The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. Aug. 8 for the Aug. 11 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
Fresh Hair, on the corner of South St and Carolina Ave, opened for business in July 1982. We are celebrating this 35th anniversary with a Block Party on Saturday, July 29 from 4-7pm. There will be music on the roof, and food and games in the tennis court area. Everyone is welcome! Info: Joy Silverstein, 524-6867.
America’s Night Out Against Crime, food, music, dancing, demonstrations, prizes, games, elected officials, and more. Location: Hyde Square Task Force, 361 Centre St. (Blessed Sacrament Building). Mon. July 31, 4-8pm rain or shine. Info: 343-5623 or 524-8303.
22nd Annual Taste of Jamaica Plain Enjoy a spectacular evening with friends and neighbors. Sample food and beverages from Boston’s best. Live music by Dozer and Homewreckers. Tour the Tropical Forest Pavilion. Silent Auction. Cash Bar – Beer and Wine. Thurs. Sept. 14, 6-9pm. Franklin Park Zoo, Tropical Forest Pavilion.
Arts and culture
Ginny Zanger’s artwork will be featured at Espresso Yourself, JP’s newest cafe on Centre St, during August and September. Stop by during First Thursday Art Stroll on August 3, 6-8 pm for sweet treats.
The Evolution of an Urban Landscape: Recent Paintings of Forest Hills by Andrew Haines. The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Hunnewell Building, 125 Arborway. Through Oct. 8. Artist Talk on Sat. Sept. 16, 1-2pm. www.arboretum.harvard.edu.
Midway Café, Our Dirty 30th Celebration Extravaganza kicks off this month on Monday July 17th and runs through Sunday night July 30th. 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, Suns at 8pm. More events at jeaniejohnstonpub.com.
Old time music, Southern/roots music, 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 7.30pm, back room at Doyle’s Cafe, 3484 Washington St. Info: [email protected].
Teatro en el Parque, On the evenings of Fri. July 28; and Sat. July 29. Hyde Jackson Square Main Street will bring the play, Botánica, by Dolores Prida, to the outdoor stage at Mozart Park. Attendees are encouraged to come early for dinner where local restaurants will be serving tasty plates at a pop-up café in Mozart Park. In case of rain or threat of thunderstorms, the play will be held at the J.F. Kennedy School at 7 Bolster Street. Info: visit www.hydejacksonsquare.org.
The Evolution of an Urban Landscape: Recent Paintings of Forest Hills by Andrew Haines, July 21-Oct. 15. Artists talk Sat. Sept. 16 1-2pm. Hunnewell building. Free, no registration required.
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.
PAINT SOMETHING THAT MATTERS summer workshops Aug. 1, 8, 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with light supper at Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St., Jamaica Plain. With teaching artist Rob Peters (Wampanoag), bring or find a 3-dimensional object you care about, tell us about your item, and paint it to express why it’s important to you. Learn and reflect on storytelling traditions of different cultures; share the story of your artistically-transformed item. Workshops provided FREE OF CHARGE by Families Creating Together for children (ages 5 – 13 with and without disabilities), parents, grandparents and friends welcome. Presented in English, Spanish. Wheelchair accessible. FCT is a program of Community Service Care/Tree of Life Coalition. To register call 522-4832 or email [email protected]. SPACE IS LIMITED – register today! Info: www.familiescreatingtogether.org.
CREATING CREATURES WITH CERAMIC AND TEXTILE ART summer workshop series on July 31, Aug. 7, 14, 21, from 5:30 – 7:30 pm with light supper provided at Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St., Roxbury. With talented teaching artist Kristen Belton-Willis, use fabric and clay to create sculptures of animals, people, creatures from your imagination. Learn and reflect on storytelling traditions of different cultures; create and share your creature’s story. Workshops provided FREE OF CHARGE by Jamaica Plain-based FAMILIES CREATING TOGETHER for children (ages 5 – 13 with and without disabilities), parents, grandparents and friends welcome. Presented in English, Spanish and American Sign Language upon request. Wheelchair accessible. FCT is a program of Community Service Care/Tree of Life Coalition. To register call 617-522-4832 or email [email protected]. SPACE IS LIMITED – register today! www.familiescreatingtogether.org.
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
Line Dancing with Mz. Rhythm, Weds. 6:30-8pm. On Refectory Hill in Franklin Park – up the hill from the golf clubhouse overlooking Blue Hill Ave. All ages welcome!
West African dance classes, taught by Zucan, a principal dancer with the Drum and Spirit of African Society. Mondays, 7:30-9pm, English High School, 144 McBride St. Info: 359-1552.
