The final, last-minute deadline for Happenings listings is noon July 7 for the July 10 issue. Send arts and entertainment listings to news@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Listings with no end date will be run for 3 months, space permitting. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.

Special Events

First Thursday, 30 art exhibits at local businesses. Music by Rick Berlin & Pop Country, Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St; Craft Show at Mt. Washington Bank, 515 Centre St.; Word on the Street Poetry Series featuring poets Carolyn Gregory and Alice Kociemba + open mic, First Baptist Church trailer, 633 Centre St.; raffle to benefit JP Centre South Main Streets, Prudential Unlimited, 673 Centre; JP Licks, 659 Centre; & Loring-Greenough House. Thurs., July 1, 6-8pm, Centre and South Streets. Info: www.jpcentresouth.org.
11th Annual Lantern Festival, remembrance ceremony based on traditional Japanese Bon Festival. Participants make paper lanterns and set them afloat on the lake. Festival also includes music and dance performances including gospel singer Ron Murphy, Master Tsuji’s Samurai Taiko Drummers and students from the Showa institute. Free, $10 donation for lantern, Thurs., July 16, 6-9pm, (rain date, July 23), Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hills Ave. info: 524-0128/www.foresthillstrust.org.
Sunday Nights alive, non-traditional, music-and-arts worship service, featuring live music, signing and community-building. Relaxed atmosphere. Dinner served, childcare provided. Last Sunday of every month, 6-8pm, first Church of JP, Unitarian Universalist, Centre ad Eliot St. Info: www.sundaynightalivejp.org.
Monthly Recession Party, last Friday of every month, 8pm, Rhythm and Muse Book Store, 470 Centre St. Info: 524-6622.

Tours and Talks

Jamaica Plain Historical Society Walking Tours, Sat., June 27, 11am, Jamaica Pond, starting from the bandstand at Jamaica Pond. Info: www.jphs.org.
The Jamaica Plain Forum, “Dismantling the Monoculture,” with the Beehive Design Collective, creators of giant, portable murals used as tools for popular analysis, education and organizing, Fri., June 26, 7-9pm, First Church of JP, UU, 6 Eliot St. Free, childcare, $5. Info: www.jamaicaplainforum.org.
Loring-Greenough House Walking Tours, tour this historic colonial mansion Sundays through December, 12-2pm, Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. Suggested donation, $5, adult; $3, children. Info/schedule other tour times: 524-3158.
Walking Tours in the Arnold Arboretum, 285 acres, 4,000 varieties of trees and shrubs, Saturdays, 10:30am; Sundays, 1pm; Wednesdays, 12:15pm, Fridays, 5pm, through November, Hunnewell Visitors Center, 125 Arborway. Info: www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

Dance

Spontaneous Salsa Sundays, beginners and intermediates welcome, no partners necessary, Sundays, 2pm, Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Info: 816-1369.
Queer/GLBT Argentine Tango Class, all welcome including absolute beginners, no partners required. Sundays, 8pm, Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St. Info: 310-929-7023/http://tango.duroyvio.com
Gender-Role Free English Country Dance (experienced), caller: Graham Christian. Music Bruce Rosen & TBA. All welcome, no partners necessary, Tues., June 30, 7:30-10pm, w/brown bag supper at 7pm., First Church of JP, UU, Centre & Eliot Streets. $7. Info: 522-2216.
Gender-Free/Queer Contra Dance, beginners welcomed and encouraged. 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 7:30-11:30pm, First Church of JP, Unitarian Universalist, Centre and Eliot Streets. Info: www.lcfd.org/bgfe/512-5554.

Film

Flicks On The Rock, summer movies at Nira Rock in Hyde Square, Fri., July 17, Ratatouille; Fri., Aug. 21, 8pm, School of Rock. All movies English with Spanish subtitles, 8pm, Nira Rock. Info/Directions: www.nirarock.org.
Free Movies at Jamaica Pond, July 22, Wall-E; July 29, Free Willy, Sundown, Jamaica Pond Sugarbowl (east of the pond near Perkins). Info: 522-2700.

