Entertainment

Midwinter Revels Holiday Show Shares Traditions from Ellis Island

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Shep FergusonMidwinter Revels returns to the Saunders Theatre in Cambridge, with production, “Midwinter Revels: A
Solstice Celebration – Tales from Ellis Island.” From Left to Right: William Forchion, Carolyn Saxon, and the cast of The Christmas Revels

The following announcement was provided by Watertown-based Revels:

Revels is back in Sanders Theatre for its 52nd annual December production, Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration – Tales from Ellis Island, which explores the unique dynamics between Irish, Jewish, and Mexican cultures at 1920s Ellis Island. One of Greater Boston’s most cherished holiday productions, Midwinter Revels’ multi-generational cast joyously brings traditions to life through music, dance, and song. Midwinter Revels: A Solstice Celebration takes place on Christmas Eve in the 1920s on Ellis Island, where a delay in processing requires new arrivals from Ireland and Jewish immigrants from Russia and Germany to spend an extended period of time together. Inspired by their children and by the Mexican nurses in charge of their care, the families slowly transcend their differences and build a rapport through music, dance and puppetry.

Entertainment

Watertown Church Hosting Family Christmas Event

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Watertown’s Grace Chapel will host Jingle Jam on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Grace Chapel is located at 525 Main St., in Watertown. The church provided the following information:

A Night of Fun Christmas Activities for the Whole Family! Looking for an exciting, fun-filled night the whole family will enjoy? Take a break from all the baking, the shopping, the endless rolls of wrapping paper, and join us for an unforgettable Christmas experience complete with fun, games, music, lights, and food!

Entertainment

Armenian Museum Releases Music from ’40s & ’50s, Hosting Christmas Gallery Stroll

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The following announcement was provided by the Armenian Museum of America:

The Sound Archive presents digitized versions of 78 rpm records from our collection. This month we are featuring record distributor Hrand Markar Tashjian. Tashjian was a trailblazer, taking matters into his own hands when Armenian music was almost impossible to get your hands on in the 1940s and 50s. He reissued out of print recordings from major labels on a series of his own imprints. This month’s post includes four digitized and restored songs: Yaylouges Gorav, Siroung Groung, Amen Hayr Sourp, and Vart. Special thanks to the SJS Charitable Foundation for their generous support of our work to digitize and share our collection of 78 rpm records.

Entertainment

Arsenal Yards Hosting Holiday Happenings, Selling Christmas Trees

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Arsenal Yards will be selling Christmas trees during the holidays. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown, invites area residents, workers, and visitors to sleigh the season and enjoy holiday happenings now through the end of the year. With a plethora of events and activations, including the launch of a *new* Christmas Tree Farm pop-up by Brewer Christmas Tree Farm in Bond Square – along with plentiful opportunities to give back to the Watertown community, guests can enjoy a packed schedule of seasonal activities and entertainment. The festivities will kick off on Black Friday, November 25th with the unveiling of the pop-up Brewer’s Christmas Tree Farm in Bond Sq, where guests can immerse themselves in a forest of fresh, beautiful balsam-fraser hybrid fir trees and pick out the perfect one.

Around Town

See What’s Open & Closed on Christmas in Watertown

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Most government offices, retail stores and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day, but a few will remain open for at least part of the day. Get some coffee, a bite to eat, or visit a pharmacy or convenience store. Government

State and Federal offices: Closed

City Hall: Closed

Library: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Mass. RMV: Closed

Retailers

Most will be closed, but can be open at owner’s discretion. Liquor Stores: Closed

Most CVS stores will be open on Christmas but hours may vary.

Transportation

Travel Tips for People Driving, Using Public Transportation During the Holidays

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for the holiday travel period in the coming weeks. Traffic volumes and public transportation are anticipated to be higher than normal. 

Drivers and public transportation ridership customers should use available real-time tools and resources for current travel conditions on major roadways such as dialing 511, visiting www.mass511.com or using the GoTime mobile app, and check MBTA schedule information available at mbta.com/holidays and the weather forecast before leaving home. “During this holiday season, we are reminding drivers to expect more people traveling by car, public transportation, and in airports and to plan for any trips by checking conditions ahead of time and building in extra time,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “Make sure to drive sober and hands free, follow speed limits, and be patient as more people return to traveling this season.”

The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no construction work on major arterial roadways from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 24, 2021, through the normal start of business at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021, and from 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022. In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021, and on Thursday, December 30, 2021.

Around Town

Temporary Suspension of Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban Over the Holidays

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Clipartpanda.com

The Watertown Police Department announced a temporary suspension of enforcement of the overnight parking ban over the holidays. The City sent out the following announcement:

Effective December 23, 2021, enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will be temporarily suspended – barring any snowfall that would require plowing or sanding. Should there be a snow event please refer to the City website for available off-street parking locations. 

Police Chief Michael Lawn encourages all homeowners to continue using available off-street parking during the overnight hours. Enforcement of the All Night Parking Ban will resume on January 3, 2022.  

Have a safe and healthy holiday season.

Entertainment

Watch Perkins School’s Students Perform in the Annual Holiday Concert

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Students at Perkins School for the Blind sang in the annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 16. Perkins School for the Blind held its annual Holiday Concert on Dec. 16, and if you missed it (or want to catch it again), the concert can be viewed online. The school included the following message with the concert announcement:

“Every year, our student musicians perform beautiful choral and instrumental works, showcasing the ways music can be accessible for all.