The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. Mar. 21 for the Mar. 24 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
Frederick Law Olmsted’s 195th Birthday, April 26, 6-8pm. First Church Unitarian Universalist Jamaica Plain, Eliot and Centre Streets. Wheelchair accessible. Call for action to protect and preserve parks and open spaces. Info: www.olmsted2022.org, 524-7070, [email protected].
Fundraiser for reopened JP branch library, May. 5, 7-9:30pm. Sneak peek at new renovation and raise funds for the teen area, makerspace, and the art gallery. www.friendsjplibrary.org. Tickets $100/person, includes entertainment, gourmet hor’doeuvres, and 2 complimentary drinks.
Tropical Fiesta, after 7 years, Tropical Fiesta is coming back on March 11; Produced by La Pinata and Beantown Society to raise funds in order to keep the programs going. Enjoy the scenery and music by DJ Jeffrey, Charleston Sarjeant on the Steel Pan, and Kalifa & Koliba, as well as art making for families and food and drinks for sale. Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St.
Brewery Samples, Join us at Bella Luna on Wed 3.15 From 7 to 9PM to sample brews from 6 local craft breweries, enjoy bacon & bourbon infused bites, as well as a bourbon tasting station provided by Michter’s Distillery Whiskey…if you haven’t been to one of our Craftacular’s yet, this is the one for you! $20 all inclusive! 21+,Music by DJ J-Wall. Breweries: Samuel Adams, Two Roads Brewing Company, Somerville Brewing – Slumbrew, Newburyport Brewing Co., Allagash Brewing Company, Bantam Cider.
JPNDC’s Friendraiser, Thurs. Apr. 13, 6:30-8:30pm, Bella Luna / Milky Way, 284 Amory St. Free, with pizza, drinks, photo booth, board games, music, raffles, and opportunity to make a difference in your community.
Party in the Park, Weds. May 17, Pinebank Promontory, 350 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Pond. 11:00 am – Reception, 12:30 pm – Luncheon. Boston’s most generous philanthropists and park supporters will be in full force at the 2017 Party in the Park, widely considered the city’s “Must Attend Fundraiser.” More than 700 women (and a few brave gents, including Honorary Chair and past attendee, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh), mingle under a tent on the picturesque grounds overlooking Jamaica Pond wearing their finest millinery. Individual tickets are $650; sponsorships are also available. For more information, please visit www.emeraldnecklace.org/party-in-the-park.
Music/art
Eliot St. Soiree, Jay Mankita and Dean Stevens, Fri. Mar. 24, 7:30pm, First Church UU, 6 Eliot St. 942-0716. $15 advance, $20 at the door.
World Jazz Group Natraj, hosted by JP Concerts. Held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1 Roanoke Ave. Tickets $15, $10 students, $5 St. John’s members. Mar. 11.
Book release celebration, release of Gustaf Berger’s first novel “Death Postponed.” Reading and signing, trivia, refreshments, cash bar, wild time. Tres Gatos, 470 Centre St. Sun. Apr. 9, 3-4:30pm.
Events at Libreria Donceles at 29 Germania St. (Urbano project). Resistioke, SAT. MAR. 11, 12:00-2:00PM, Sing together, resist fear, welcome all – Resistioke! is live-band, group karaoke with a twist: We’ll be singing (with you!) pop tunes that respond to our politically divisive times. Hosted by ResistArts. Printmaking workshop with AS220, SAT. MAR. 18, 3:00-6:00PM Join Providence-based Artist and AS220 Artistic Director Shey Rivera, along with AS220 Youth Artists for an activism and silkscreening workshop. AS220 is an artist-run organization committed to providing an unjuried and uncensored forum for the arts for its surrounding communities.
Story Slam, at Doyle’s 3484 Washington St. Sun. Mar. 19, 7pm, doors at 6:30pm. $10 admission. Theme is “red flag.” Info: mass-story.com.
China Fox mixtape release party, Mar. 23, 10pm-1am at Bella Luna & The Milky Way Lounge. Free with suggested donation.
