Arts & Culture

The Silver Unicorn wins award for its independent spirit

August 30, 2025

The Silver Unicorn Bookstore, a neighborhood hub in Acton known for its welcoming shelves of adult and children’s titles as well as its lively calendar of author events, has just received the Independent Spirit Award from the New England Independent Booksellers Association. Chosen by the Book Publisher Representatives of New England — those who visit and support bookstores across the region — the award recognizes not only excellence in bookselling, but also deep engagement with community and industry. I sat down with owner and operator Paul Swydan to talk about what this honor means, how the store has become such…

Acton fetes Fourth with food, fireworks, and Thirty6 Red

July 12, 2025

by James Conboy

July 4, NARA Park, Acton. Whether fans arrived early for the music of Thirty6 Red, or later for just the fireworks, they were rewarded with perfect weather for Acton’s annual patriotic bash. But many might have found it to be worth the trip just for the food truck…

Music review: Diamond’s music sparkles

July 12, 2025

by Meg Stafford

Pianist Molly Flannery, long time performer at the Acton Jazz Cafe, hosted a house concert at her Littleton home for Harvey Diamond, her teacher, mentor, and jazz icon, along with New York-based double bassist Cameron Brown, and Cuban-born drummer Francisco Mela. On a sweltering Sunday at the end…

Open Door Theater and Think Outside the Vox celebrate Disability Pride Month and present the fourth Ask Me Fair

July 12, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Open Door Theater of Acton and Think Outside the Vox (Vox) are proud to present the fourth annual Ask Me Fair, a living library experience designed for families and open to all. This is a free event on Saturday, July 19 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at Sargent Memorial Library…

Concerts on the lawn return to the library

June 21, 2025

by Miriam Lezak

Acton Memorial Library’s summer music season kicked off on June 12 with a concert by singer-songwriter Rodney Mashia. Mr. Mashia, who was raised in rural Louisiana but now lives in Maine, entertained a small but enthusiastic audience on a gorgeous summer evening. Mr. Mashia played a variety of…

Acton residents shine at 2025 AANHPI Heritage Festival on Boston Common

June 7, 2025

by Ying Dong

On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the 2025 AANHPI [Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander] Heritage Festival took place at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common. Hosted by the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECAA), MA250, the Red Sox, the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, United Chinese Americans…

Puppet-powered musical brings Mo Willems’ Pigeon to Theatre III

June 7, 2025

by Jen Lewy

What happens when a determined bird wants to drive a bus? Audiences will find out June 14 and 15 at Theatre III in Acton, MA, when Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! brings Mo Willems’ beloved picture book to life—this time, with puppets. Tickets are…

Acton sixth-grader wins first prize in Letters About Literature competition

June 7, 2025

by Kim Kastens

Sasha Kosmina, a sixth grader from Acton, was the first place winner in the Grade 4-6 category of the Letters About Literature competition. Sasha and the other winners were honored in a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House on May 20. The annual Letters About Literature competition is…

Mural in West Acton unveiled

May 31, 2025

by Sarah Shamel

The clouds were just beginning to part after Thursday’s Nor’easter, as a few dozen Actonions gathered on the still-damp pavement in West Acton Village on Friday morning to witness the unveiling of a new public art installation. “Public art helps create a community identity,” Town Manager John Mangiaratti…

YV Museum concert: fascinating sounds from fantastical instruments

May 31, 2025

by Meg Stafford

It was impossible to know what to expect from the May 18 concert at the YV Museum. The photo alone does not conjure the possibilities of sound and motion that are created by this metal sculpture composed of some recognizable parts (Buddha head, horse shoes, hubcaps, parts of…

Salt & Sand Gallery opens for season with Acton artist Howard Wang

May 31, 2025

Mark MalinowskiandRandy Pipkin

Salt & Sand Fine Art Gallery, a collective of nine artists nestled in the vibrant Kennebunk, Maine community, celebrates its second season with a wide variety of new art created by both emerging and award-winning artists living throughout Maine and New England. The Gallery is located at 2…

Anchor and Pastor Liz Walker writes book, speaks to Friends of the COA

May 10, 2025

by Meg Stafford

Liz Walker, author, pastor, and former Channel 4 TV news anchor, captivated an audience of 85 at the Acton Senior Center on Tuesday, May 6 as she explained her journey from News Anchor to author of No One Left Alone. Dressed in deep purple with a spring green…

