This is a weekend for your ears to experience a dazzling variety of music in a wide range of settings. Catch some original music at Bigelow Chapel in Mount Auburn Cemetery, reminisce about the good ole’ 80’s and 90’s at the Jana Grill, and explore the city during our first annual Watertown Porchfest. There is also time for more quiet gatherings, a one-woman show at the Mosesian Center, a book launch at the Library, and for those reveling in the joys of spring gardening, a plant sale at the Gore Estate. It’s time to get your hands dirty and your garden beautifully productive.
REBORN; MUSICAL INNOVATIONS WITH THE BIGELOW CHAPEL ORGAN PIPES
Saturday, May 18, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Bigelow Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge
Join Artist-in-Residence Eden Rays for a death-aware musical performance that celebrates the 100th Anniversary homecoming of the Bigelow Chapel organ. Performed alongside the cello with vocals, electronics and percussionist Austin Birdy, Eden’s original compositions will explore collective grief, reinvention, ritual and the abstraction of time.
In October 1924 the pipe organ was installed. However it was de-commissioned and removed from the Chapel due to fewer requests to use the organ for services. Today, only the organ’s altar façade remains. Eden has reformed it as a new multi-component instrument called Argent and Sable. Eden Rays is a Boston based composer, cellist, and vocalist. Find out more about the cemetery at https://www.mountauburn.org/
RETRO NIGHT AT THE JANA GRILL
Friday, May 17, 7 p.m.
Jana Grill and Bakery, 2 Watertown St.
Go relive the 80’s and 90’s fun decades through live music by Arslan. Dance, sing along or just listen! RSVP as soon as possible by calling 617-599-5555.
BOOK LAUNCH OF “APARAJITA” at the Watertown Public Library
Saturday, May 18, 1 – 3 p.m.
123 Main St., in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room
Join in a conversation with Boston’s beloved author, Mahua Sen Mukhopadhyay about her recent collection of Bengali short stories, “Aparajita”, released in January 2024. Copies of “Aparajita” and her previous collection “Kaleidoscope” will be available for sale. Grab your signed copies and mingle with other book-lovers for a lively afternoon of “Book-Tok-Adda” and entertainment.
For more information: Click here
GORE PLACE PLANT SALE
Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
52 Gore St., Waltham
Fill your garden with vegetable transplants, locally grown on the Farm at Gore Place. Choose from many varieties of hard-to-find heirloom and hybrid tomatoes, as well as peppers, eggplants, and herbs. Back this year: customer-favorite marigolds! This year’s sale takes place in person on- site at Gore Place’s Farm; there will be no online sales this year.
For more information about the plant sale, including this year’s plant list, visit our Click here.
KEEPING IT IN presented by Pinzer Productions
Friday, May 17, 7:30 p.m.
Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.
“Keeping It In” is a one woman show showing Cindy Pierce who portrays her mother, Nancy, over the last six decades of her life. Functionally dysfunctional families start with well-intended choices and usually lead to unraveling consequences. When Nancy dies at 93, she stumbles on the chance to explain her six decades as a mother of seven, wife and innkeeper. As Nancy’s life tour continues, she reconsiders her choices and the unmistakable evidence that tending our hearts is necessary. When dementia consumes her, she maintains her conviction, humor and sass as she shares a bit more wisdom about family connection, lasting love and the need to adapt right to the final exit ramp.
General Admission: $35. For more information and to buy tickets: Click here
WATERTOWN PORCHFEST
Saturday May 18, 12 – 5 p.m. (Raindate: Sunday, May 19)
See the link for all the 80+ locations
Watertown is having their first ever Porchfest, an afternoon of free music (and other performances) performed outside of people’s homes – on porches, patios, driveways, and lawns. From two local DJs playing at 121 Pleasant St. to the Gosh Darn Brass Band at the Mosesian Center, there is so much music to experience. Walk around your neighborhood or a different one, take your bike to the streets, and enjoy all the great performances across our city.
For a map, list of bands, and general information click here.