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
Go Wild at ZooCamp, Have a blast while learning about the amazing world of animals during Franklin Park Zoo’s summer ZooCamp! During one or two weeklong sessions, children ages 6 – 11 will learn exciting new things, make new friends, and get to explore the natural world around them! Animal encounters, outdoor games, arts and crafts, and tours are just some of the many unique activities campers will experience at ZooCamp. June 26-Aug. 18, Children ages 12-13, all programs from 9am-3pm daily. Visit zoonewengland.org/zoocamp.
New England Aquarium will be at Mozart Park on Fri. July 28 at 10am. Hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Dept.
Roberto Clemente 21 Sports Program, accepting applications for the 2017 Little League Baseball Season. For boys & girls ages 5-18 years old. Info: Contact Alfredo Liriano at 828-9524 or [email protected].
BNBL Pee-Wee Basketball, boys and girls ages 6-10, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Franklin Park. Info: franklinparkcoalition.org.
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.
Summer in the City Bingo, For kids, teens, and adults: Enter weekly drawings for both the “Summer in the City” Bingo and Passport raffles between now and August 12th. Prizes include toys, books, and gift certificates to local stores. You can also enter the “Read Your Way to Fenway” contest for a chance to win tickets to a Red Sox game. Entries must be received by August 1st.
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.
Spanish-English Language Exchange / Intercambio de Idiomas en Inglés y Español, Saturdays / sábados, 12 – 1:45 p.m.
CHILDREN’S FILMS, Short, fun films for preschoolers. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
ADULT BOOK DISCUSSION, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande. Mon. July 31, 7 p.m. Miller’s Valley by Anna Quindlen on Mon. August 28, 7 p.m.
ESL CONVERSATION GROUPS, Mondays, July 31, August 7, 14, & 28, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, August 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31, 3 p.m.
LEGO BUILDERS CLUB, Fun building for ages 4 and up. Mon. Aug. 7, 6 p.m.
FAMILY PIZZA & GAME NIGHT, Join us for board games and other fun activities. All ages are welcome. Mon. Aug. 14, 6 pm.
KINDERGARTEN DAY CELEBRATION, Come to a party for children and families entering K1 and K2 this fall. Mon. Aug. 21, 5:30 p.m.
BILINGUAL STORY TIME / HORA DE CUENTOS BILINGÜE
Stories, songs, rhymes, and other activities for children ages 2 – 4,
with an adult. Please register. Cuentos, canciones, rimas, y otras actividades para niños 2 – 4, con un adulto. Por favor, registrarse. Tuesdays, August 1, 8, & 15, 10:30 a.m.
READBOSTON STORYMOBILE, Come hear a different storyteller each week, and receive a free book to take home. For ages 5 and up. Thursday, August 3, 1:15 p.m.
BABY STORY TIME, Stories, songs, and movements for babies up to 18 months old. Fridays, August 4, 11, & 18, 10:30 a.m.
CHILDREN’S FILMS, Short, fun films for preschoolers. Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
Tours/talks/workshops
Stonybrook Fine Arts, teen & adult classes in welding, foundry and mold-making ongoing, 24 Porter St. Info: stonybrookfinearts.com.
Walking Tour in Franklin Park, Sun. July 30, “invasion of the aliens: exploring invasive plants at Franklin Park.” Ranger-led walk. Free, begins at 1pm and lasts approx. 90 min. RSVP: [email protected].
Brewery Small Business Complex Tour, Join JPNDC and Peter Haffenreffer (great-grandson of the immigrant who founded the Haffenreffer Brewery in 1870) on Thursday, August 3 for a walking tour of the JPNDC Brewery Small Business Complex. You’ll hear family anecdotes and fun, little-known facts about the history of JP’s favorite gathering place . Space is limited and reservations are required.
Free Guided Walking Tour of Green Street will take place on Saturday, July 29 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, August 5 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.
Jamaica Pond: Genius of the Place, 2 hour walking tour. Fri. July 28, 6pm. Free. Meets at JP Pondhouse. Info: 566-1689.
Native Plant Series: Natives for Every Landscape, Sat. Aug. 19 10-11:30AM Minton Stable Community Garden 110 Williams Street. Ever look at a spot in the landscape and think “noting will grow here”? Come join Dan Jaffe at Minton Stable Garden in JP to discuss native species that will grow in any landscape. From dry, acidic shade, to dry, sandy, full sun spots, we’ll cover plants that could help to fill your problem areas. You name the nasty spot and we’ll give you a list of plants that will not only grow there but will play an active role in the ecosystem (as well as being beautiful to behold!)
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
Support For Vegetarian/Vegan Lifestyles, 2nd and 4th Fridays at Spontaneous Celebrations 6:30-8, see movies, enjoy potlucks, discuss scientific research, swap recipes and discuss challenges. Info: [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].