Empowering Voices: Concord Conservatory’s Singing With Parkinson’s Chorus

May 3, 2025

by Sara Seng

Imagine a world where your own voice, once a natural expression of self, begins to diminish, to fade. This is a reality for many living with Parkinson’s disease, a condition that can impact vocal abilities and overall well-being. Acton resident Helena Chan faced this challenge. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s…

Acton 250: Robbins Ride reenactment draws a crowd

April 26, 2025

Alissa NicolandThe Acton Exchange Team

About 100 residents gathered at the Faulkner House early Friday evening to see the reenactment of the alarm ride of April 19, 1775. Members of the Acton Minutemen re-enact this event every year, with riders portraying Samuel Prescott and Captain Robbins’ 13-year-old son John Prescott, who rode to…

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

April 26, 2025

by Franny Osman

The annual reenactment of the Acton Minutemen’s march from the Isaac Davis home site at 39 Hayward Rd in Acton to the Old North Bridge in Concord, took place earlier than usual this year, on Friday, April 18. One longtime veteran of the walk commented that the mild…

A group of men and women in front of a Happy Birthday sign. In the foreground is a brightly decorated table, ready for guests to come in.

Acton Community Supper celebrates 13 years of service

April 12, 2025

by Janyce Vicik

On April 2, Mt. Calvary Community Supper celebrated its 13th Birthday by serving a three-course, sit-down meal inside Fellowship Hall at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Acton. The evening provided an opportunity to recognize and thank all the people who dedicate their time and energy to make Supper…

The Spies of 1775: Fascinating Tales of Mystery, Intrigue, and Marital Infidelity

April 12, 2025

by Ron Parenti

The outcome of any military engagement is difficult to predict, and accurate information about the opposition’s manpower, armaments, and troop movements often plays a critical role in achieving victory. The impending battle between the Colonists and the occupying British army in 1775 would be an asymmetric conflict between…

YV Art Museum Spring Opening; yet another hidden gem in Acton

April 5, 2025

by Pam Minichiello

On Sunday March 17, Contemporary Arts International, also known as the YV Art Museum, held a Spring Opening showcasing the works of three artists: Yin Peet, David Adilman, and Chou Yu-Chen. If you have never been to the YV Art Museum, it is somewhat hidden, located off Quarry…

Ramadan in Acton

March 29, 2025

by Zayd Dhasthageer

“There’s a hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness.We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.If the brain and the belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.”– Rumi These words from…

2024 – 2025 Books in Bloom by the Acton Garden Club

March 29, 2025

Ann Marie TestarmataandCathy Fochtman

What do “I Claudius”, “Mary Poppins”, and “The Little Engine That Could” have in common? They were all published in 1934 and were featured in the Books in Bloom Festival at the Acton Memorial Library December 5-7, 2024. Read our story of Books in Bloom and look forward…

Standing ovations for “The Prom” as Open Door Theater’s inclusive production continues

March 22, 2025

by Jen Lewy

Open Door Theater opened its latest musical production on Friday, March 21, with “The Prom: School Edition,” which runs for six performances from March 21-30, 2025, at the Dragonfly Theater in R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton. The musical follows four Broadway stars who travel to a…

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Arts & Culture

The Silver Unicorn wins award for its independent spirit

Acton fetes Fourth with food, fireworks, and Thirty6 Red

Music review: Diamond’s music sparkles

Open Door Theater and Think Outside the Vox celebrate Disability Pride Month and present the fourth Ask Me Fair

Concerts on the lawn return to the library

Acton residents shine at 2025 AANHPI Heritage Festival on Boston Common

Puppet-powered musical brings Mo Willems’ Pigeon to Theatre III

Acton sixth-grader wins first prize in Letters About Literature competition

Mural in West Acton unveiled

YV Museum concert: fascinating sounds from fantastical instruments

Salt & Sand Gallery opens for season with Acton artist Howard Wang

Anchor and Pastor Liz Walker writes book, speaks to Friends of the COA

Empowering Voices: Concord Conservatory’s Singing With Parkinson’s Chorus

Acton 250: Robbins Ride reenactment draws a crowd

Acton 250: Acton Minutemen and followers march to Concord

Acton Community Supper celebrates 13 years of service

The Spies of 1775: Fascinating Tales of Mystery, Intrigue, and Marital Infidelity

YV Art Museum Spring Opening; yet another hidden gem in Acton

Ramadan in Acton

2024 – 2025 Books in Bloom by the Acton Garden Club

Standing ovations for “The Prom” as Open Door Theater’s inclusive production continues

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