See Who’s Playing at the 2025 Summer Concert Series; Join the WaterTunes Project

The City of Watertown provided the following announcement:

The City of Watertown is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of its annual Summer Concert Series at Saltonstall Park (149 Main St.), kicking off on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. This beloved community event promises ten weeks of free, diverse musical performances, taking place every Wednesday throughout July and August from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM, immediately following the popular Watertown Farmers Market. This year’s lineup features an exciting array of local and nationally recognized talent, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

July 2: Classic Groove – Led by Steve Tashjian, Classic Groove will kick off the series with their versatile repertoire spanning R&B, Top 40, Smooth Jazz, Latin, Country, Swing, Middle Eastern, Show Tunes, Blues, and Motown. Special guest vocalist Concetta will join them. July 9: Lightning Rising – A Watertown-based classic rock band, Lightning Rising will bring the best of 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s music with expert musicianship and layered harmonies.

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corp Seeks Young Musicians

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps

The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps has educated young people in how to play fife and drum since 1972. The group participates in events around New England, and seeks young musicians to be part of the Fife and Drum Corps. Find out more information about the group in the announcement provided by Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps. The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps was founded in 1972 in order to pass on New England’s fife and drum tradition to young musicians. The group’s repertoire consists of fife and drum music dating from the American Colonial Period to modern pieces written in the traditional style.

Register to Perform in, Host Musicians in Watertown Porchfest; Deadline Approaching

The following announcement was provided by Watertown Porchfest:

Watertown Porchfest will return to porches, lawns, and driveways on Saturday, May 17th, 2025, with extended hours from 12-6 p.m.! Last year, Watertown residents and organizations had over 70 locations and hosted over 150 performance groups, bringing music to an estimated audience of 1500 people. Registration for venues (“porches”) and performers will close on April 25th. If you are undecided or for more information, check out the details online at www.watertownporchfest.org. It is free to register and free to attend the event. Porchfest is an afternoon of free music (and other performances) performed outside of people’s homes – on porches, patios, driveways, and lawns. Businesses and organizations are welcome to host too.

Catch the 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest on April 11

Watertown MusicFest will be held at Watertown Middle School on April 11, with musicians of different ages and a wide variety of styles. See more in the announcement from the Friends of Watertown Music below. Friends of Watertown Music invites you to our 12th Annual MusicFest this Friday, April 11th. Doors open at 5:15 pm and performances start promptly at 5:30 pm! Come celebrate music with us!

Actor Will Share Stories from “The Godfather,” at Event Also Featuring Jazz & Italian Dinner

The following announcement was provided by event organizer, Spajazzy:

Prepare for an unforgettable evening with Gianni Russo, the iconic Carlo Rizzi from “The Godfather” I and II, as he brings his captivating show, “Untold Stories from the Hollywood Godfather,” to the Sons of Italy in Watertown, MA, on Friday, May 2, 2025. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the show beginning at 7:30 PM. This unique event offers a rare glimpse into the life and career of a Hollywood legend. Gianni Russo will share exclusive anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal experiences from his time working on one of cinema’s most celebrated franchises, as well as his broader career as an author, movie star, and entertainer. Attendees can expect a dynamic performance featuring engaging storytelling, memorable video clips, and live musical performances.

Watertown Music Store Hosting Record Store Day Event

Watertown music store Wanna Hear It Records will host a Record Store Day event with releases from nearly 90 bands and artists from Taylor Swift, Charli XCX and Post Malone to The Killers, Bruce Springsteen and the Talking Heads. The store will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12. Wanna Hear It is located at 117A Galen St., in Watertown. Find out more at wannahearitstore.com

Group Performing Songs of Revolutionary New England

Hear Norumbega Harmony in Concert on March 30. The Norumbega Harmony Group will perform songs dating back to the founding of the United States at a concert in Newton. Among the group’s members are Watertown’s Ron Trial and Bill Holt. See the announcement from Norumbega below. In observance of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, Norumbega Harmony, a vocal group specializing in early American shape-note music since 1976, will present a concert of the era’s patriotic and religious tunes. Songs by William Billings of Boston, along with his associates Oliver Holden of Charlestown, Daniel Read of Connecticut, and others will be accompanied by brief historical commentary by Dr. Stephen Marini, founder and singing master of Norumbega Harmony and chair of the Department of Religion at Wellesley College.

Musicians Wanted to Participate in the 12th Annual MusicFest

The 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest, benefiting music programs in the Watertown Public Schools, seeks performers of all ages and styles. See the announcement from the Friends of Watertown Music below. Calling all musicians: Friends of Watertown Music invites performers to register for our 12th Annual Watertown MusicFest through March 26th! Our Annual MusicFest is a fun community event, offering something for everyone with over 40 performances, across 3 stages, to be held this year on Friday, April 11th, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. The variety of performers often includes 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 have the chance to go around and see as many acts as they wish.