Lots Events this Fall - Free and Open to All!
Muchos eventos este otoño - ¡Gratis y abiertos a todos!
NOTE: Most programs have Facebook events. View our Facebook page to look them up or check for updates!
NOTA: Muchos de nuestros programas tienen eventos en Facebook. ¡Visite nuestra página de Facebook!
For cancellations, date changes and updates: View our NEW Updates Page!
Para cancelaciones, cambios de fecha y actualizaciones: Visite siga este enlace para verlo todo en una sola página.
flier (Sept 16)
SEPTEMBER
Gathering of the Fairies
Saturday, September 16, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY, 9/15: This Event is ON!
Celebratory activities in the garden for fairies and their friends include storytelling, building a fairy house and creating a fairy wand. Everyone is invited to come dressed up as their favorite magical being. Donations are encouraged to support the Growing Center and future Gatherings of the Fairies.
Contact: Betsy Larkin at betsy@thegrowingcenter.org
OCTOBER
Harvest Festival: Gathering in Gratitude*
Sunday, October 1, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Rain Date: Sunday, October 15
Harvest activities and games, pumpkin decorating and a celebration of the bounty nature shares with us throughout the year.
Contact: Lisa at 781-953-4826 or info@thegrowingcenter.org
30th Anniversary Kickoff Event
Saturday, October 14, 3:30-5:00 pm
In the fall of 1993, a group of community activists, volunteers, high school students, elected officials and neighbors came together to break ground on a quarter-acre sized parcel of hilly land outside of Union Square to build what was to become the Somerville Community Growing Center, a brand new model for community gardens across the country. The Center opened in the spring of 1994 with a full season of public events for all to enjoy. (Read more about our history on our site and history page.)
Now we are about to celebrate 30 years as a beloved community gathering space and home for urban agriculture, cultural events and nature education! Join us as we celebrate autumn and kickstart our 30th celebrations! More information will be added to our 30th Anniversary page as it gets solidified.
Interested in getting more involved? Join our 30th Anniversary Steering Committee! Email info@thegrowingcenter.org.
Seasonal Salvage Sale & Makers' Market
Saturday, October 21, 12:00-5:00 pm
Rain Date: Sunday, October 22
An innovative Yard Sale in two parts: the first a curated, seasonally-themed sale featuring salvaged housewares, clothing, jewelry, books and decorative items; the second, a craft/artisan fair offering everything from clothing to prints to jewelry. Read more about the event on our Salvage Sale page!
Contact: Betsy Larkin at betsy@thegrowingcenter.org
AntiMorris Dancing and Pumpkin Carols
Monday, October 31, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, rain or shine
Pumpkin Carols followed by the AntiMorris at Sunset, danced by Recently Traditional Fictional Morris. The dancers shall fade silently into the night upon conclusion of the dance.
Contact: Jeremy Kessler at greenguy@peculiarity.net
NOVEMBER
Annual Wreath Project & Sale
November Assembly/Decorating:
Dates TBD (usually the week after Thanksgiving)
December Preorder Pick-up:
Dates TBD (usually the first Friday & Saturday in December)
This long-running project is the Growing Center’s largest fundraiser of the year. Volunteers work behind-the-scenes starting as far back as the summer - growing, picking and drying flowers, and gathering nature materials from farms and woodlands. The results: Hand- decorated evergreen wreaths, each featuring a homemade bow, adorned with locally sourced pinecones, delicate dried flowers, and ornamental peppers and berries. You Can Join Us! We are seeking volunteers for various wreath decorating tasks - from making bows and tags, prepping dried flowers and wiring pinecones, to onsite assembly, decorating and home deliveries. Contact volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS: FALL 2023
Plein Air Drawing Class in Soft Pastel
Sunday, September 24, 1:00-4:00 pm
Join us for a plein air drawing class using soft pastels with volunteer art instructor David Del Deo. Plein air drawing is a method which works directly from life, and relies on direct observation of colors. We will focus on observing the garden in autumn and representing it with pastels. It is recommended that you bring your own materials. Class includes a demonstration. Limited to 20; first come, first served. All are welcome!
Taste the Molecular Rainbow: What Color and Flavor Tell Us About Chemistry
Thursday, September 28, 5:30-7:00 pm
View the Flier - NOTE: Sept. 28 is Rain Date!
Why do all alliums have that strong garlicky smell? How do I know if the dried herbs you’ve had in my cabinet for five years are still good? In this class you will begin to practice using your senses to teach you about the chemical constituents in your foods and medicine. We will discuss the primary atoms that make up plant molecules, and some common forms that they take. You will get to see, smell, and taste different preparations of the same herbs to learn the flavors and mouthfeel of specific molecules, and to learn which preparations extract which constituents. Bring your favorite mug and a pen and come join me where experiential and scientific knowledge meet! With herbalist Mo Katz-Christy as part of our Community Herb Project.
Mindful Monday Yoga Care in the Garden
with Jenn
Mondays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 5:30-6:30 pm
An open template for practice to welcome gentle movement and contemplation for your current moment with instructor Jenn Pici Falk, who also offers some online sessions here.
Contact: Jenn at jennpfalk@gmail.com
Community Read Aloud and Growing Together
Monday, October 9 / Segunda-feira, 9 de outubro, 4-5:00 pm
Community Read Aloud in the garden continues with guest reader Yumi, em Português. All ages welcome. Program is focused on ages 1-8.
Contact: Paula at Paula@thegrowingcenter.org
NOTE ABOUT 2023 EVENTS: Events noted with an * asterisk are supported in part by a grant from the Somerville Arts Council, a local commission supported by the City of Somerville. And we thank the Massachusetts Cultural Council for general funding support.
