Sights and Sounds, April 27, 2018

The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. May 8 for the May 11 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.

Special events

VA Boston Jamaica Plain Medical Center Open House & Veteran Town Hall, Thursday, May 10, 2018, Open House 3-6pm and Town Hall, 5:30-6:30pm

Where: VA Medical Center, 150 South Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain, MA

A Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council neighborhood election will be conducted on Saturday, April 28 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at JP Licks on Centre Street, Stop & Shop near Jackson Square, and Harvest Co-op Markets in Forest Hills. All JP residents (16 years and older) are encouraged to vote. More information at www.jpnc.org.

Suffolk County DA Candidate, Greg Henning Q&A / The Departed Screening. Saturday, April 28th – 6:00 p.m. (first come, first serve for seats) 23 Wenham St. JP, 02130

     Egelston Market Announces Spring/Summer Opening, Jamaica Plain’s local Farmers’ Market will kick off at the May 5th Wake Up the Earth Festival. The market will kick off on May 5th during the annual “Wake Up the Earth” festival and will continue May 12th with the official opening. Egelston vendors will be set up every Saturday thereafter from 10-2 at 31 Germania Street.

Derby Day & Drinks fundraiser at Loring Greenough House on Saturday, May 5, 2018, from 5pm to 8pm. Join us for a stylish soirée and delicious cocktails, as we watch the Kentucky Derby live. Early bird tickets are $60, and $75 at the door. All proceeds to benefit JP Centre/South Main Streets programs and events. Sponsored in part by Xfinity. Tickets are available online at derbydayanddrinks.eventbrite.com or you can call 617-942-2439 for more information.

City Life/Vida Urbana, a Jamaica Plain based housing justice organization, is celebrating 45 years. The event, Uprise, will feature multimedia installations about City Life’s decades of helping neighbors fight unjust evictions and displacement, as well as light food, speakers, a cash bar, a DJ, and much dancing. Saturday, May 19th, 6pm to 10pm at Melkite Cathedral, 7 VFW Parkway. Tickets available online at clvu.org/45th_anniversary_celebration.

         Have Fun Getting Ready to Wake Up The Earth May 5! Join Festival Arts Workshops at Spontaneous Celebrations (45 Danforth St.) Help create the art for this year’s Wake Up The Earth Spring Festival. Meet other people who are maintaining this 40-year tradition and give a helping hand! Festival Arts workshops include: Songs and Dances (from spring traditions around the world), Junk Percussion, Stilt Walking and Making Things for Parade and Festival (s.a.flags, puppets, banners, costumes) Saturdays between 1-4pm (April 14, 21, 28) Bilingual Parade Art Workshops by Festival artist Roxana: at 45 Danforth St: Monday, 4/31 and  Weds., 5/2, from 4 to 7. Also visit Martha Eliot Health Center, 5/3, 4- 5:30 pm, and look for workshops in your local Libraries.   All ages welcome! (Children under 8 with an adult) To schedule a Parade Art workshop at your school,($100+) call Mark, 857-498-2438.

Arts, music, and culture

Chapter and Verse Literary Reading Series, Fri. May 11, 7:30pm, Loring-Greenough House. 12 South St.

JP Jubilee, Singing our way to Longevity, Open the Window! A concert, directed by Elizabeth Anker with the music of Carole King, Leiber and Stroller, Mozard, Rogers and Hammerstein, and more. Audience sing-alongs! Sat. May 12 at 2pm at Hope Central Church, 85 Seaverns Ave, free parking across the street. Voluntary donations accepted to support the free voice class for elders.

Cookbook release, JP resident Leigh Belanger is set to launch her new cookbook, My Kitchen Chalkboard: Seasonal Menus for Modern New England Families at Papercuts J.P. on April 28 from 2-4 pm. The event will be part of a day of bookish festivities as Papercuts celebrates Independent Bookstore Day.

Library exhibition, During the months of May and June, a series of charming works by Boston-based painter Maureen O’Connor will be exhibited. Maureen O’Connor: Just Ducky is on view from May 4 through June 30, 2018, with a public reception to be held on Thursday, May 10, 5:30-7:30 PM. The library is open Monday-Wednesday 10-6, Thursday 12-8, and Friday-Saturday 9-5 (closed Sundays). The exhibition space is located on the lower level. Contact: [email protected], http://www.friendsjplibrary.org/.

From gallery to stage: The arts are alive in Jamaica Plain, Jamaica Plain Artists Association Spring Members Show. April 13 – May 3 at The Footlight Club: 7a Eliot Street. First Thursday Closing Reception: May 3, 6-8:30pm. Gallery hours: during Footlight performances, 6:30-8pm.

