The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. June 19 for the June 22 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
Kite & Bike Festival, June 9, 2018 @ 7:00 am – 12:00 pm, Franklin Park Golf Course, 1 Circuit Dr. The Annual FPC Kite & Bike Festival is held on the Franklin Park Golf Course. Come fly kites, ride your bike (we’ll have mechanics from Bikes Not Bombs on site), and enjoy food from one of Boston’s food trucks! Read more about the Kite & Bike Festival at http://www.franklinparkcoalition.org/event/kite-bike-festival/.
Catch and Release with Boston Police, Kids’ Fishing Derby at Jamaica Pond, June 30 rain or shine, Check in at 7:30-8:45 am, Derby 9am – 1pm. Register at Eventbrite. Search: Boston Police Fishing Derby. Info: 343-5623.
GIANT YARD SALE and CAR WASH: To benefit the South Street Youth Center. Saturday June 16, 10am-2pm, 125 South Street, Jamaica Plain.
Thursday on the Lawn, Join us on Thursday, June 21st at the Loring Greenough House as we showcase 40+ members of the local JP business community during Thursdays on the Lawn. Food trucks including Melt and Bon Me will be there as well as a bounce house, live music, a raffle and prizes! The winners of the Love Your Local… contest will also be announced at the Fair. Get to know some of our amazing local business owners, or say hi to some you already know! Rain date June 28. https://jplocalfirst.org/local-first-fair/, Free to the public.
Arts, music, and culture
ParkArts Watercolor Workshop, Budding artists ages nine and up are invited to join the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for its popular summer series of ParkARTS Watercolor Painting Workshops during the month of June at six Boston locations. The series of free workshops is just one of the many offerings of the annual ParkARTS program sponsored by Holly and David Bruce. All classes are held from 12 noon to 2 p.m. weather permitting. Saturday, June 9, Jamaica Pond Boathouse, 507 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain. For further information on the workshops and other ParkARTS programs, please call (617) 635-4505 or visit the Parks Department online at www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment or www.boston.gov/parks.
An all-volunteer orchestra comprised of members of the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, and Boston Ballet orchestras will perform the beloved family favorite “Peter and the Wolf” at JFK Elementary in Jamaica Plain on June 8 at 5:30 pm. Francisco Noya, professor of conducting at the Berklee School of Music and assistant conductor for the Rhode Island Philarmonic, will serve as the volunteer conductor. Angel Subero, a bass trombonist with the Boston Pops, will provide Spanish narration along with the usual English. Proceeds from this fundraiser will help build the JFK’s new music program. Tickets are available at JFK Elementary for $10 or online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/peter-and-the-wolf-at-the-jfk-tickets-46265716002 for $12.
Jamaica Plain Suzuki Violin concert, Thursday, June 14 at 6 pm Loring-Greenough House Lawn (12 South St.) Violin students from several area violin studios (Goddard Violin Studio, JP Suzuki Studio, Hale Violin Studio) will play an informal group concert. Bring your family and a picnic, and enjoy the other market offerings.
Cardamom Quartet, Defying expectations: Music from the margins
Saturday, June 16 at 11 am Boston Public Library: Jamaica Plain Branch (30 South St.) Jamaica Plain-based Cardamom Quartet plays all music by women in a free, family-friendly concert at the library.
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 June 17th, 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.
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 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.
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.
LEGO Builders Club, Fun building for ages 4 and up. Monday, June 4, 6 – 7 p.m.
STEM: Early Explorations, Explore science-based play activities for ages 2 – 5 on the topics of air and wind, chemical reactions, and light. Tuesdays, June 5, 12, & 19, 10:30 a.m.
Hora de Bebés: Spanish-Language Playgroup for Babies, Acompáñanos para canciones, juegos y cuentos en español con tiempo al final para jugar libremente. Para bebés de 0 – 12 meses, con un adulto. Monday, June 11, 3 p.m. / Lunes, 11 de junio, 3 p.m.
Pineapple Project, Come see a play about gender, creativity, and each child’s freedom to be who they are. For ages 4 and up. Thursday, June 14, 10:30 a.m.
Drawing and Journaling for Adults, Learn about visual journaling in this 2-hour workshop led by artist Mardi Reed and discover how spontaneous drawing can lead to movement and self-awareness. Please register. Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m.
Gardening with Native Plants: It Matters!, Claudia Thompson, founder of Grow Native Massachusetts, will explain the important differences between native and invasive plants and explore the web that links plants to insects to birds. Monday, June 18, 6 p.m.
