Sights and Sounds
JP jaunts for last-minute Valentines
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching and fancy restaurant reservations disappearing just as quickly, the Gazette came up with a few ideas for the holiday. For the romantics: Pack a decadent picnic full of fancy cheese and wonderful wine. Enjoy it indoors, in front of a roaring fire. Where to go: City Feed for cheese,...
Musician/activist creates JP rock opera
Jamaica Plain musician and activist Brian O’Connell is prepping for a big undertaking: presenting a “radical social satire rock opera,” complete with over-sized puppet actors, spoken word and a 10-piece band with 8 singers, scheduled to open at Spontaneous Celebrations Feb. 4. The story of “Over The Line” follows JP resident Sleepy Doormat, a...
Minority leaders focus of JP photographer
JP photographer Don West’s latest photo exhibit has been 30 years in the making, and he is not done yet. “Portraits of Purpose: A Tribute to Leadership (1980-2011),” is a collection of 65 life-size pictures of minority leaders. It features local leaders—like state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz, City Councilor Felix Arroyo and longtime activist and...
JP Tunes: New local music
Jamaica Plain musicians recently released the following singles or albums: • Mickey PG, “Mickey PG Comes of Age” (self-released). Mickeypg.bandcamp.com. • Ben Schwendener, “Industrial Folk Music” (Gravity Records). Cdbaby.com/cd/benschwendener2. JP musicians can notify JP Tunes about new releases at news@jamaicaplaingazette.com.
Small Print: Tiny bookstore opens in tiny gallery
SOUTH ST.—Jamaica Plain’s smallest storefront art gallery is now sharing space with the neighborhood’s smallest bookstore. The Hallway Gallery—literally a hallway at 66a South St.—has given over about six square feet of space at its far end to used bookseller Subterranean Books. The bookstore is the pet project of professional art handler and recent...
Branch libraries to be reviewed
The Boston Public Library (BPL) will begin reviewing its entire branch library system—including the Jamaica Plain Branch Library—in 2012 as part of a new “strategic plan” approved last month. The BPL has proposed controversial branch closings in recent years, with the JP Branch at 12 Segwick St. appearing on one hit list despite being...
Sights and Sounds, 12/16/11
The deadline for listings is noon, Jan. 3 for the Jan. 6 issue. Send listings to reporter@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given. Special Events Craft Fair, sponsored by UForge Gallery and Eliot Hall. Sat., Dec. 17 and Sun., Dec. 18, 11am-5pm, at the Footlight Club....
JP Tunes: New local music
Jamaica Plain musicians recently released the following singles or albums: • The Old Edison/Time and Place, “The Old Edison and Time and Place Share the Bottle” (split CD; self-released). Reverbnation.com/theoldedison. • Whitehaus Family Record (various artists), “Family Record Vol. 2: Are You in Paradise?” (self-released). Areyouinparadise.com. JP musicians can notify JP Tunes about new...
JP artist gives Old Testament Ruth a makeover
Tres Gatos, the tapas bar/book and music shop at 470 Centre St. will host a reception for Jamaica Plain artist Sue Murad’s new book “Ruth,” an illustrated re-telling of the Old Testament story, on Dec. 11. In the Book of Ruth, the title character remains in the land of Moab with her mother-in-law, Naomi,...