Around Town

Art Exhibit and Performances to Celebrate Women’s Voices at Mosesian Center for the Arts

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“Woman’s Work” by Stephanie Todhunter is part of an exhibition at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. (Contributed Photo)

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

The Mosesian Center for the Arts at the Arsenal in Watertown has programmed a collection of events celebrating the talents and voices of women in both visual and performing arts. Feminist Art: Contemporary Perspectives opens as a gallery exhibition on March 22 and runs through May 3. SheGrooves: Using Our Voices for Positive Change (March 27), Lil Bit of (Almost) Everything Comedy Showcase (April 12), and Melodies of Ukraine with the Women’s Bandura Ensemble of North America (April 14) are three related events taking the Mosesian Arts stages during the exhibition dates. Feminist Art: Contemporary Perspectives

There is a long line of artists who have created feminist art — Judy Chicago, Faith Wildling, Ana Mendieta, Louise Bourgeois, Barbara Kruger, Betye Saar, Lorna Simpson, and many more. Their work continues to be relevant today as women and other marginalized genders are facing the same issues of oppressive body politics. 

Restriction and lack of reproductive rights were some of the issues addressed by feminist artists in the 1970’s, and reproductive justice issues have had a particularly devastating impact on Black and Indigenous communities. Artists in this exhibition are grappling with the same issues and injustices because of conservative and oppressive polices created in recent years. 

The present-day resurgence in feminist art, as well as an interest in its history and connection to current intersectional feminist political and art activism, has opened a re-examination of themes of the body, particularly the bodies of women and trans individuals, and how it is viewed.

Entertainment

Singers from American Idol & Britain’s Got Talent Performing in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by ON3 Events:

Prepare for an unforgettable musical experience as Jack and Tim, the dynamic duo from Britain’s Got Talent, are set to grace the stage alongside the sensational Casey Bishop from Season 19 of American Idol. The Boston area is in for a treat as these extraordinary artists come together for two exclusive performances. Watertown Show Details:

Date: April 25, 2025Venue: The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the ArtsAddress: 321 Arsenal St, WatertownTime: 8 PMSpecial Guest: Casey BishopSpecial Local Guest: TBA

Ashland Show Details:

Date: April 26, 2025Venue: Marconi’s Co Event Center / Ashland VFWAddress: 311 Pleasant Street, AshlandTime: 8 PM Special Guest: Casey BishopSpecial Local Guest: Steve & Mike Spector

Both shows promise an evening filled with outstanding performances and surprises that will leave the audience in awe. In addition to the incredible talent of Jack, Tim, Casey Bishop, and local guests, the shows will contribute to the support of performing arts programs at the respective venues. Ticket Information:

Tickets can be purchased at www.jackandtimmusic.com or www.on3events.com

Benefiting the Arts:

Proceeds from these shows will directly benefit the performing arts programs at The Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown and the Ashland Community Theatre Program.

Entertainment

Watertown High School Musical, “Working,” Takes the Mosesian Center Stage This Weekend

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For two nights and one afternoon, Watertown High School students will bring Working: A Musical to the stage at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. “This year’s spring musical will take place on March 1st and March 2nd at 7 p.m. and March 3rd at 2 p.m. All shows will take place at the Dorothy and Charles Mosesian Center for the Arts at 321 Arsenal Street,” the announcement from the school said. General admission is $10 and Watertown Students are free. 

Working is based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with American workers, and paints a vivid portrait of the workers that the world so often takes for granted. The original production was nominated for six Tony Awards, and features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, James Taylor, Micki Grant, and more.

Entertainment

Lovefool Returns to Mosesian Center for the Arts, Also Features 4 Opening Comedians

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

This February, NYC-based queer actor and comic Michael John Ciszewski returns to Boston with his third solo show LOVEFOOL to celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with two performances at Watertown’s Mosesian Center for the Arts after a smash 2023 tour that filled houses from comedy clubs to Pride festivals across the northeast with big gay joy. The show is co-created and produced with Brian Dudley and directed by Noah Simes. Following packed performances in New York City (Asylum NYC, Pete’s Candy Store, QED Astoria), Jersey City (Jersey City Theater Center), Provincetown (Redroom), Providence (Fletcher House), Philadelphia (Yellow Bicycle Theatre), and Boston (Rockwell & New Rep), the LOVEFOOL team is thrilled to bring their “celebration of queer love” back to the community that raised them for the third year running! LOVEFOOL is a dazzling and deliciously silly romp through flings, flirtations, and first loves that brims with heart and hilarity. You’ve heard of LOVE before …

Around Town

Hear How Watertown is Tackling the Growing Problem of Hunger at a Live Roundtable Discussion

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After the ceiling collapsed in the church that hosts the Watertown Food Pantry, pickup was moved outside for several weeks. (Photo by Kathy Cunningham)

A lack of food has long been a problem for some Watertown residents, but the number of people worried about going hungry increased during the Pandemic and the numbers have only declined slightly in the past few years. On Feb. 12, Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television will host a live discussion with some of the people working on the problem of food insecurity in town. The Watertown Food Pantry has seen the number of families served each week double from pre- to post-pandemic.

Entertainment

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

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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.

Entertainment

LOVEFOOL Returns to the Mosesian Center for the Valentine’s Day Weekend

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Michael John Ciszewski returns to the Boston area with his third solo show LOVEFOOL to celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with two performances at Watertown’s
Mosesian Center for the Arts. The following announcement was provided by the Mosesian Center for the Arts:

This February, NYC-based queer actor and comic Michael John Ciszewski returns to Boston with his third solo show LOVEFOOL to celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with two performances at Watertown’s Mosesian Center for the Arts after a smash 2023 tour that filled houses from comedy clubs to Pride festivals across the northeast with big gay joy. The show is co-created and produced with Brian Dudley and directed by Noah Simes. Following packed performances in New York City (Asylum NYC, Pete’s Candy Store, QED Astoria), Jersey City (Jersey City Theater Center), Provincetown (Redroom), Providence (Fletcher House), Philadelphia (Yellow Bicycle Theatre), and Boston (Rockwell & New Rep), the LOVEFOOL team is thrilled to bring their “celebration of queer love” back to the community that raised them for the third year running! LOVEFOOL is a dazzling and deliciously silly romp through flings, flirtations, and first loves that brims with heart and hilarity.

Around Town

Tradition of Giving Gifts to Kids in Need That was Started by Former Watertown Police Officer, Continues Today

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Toys collected for the Whooley Foundation during a recent drive. Pictured, from left, Rotary Club President Kim Severino, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Doug Orifice, Whooley Foundation President David Collins, Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian, and Mosesian Center for the Arts Executive Director Darren Farrington. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Every year, days before Christmas, toys donated from around the community fill the Community Room at the Watertown Police Station in preparation to be distributed to families in need around the community. The drive is organized by the Sonny Whooley Foundation, named for a former Watertown Police officer known for his generosity, said David Collins, president of the Whooley Foundation. Over the years, the Whooley Foundation has helped thousands of families, Collins said.