Watertown Resident Singing as Part of Boston’s First Night Day Celebrations

Watertown resident Kim Leeds will sing alto in The Museum of African American History/The Handel & Haydn Society’s Sixth Annual Jubilee Day Concert, which is part of Boston’s First Night Day Celebrations. The Handel & Haydn Society sent out the following information:

The Handel and Haydn Society and the Museum of African American History proudly announce the sixth annual Jubilee Day Concert, part of First Night First Day Boston, and in partnership with Trinity Church Boston. Conducted by Scott Allen Jarrett and featuring narrated passages from the Emancipation Proclamation by poet Regie Gibson, the concert takes place Sunday, December 31 at 2 pm at Trinity Church, located in Boston’s Copley Square. The concert is free and open to the public, on a first come, first served basis. This year’s Jubilee Day concert program features music by Mendelssohn, Bach, and Handel as well as readings of the Emancipation Proclamation – all based on “two broader themes of ‘Hope in the Lord’ and ‘Be Not Afraid,’” shares conductor Scott Allen Jarrett.

Singing Deli Worker Delights Russo’s Shoppers, Becomes an Internet Sensation

A Facebook video of a Russo’s deli worker singing Christmas songs has gone viral, and caught the attention of news outlets both locally and nationally. 

Gillie Assuncao began working at Russo’s just four months ago as a dishwasher but now works in the market’s deli area. The Brazilian native also has an amazing baritone voice. The store posted a video of Assuncao singing to customers over the weekend and it took off. It also caught the attention of media, both locally and nationally. He has been interviewed by news outlets, including Boston’s WBZ Channel 4 and the national ABC News.

Mosesian Center Hosts Free First Day Event with Fun for the Whole Family

Mosesian Center for the Arts will host a free event on Jan. 1, 2018 with activities for kids and more. The center released the following announcement:

Celebrate the New Year at the Third Annual First Day at the Mosesian Center for the Arts! Free family fun featuring: Art & Theatre Activities, Fortunes, a Ball Drop at Noon, a Live Performance from Karen K & the Jitterbugs at 12:15, New Year’s Photo Booth, Dance Party & more! Bring a nut free snack or purchase one from on-site and enjoy our indoor picnic area and dance party!

Holiday Performances, Breakfast with Santa and More at the Watertown Mall

Head down to the Watertown Mall to get some holiday cheer this month. The mall announced there will be musical performances, a breakfast with Santa and visit St. Nick at his village. Holiday Entertainment
The Watertown Mall is proud to present holiday performances by local elementary and high school bands, choral and string groups as well as semi-professional music groups from the Greater Boston area throughout the month of December. After taking your picture with Santa at Santa’s Village, stay for the music and shopping!

Two Folk Groups Featured at the Tremedal Holiday Concert in Watertown

The Tremedal Holiday Concert in Watertown features a twin bill of folk acts. Dean Steven and Lorraine & Bennett Hammond will perform at First Parish Church, 35 Church St. in Watertown, on Friday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. Also that evening, colorful, creative crafts from Central America which make for nice holiday gifts will be on sale. The Tremedal Concerts benefit the Watertown-El Salvador Sister City Project.

Perkins School Hosting Two Free Holiday Concerts

Perkins School for the Blind will host a pair of holiday concerts which are free and open to the public. The school sent out the following information:

Please join us for holiday concerts at Perkins School for the Blind on Sunday, December 3, at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m. The concerts are free and wheelchair accessible in Dwight Hall. Please RSVP if you plan to attend on Sunday and/or Tuesday. RSVP here. Enjoy Perkins’ talented student musicians as they perform beautifully arranged choral and instrumental works originating from around the world and enjoy refreshments afterward.

Folk Singer Cosy Sheridan Performing at First Parish Church

This month’s Tremedal Concert features folk singer Cosy Sheridan. The concert organizers wrote:

She came to prominence in 1992 when she won the songwriting contest at The Kerrville Folk Festival and The Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The Boston Globe wrote, “She is now being called one of the best new singer/songwriters,” upon release of her CD Quietly Led on Waterbug Records. Her concerts are wide-ranging explorations: love songs for adults and practical philosophy for  a complicated world. She has written about the stock market crash of 2008 and fall-out from uranium mining in the American southwest.

Pianist Performing Music from the Harlem Renaissance at the Library

The Watertown Free Public Library will host a pianist who will perform a variety of music from the Harlem Renaissance as part of the events associated with the One Book, One Watertown book Homegoing. The library sent out the following announcement:

Due to unforseen circumstances, the Uptown String Quartet will not be able to perform this Sunday as planned. We didn’t want to leave you without a fun Sunday afternoon of music, so we’ve invited Piano Phil DeVille to perform in the same time slot. Piano Phil DeVille will take a musical journey through the sounds of the Harlem Renaissance. From Eubie Blake’s Ragtime stylings, through early Boogie, and onto the titans of Harlem Stride: Willie “The Lion” Smith, Fats Waller, and James P. Johnson.