Around Town

Special Performance of Play About Watertown’s Indigenous History

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The following announcement was provided by the Pigsgusset Initiative:

Community members are invited to a spring performance of Listen to Sipu, a play about Watertown’s Indigenous History written by Mwalim*7) and performed by New Repertory Theatre. Save the date!  May 11, 2023. Listen to Sipu offers a captivating and powerful story that illuminates Watertown’s Indigenous history. Join in on a performance led by a modern-day Tour Guide and meet Sipu, a quick-witted Indigenous woman who’s more than willing to correct misinformation when she hears it. Armed with facts the Tour Guide begins describing Watertown’s local history only to find that the facts are missing a lot of truths. Sipu is ready to step in and set the record straight, but will people choose to listen? 

The performance will be offered at the Watertown Middle School auditorium from 6:30-8:00 P.M. A light supper provided by Branchline featuring the Indigenous cuisine of Chef Sherry Pocknett will be provided from 5:30 – 6:30 in the cafeteria. Thanks to generous grants from the Watertown Community Foundation, the Watertown Cultural Council and support from the school-based Diversity and Inclusion Councils both the supper and performance are free.

Around Town

Hear Immigrant Stories at Event Hosted by Project Literacy & Watertown Refugee Group

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The following information was provided by Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group:

Have you ever lived in a foreign country? Many of us have visited other countries for work or pleasure, but few have lived for a year or more in a country whose culture is different from our own. For most of us, going to another country and returning home at a time of our convenience has been a choice, not a necessity. If you were ever in a country very different from your own, do you remember the feelings of disorientation, and even culture shock? 

Watertown is rich in immigrants from many countries, with compelling stories of how and why they came to settle here. Project Literacy and the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group have organized an immigrant story-sharing event on Saturday, May 6 at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Light lunch from 11:30-12 will be followed by stories from Haitian, Syrian, Iranian, Guatemalan, and Vietnamese immigrants.

Schools

Hear Musicians from Around Watertown at the 10th Annual MusicFest

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The following information was provided by the Friends of Watertown Music:

Friends of Watertown Music invites you to attend our 10th Annual MusicFest, on Friday, April 28, from 5:30 to 9:15 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School. MusicFest is a fun community event, offering something for everyone! This year’s event will feature over 40 performances, across 3 stages. The variety of performers will include student musicians, Watertown Public School teachers, local rock bands, established musicians, a vignette of musical theater, and more. Performances run from 5 to 20 minutes, so attendees will have the chance to go around and see as many acts as they wish.

Around Town

Catch Basin Cleaning Starts Soon, DPW Asks Residents to Help Keep Them Clean

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Watertown DPWThe Department of Public Works will start stormwater catch basin cleaning during the week of April. 24. The following announcement was provided by the Department of Public Works:

Beginning the week of April 24, 2023, the City will be cleaning stormwater catch basins throughout the City, utilizing our contractor, BMC Corporation. There are about 3,500 catch basins in the City and it will take about a month to clean them all. Catch basins collect stormwater off the streets and connect to drain pipes that ultimately flow to the Charles River.

Around Town

Our History: Sam Adams Frequented Watertown’s Fowle House

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Charlie BreitroseThe Edmund Fowle House in Watertown housed the Massachusetts Council in Revolutionary times. Sam Adams was among the members of the Council. The following story is part of a series on local history provided by the Historical Society of Watertown. It was written by Historical Society President Marilynne Roach for the January 2009 Historical Society newsletter, “The Town Crier”. Marilynne is also on the board of the Watertown Historical Commission.

Around Town

An Ode to Goaltending in This Week’s Small Saves

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal–then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

Volunteers Will Cleanup Along the Charles River for Earth Day

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The Charles River Cleanup will take place at different areas along the river in Watertown on Saturday. The following announcement was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s Office:

Join Senator Brownsberger and staff for the annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023 to pick up litter along the river. Teams will gather at three locations:

Herter Park from 10 AM – 12 PM

Squibnocket Park from 10 AM – 12 PM

Charles River Greenway (behind Stop & Shop) from 9 AM – 12 PM

We encourage all volunteers to bring a reusable water bottle. Upon your arrival, we will provide direction regarding what area of the park & river pathway you and your group can focus on. In partnership with DCR, we will provide bags and gloves. If you have any questions, feel welcome to email me directly.

Entertainment

Revels Hosting Auditions for 2023 Midwinter Performances

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The following information was provided by Watertown-based Revels:

Come sing with Revels! Audition sign-ups for the 2023 Midwinter Revels adult chorus are now open, and we are excited to hear performers of all ages (18+), backgrounds, and experience levels. Most important in our auditionees is a passion for singing – Revels cast members are people who love to sing, who sing vigorously and accurately with a good sense of rhythm, and who can hold their own part in a choral context. Sight-reading is not necessary, but a good ear and the ability to memorize music and text are. 

Auditions will take place on Friday, June 2, from 4 – 8 PM and Saturday, June 3, from 10 AM – 8 PM at the Belmont Methodist Church (421 Common St, Belmont, MA 02478) and on Sunday, June 4, from 10 AM – 5 PM at Central Square Theater (450 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA). Auditionees will be asked to prepare two short songs and learn a group number, and will be given the opportunity to learn choreography at the audition, should they be interested in dancing in the show.