The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. Apr. 11 for the Apr. 14 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].
Harvest Community Celebration, Fri. Apr. 7 thru Sun. Apr. 9. At Harvest Co-op at 3815 Washington St. in JP. Fri. – complimentary reception featuring jazz, wine, and cheese. Saturday samples all day and conversation with Board of Directors at noon.
Night for Nurtury, On behalf of our Board of Directors and Event Chair, Peter C. Pedro Jr., please join us for our 3rd Annual Night for Nurtury. Together let’s RISE for an occasion to celebrate the power of early education and care and the collective impact that our work is having on Greater Boston’s children and their families. You can count on great networking, amazing food, live entertainment by Elevation Theory, an art auction, and games. Nurtury Learning Lab, 33 Bickford St. Thurs. May 11 6-9pm.
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.
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.
Bikes not Bombs Bike-a-thon, Sun. June 4, 100 mile ride leaves in the AM, festival goes 12-5:30pm, park across from Stony Brook MBTA station, 100 Boylston St. Three other ride offerings (10, 30, or 50 miles). Adults raise at least $150 and riders under 17 must raise $75 to ride. Register today.
Fundraising Dinner and Auction, Apr. 8, 6pm, $50 per person. Call 524-3992. Proceeds towards First Baptist JP.
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.
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.
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.
Fundraiser for JP Music Festival, PERSISTING, songs written by women. Midway Café, Sat. Apr. 8, 9pm-1am. 21+, $10. Raffle and food.
Home for Little Wanderers Fundraiser, Local author Randy Susan Meyers is doing a benefit event/book launch party at Bella Luna in JP. Weds. Apr. 12 at 7pm.
Urbano Project events at Libreria Donceles. Events thru end of April. Info www.urbanoproject.org or 983-1007.
The Haven, events on Mar. 24 and 25, Lars Vegas at 9:30pm on Fri., Scottish Fiddles Brunch 12-3pm on Sun.
Old time music, Southern/roots music, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7.30pm, back room at Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: [email protected].
Chapter and Verse Literary Reading Series, Fri. Apr. 7 at 7:30pm at Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. Feat. Nicole Dutton, Grey Held, Jennifer Markell. Suggested donation $5. Info: email [email protected] or call 325-8388.
First Thursday Art Show: Carl Ristaino, a Boston area artist, will be displaying his work all throughout April at Focus Real Estate. His vibrantly colored paintings invoke a sense of movement and magic on each canvas. You can meet the artist himself on Thurs. Apr. 6 from 5-8pm at 34 South St.
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.
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.
Roberto Clemebte 21 Sports Program, now accepting applications for the 2017 Little League Baseball Season. For boys & girls ages 5-18 years old. Info: Contact Alfredo Liriano at 828-9524 or [email protected].
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.
Book Discussion about Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende. Mon. Mar. 27 at 7pm.
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, Mar. 28 & Apr. 4, 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. 28 & Apr. 4, 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.
Family Board Game Night, Weds. Apr. 5, 6-7:30pm. Let the library become your living room for a night of fun and competition. We’ll have games for ages 5 and up, and snacks to share. For children, teens, and their families.
Baby/Toddler Music Time, Fridays, Mar. 24 & 31, Apr. 7, 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.
Classes/talks
Pics in the Park, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department invite Boston residents to participate in the free Pics in the Parks photography workshop on Sun. Apr. 9 from 3-4 pm. Individuals of all ages and skill levels are welcome to bring their cameras and participate in these informal sessions led by a photography instructor. Participants will learn techniques for taking impressive photographs of Boston’s scenic parks as well as be given a theme to focus on. Select photos may be chosen for an exhibit at Boston City Hall. Jamaica Pond Bandstand, 507 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain. Information: www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment or www.boston.gov/parks. Participants must bring their own equipment and can register via email by contacting [email protected].
Arnold Arboretum Spring Events, many talks, guided tours, movie nights, lectures, and classes happening at the Arboretum this April and May. Info: Visit www.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 384-5209.
Stonybrook Fine Arts, teen & adult classes in welding, foundry and mold-making ongoing, 24 Porter St. Info: stonybrookfinearts.com.
General Joseph Warren: New Honors for a Timeless Patriot. Talk about the career of the Hero of Bunker Hill. Forest Hills Cemetery, Forsyth Chapel, 95 Forest Hills Ave. $10 advance tickets, $12 at door. April 9 at 2pm.
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.
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.
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].