Jamaica Plain photographer Robin Radin is currently exhibiting her photographs at The Massachusetts State House (24 Beacon St., Boston, MA.) in State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez’s office, Rm 243. The exhibit will run through April 30th 2018. To arrange a visit to view the exhibit, please call Ryan Manganelli, Legislative Aide, State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at 617-722-2990, or Robin Radin at 617-312-2882. For over thirty-five years, Robin Radin has photographed both the cultural and natural landscape of her neighborhood in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. In the exhibit, “Landscapes and Streetscapes of Jamaica Plain,” Radin’s photographs capture both the brilliance of the landscapes of Franklin Park, Jamaica Pond, the Arnold Arboretum, and the Emerald Necklace parklands, and the vibrant, diverse street life of the commercial districts and community gathering places.

            8th Ferris Wheels Bike Shop Free Bike Movie Nights:  Free movies return to Curtis Hall Community Center at 20 South St., Jamaica Plain. Fri., April 27, Breaking Away: classic named the eighth best sports film by the American Film Institute in 2008. PG. Movies start at 6:30 pm.  Free.  Popcorn, juice and soda. Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, 66 South St., 617-524-BIKE.

Photography exhibit, New England’s wildlife is the theme of an upcoming photography exhibit at the Audubon Society’s Boston Nature Center in Mattapan. Local photographer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ben Achtenberg’s images, some of which have previously appeared in the Gazette, offer a close-up look at some of the beasts and birds who share the local environment with us, often unnoticed. The show continues through March and April. The Nature Center is open Monday-Friday from 9 am to 5 pm – on Saturday, Sunday, & Monday holidays, from 10 am to 4 pm. Directions are on the Center’s website: https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/directions

         JESUS DRINKS FREE! 1950s-70s country, gospel, soul and RnB spun by 2 atheists (and guests) @Jeanie Johnston 9pm-Close FREE

SOUL music & COUNTRY music. Foundational sounds of the American experience spun  monthly with love, admiration, and a deep want to create fun. Throw in a non-believer’s true lust for spinning GOSPEL music and you have JESUS DRINKS FREE. The music comes from the 1950s thru the 1970s. We’re @ The Jeanie Johnston Pub every 1st Thursday night of every month. Good times in Jamaica Plain.”

The Haven, HOOTENANNY – JP’s OPEN MIC EVERY WEDNESDAY, hosted by Tom Dowd. Sign up is 9.30pm and we have prizes every Wednesday for the most interesting acts. Scottish Fiddles- Sunday Brunch May 20th, June 17th, All times 9.30 – 12pm.

         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.

Jeanie Johnston Pub, 144 South St. Open Mic hosted by Tony Bluze, Sundays at 8pm. More events at jeaniejohnstonpub.com.

Bella Luna & The Milky Way Weekly events include; Irish Sessions every Sunday at 5pm. Off the Wall Mondays with DJ J-Wall at 6PM, 50% of wings with Stump Trivia to follow at 8PM. Teacher Tuesdays plus Dirty Water Saloon Line Dancing for queer folks and allies at 7PM.  Live jazz every Wednesday from at 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Visit www.milkywayjp.com for more late night events ever Thu-Sat.

Jamaica Plain photographer Robin Radin is currently exhibiting her photographs at The Massachusetts State House in State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez’s office, Rm 243. The exhibit will run through mid-April 2018. To arrange a visit to view the exhibit, please call Ryan Manganelli, Legislative Aide, State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at 617-722-2990, or Robin Radin at 617-312-2882.

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.

Multi-media performance and debut of Ife Franklin’s new biography of her great-grandmother, Willie Mae McCain, who was a slave. Sat. April 14, 5:00-7:00PM. Black Market, 2136 Washington Street in Dudley Square Roxbury

Dance and comedy

         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

         Roberto Clemente 21 Sports Program, accepting applications for the 2018 Little League Baseball Season. For boys & girls ages 6-16 years old. Info: Contact Alfredo Liriano at 828-9524 or [email protected].

         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.

Children’s Films, Short, fun films for preschoolers. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Egleston Square Branch Library

Youth Programs

Free Drop-In Homework Help
Mondays-Thursdays, 3:30-5:30pm
The library provides free, drop-in afterschool homework help for students in grades K-8 throughout the school year. Help is provided by trained, high-achieving high school students. This program is available at locations across Boston on days that Boston Public Schools are in session. The full list of locations is online at www.bpl.org/homework.

Chess Time
Mondays, April 30 & May 7, and ongoing, 4:45-5:45
Have you always wanted to learn to play chess? Would you like to improve your game? Ever thought about competing in tournaments? Join Edward Sumpter in Chess Time once a week for basic lessons, common strategies, chess notation, and lots of other fun and useful habits that will make you a better player and a better student. For ages 7 and up.

Preschool Storytime & Craft
Tuesdays, May 1 & 8, and ongoing, 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.

Baby/Toddler Music Time
Fridays, April 27, May 4 & 11, and ongoing, 10:30am
Sing, dance, read, and play in these interactive musical storytimes, followed by a play group. For children ages 6-24 months and their caregivers.

LEGO Club
Tuesday, May 1, 4-5pm
Build LEGO structures around different themes. For children ages 4-12.

