Jerry’s each Saturday in June and July for live music, local art and some giveaways. Arsenal YardsLocal artists will be at each Community Celebration hosted by Ben & Jerry’s at Arsenal Yards.

Entertainment

New Rep Theatre Names Award-Winning Director as Interim Leader

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The following information was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is delighted to announce the appointment of the Boston-based and award-winning theatre producer and director M. Bevin O’Gara as its Interim Executive Artistic Director effective April 5, 2021. O’Gara succeeds Michael J. Bobbitt, who began his new role as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council on February 1, 2021. O’Gara will serve in this position for approximately 9-12 months, until the search for a permanent Artistic Director has been completed and a new leader is appointed. During her almost two-decade career in Boston, O’Gara has overseen numerous productions, workshops and readings. She has received numerous Elliot Norton Awards, both as a director for Tribes and Small Mouth Sounds, and as a producer for Our Town and Come Back Little Sheba, which were directed by MacArthur Genius Award recipient David Cromer.

Arts

See How to Find Art Works Created for Watertown’s Drive-by Exhibit

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The following announcement came from the organizers of YardArt Waterotwn:

YardArt Watertown 2021 is the first annual outdoor art exhibition featuring the work of over 120 artists and art enthusiasts. The town-wide exhibit begins Friday, March 5th and runs through April 2nd and features a variety of art projects displayed on residents’ front yards and porches. The free, self-guided tour is a COVID-safe community event for anyone walking or driving through Watertown. YardArt locations are marked by yard signs and will appear on an interactive online map (coming soon, click here), along with creators’ statements and photos. A special temporary sculpture exhibit is on display at the Commander’s Mansion at Arsenal on the Charles.