By Isaac Chapin
Arts Reporter
On October 18, Newton Community Pride held its 35th annual Newton Center Harvest Fair. The variety of booths and rides proved fun for the whole family, but the most memorable part of the day proved to be the live entertainment.
Kicking off the event was a YMCA youth rock band showcase, with five different bands playing one song each. The performances featured a Newton South-based group called Jared and the Giants, an orchestral showcase by the Suzuki School of Newton, and Loose Change, a well known group of Newton educators that can often be seen playing at Bill’s Pizzeria. Together the groups covered a wide variety of music, from Bob Dylan to Michael Jackson, and illustrated just how artistic the Newton community is.
Taking the musical theme in a different direction, the Newton Youth Players, a theater group composed of students ranging from ages six to eleven, performed pieces from their summer musical, Oklahoma!. These performers showed off their love of singing, dancing, and acting with a truly spirited performance.
But music wasn’t the only focus of the day. In addition to the instrumental talent, there was also an incredible martial arts demonstration by the Giroux Brothers School. A group of young students performed an incredibly rhythmic and absolutely mesmerizing routine.
Many local dance studios, including Creative Steps Dance Studio, Joanne Langione Dance Center, and All That Jazz Dance Studio, also brought groups of students to perform. Featuring contemporary music and unique choreography, this showcase got the audience moving right along with the dancers.
To close out the day, Newton Community Pride welcomed Jane’s Great Dane to the stage. This Americana band with a Cajun kick has been described as “the musical equivalent of a sizzling plate of Jambalaya” by HOWL Magazine’s Victoria Wasylak. These experienced musicians were a great way to close out a fantastic day and can be seen playing all over the Boston area.
All in all, the Harvest Fair was a full day of wonderful artistic entertainment featuring the extraordinarily talented Newton Community.
