Moviegoers packed West Newton Cinema to watch Hamnet, a reimagining of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they confront the love and loss that inspired Hamlet. Shakespeare scholar Michelle Ephraim sat down with historian, writer, and Newton native Stephen Greenblatt to unpack the film and its place within modern…
Posts published in “Arts & Culture”
Following a 75-year-old tradition, the Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association hosted its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday evening, December 7th. As they waited in the brisk air for the human Santa and the tree lighting, at least 300 people – and a number of dogs — joined the…
The City Council voted unanimously on November 17 to award $1.97 million in Community Preservation Act funds to West Newton Cinema Foundation for 50% of the cost of the first of four phases to repair and renovate the historic West Newton Cinema, built in 1937. The Foundation is committed to…
Newton Centre gastropub Thistle & Leek has received recognition from Michelin, one of the culinary world’s most prestigious authorities. It is one of only 26 Greater Boston restaurants so honored. The Michelin Guide announced on November 18 that Thistle & Leek has been named a Recommended Restaurant in its inaugural Boston…
On Sunday, November 16, the New Philharmonia Orchestra (NPO), under the direction of maestro Jorge Soto, performed Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 in a sold-out concert at Boston College. This was a massive undertaking led by NPO general manager Kara Stoughton and music director Jorge Soto. The orchestra was accompanied by a…
Tracy K. Smith, Pulitzer Prize winner and 22nd Poet Laureate of the U.S., moved to Newton with her family in 2021 when she joined the faculty at Harvard. In her recent TEDx New England talk and her new book, Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times, she has focused on the…
Back in 1875, Newton residents might have had their noses buried in books like Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy or The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde. Luckily for them, unlike in many parts of the country at the time, Newton had its own library, giving local readers access…
In keeping with its commitment to showcase powerful, thought-provoking documentaries, on November 7 the West Newton Cinema’s Directors Spotlight program presented There Was, There Was Not, the critically acclaimed film by writer and director Emily Mkrtichian. The screening was followed by a Zoom discussion with the director, moderated by Paul…
Join local artist Caryl Hull Leavitt at the New Art Center for a hands-on workshop — Create Modern Collages — on Tuesday, November 11 from 6-8:30PM. Explore loose shapes, color, and pattern as you cut, rip, and paste your way to one or two unique masterpieces inspired by modern masters…
The First Church in Chestnut Hill will be showing The Big Lebowski at their movie night on Wednesday, November 12 at 7PM. All are welcome. The event is free and snacks will be provided. The First Church in Chestnut Hill is located at 26 Suffolk Road, steps from the Chestnut…
The History Book Club of Historic Newton will meet virtually on Thursday, November13 at 7:30PM to discuss France on Trial by Julian Jackson. Read the book in advance and join the meeting, which is held on Zoom and is free and open to all. To receive book club updates and Zoom links,…
The Naumburg Award–winning Lydian String Quartet launches its first of four open rehearsals on Thursday, November 13 at 7:30PM at The Allen Center (35 Webster Street, West Newton). The session will include movements from Beethoven’s String Quartets, Op. 18 No. 4 and Op. 127. Founded in 1980, the Quartet—Clara Lyon and…