Join Us for Our Summer Events - Free and Open to All!
Yoga in the Garden: Asana Practice
Sundays, July 17 and August 14, 9:00-10:00 am
Local yoga instructor, Jenn Falk, will guide a moment of mindfulness and meditation at the Growing Center. Jenn has been teaching yoga since 2006 and remains committed to embracing mistakes, which enables reflection and growth. Since 2020, Jenn has focused on teaching kids and using online tools to widely share her knowledge of yoga. Join us in the grass with a mat to salute the Sun, find stillness between movements, and welcome the transition to the Summer season!
Contact: Jenn Falk at jpyogini@gmail.com or visit her website at http://www.yoginijennfalk.com/
Pub Sing
Tuesdays, July 19, August 2 and 16, 7:00-9:00 pm
Come join our pub-style sing-along where we welcome anyone and everyone to lead a song, but no one is obligated to. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good, singable chorus will be appreciated. This will be a fun, energetic night perfect for community members of all ages!
Contact: Jeff at jeff.keller@gmail.com
Modular on the Spot (MOTS)
Sundays, July 17 and August 21, 2:00-6:00 pm
Rain Dates July 24 and August 28
Modular on the Spot is an inclusive music community focused on offering a home for modular synth enthusiasts to share their performances with the public, hosted by Richard Tarentino. Modular synth music is made by overlapping and mixing different modules or compositions. By combining music pieces in this way artists at the Growing Center will be able to create and share their entirely new and innovative arrangements.
Contact: Richard Taratino at motsboston@gmail.com
The People of Tables to Farms: Food Access Perspectives
Third Wednesday of the Month, 6:00-7:15 pm
July 20: Retail Food
August 17: Food Businesses
September 21: Food Access
October 19: Growing/Farming
In partnership with the Somerville Food Security Coalition and the City Office of Food Access & Healthy Communities, this monthly speaker series will discuss challenges and opportunities in our local food system. Come join the conversation and explore a range of perspectives on local and regional food access. Co-sponsored by the Somerville Food Security Coalition.
Contact: Alissa Ebel at aebel@somervillema.gov
Composting Workshop
Saturday, July 23, 12:00-1:00 pm
Learn from the Compost Team about why the composting system at the Growing Center is a key element of its regenerative design, how it works, and how volunteers contribute during the process through hands-on activities accessible to kids of all ages! Composting is incredibly important as it makes use of food waste to produce healthy, nutrient rich soil.
Contact: Christine at savagecb@thegrowingcenter.org
Ivan Korn Trio
Sunday, July 31, 2:30-4:00 pm
Ivan Korn Trio is an live instrumental ensemble inspired by Latin and Blues traditions with an improvisational edge.The bands play jazz standards, afro caribbean and blues tunes, and Latin rhythm inspired by West African traditions. Some of the tunes are original compositions by Ivan Korn. https://ivankorn.com/ivan-korn-trio/. Come to dance, spend time in a beautiful green space, and enjoy a warm summer afternoon!
Pajama Storytime
Sundays, July 31; August 14 (part of Stuffed Animal Campout) and August 28, 6:00-7:30 pm
Come to the Growing Center to read a collection of our favorite stories, clad in your coziest pair of PJ’s and protected with bug spray. Stuffed animals are welcome to join the fun! Together, we will snuggle up to share some nature-themed fairy tales and silly stories.
Contact Betsy for more information at blarkin@thegrowingcenter.org.
Kadanz Jazz: Standards with a Caribbean & Latin Flavors
Thursday, August 4 (Rain Date Aug 11): 7:00-8:30 pm
Sunday, Sept 18, 3:00-4:30 pm (Rain Date Sept 25, 5:00-6:30)
Enjoy music in the garden, with local professional musicians sharing American Jazz Standards, with new twists integrating rhythms from Caribbean and Latin traditions. Led by Growing Center volunteer Mark Torgerson on guitar, who will be joined by keyboard, bass and percussion.
Contact: Lisa at lisa.bruk@gmail.com
Introduction to Plant and Wildlife Monitoring For Conservation with Earthwise Aware
Saturday, August 13, 2:00-3:30 pm
Join Earthwise Aware scientists and learn how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Growing Center. These observation events and thorough the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform helps contribute to biodiversity science, all while enjoying the outdoors together in this beautiful little garden! We'll also tell you about our arthropod (insect and spider) and our phenology studies currently underway at the Growing Center.
Contact: Claire O’Neill, claire.oneill@earthwiseaware.org.
Budding Artist Cafe
Saturday, August 13, 3:30-5:30 pm
Our Budding Artist Cafe event involves creating a featured art project each month, led by a local artist, that centers natural themes such as painting with brushes made out of branches and grasses; pressing flowers and leaves; and nature journaling. Join us to draw or create your own artwork inspired by the beautiful nature in the garden.
Contact: Liza Kitchell, lpkitchell@gmail.com.
Somerville Art Council’s Yart Sale
Saturday, August 13, 4:00-6:00 pm, Rain Date Sunday, August 14
For the second year in a row, the Growing Center is participating in the Somerville Arts Council’s Yart Sale, a city-wide opportunity for artists of all mediums and ages to showcase artwork in the comfort of their yards and porches. Think of it as a Yard Sale but for art! We’ll be selling Fairy Garden Nature Kits to benefit our Children in Nature Initiative, which aims to increase the opportunities for children to have a direct learning experience in nature. NEW THIS YEAR: Space will be made available free of charge on-site for artists and sellers with no outdoor space of their own to sell their work. Contact Betsy at blarkin@thegrowingcenter.org to sign up to sell!
Stuffed Animal Campout
Sunday, August 14, 6:00-7:30 pm
Bring your favorite stuffed animal for their first-ever stuffie-only campout at the Growing Center! Register your animal for "camp", listen to camping-themed stories and do some camping-related crafts. Then say good-night to your lovies for the evening - and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates on their activities and fun. Additional dropoff times (no kids activities): Fri, Aug 12 (4:00-5:30 pm); Sun, Aug 14 (10:00 am-12:00 pm). Pick-up times to be announced.
Contact Betsy for more information at blarkin@thegrowingcenter.org.
Fermentation: Simple Preservation Techniques You Can Do at Home
Saturday, August 20, 12:00-1:00 pm
Flora Spivak will discuss and demonstrate simple techniques for making sauerkraut and pickles at home. Sample recipes will be provided, so you can try these techniques at home! Pickling and preserving foods has been employed around the world since as early as 2400 BC. Come learn and/or share your own experience and knowledge of these traditional methods of preserving food.
Contact: Flora at sfspivak@gmail.com
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