Dozens of Cultural Programs Get Grants from Watertown Cultural Council

The Massachusetts Cultural Council and Lois Pond, chair of the Watertown Cultural Council, have announced the award of 35 grants totaling $16,430, for cultural programs in Watertown. Grant recipients include Edible Watertown, Watertown Arts Market, Watertown Indigenous History Tour, and Live Music at the Watertown Farmers Market. A complete list of recipients can be seen below. The Watertown Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences, and humanities every year.

Library Chooses Best Selling Author’s Title for One Book, One Watertown

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

This year, the Watertown Free Public Library’s One Book, One Watertown selection invites us to consider what happens when we reject hostility and dread to embrace compassion and curiosity. Our Missing Hearts by bestselling author Celeste Ng is a poignant tale of family survival, and a powerful refusal to abandon hope. All community members are invited to check out the book from the Library, and join in themed programs during the month of March. This year’s community read will culminate in “An Evening with Celeste Ng” on Thursday, March 21 at the Watertown Free Public Library, free to all. Registration begins on March 1st. Our Missing Hearts can be reserved in the Library catalog at watertownlib.org.

Closing Reception for Watertown’s Edible Plants Project, Opening Soon at New Location

Edible Plants, Watertown’ a long-term interdisciplinary project that promotes awareness of our local environment through visual art and writing, will have a closing reception on Jan. 13, and will open at a new location on Jan. 26. The Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee provided the following information:

Edible Plants Closing Reception at TILL Wave Gallery

Saturday, January 13, 2-4 PM

TILL Wave Gallery264 Arlington Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Join us for the closing reception of Edible Plants at the TILL Wave Gallery before the show moves to the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Enjoy readings by Jordan Escobar, Patrick Fairbairn, and Ruth Henry with music by Justin Ouellette.

2 Watertown Children’s Theater Plays Coming to Newly Renamed Theater at Mosesian Center

The black box theater at Mosesian Center for the Arts was recently renamed in honor of Watertown Children’s Theater Founding Artistic Director Dinah Lane. (Photo from MCA)

Mosesian Arts’ Watertown Children’s Theater will produce two plays this winter in the newly named Dinah Lane Theater. New classes in performing and visual arts for all ages also begin this month at the arts center. A program of the Mosesian Center for the Arts since the two organizations merged in 2013, Watertown Children’s Theatre engages young individuals and groups in the process of making theater. Initiated in 1983 by Founding Artistic Director Dinah Lane, the program celebrated forty years in November with a benefit reception and performance titled 40 Season of Love.

Watertown Artist Shares Artwork & Artist Books at Library Exhibit

The T. Ross Kelly Gallery at the Watertown Free Public Library is hosting “Constructed” – an exhibit featuring artwork and artist books by Watertown resident, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, January 3, 2024, through February 28, 2024. All of the artworks in this exhibit were constructed – from the literal forming of flat paper into three-dimensional books, to the careful placement of shape, line, and color in the abstract work on display. Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Balzer shares her perspective on the creative process, stating, “For me, the process of making art is the process of bringing together various elements and discovering how they change each other once in combination. These visual constructions are similar to the experience of forming a lively dinner party, where you must consider how to seat guests.” Art enthusiasts, patrons, and the community are all invited to visit “Constructed,” now through February 28, 2024

A bathroom cabinet with stone basin byJulie Fei-Fan Balzer.

Watertown Ballet School Performing Nutcracker Suite

Watertown’s Koltun Ballet Boston will perform the Nutcracker Suite featuring dancers of all ages from the school. The company is led by former principal dancers Alexandra Koltun and Alex Lapshin. The performance showcases the emerging talent in their Children’s and Pre-Professional dancing program. The young ballet dancers will dance the highlights from this classic holiday production, featuring performances prepared by each level (ages 5-19). Ticket-holders can enjoy a champagne reception following the performance. BU Dance Theater (915 Commonwealth Ave., entrance at 10 Buick St.), Saturday, Dec.

Winter Concert Series Coming to Watertown Library Hosting

The following information came from the Watertown Library:

WFPL & the Watertown Public Arts & Culture Committee present the Winter Concert Series. The Winter Concert Series runs from December through March and happens the first Sunday of the month! As in previous years, our concert series features talented, local artists. Performances are free and open to all. Let the music begin!