Arts & Culture

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 (UCA) in Massachusetts, and others, the festival was a proud part of the MA250 commemorative events. Notable attendees included state representatives Vanna Howard, Tara Hong, and Erika Uyterhoeven; Get Konnected CEO Colette Phillips; MA250 Coordinator Sheila Green; Lex250 Vice Chair Mona Roy; Linda Champion from the Korean American Citizens League of New…

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…

Wednesdays at Bistro 30

March 22, 2025

by Franny Osman

I happened to be very hungry on Wednesday this week as I picked up some loaner medical equipment for a family member at the Acton Nursing Service at the Senior and Social Service Center, 30 Sudbury Road. It was pure serendipity that the weekly Bistro 30 was about…

Acton 250 lecture: Renowned Acton Sculptor draws appreciative crowd

March 15, 2025

James ConboyandGreg Jarboe

March 6, Acton Town Hall: Thirty-three fans of fine art were treated to a presentation by one of their neighbors, as sculptor, essayist, and poet Meredith Bergmann, an Acton resident, offered a talk about her work, complete with a comprehensive slideshow. Part of the Acton 250 celebration, the…

Was Silver Girl ribbon cutting prelude to bigger plans this fall?

March 15, 2025

by Greg Jarboe

There have been so many ribbon cuttings at new restaurants in Acton lately that Maura Haberman, the event coordinator for the Town’s Economic Development Office, has just sent out the giant scissors used by business owners and local officials for these ceremonies to be sharpened. The latest ribbon…

Open Door Theater is going to Prom, March 21-30

March 8, 2025

by The Acton Exchange Team

Open Door Theater of Acton, one of the only integrated and accessible theater troupes in the country, will stage the Tony Award-nominated musical, “The Prom: School Edition” onMarch 21-30. “The Prom: School Edition” will bring a timely message of inclusion, self-determination, and courage to audiences during its run…

A man in a work apron shows a group of women a piece of a flute that he's working on.

Acton makes music: Touring the world’s oldest flute-making company

March 1, 2025

by Alissa Nicol

On Wednesday, February 19, close to two dozen members of the Acton Woman’s Club (AWC) were treated to a tour of the Wm. S. Haynes Company. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest flute-making company in the world and specializes in professional custom-level instruments, although student, intermediate, and…

1 2 3 … 6 Next

Arts & Culture

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

Wednesdays at Bistro 30

Acton 250 lecture: Renowned Acton Sculptor draws appreciative crowd

Was Silver Girl ribbon cutting prelude to bigger plans this fall?

Open Door Theater is going to Prom, March 21-30

Acton makes music: Touring the world’s oldest flute-making company

Donate

Subscribe

Categories