Arts

Ballet, Hollywood Dance, Soca and More: BalletRox Offers Dance Programs for Anyone of Any Age

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One of the sweetest things to see in Jamaica Plain, is the smiles on the children dancing in BalletRox classes at Spontaneous Celebrations. Wanting to know more about BalletRox, Jamaica Plain News asked Program Manager Lisa Kelleher about what ballet classes, tap lessons, special events, vacation programming, and more. Q: What is your role at BalletRox, and why did you want to get involved with BalletRox? Kelleher: I am Program Manager, managing both of our studios: In JP, at Spontaneous Celebrations, and in Roxbury at the Vine Street Community Center. In addition, as partner liaison I manage our partnerships with the Boston Public schools, a few private schools and after school programs.

With these programs we are able to fulfill our mission of giving everyone A Chance to Dance.

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Arts

The Most Popular Books at Boston Public Library This Year Are…

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This year's most popular book across the Boston Public Library system is Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. But which books are the most popular in our Jamaica Plain libraries? Locally, Garmus' book was one of the top checked out books at the Connolly and Jamaica Plain branches. The book is, "Set in 1960s California, this blockbuster debut is the hilarious, idiosyncratic and uplifting story of a female scientist whose career is constantly derailed by the idea that a woman's place is in the home, only to find herself starring as the host of America's most beloved TV cooking show." Check out the most popular books at the Connolly, Egleston Square, and Jamaica Plain Branch Libraries, and the top adult, teen, and children's books, top streamed movies, top audiobooks, and more.

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Arts

47 Years Overdue: Someone Returned a Record to Jamaica Plain Library Due in 1976

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While not a world record, someone recently returned a vinyl record to the Jamaica Plain Branch Library that was due in 1976! The vinyl record was left in the return bin in the front of the library and the staff didn't see who returned the record that was due on October 27, 1976. Maybe the person was worried about being fined, but Boston public libraries no longer fine people for late items.

For the record -- the vinyl record was Junior Walker and The All Stars' "Anthology", which was released in 1974. The vinyl record wasn't even in the system -- maybe because the Jamaica Plain Branch Library doesn't even have vinyl records to lend anymore -- nor do other Boston branch libraries. JP's branch librarians contacted the archival department at Boston's Central Library to let them know about the record.

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Arts

Jamaica Plain Fiddler Celebrating Her 18th Birthday in Style by Performing at a Night Club

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Jamaica Plain fiddler Micah John will be celebrate her 18th birthday in a unique way -- by performing at Club Passim with friends and mentors.  

John answered questions from Jamaica Plain News about how she started playing the fiddle, who inspired her, and finding the "pocket" with other musicians. Q: At what age did you start playing fiddle? John: I started playing fiddle when I had just turned 9. I'd been wanting to learn for a while, and a family friend offered me her childhood fiddle.

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Arts

Still Time to See Footlight Club’s ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’

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The Footlight Club's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a new version of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel of the evil that lurks inside -- and there are several more shows that you can still see. Here is a synopsis of the show from The Footlight Club:
On the fog-bound streets of Victorian-era London, Henry Jekyll’s experiments with exotic “powders and tinctures” have brought forth his other self—Edward Hyde, a sensualist and villain free to commit the sins Jekyll is too civilized to comprehend. When Hyde meets a woman who stirs his interest, Jekyll fears for her life and decides to end his experiments. But Hyde has other ideas, and so the two sides battle each other in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse to determine who shall be the master and who his slave. With multiple Hydes portrayed by members of the cast.

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Arts

Boston’s Afro-Latinx Artists Will Have Their Virtual Space Thanks to Hyde Square Task Force

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The cultural district of Boston's Latin Quarter (BLQ) launched a new virtual directory that will bring together the community of black and brown artists promoting Afro-Latinx arts and culture in Boston. Boston's Afro-Latinx Artists Network directory (BALAN) will highlight the profiles of Boston-based artists, announced Celina Miranda, executive director of Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF), the organization in charge of managing the projects of this cultural district. Boston’s Latin Quarter will also promote this network as an initiative to contribute to the artistic development of Afro-Latinx artists in the city and elevate their presence in its cultural spaces. Miranda presented BALAN's new project during the “En Foco: Afro-Latinx Arts in Boston” discussion, in which Afro-Latinx artists presented their perspectives on the realities and challenges they face to advance and make their work known. “Recognizing the influence of artists and their contributions to the communities, we want to make them visible, listen to their ideas, and promote new opportunities in this city,” said Miranda.

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Arts

Lantern Workshops Coming Up for Families and Adults at Spontaneous Celebrations and Libraries

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Spontaneous Celebrations is hosting four lantern workshops in the days before the 40th Annual Lantern Parade around Jamaica Pond. There will be a lantern workshops for anyone at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library (30 South St.) on Oct. 12 from 3:30-5:30 pm, and the Connolly Library (433 Centre St.) on Oct. 16 from 5 to 7 pm. There will be two lantern workshops for adults only on Oct.

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Arts

Enjoy a Banned Book During Banned Books Week at Jamaica Plain Branch Library

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This week is Banned Books Week and you can celebrate it at the Jamaica Plain Branch Library by checking out some of the banned books on display. The Boston Public Library joined Books Unbanned, an initiative dedicated to making sure teens have access to the library material they need regardless of what their local libraries can offer. "Programs like these are more important than ever as censorious attitudes are soaring," said a Friends of the Jamaica Plain Library newsletter. In 2022, the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources. That is highest number of attempted book bans since ALA started tracking stats more than 20 years ago.

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