Things to do: Events

Here is the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission newsletter for February.  

Join those involved at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 via Zoom, as they discuss ways to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride in Arlington in 2023.

Participants plan to review potential activities for the year and give folks the opportunity to brainstorm other activities and volunteer to help plan or help out on the day of the events of your choosing.

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, with Mark Harvey, first row center.

The celebration of the 50^th year of Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, led by Arlington's Mark Harvey, continues with the a spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at Church of the Covenant, Boston.

“Celebrating the Duke, Trane and Mary Lou” features music by Duke Ellington on his birthday and compositions by Harvey in honor of National Jazz Appreciation Month and International Jazz Day (April 30). 

Highlights include Ellington’s “Come Sunday” and “Chinoiserie” and wide-ranging works by Harvey:  “Soul on Soul” (for Mary Lou Williams), “The Seeker” (for John Coltrane) and the premiere of Harvey’s latest work, “Prayer for Ukraine.”

True Story Theater, based in Arlington, presents issues to the public by involving the audience through "playback" -- by drawing stories from them and having actor present the stories that arise. 

Join those in person for Beats for EATS from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Arlington Town Hall, 730 Mass. Ave. 

Support Arlington EATS in the nonprofit's largest fund-raising event of the year. The evening features dancing, with music by Soul City;  hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a silent auction.

Arlington EATS’ goal is to engage the community in eliminating food insecurity and hunger in Arlington.

Donnell Patterson directs. / Mystic Chorale photo

Registration is now open for Arlington-based Mystic Chorale’s gospel season, with Covid precautions.

This nonaudition chorus welcomes all who love to sing to celebrate the joy and power of gospel music along with a predicted group of more than 150 other participants.

Leading the eight-week gospel season, known as "Simply Amazing," will be Donnell Patterson. It is scheduled to begin Tuesday, Jan. 3, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at First Parish, 630 Mass. Ave., Arlington.

The chorale is scheduled to perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in Cary Hall, Lexington.

The program includes the hymn “Amazing Grace,” Deniece Williams’s “God is Amazing” and gospel trailblazer Hezekiah Walker’s “Amazing.”

The Arlington Historical Society welcomes all to its 10th year of members gathering to hear interesting talks and enjoy refreshments on midwinter Wednesdays. All events are at 1 p.m. in person at the Historical Society, 7 Jason St.

Note: Please check the society website the morning of the scheduled talk for postponements or cancellations in the event of inclement weather.

Plug In at Robbins invites all to make Valentine's Day cards for local Meals on Wheels clients on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Community Room in the Robbins Library, 700 Mass. Ave.

In 2021 and 2022, these were remote events, and each year we made more than 200 cards. This year, our third, we will be together in person to make valentine cards to send and to share. Registration is required, as capacity is limited to 25. Please register by 7 p.m. on Feb. 7.

Register here >>

UPDATED Feb. 1: "Labor of Life: Textiles + Fiber" opens Thursday, Feb. 2, with a reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Arlington Center for the Arts. The exhibit is on display through March 30.

The exhibit is curated by fiber artist and educator, Kristina Goransson. The artwork showcases the diverse techniques that encompass the world of textiles.

From intricate tapestry weaving to paper sculpture, the exhibit hopes to engage the viewer in possibilities. Artists are using traditional techniques to speak of contemporary subject matters while others are using new innovations within textiles, pushing the medium forward.

The Menotomy Grill & Tavern, which opened in 2013, brews live music Thursday nights.

The pandemic closed the place in March 2020, and dining returned that June. See who's scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. >>

Plenty of parking, and never a cover.

Essex Piano Trio

The Menotomy Concert Series plans to present “The Sounds of Vienna -- Then and Now,” with the Essex Piano Trio: Ashley Offret, violin; David Cabral, cello; and Beverly Soll, piano.

The show is to take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in Arlington Town Hall, 730 Mass. Ave. Admission is free; donations are accepted.

The program, according to the organization, is as follows: