A blend of Yiddish and American idioms, Kelzmer music became widely known in the 1800's. But by the 1940's, it's popularity had waned. A revival began in the 1970's, and the KCB was formed in 1980 by Hankus Netsky. For it's first decade, the KCB toured coast to coast. It finally headed abroad in 1990, staging several concerts in Germany and playing the first ever International Yiddish Festival in Krakov, Poland. Described as alternately 'saucy' and 'virtuosic,' the KCB, now a 10-piece band, has appeared several times on Minnesota Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" and has also performed on PBS with Itzhak Perlman. The KCB has numerous widely-distributed discs under it's belt, including releases on the revered Vanguard and Rounder folk labels.
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, non-profit organization. Easton's headquarters includes a bar, kitchen and members room. The members room is equipped with shuffleboard and a pool table. Headed by Grand Knight Richard H. Wertz, Easton Council No. 238 has been existence since 1897.
LINX is a Wellesley-based enrichment program located on Linden Street. The program offers camps and classes for children from infancy through age 13. Offerings include art, dance, film, martial arts, sports, science, music, pre-kindergarten and leadership instruction. Visit the LINX website for registration, program and scheduling information.
Located in the Boston Center for the Arts building, the Speakeasy Stage Company produces and stages plays at the nearby Calderwood Pavillion, right on Restaurant Row in the South End. In the past few years, they've staged productions of The History Boys, Adding Machine: A musical and Bat Boy. This stage company has been nominated for and won a number of Elliot Norton and Irne Awards.
Established in 1923, Arlington Friends of the Drama is one of the oldest community theater groups in the country. Located in the former St. John's Episcopal Church, the group produces five different shows annually, including musicals, a comedy and a drama. Members receive benefits such as discount tickets to all shows, invitations to season open and close parties and other perks. Individual tickets are also available.
Americana Theatre Company is a non-profit professional theatre company based in Plymouth. The group puts on many types of shows and productions. Check the main website for details on upcoming events or for information on donations.
Dynasty International Models and Talent Agency is the foremost modeling agency in Boston, with satellite locations in New York City and Miami Beach. It represents a wide range of ages and body types including babies, teenagers, petite and runway models. The company works with advertising, casting and production companies in the media markets of print, television, film and internet. Clients include big names such as Vogue, Coca-Cola, Reebok and GAP. This Back Bay office is inviting and comfortable, with a big leather sofa in the waiting room and many pictures portraying Dynasty's successful models and actors plastering the walls.
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston is a not-for-profit theater company that puts on seven shows a year. Shows include musicals, dramas, comedies, literary plays and new and classic plays. The company also offers youth programs, such as a summer program for teens between the ages of 14 and 20, who get to participate in workshops and theater productions.
This educational garden and performance space takes the idea of compact gardening to a whole new level. On just over ¼-acre of sloping ground, the garden packs in an orchard, vegetable gardens, a grape arbor, a pond and stream, a labyrinth, an amphitheater, a solar-powered fountain and—safely in the back—a beehive. The event schedule is just as jam-packed. All of it is the work of a horde of volunteers that created the center in 1994 with the support of the City.
All are welcome to help garden or simply sit here. Meanwhile, numerous hands-on, after-school and vacation programs teach youths about science and nature. Special events also bring farm life to the city with activities such as maple syrup making and apple pressing. A busy arts calendar features concerts, dance, art shows, theater, storytelling and the occasional fanciful event like Fairy Night, where children don wings and flit about the greenery. If a volunteer can think of it, the garden will likely host it.
Others come to calm their minds at meditation groups or labyrinth walks. One thing we should all contemplate while there: this space was once just a steep sand pit on the former site of Southern Junior High. But once a few residents planted the seed—and rolled up their sleeves to tend it—it grew into a significant community resource.