The deadline for listings is noon, Tues. Dec. 5 for the Dec. 8 issue. Send listings to [email protected]. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given.
Special events
Small Business Saturday, On Saturday November 25, JP Centre/South Main Streets will have Welcome Tables to support Small Business Saturday, the annual day that celebrates and supports the small businesses that make communities unique. Stop by the tables from 10am to 2pm for a free shopping tote and complimentary hot chocolate.
The Holiday Trolley Tour and Tree Lighting at the Soldier’s Monument will start at 2:30pm on Saturday, December 2. Afterwards, folks can take part in the 4th annual Shop w/a Cause along Centre and South Streets.
Winter Holiday Market at Bell Olmsted Park. Visit Bell Olmsted Park on Thursday, December 7th for a Winter Holiday Market. Join local Jamaica Plain and Greater Boston artisans and crafters for an evening of holiday shopping and fun. Hosted by Bell Olmsted Park, a 197-unit residential development located in Jamaica Plain, the Winter Holiday Market provides the community with an opportunity to purchase unique and beautifully crafted gifts for loved ones, while supporting local small businesses. A sampling of event partners includes Boston Sports Company, Camberville Dog Treats, LuLaRoe, Tiny Box Jewelry and Richard Youngstrom Mosaics, with more to be announced. Additional information about the event can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-holiday-market-at-bell-olmsted-park-tickets-39486736893. The event is free to the public and open to guests of all ages. Date: Thurs. Dec. 7. Time: 5:00PM – 9:00PM. Location: Bell Olmsted Park, 161 S. Huntington Ave.
Arts, music, and culture
Record Store Day’s Black Friday, at Tres Gatos. Nov. 24. 9am-11pm, 470 Centre St. Info: [email protected] or 477-9209.
CHAPTER AND VERSE LITERARY READING SERIES, Fri. Dec. 8, 7:30, LORING-GREENOUGH HOUSE, 12 SOUTH STREET, JAMAICA PLAIN CENTER.
Arnold Arboretum Lilac Sunday T-shirt Competition, inviting artists of all ages to submit logo designs for the Lilac Sunday 2018 T-shirt. Lilac themed t-shirts have been a tradition for many years, and continue to be a highly anticipated and popular memento of this event. Design must include Lilac Sunday 2018, Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, No more than 4 colors. Email [email protected]. Submissions due Dec. 15. Include name, address, and phone number with submission.
CELEBRATE WITH US!, Boston City Singers – Inspiring Young Voices
WINTER STARS CONCERT, Sat. Dec. 16 @ 11:00 am. Hope Central Church
85 Sevearns Avenue. Featuring the Jamaica Plain Training Chorus, Kodály Singing Classes from Jamaica Plain and Dorchester and Harmony. Free-will donation at the door, Bake Sale, Onsite parking. www.bostoncitysingers.org
JESUS Drinks FREE! 1950s-70s country, gospel, soul and RnB
@ the Jeanie Johnston pub. 144 South St. FREE, 21+. 9pm-1am. First Thursday of every month. The Jeanie Johnston is dedicating at least one night a month to classic country, gospel, and soul music. JP DJs Dan Shea and Sam P will be picking the licks n riffs from all over the map and from simpler times – the 50s through the 70s. Part drunken hoedown, part spiritual revival we welcome you to circle the wagons and let out your demons with a shot and a pint down at the local watering hole.
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. All times 9.30 – 12pm. THURSDAY IS JAZZ NIGHT,
All times 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, Off the Wall Mondays, every Monday from 6-8pm listen to DJ J-Wall and enjoy sliders and fries for $8. Stump trivia to follow at 8pm. Jazz Wednesdays, every week 6:30-9:30 live jazz. Cielo Lounge every 4th Friday, salsa & reggae dance party, $5 cover, 21+, live music starts before 10pm.
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.
Patchtax, presents Shebang, a program of new works featuring live electronics, fixed media, video, dance, and performance art. Compositions by winners of their 2017 commissioning grant: Evelin Ramón and Sofía Scheps; plus works by Julia Werntz, Rosalie Burrell, Anthony Green, and Kaija Saariaho. This event is made possible with funding from the Live Arts Boston grant through the Boston Foundation.Patchtax is Mary Joy Patchett, saxophone, and Eve Boltax viola. Special guest artists including dancer Elizabeth Epsen and lighting designer Harrison Pearse Burke. Friday, December 15 8:00pm, Saturday, December 16th 8:00pm, Sunday, December 17th 3:00pm. Parachute Studios, The Distillery, 516 E 2nd Street, South Boston. The venue is wheelchair accessible.Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 day of. Student, senior, and low income tickets are available for $5.