Music

Freihofer’s Jazz Festival, if you are in Saratoga Springs you can see JP resident Alex Brown and his band, La Timbistica Sat., June 27, 12pm, Saratoga performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs NY. Info: www.spac.org.
Clarinet Quartet, featuring Margo McGowan, Monica Duncan, William Kirkley, Rane Moore, with Takao Shinzawa on flute and Peter Terry on voice, perform Uhl Divertimiento for four clarinets; Schubert, Trout Quintet; Handel cantata for flute, voice and basso continuo and more. Thurs., July 2, 7:30-8:30pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Revere and Roanoke Streets. Info: info@jpconcerts.org.
Tito Puente Latin Music Series, presents Orquesta Bacharengue. Co-sponsored by the Hyde Square Task Force. Thurs., July 9, 7-9pm, Mozart Pak, 10 Mozart St. info: 927-1717.
The Tim Whelan Jazz Trio, plays great jazz hits, Mon., July 13, 2pm, Goddard House Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Ctr., 201 S. Huntington Ave. info/RSVP: 676-6404.
Franklin Park Free Performing Arts Series, July 14, 11am: Seekers of Knowledge youth hip-hop dance troop. 6pm: Jazz with Kendrick Oliver and the New Life jazz Ensemble; Vivian Cooley-Collier & Co. July 21, 11am: Stephen O’Neal and IntaAfrika; Marcus Santos and Batukaxe. 6pm, Serious Bizness featuring Ray Greene. July 28, 11am, A Major Dance, youth dance troupe; 6pm, Tentumbao. Elma Lewis Playhouse, Franklin Park, field between White Stadium and rear zoo entrance. Info: 442-4141/www.franklinparkcoalition.org.
South Shore Music Circus Summer Concert Series, Fri., July 31, 8pm: Abba. Sun., Aug 2, 7:30pm: The B-52s. Fri., Aug. 7, 8pm: KC and the Sunshine Band; Thurs., Aug. 27, 8pm: Melissa Etheridge, South Shore Music Circus, 130 Sohier St, Cohasset, Ma. Info: 800-745-3000/www.themusiccircus.org.
Boston Landmarks Orchestra, performs a selection including Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major; Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 in C Minor and the world premier of Thomas Oboe Lee’s The Story of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sun., July 26, 7pm, Great Lawn Jamaica Pond, near Pine Bank promontory. Info: www.landmarkorchestra.org.
Open Mic With Mike Delaney, Thursdays, sign-up at 6:30pm, open mic at 7pm, half-hour feature performance at 8pm. Java Jo’s Coffee House, 3710 Washington St. Info: www.mikedelaney.org.
Saturdays Alive in West Roxbury, a monthly open mic organized in part by JP residents, last Sat. of every month, 7pm sign up, 7:30pm music Theodore Parker Church Parish Hall, Centre and Corey St., West Roxbury. $5 donation, $10 for family. Info: 325-3716.

Theater

The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged), the Orfeo Group, a theater company featuring a slew of JP folks, presents this production, July 9-Aug. 6, Thurs.-Mon., Cristian Herter Park, 1175 Soldiers Field Rd., Brighton. $15; Fridays free w/student ID; Thursdays free for all. Info/showtimes: www.orfeogroup.org.

Exhibits

The Hallway Gallery Closing and Opening, Tues., June 30, 7-11pm, closing night celebration for local artists displayed through June, with performance and CD release by JP musician Bethel Steele. Thurs., July 2, 6-11pm opening night celebration for July Show featuring “B-Side Portraits” by Brent Reisland along with other featured artists. Exhibit on display 12-8pm through July. Hallway Gallery, 66a South St. Info: www.thehallwayjp.com.
Root Works: Works on Paper, large-scale watercolors depicting roots and boles by Maine artist Linda Murray, through July 26, Hunnewell Building, Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway. Info: 384-5209.
Art of Julia Soyer, mixed media, pencil and woodblocking, through June 30, JP Brach Library, 12 Sedgwick St. Info: 524-2053.
Peace Drum Project, drums built and stories collected from elders in JP and Roxbury as part of the youth peace Drum project on display, through July 6, JP Branch Library, 12 Sedgwick St. info: www.tribal-rhythms.org/524-6378.
New Work From the Arnold Arboretum, photos by Erik Gehring, though June 30, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: www.jplicks.com/524-6740.
ConEdCongeries, Museum School continuing education program exhibit, featuring JP residents, through July 2, Grossman Gallery, School of the Museum of Fine Arts, 230 The Fenway. Info: www.smfa.edu.
Duet, new works by Brendan Killian and Randace Rausher Moore, Opening Reception, July 13, 5:30-7:30pm, James’s Gate, 5 McBride St. (McBride and South St.)
Wishing Well, an installation about chronic illness by JP resident Susan Eisenberg is a featured exhibit in “Cairns,” Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center Salon of The Arts, through Sept. 25, Epstein Building, 515 South St. Waltham, Ma. Info: 781-736-8102/wscarts@brandeis.edu.
JP Photographer Laura Kandziolka, presents her portfolio of urban landscapes in JP neighborhoods, as part of an exhibition of work by students in Lesley Universities Photography Atelier class, through Sept., 25, Lesley University Gallery, 1815 Mass. Ave, Cambridge, Reception, May 15, 5:30-7:30pm. Info: www.photographyatelier.org.
Meet The Artist Monthly Exhibit, every 1st Thursday of the month, patrons at JP Licks will have the opportunity to meet the months featured artist exhibiting at the store, sponsored by the Jamaica Plain Artists Association, 1st Thursdays, 4-8pm, JP Licks, 659 Centre St. Info: www.jplicks.com.
Art Aid, a Brendan Killian show. JP artist out of work due to a broken leg, featured at the JP Art Market, 36 South St., July 1-8, 1-8pm, opening reception, Thurs., July 2, 7-9pm. Info: 522-1729.

