Entertainment

Revels Hosting Auditions for 2023 Midwinter Performances

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The following information was provided by Watertown-based Revels:

Come sing with Revels! Audition sign-ups for the 2023 Midwinter Revels adult chorus are now open, and we are excited to hear performers of all ages (18+), backgrounds, and experience levels. Most important in our auditionees is a passion for singing – Revels cast members are people who love to sing, who sing vigorously and accurately with a good sense of rhythm, and who can hold their own part in a choral context. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text are. 

Auditions will take place on Friday, June 2, from 4 – 8 PM and Saturday, June 3, from 10 AM – 8 PM at the Belmont Methodist Church (421 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478) and on Sunday, June 4, from 10 AM – 5 PM at Central Square Theater (450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA). Auditionees will be asked to prepare two short songs and learn a group number, and will be given the opportunity to learn choreography at the audition, should they be interested in dancing in the show.

Schools

Musicians Wanted for Friends of Watertown Music MusicFest

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Friends of Watertown Music is excited to announce the return of MusicFest! Come see local musicians and enjoy the musical instrument petting zoo on Friday April 28 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Watertown Middle School. All proceeds benefit music programs in Watertown schools. MUSICIANS! Please sign up to participate using the QR code or go to https://watertownmusic.org/ to sign up.

Entertainment

City Gauging Interest in Restaurants, Businesses Hosting Live Performances

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Ken TibertWatertown is looking at whether restaurants and businesses want to host live music and performances. Pictured here, Southern Rail. The City of Watertown has joined with the Watertown Business Coalition to find out how much interest local restaurants and businesses have in hosting live performances. Watertown Public Arts & Culture Planner Liz Helfer sent out the following survey announcement:

I want to share an exciting new initiative in Watertown. The Watertown Business Coalition and the Public Arts & Culture Committee are gauging interest for live performances in Watertown with the goal of encouraging opportunities for businesses and musical artists to collaborate. The team behind this initiative is digging into local ordinances and permitting processes to determine how best to assist businesses in bringing performers to their space.

Entertainment

Pianist Performing Benefit Concert for Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund

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Pianist John Kramer will perform at Watertown’s First Parish Church on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will benefit the Helen Robinson Wright Charitable Fund. The concert features music written by Black composers, including Florence Price, William Grant Still, Nathaniel Dett, Margeret Bonds, and Louis Mareau Gottschalk. Kramer is a performer, composer and arranger who has played throughout the United States and in France. He is the music director at Winchester Unitarian Society and is a member of the Berklee College of Music faculty. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church is located at 35 Church St.

Entertainment

More Artists Added to New Rep’s Love Weekend Concert

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The following information was provided by New Repertory Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre (New Rep) announced more artists performing in The Love Sampler afternoon shows, part of Valentine’s Love Weekend on Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12, at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown.   

The hour-long Love Sampler, on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, celebrates love from different cultures and perspectives, showcasing theater and music from a variety of remarkable local talent, including: 

Terri Deletetsky and Maria Hendricks come together with an amazing musical collaboration which aims to reclaim our spiritual spaces. 

Valerie Stephens returns to the stage; this time In her role as actress writer storyteller. Here I Am is a solo moment of truth about aging with a little myth-busting in the process. 

Michael John Ciszewski will be sharing a portion of his third solo show, The Lovefool.  

Following The Love Sampler, internationally-acclaimed,pianist/keyboardistand multi-instrumentalist Yukihiro Kanesaka presents tributes to two of the most soulful, artistic voices of our time, by two of the Boston area’s greatest vocal talents:  

Donny Hathaway, featuring Leon Beal Jr. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. and 

Roberta Flack, featuring Athene Wilson on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 for the Saturday afternoon shows, and $25 for the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon shows. They are on sale now and can be purchased online at: newrep.org. 

ALSO COMING UP AT NEW REP: The Normal Heart, June 21 – July 9, A Raisin in the Sun, September 6 – October 1 in repertory with DIASPORA! September 13 – October 15. 

For more information or interviews with the artists or members of the New Rep artistic team, please contact: mariabasescu@newrep.org or 802-380-7028. 

About New Repertory Theatre

New Repertory Theatre (New Rep) has been an award-winning professional theatre company for 38 years, staging productions and events that speak to the vital ideas of our time. New Rep is emerging from the pandemic with a renewed commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and accountability (IDEAA) infusing every aspect of the company’s work as it seeks to build community collaborations and give voice to the diverse interests of those communities. 

More information on New Repertory Theatre at www.newrep.org. 

Around Town

Watertown Doctor & Singers Carol for Patients at Local Hospital on Christmas

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The Cardiotonics performed for patients at Brigham & Women’s Hospital on Christmas. Among those sharing the cheer was Watertown’s Dr. Thomas Michel, who played his accordion. Patients at Brigham and Women’s Hospital received some Christmas cheer this year when a group of carolers paid them a visit, including a doctor from Watertown. Thomas Michel is a familiar face, and voice, to visitors of the Watertown Free Public Library in warmer months. He often gathers fellow musicians on his porch (which overlooks the parking lot) on weekends for a good song.

Entertainment

New Rep Presents Pair of Concerts for “Love Weekend”

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New Rep’s Love Weekend features Yukihiro Kanesaka, Leon Beal Jr., and Althene Wilson. The concerts will feature the music of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack. New Repertory Theatre (New Rep) is proud to present Love Weekend, a theatrical stage experience, on Saturday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Stage Theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown.   

Internationally-acclaimed pianist/keyboardist and multi-instrumentalis Yukihiro Kanesaka will headline this Valentine’s Day event, celebrating love in tributes to two of the most soulful, artistic voices of our time, by two of the Boston area’s greatest vocal talents:  

Donny Hathaway, featuring Leon Beal Jr. on Saturday, Feb. 11, and 

Roberta Flack, featuring Athene Wilson on Sunday, Feb. 12 

Born in Japan, Yukihiro Kanesaka moved to Boston in 2000 to attend Berklee College of Music, where he is now an assistant professor.

Entertainment

Perkins School’s Holiday Concert Available Live & Remotely

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Perkins School for the BlindPerkins School for the Blind students will perform two holiday concerts in 2022. The following announcement was provided by Perkins School for the Blind:

As the holiday season approaches, we are excited to invite you and your families to attend one or both of our upcoming holiday concerts this December in person and virtually. Sunday, December 11 at 4:30 p.m. (In person)Tuesday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. (In person and virtual)No RSVP is required.Please note that guests are asked to wear a mask and ensure they are not experiencing any of these symptoms before arriving on campus. You can view the full guidelines on our website. We’re delighted to welcome our community back to campus to what’s always been a highly-anticipated and simply awesome annual performance by our students.