Dance
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
New England Aquarium’s Traveling Tidepool, see and touch hermit crabs, snails, clams, oysters, sea stars and more. Learn all about these creatures found in New England waters. Free aquarium programming, every 3rd Sunday of the month, November-May, 1-3pm at BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center. Info: 973-0281 or [email protected].
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].
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.
Egleston Square Branch library
Connolly Branch Library
433 Centre St., 522-1960, www.bpl.org.
STORY TIME WITH WEE THE PEOPLE: BRIDGES NOT WALLS, Join us for a social justice story time, activity, and take-home craft for ages 5 & up. Registration required. Saturday, December 2, 10:30 a.m.
LEGO BUILDERS CLUB, Fun building for ages 4 & up. Monday, December 4, 6 p.m.
REDISCOVERING BROMLEY PARK: JAMAICA PLAIN’S WORKING CLASS GARDEN SQUARE, The JP Historical Society presents this lecture about the 150-year-old residential development that integrated dense, working-class housing with ample green space. Monday, December 4, 6:30 p.m.
FAMILY CRAFT NIGHT: DECORATE HOLIDAY COOKIES
We’ll have icing, frosting, and lots of sprinkles to decorate the
cookies. For all ages. Monday, December 11, 6 p.m.
WINTER PARTY WITH THE JP HONK BAND!,Come hear the merry musical chaos in the HONK street band tradition.There will be a musical instrument craft for kids and holiday treats for
everyone.Monday, December 18, 6 p.m.
WINTER SONGFEST WITH JEANNIE MACK,Accompanying herself on guitar, Jeannie performs fun, bounce-around songs for ages 0 – 5. Tuesday, December 19, 10:30 a.m.
BILINGUAL STORY TIME / HORA DEL CUENTO BILINGÜE
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, December 5 & 12, 10:30 a.m. / Martes, 5 & 12 de diciembre, 10:30 a.m.
BABY STORY TIME,Stories & songs for babies up to 18 months old.Fridays, December 1, 8, & 15, 10:30 a.m.
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
ESL CONVERSATION GROUPS,Thursdays, December 21 & 28, 10:30 a.m.Thursdays, December 7, 14, & 28, 3 p.m.
CHILDREN’S FILMS, Short, fun films for preschoolers.Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
SPANISHENGLISH LANGUAGE EXCHANGE / INTERCAMBIO DE IDIOMAS EN INGLÉS Y
ESPAÑOL, Saturdays / sábados, 12 – 1:45 p.m.
Tours/talks/workshops
Celebrating a Decade of Community Conversations, featuring Winona LaDuke of Honor Our Earth as keynote speaker.
Friday, December 8th, 7:30PM. JP Forum’s 10th Anniversary. First Church JP UU, 6 Eliot St. Advanced tickets required.
Woody Tasch, speaking at JP Forum Dec. 13.
Don’t sign that lease yet! Don’t sign that lease before coming to our FREE, bilingual (English/Spanish) workshop on commercial leases! Learn about your rights and work through the issues before signing the lease. Workshop plus office hours with lawyers/student advocates. Having a bad lease–or none at all–can put you out of business. Any Boston small business owner welcome. Bring: Questions about commercial leasing and a copy of your lease if you have one. Nov. 30, 6:30-9pm. Julia Martin House, 90 Bickford St.
Sugar, Sugar: A Vintage Candy Journey, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017; 7-9:30 pm. A talk at the Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. $5 for non-members / free for members. Ticket includes presentation and candy tasting!
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sugar-sugar-a-vintage-candy-journey-tickets-39195770605. With the holidays just around the corner, what better time to sample and learn about the history of candy in the United States. Our survey of this sugary landscape will include vintage chocolates, hard candies, chews, bubble gums, unique novelty candies, and more. Even if you are a sweets aficionado, you are sure to learn something new. The speaker, Rhea Becker, a Jamaica Plain resident and member of the Tuesday Club of the Loring Greenough House, is a longtime journalist who grew up sampling the wares in her father’s candy store.
Rediscovering Bromley Park: Jamaica Plain’s Working Class Garden Square. Monday, December 4th at 6:30pm, Connolly Branch Library, 433 Centre St. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Stonybrook Fine Arts, 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
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].