Chapter and Verse Literary Reading Series, Fri. Mar. 10, 7:30pm, Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. $5 Suggested Donation or whatever you can afford. Info: Jamaicapondpoets.com.
Midway Café, all shows 21+, doors 8pm, 3496 Washington St, 524-9038. Thursdays are Queeraoke lesbian night; Fridays 6-8:30pm are Hippie Hour, free; Sundays 9pm-2am are open mic.
Book reading, 3/18: Papercuts will host National Book Award nominee Jim Shepard (THE WORLD TO COME) and debut novelist Julie Lekstrom Himes (MIKHAIL AND MARGARITA) for a reading and Q&A at La Rana Rossa (154 Green Street) at 7 pm. Tickets are $5 in-store or inline at papercutsjp.com/events.
Old time music, Southern/roots music, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7.30pm, back room at Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: [email protected].
First Fridays Youth Open Mic with renowned feature artists, first Friday of every month, 7pm at First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. Free for performers and those under 25, $10 suggested donation for those 25 and over.
SongBeat Circle, a song & drum circle hosted monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30p.m. in the Parish Hall at First Church in Jamaica Plain. Facilitated by a board-certified music therapist, SongBeat provides the community surrounding JP a place to sing and drum together. Participants will hopefully gain a sense of connection with others, experience the healing of live music-making, and find some joy in their busy lives. All ages welcome. Donation of $5 to $10 is encouraged. No musical experience or talent required. Info: [email protected], 524-1634 or 775-7602.
Dance
West African dance classes, taught by Zucan, a principal dancer with the Drum and Spirit of African Society. Mondays, 7:30-9pm, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: 359-1552.
Gender-Free/English Country Dance, beginners welcome and encouraged. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays (5th Tuesdays: experienced) of the month, 7:30-11:30pm, First Church, 6 Eliot St. Info: www.lcfd.org/bgfe/512-5554.
Youth/Families
SPRING RENEWAL CLAY WORKSHOP Apr. 5, 12, 19, 26, from 5:30 –7:30pm with light supper at 5:30pm provided FREE OF CHARGE by Jamaica Plain-based Families Creating Together at Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St., Roxbury. For directions go to www.uuum.org or call 318-6010. With celebrated teaching artist Wendy Ellertson, you will work with clay to make coil, pinch pot, or slab containers to plant seeds and bulbs and hold spring flowers! A few clay creatures may appear…After firing, paint with colorful glazes to welcome spring. Children (ages 5 – 13 with and without disabilities), parents, grandparents and friends welcome. Presented in English, Spanish and American Sign Language upon request. Wheelchair accessible. FCT is a program of Community Service Care/Tree of Life Coalition in Jamaica Plain. To register and for more information call 522-4832 or email [email protected]. SPACE IS LIMITED so register today! Info: www.familiescreatingtogether.org.
Ready to take control of your future? Are you a Boston resident between the ages of 18 and 24? Know someone who is? JPNDC is hosting a new free three week course for young adults looking to get their education and career on track. Classes start Mar. 14.
Club Girls Rock Campaign Boston, for girls grades 7-12. Workshops, instrument instruction, jam sessions, and more. Wednesdays 3:30-6:30pm at Spontaneous Celebrations Jan-May. Info: girlsrockboston.org/programs/club-grcb.
BNBL Pee-Wee Basketball, boys and girls ages 6-10, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Franklin Park. Info: franklinparkcoalition.org.
Tiny Tots World Music and Movement, music classes for kids age 2-5 by Helder Tsinine, Mondays 11-11:45am; Saturdays, 10-10:45am, $17 per class or $90 for 6 weeks, Egleston YMCA, 3134 Washington St. Info: [email protected].
Family art class, wheelchair accessible, Tuesdays 10:30am-11:30am, ages 3-5. Tuesdays, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5+. Family Resource Center, 1542 Columbus Ave. Info: 522-1018.
Learn to stiltwalk with Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Sundays, 11am-1pm, $5. Info: 857-498-2438.
Connolly Branch Library
433 Centre St., 522-1960, www.bpl.org.
Homework Help Programs, Boston Public School teacher: Mondays, 4 – 6 p.m.