Literary

Franklin Park Photo History Book Release, hear stories and park history, see photos from 1880 through today, Mon., June 29, 7-10pm, Doyle’s Café, 3484 Washington St. info: www.franklinparkcoalition.org/442-4141.
“Balancing on Unstable Ground”, local poet Francis Alex in late April published 36-page chapbook, available for sale at Jamaicaway Books and Rhythm & Muse.

Youth

Drop-in Family Activity, at the Arnold Arboretum. This month’s theme: Pollination Party. Activities for kids ages 4-8. Sat., June 27. 11am-1pm, tent by the Hunnewell Building, Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway. Info: www.arboretum.harvard.edu/programs/family_activities.html.
ParkArts Children’s Workshops painting, mask, jewelry and treasure bottle making etc., children 3-10, Wednesdays, July 8-29, 9am-12pm, Marcella Park, Roxbury. Info: 635-4505/www.cityofboston.gov/parks.
Boston Public Schools Citywide Marching Band Program, middle and high school students are invited to participate in a 4-week summer program. Opportunities for wind, brass and percussion players, no previous experience necessary. Instruments, lunch, T passes provided, July 13-Aug. 7, 9am-2pm, Boston Symphony Hall, 201 Mass Ave, Boston. Info/Registration: Paul Pitts, 635-8895/citywidemarchingband@gmail.com.
The Children’s Theater Project, introduce your child to the joy of music and drama in a creative fun and nurturing environment. Children will sign, dance and act out their favorite stories. Ages 5-7. Taught by Carol Gallagher. Fridays, 3:30-4:30pm, The Footlight Club, 7a Eliot St. $150. Info: 913-8951.
Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts, Classes for Teens: Basic Photography; Young Poets; Green Crafts. Summer Weeks For Kids: July 20-24, Nature Lost & Found and Earthworks; Aug. 24-28, Real & imaginary Worlds and Observations & imagination, Elliot School of Fine and Applied Arts, 24 Elliot St. Info: www.elliotschool.org/524-3313.
Jamaica Plain Children’s Chorus, offers singing classes for kids in grades K-7. Practices resume in September. Info: Tom Morris, 697-5621.
JP Branch Library, Tuesdays, 10:30am, Reading Readiness, ages 2-5; Wednesdays, 10:30am, Toddler Story Time, ages 1-2; 11:30am, Baby Lap Sit, ages 3-12 months, please pre-register for ongoing programs. Weds., July 1, 4pm, Planets Magic Show with Debbie O’Carroll. Weds., July 8, 4pm, Egbert and Ice Science Variety Show with Mad Science; Thurs., July 9, 6:30pm, Outerspace Adventure Puppet Show with Diane Kordas,
JP Branch Library, 12 Sedgwick St. Info: 524-2053.
Connolly Branch Library, Wednesdays, 10:30am, Children’s Films, short, fun films for preschoolers, groups welcome. Please pre-register for ongoing programs, Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. Info: 522-1960.

Classes/Workshops

Spinning and Knitting Group, for anyone who loves to spin, knit or do other craft projects, 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month t10am-1:30pm (no May 9 meeting), JP Branch Library, 12 Sedgwick St. Info: 524-2053.
Stonybrook Fine Arts, offers jewelry making, welding, stone carving, foundry and more for teens and adults, Stonybrook Fine Arts, 24 Porter St. Info: www.stonybrookfinearts.com.
Eliot School for Fine and Applied Arts, various classes including woodworking, sewing, drawing, painting, photography. 24 Eliot St. Info: www.eliotschool.org.
Eliot School Drop-in Life Drawing Class, draw from a different model each week. Instructor: Artist Brigid Watson. Tuesdays, 7-9pm, The Eliot School, 24 School St. Info: 524-3313.

Calls to Artists

Liberty Belle Chorus Singers Wanted, participants wanted for singing dancing and performing Broadway show tunes and songs of yesterday and today in the Liberty Belle Chorus. Learn vocal production techniques and presentation skills. Come to rehearsals any Monday at 7pm, St. Camillus Church Hall. 1175 Concord Turnpike (directly off Rt. 2 exit 57) Info: 735-9254/www.libertybellechorus.org.