Moms & Music™, Sing & play in this music class for ages 0 – 5. Fridays, June 22 & 29, 10:30 a.m.
Bilingual Concert with Mariana Iranzi, Music and songs in English and Spanish for ages 0 – 5. Tuesday, June 26, 10:30 a.m.
Story Time with Wee the People: Tutus for Batman, Celebrate and explore gender identity with a story time, activity, and interactive games for ages 5 and up. Wednesday, June 27, 4 p.m.
The Museum of Science Presents “The Night Sky”, Take a tour of the solar system in a portable planetarium. For ages 5 and up. Please register. Thursday, June 28, 11 a.m.
Book Discussion for Adults, The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See, Monday, June 25, 7 p.m.
Children’s Films, Short, fun films for preschoolers, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
ESL Conversation Groups: Practice Speaking English, Mondays, June 11, 18, & 25, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 14, 21, & 28 at 10:30 a.m. & 3 p.m.
Spanish-English Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español, Saturdays / sábados, 12 – 1:45 p.m.
Egleston Square Branch Library
Youth Programs
Preschool Storytime & Craft, Tuesdays, June 12 & 19, and ongoing, 10:30-11:30am, Join the children’s librarian for stories, songs, activities, and a craft related to a different theme.
Kids Cook, Tuesday, June 12, 4-5pm, Measure, mix, cook, and enjoy in this monthly program. Children learn to read directions and work together to create simple, tasty dishes. For children ages 6-12. Space is limited; groups must pre-register. Please notify the librarian in advance if your child has any food allergies.
Drop-In Art Play, Tuesday, June 19, 3:30-5:30pm, Create three-dimensional art with a new set of materials each month. For ages 4-12.
Baby/Toddler Music Time, Fridays, June 8, 15 & 22, and ongoing, 10:30am, Sing, bounce, read, and play in these interactive musical storytimes, followed by a play group. For children ages 6-24 months and their caregivers.
Adult Programs
ESL Conversation Group, Saturdays, Jun 9 & 16, 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
Green Street, Sat. June 9, join us to walk along Green Street. Laid out in 1836, the street played a key role in Jamaica Plain’s development, functioning as a residential, commercial, and transportation conduit in the lives of the district’s residents. Find out where these happy postal employees worked and also what happened to the train embankment. Meet your guide at the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Ctr, 640 Centre Street at 11:00am.
Woodbourne tour – June 16, 11am, meet your guide on the steps of Bethel AME Church, corner of Walk Hill and Wachusett Streets
Fur and Feathers Forever! Animal sculptures of Forest Hills. Walking tour led by historian Dee Morris on Sun. June 10 at 2pm. 90 minute tour, wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Meet at visitor’s circle just inside main gate.
Literary Boston, another walking tour at Forest Hills Cemetery led by Anthony Sammarco. Sun. June 24 at 2pm.
Tour with SPARK Boston, We are working with SPARK Boston on giving tours of Jamaica Plain. If you are a millennial and want to learn more about Jamaica Plain and the long history of activism in our neighborhood, please sign up (it’s free, but space is limited). The May tour was rescheduled (due to weather) to Saturday, June 30th at 11:00am Free but registration required. This tour is being led by long-time JP resident/JPHS member Fran Perkins.
Horticulture and the Buildings of Forest Hills, Sat. July 1 at 2pm, cemetery walking tour by Anthony Sammarco. 95 Forest Hills Ave. $10 advance tickets, $12 at door.
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
JP Toastmasters, June 11, @ 7-8 pm. First Baptist Church, 633 Centre St, Jamaica Plain. Join us for the next JP Toastmasters meeting for an evening of fun, learning, and networking. The new JP Toastmasters club meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, at 7 PM, at First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, 633 Centre St. Our club mission is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. Visit this Toastmasters club, serving Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods to see what Toastmasters is all about. Attending a meeting as a guest is free! We start our meetings on time, so it is recommended to arrive a few minutes early.
More information is available at: http://jptm.toastmastersclubs.org/.
You can learn about Toastmasters International at https://www.toastmasters.org/
Lunch for Mentoring and Networking, Business owners and entrepreneurs, join us for our mentorship and networking program, LuMeNet. Current, new, and potential business owners are welcome. Share your experience, ask your questions, and create a network of support for you and other businesses in Jamaica Plain. Jamaica Plain Library, Tuesday, June 12
12:30 to 2:30PM. Lunch will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.
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.