What do flying dogs, mini donkeys, puppets, and ukelele players all have in common? They, along with multiple other performers, will be entertaining crowds at the Hyde Community Center’s bandstand this summer.
The Newton Highlands outdoor concert and movie venue, which is marking its 10th anniversary in June, is hosting 75 acts now through the beginning of September. John Rice, the center’s executive director since 2005, is proud that the nonprofit came out of Covid strong and that its bandstand space grew in popularity.
However, at the beginning of the pandemic, the bandstand had to shut down like all other entertainment spots. Shows restarted in 2021 on a limited basis and finally went back to full programming in 2022.
Back when shows were allowed to partially resume in 2021, Rice said adjustments had to be made for health and safety, even though the venue was outdoors. For example, they had to put flags in the lawn every 10 feet to mark where audience members could sit, so they could stay far enough apart. Even the performers had to adhere to those measures. The first show “was not your typical concert,” Rice recalled. However, he said attendees were happy to be back together to regain a sense of normalcy.
By 2022, some sponsors of events that used to take place inside the Hyde Center before Covid, found they preferred to hold them outside at the bandstand. In addition, groups that hadn’t performed there before the pandemic found they preferred the Newton Highlands space to their former venues.
Bandstand history
The Hyde Community Center was founded in 1988 and held its first free outdoor concert in 2006, said Rice. By 2009, the independent nonprofit was hosting movies and performances outdoors every Friday from June to August, using multiple extension cords to run a portable stage and screen.
By 2013, Rice said the center got funding and businesses donated their services to build a permanent structure. Most performers are local and “many of the bands come back year after year,” he said.
This summer, the bandstand will feature several notable performances and events (except on July 7 for the Fourth of July and September 1 for Labor Day) – a sampling of which includes:
- A Juneteenth celebration on June 19, with speeches, dance, music, and vendor booths.
- The Newton Festival of the Arts, begins on July 21, with music from the New Philharmonia Orchestra and a movie. On July 22, concerts will be held continuously from 11 AM to 9 PM on two stages so bands can perform every hour without interruption.
- The Highland Glee Club will sing on June 17-18.
- India Day will be held on August 13.
- Shakespeare in the Park will perform “Richard II” on August 19, and there will be many other shows.
Although many residents go on vacation during the summer, Rice said hundreds come out to the bandstand to enjoy themselves every week. “People just love it. Families have grown up with it,” said Rice, who attends all events.
All movies and concerts are free and take place outside on the Hyde Playground. The Hyde Community Center is located at 90 Lincoln Street in Newton Highlands. For more information, go here for a full listing of Summer in the Highlands events.
All Summer in the Highlands events for 2023 are in the Fig City News Community Calendar.