High school mentors for grades K – 8: Mondays – Thursdays, 3:30 –
5:30 p.m.
Spanish-English Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español, Saturdays / sábados, 12 – 1:45 p.m.
Egleston Square Branch Library,
2044 Columbus Ave., 445-4340.
Free Drop-In Homework Help, Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm, ongoing. Free, drop-in afterschool homework help for students in grades K-8, provided by trained, high-achieving high school students.
Preschool Storytime & Craft
Tuesdays, March 14 & 21, 10:30-11:30am, Join the children’s librarian for stories, songs, activities, and a craft related to a different theme each week. For children ages 2-4, accompanied by a caregiver. Siblings and groups are welcome.
Art Play, Tues. Mar. 14 & 21, 3:30-5:30pm. Create freestyle, three-dimensional art and construction projects with a new set of surprise materials every week in this drop-in program. Your imagination is the limit! For children ages 5 and up.
Kids Cook, Thurs., Mar. 16, 4-5pm. Measure, mix, cook, and enjoy. Children learn to read directions and work together to create simple, tasty dishes. For children ages 6-12. Note: Supplies are limited. Sign up in advance to secure your spot. Inform the librarian in advance if your child has any food restrictions.
Baby/Toddler Music Time, Fridays, March 10, 17 & 24, 10:30am
Sing, dance, read, and play in these interactive musical storytime, followed by a play group. For children ages 6-24 months and their caregivers.
Food & Book Club: Americanah, Weds. Mar. 15, 6:30-7:30pm. This month we will discuss Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie, and share Nigerian food inspired by the book. Book club & pot luck together. Pick up your copy of the book, with recipe possibilities, from the library. Sign-up encouraged.
Classes/talks
Stonybrook Fine Arts, teen & adult classes in welding, foundry and mold-making ongoing, 24 Porter St. Info: stonybrookfinearts.com.
Life and Death in Colonial Times – Open House, Sun. Apr. 2nd, 12:00 to 3:00 pm, Loring Greenough House 12 South Street, Jamaica Plain. Luncheon Buffet, Docent Tours, Talk by Judy Chevarley. Free for members; $10.00 for non-members, become a member on day of event and attend free. Info:. [email protected] 524-3158.
A Quiet Season Jaunt, Mar. 25, hosted by Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site and Franklin Park Coalition. Guided walk by National Park Service Ranger Mark D. Swartz thru Franklin Park 1-2:30pm. An optional walk through Franklin Park Zoo to look at some of the original infrastructure will take place at the end of the walk through the park. SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] to register for event.
The Boston Irish, Explore the 19th and 20th century people and institutions that were founded by and for Irish immigrants and their descendants. Sun. Mar. 19 at 2pm, Forest Hills Cemetery, Forsyth Chapel, 95 Forest Hills Ave. $10 advance, $12 at door.
Contribution of Women’s Clubs in Boston, Tues. Mar. 28 at 6:30pm and Tues. Apr. 4 at 6:30pm (programs are identical). Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. Free and open to the public.
Tea: The First Wicked Weed, Tues. Mar. 14, 7-9pm at Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. $10 admission.
Community Arts Music Program for Seniors, Curtis Hall, 20 South St., Fridays 10:30-noon. Info: 983-3638.
Meet-Ups
Support For Vegetarian/Vegan Lifestyles, 2nd and 4th Fridays at Spontaneous Celebrations 6:30-8, see movies, enjoy potlucks, discuss scientific research, swap recipes and discuss challenges. Info: [email protected].
Narratives Boston, queer activist-writers group open to LGBTQ-identified adults interested in creative expression and social justice, first and third Wednesday evenings of the month, 7-9pm, Haymarket People’s Fund, 42 Seaverns Ave. Info: [email protected].
Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St., 522-1960. Spanish/English language exchange, Saturdays, noon-1:45pm. ESL conversation groups, Mondays 6:30pm, Thursdays, 2:30pm.
Party for the Helping Hand Fund, hosted by Haymarket People’s Fund, every 3rd Friday of the month, 5:30-8pm, 42 Seaverns Ave. Info: 522-3349/[email protected].