Kids Cooking with Miss Debbie
Wednesday, May 2, 4:30-5:30pm
Join us as we bake and cook a variety of appetizers, entrees, desserts, and side dishes from scratch using fresh and often local organically grown ingredients. We try new foods and learn the importance of a healthy diet. Kids develop skills in math, reading, science, nutrition, and cultural awareness while they work cooperatively with others. For children ages 6-12.

Comic-Making Workshop
Wednesday, May 9, 5:45-7:45pm
Jonathan Todd, a comic book author and organizer of the Boston Kids Comics Fest, teaches young artists how to identify key elements of a story, break down scenes into panels, and letter, pencil, and ink a page. Light refreshments will be served. For youth ages 8 and up. Call or visit the library to register.

Adult Programs

Computer Course for Seniors with Tech Goes Home
Fridays, May 4 & 11, and ongoing, 10-11:30
Tech Goes Home strives to ensure that all residents of Greater Boston are equipped with the tools, training, and access to support 21st century skill development. In these classes built specifically for seniors, we will help you acquire 21st Century technology skills, get connected to the Internet, and learn about available online resources in your community. Participants who complete 15 hours of training will also be eligible to purchase a $50 Chromebook. Preregistration recommended.

ESL Conversation Group
Saturdays, April 28 & May 5, and ongoing, 10-11:30am
Practice speaking English with other adult ESL learners and new English speakers in an informal and friendly group setting. Groups are led by a native English speaker. If you have questions about these groups, please call 617.859.2446 or email [email protected].

Tours/talks/workshops

Enjoying Forest Hills: Walking Tour of a Spectacular 19th Century Cemetery. Saturday, May 12 @ 2 PM.

Fighting Fracking, On Tuesday, May 15th, you are invited to an evening with community leaders from the Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania, at the other end of the fracked gas pipelines that connect to Massachusetts. Families, landowners, and whole communities there have been deeply impacted by intensive development of fracking wells and facilities, and their struggle connects directly with our use of fossil fuels in the Northeast. Pennsylvania activists sharing their powerful stories include:

Lois Bjornson, Craig Leland Stevens, Brian Latkanich, Jane Worthington. May 15 at 7pm – 9pm at First Church Unitarian Universalist, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain.

Dismantling White Supremacy White Film Series, Friday, April 27th | 7:30 PM. First Chuch JP| 6 Eliot Street. RSVP on Facebook and invite your friends! 13th is a 2016 American documentary by director Ava DuVernay. The film explores the “intersection of race, justice and mass incarceration in the United States; it is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which freed the slaves and prohibited slavery (unless as punishment for a crime). DuVernay contends that slavery has been perpetuated in practices since the end of the American Civil War through such actions as criminalizing behavior and enabling police to arrest poor freedmen and force them to work for the state under convict leasing; suppression of African Americans by disenfranchisement, lynchings and Jim Crow; politicians declaring a war on drugs that weigh more heavily on minority communities and, by the late 20th century, mass incarceration of people of color in the United States. For more information: [email protected] or [email protected].

What is Christian Science Anyway? A free public talk on Thurs. May 17 at 7:30pm. First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St. Jamaica Plain. 617-318-6381. [email protected] Questions welcome!

JPNDC has seven free classes about family financial skills, small business problem solving, business planning, and becoming a leader. Info at jpndc.org.

Stonybrook Fine Arts, Make Your Own Wedding Rings workshop and teen & adult classes in welding, foundry and mold-making, ongoing, 24 Porter St. Info: stonybrookfinearts.com.

Woodworking, sewing, art classes, fiber arts, photography, book arts. Children, teens, adults, year round. Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts, 24 Eliot St. Info: eliotschool.org or 524-3313.

Shim Gum Do (Mind Sword Path), zen sword, karate and meditation classes, scholarships available, Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Info: 429-8024/[email protected].

Meet-Ups

         Book Group to discuss Donut Economics, a book by Kate Raworth. The book is a wonderful way to re-imagine an economic model which includes what is conventionally called externalities within the structure of the model.  In other words Kate, a development economist at Oxfam, challeges the assumptions and models invented by Paul Samuelson which sees pollution as the by-product of a mode of extraction and production of wealth which does not fall within an economist’s province untless they can monetarize it. She builds on a book, Plenitude, by Juliet Schorr which some some of us have read, and which presents a devastating critique to how economists currently evaluate an economy.  Juliet predicts it will take a generation for the science of economics to build new models which encompass the health of the planet.  Kate Raworth’s book is a serious effort at creating such a model. We will meet for 2 hours  Sundays from 4 – 6:00 once a month starting March 18.  Please RSVP to me, [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].

         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].

Networking Group, local chapter of BNI, meets on Wednesdays at the Farnsworth House at 7am. Consists of 30 members of different professions. Through development and trust and relationships amongst the members, objective is to promote each other’s businesses. Members may live outside of JP, but common tie is either living in or servicing the JP area. Info: President of chapter Katelyn Atwater, info: 431-0929.

[This article has been updated.]

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