Somerville Museum Programs 2016
Through March 26, 2016
Union Square at Work extended:
photographs, stories, and music from Somerville's oldest commercial district
The Union Square at Work exhibit is now on view through March 2016 at the Somerville Museum, in New England's most densely populated city. Stop by for photographs and stories from the tattoo parlor, the clean tech incubator, the puppeteer, the gas station, and the American Legion Post. Union Square at Work documents the distinctly American themes of entrepreneurship, immigration, family-run companies, redevelopment, and the many ways people bring creativity into their work. The show reveals the fabric of a neighborhood, where you will meet small businesspeople, artists, nonprofit pioneers, and public sector employees. Take it in as you listen to the Union Square Playlist -- 20 songs by 20 Union Square musicians.
Stay tuned for a list of upcoming museum events -- special thanks to the Somerville Arts Council, Club Passim's Iguana Fund, and, as always, the big-hearted Evelyn Battinelli.
Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
Musick's Recreation: 17th-century English Music for Lute and Viol
Duo Maresienne (Olav Chris Henriksen, theorbo Baroque lute & Baroque guitar; Carol Lewis, bass, treble and lyra viols) perform sonatas and suites by Jenkins, Simpson, Locke, and Finger, among other British composers of the 17th century. The concert will include several dances from John Playford's 1652 publication Musick's Recreation on the Viol, Lyra-Way, a collection of popular tunes and dance music all arranged for solo viola da gamba. Mr. Henriksen will perform lute solos by Mace and Dupré and guitar pieces by Matteis.
Admission is $19 for the general public, $14 for students, seniors, and Museum members.
More about Early Music Afternoon
Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
A Masque in Flowers:17th-century English Dances & Fantasias,
El Dorado Ensemble (Carol Lewis, Janet Haas, Mai-Lan Broekman, Paul Johnson, Alice Mroszczyk, violas da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, lute) perform court and theater music from the golden age of English viol consort music, with works by Brade, Simpson, Johnson, Coperario, Bateman, Adson & others.
Admission is $19 for the general public, $14 for students, seniors, and Museum members.
More about Early Music Afternoons
April 17 - May 21, 2016
Somerville Open Studios 2016 Artists' Choice Exhibit
Opening Reception: Sunday, April 17, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Artists' Choice Exhibit offers the best opportunity to preview the studios and artists' work. All Come to the Artists' Choice Exhibit first to plan your weekend.
More about Somerville Open Studios
Thursday, May 5th, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. (at Prospect Hill Tower)
The Lesser Known History of Prospect Hill.
In the late 1800s there was once a windmill on Prospect Hill. And here the boys from Somerville enlisted in the Union Army
during the Civil War! Come hear local historian, Larry Willwerth talk about its history.
Meet at Prospect Hill Tower and dress for wind.
May is Preservation Month!
Saturday May 7 at 10:00 a.m.: Tour Magoun Square
Preservation Month Calendar of Events
Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.
Sonate e Cantate: Italian Baroque Music for Viols and Voice.
Mezzo-soprano Pamela Dellal joins El Dorado Ensemble(Carol Lewis, Janet Haas, Mai-Lan Broekman, Paul Johnson, Alice Mroszczyk, violas da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, theorbo) in original works for voice and viols, including music by Stradella, Marcello, Handel, Legrenzi, and G. Strozzi, among others.
Admission is $19 for the general public, $14 for students, seniors, and Museum members.
More about Early Music Afternoons
Tuesday, May 10th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. (at Milk Row Cemetery)
The History of Milk Row Cemetery
As part of May Preservation Month Activities, Barbara Mangum, President of the Somerville Museum, speaks about the history of Milk Row Cemetery. Meet at the Cemetery at 400 Somerville Avenue near Market Basket. No Rain Date.
Sunday, May 22, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.. Reception to follow.
The History of Somerville Lumber
Harold Cohen, former co-owner of Somerville Lumber will speak about the rise and fall of this local icon. Was it Home Depot? Harold says no. Come hear the full story from one of the owners.
Sunday, June 5th, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (at St. Catherine's Church)
Tour of St. Catherine of Genoa Church
Kevin Smith, board member of St. Catherine of Genoa Church will give a lecture and tour of the church interior to celebrate its 125th year anniversary.
Sunday, Sept. 11, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Milk Row Cemetery Docent Opening.
Join Eileen Schofield, HS President, to learn more about this historic 1804 cemetery and recently completed grant projects there. Meet at the gates to the cemetery at 439 Somerville Avenue next to Market Basket.
Free talk and open to the public for exploring.
Sunday, Sept 25, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., reception to follow.
The Jews of Somerville and Greater Boston
A talk by Prof. Ellen Smith. Smith is Director of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University and an Associate Professor and faculty member of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies with many publications, exhibitions and awards to her name.
General Admission: $8; free to members.
Somerville Museum Invites Proposals for Art & History Exhibits
The Somerville Museum invites applications for public exhibits at the museum. Selected community curators will receive a seed grant of $2,500 and exhibit space in the galleries at One Westwood Road.
Information Session: Friday, October 21, 2016 at 6 pm
Proposal Deadline: November 4, 2016
More about the curatorial program | Program flyer
Sunday, Oct. 23, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ghosts of Somerville at Milk Row Cemetery.
Conversations with the Ghosts are back as part of the SomerStreets MonsterMash Festival that closes
Somerville Avenue to all motorist traffic. 439 Somerville Avenue. Dress for cold weather.
Suggested donation: $5; free to children under 8 years of age. Food and drink offered for purchase.
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Experience Isn't Everything: The Strange Career of General Charles Lee.
A talk by Prof. Daniel Breen. Breen's lectures are beloved by HS members as informative and thoroughly delightful. This year Breen will join us to share details about the colorful and controversial figure of General Charles Lee, whose headquarters during the Siege of Boston were in the Oliver Tufts House on Sycamore Street.
General Admission: $8; free to members.
Friday, Nov. 11, 2:30– 3:00 p.m.
Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony at Milk Row Cemetery.
Please join members of Historic Somerville and the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts to commemorate Somerville's Veterans of the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Free to the public.
Sunday, November 13, 3:00 p.m.
Affetti Musicali: Virtuoso Music of the Italian Early Baroque.
Countertenor and cornettist Michael Collver joins Duo Maresienne (Carol Lewis, viola da gamba; Olav Chris Henriksen, archlute & Baroque guitar) in songs, dances, toccatas and sonatas by Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Castello, Saracini, d’India and Bassani.
General admission: $20; $15 for students, seniors and Museum members.
More about Early Music afternoons
Friday, Dec. 9, 7–9:30 p.m.,
Historic Somerville and Somerville Museum Winter Holiday Party.
Please join us for our annual winter holiday event with music, good food, entertainment and great cheer for all.
General admission: $10, free to members, volunteers and supporters.
