The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. Sept. 25 for the Sept. 28 issue. Send listings to reporter@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
Free Guided Walking Tour of Green Street will take place on Saturday, September 15 starting at 11:00am from in front of Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, 640 Centre Street. Conducted by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.
Free Guided Walking Tour of Woodbourne neighborhood
will take place on Saturday, September 22 starting at 11:00am from
in front of Bethel AME Church at the corner of Walk Hill Street and Wachusett Street. Conducted by the Jamaica Plain Historical Society.
The South Street Youth Center, in partnership with Sazama Real Estate, is putting on a Family Fun Run/Walk at Jamaica Pond on Sunday, September 30, 2018. The Family Fun Run/Walk will bring together youth, families, businesses, and community organizations with runners and walkers from around JP to enjoy our beautiful Jamaica Pond, get some exercise, and raise money for the youth center. To register, visit bit.ly/2QiB2v4.
Christ the King Ukrainian Catholic Church, Friday, September 28th, at 7:30PM, “Amore: Gems of Bel Canto”, featuring singers – Olga Lisovskaya, a Ukrainian soprano and Giovanni Formisano, an Italian tenor. Concert takes place at at 146 Forest Hills St., Jamaica Plain, 02130 For info please visit OlgaLisovskaya.com
Arts, music, and culture
Sharon Berke, “Rearrangements: Paintings and Collages” at Fresh Hair, 62 South St. July 10- Sept 27
Book about Forest Hills Cemetery book reading, Garland Press will be releasing Beth Castrodale’s new novel In This Ground on September 18th. The novel is set almost entirely in a graveyard, and a big inspiration for it was Forest Hills Cemetery.
Book reading and discussion about the inspiration that Forest Hills Cemetery provided at 6 p.m., September 17th, at the Connolly Branch of the Boston Public Library.
Call for art proposals, The Friends of the Jamaica Plain Branch Library in partnership with Uforge are excited to announce a new call for exhibition proposals in the public gallery space at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library for 2019. Info: http://www.friendsjplibrary.org/
Fog sculptures, The Emerald Necklace Conservancy welcomes to Boston and Brookline Fujiko Nakaya’s first extended citywide exhibition of multiple “fog sculptures,” marking her five decade career with works at five sites along the historic urban parks that link more than a dozen neighborhoods, and provide a natural, recreational and cultural conduit for the community. Created in response to the landmarked waterways and landscapes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (FLO), Nakaya’s “climate responsive” shape-shifting, pure water forms invite visitors to immerse themselves in the art, experience nature anew, and appreciate the vital role of the Emerald Necklace in our city’s history, present, and future. Organized by the Conservancy with curator Jen Mergel, this FREE public art presentation is on view every day, hourly from dawn to dusk, from August 11 through October 31. Learn how to visit!
Jamaica Plain Open Studios, September 22nd and 23rd, is Jamaica Plain Open Studios! Join us at Stonybrook from 11am-6pm for Art and an Aluminum Pour! Local artists will be showcasing and selling their orignal artworks. Scratch blocks are available for purchase for $15. Carve into your scratch block, a small resin-bonded sand mold, and watch us pour molten aluminum in to the mold. Moments later, when the metal is solid and cool, you’ll leave with your own unique aluminum tile!
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.
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: peggyconant@gmail.com.
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: songbeatcircle@gmail.com, 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.
Egleston Square Branch Library, 2044 Columbus Ave. Youth Programs
Preschool Storytime & Craft Tuesdays, September 18 & 25, 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 Thursday, September 27, 4:30-5:30pm 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.
Baby/Toddler Music Time Fridays, September 14, 21 & 28, 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.
Board Game Club Fridays, September 14, 21 & 28, and ongoing, 3:30pm
Learn new board games, and practice old favorites. Join the children’s librarian every Friday for a fun afternoon of gaming with friends. For youth ages 7-14.
Jamaica Plain Branch Library
Oral History Listening Booth at the JP Branch See a 1930’s era wooden phone booth, transformed into a portal for exploring Boston’s history as shared by a diverse group, ages 60 and older, from JP and other Boston neighborhoods. The booth is a part of Daniel Johnson’s Artist in Residency (AIR) project and will hit the road soon and pop up at other spots across Boston. Booth can be viewed and listened to whenever the library is open. JP Branch Library, 30 South St, 617-524-2053.
Connolly Branch Library
433 Centre St., 522-1960, www.bpl.org.
Giant Book Sale Thousands of books will be available to buy! Sponsored by the Friends of the Connolly Branch Library. Saturday, September 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book Launch: Beth Castrodale’s New Novel In This Ground The local JP author will read from her new book and discuss how Forest Hills Cemetery served as an inspiration. Monday, September 17, 6 p.m.
Bilingual Story Time & Craft / Hora de Cuentos Bilingües y Manualidades Join us for stories and songs in English & Spanish. For children 2–4, with an adult. Acompáñanos para cuentos y canciones en inglés y español. Para niños/as de 2–4, con un adulto. Tuesdays, September 4, 11 & 18, 10:30 a.m. / Martes, 4, 11 & 18 de septiembre, 10:30 a.m.
Baby Story Time Stories, songs, and movements for babies up to 18 months old. Fridays, September 7, 14 & 21, 10:30 a.m.
Adult Book Discussion The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. Monday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Children’s Films Short, fun, films for preschoolers. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Friends of the Connolly Branch Open House Learn about the Friends and their work to support the Branch. Food and activities for children. Saturday, September 29, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
ESL Conversation Groups Mondays, September 10 & 17, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, September 6, 10:30 a.m. Thursdays September 6, 13, 20, & 27, 3:00 p.m.
Spanish-English Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español Saturdays / sábados, 12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Tours/talks/workshops
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/mushimgum@gmail.com.
Meet-Ups
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: narrativesboston@gmail.com.
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/umnunity@gmail.com.
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.