Ukulele Workshop
2026-03-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-25 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) and 9 more dates | Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street, Newton Centre MA, MA, 02459, United States
Want to try an instrument that is fun and relatively easy to play? Learn the fundamentals of ukulele playing with Julie Stepanek Murray! This three part series will cover the basics (tuning, fretting, strumming, and reading chord diagrams) as well as providing the opportunity to ask questions and to play fun and easy songs. No experience necessary. This series is geared towards adults.
We recommend attending all three sessions of this workshop since each workshop will build on the previous one. But if you already know a few basics or feel confident that you can catch up, you’re welcome to join the later sessions.
You can either bring a ukulele to the workshop or register to use one of Julie’s. If you have your own ukulele (or borrow one of the Library’s), no need to register in advance – just show up!
If you want to use one of Julie’s ukuleles, please register on the Library’s website. When you sign up, you are registering for all three sessions. Please note that Julie’s instruments are available during the workshops but need to be returned to Julie at the end of each session and cannot be taken home.

Newton Fix-It returns Sunday, 2/8!
2026-02-08 13:15 - 16:00
BROKE IT? FIX IT!
We’ll show you how!
Fix-It Clinic Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St.
Sunday, February 8, 1:15 pm – 4pm  Fix-It
Clinics empower Newton residents to fix for themselves, and are totally no-cost! Bring in a broken household item and a Repair Coach will help guide you through diagnosing and repair.   Reserve a time slot based on the category of broken item. Walk-in repairs as time permits. Categories will include small appliance & electronics, sewing and textiles, lamp repair and rewiring, jewelry, computers, gluing, musical instruments, and more!
Fix-It Clinics are run by the Newton Recycling Committee, with the Newton Free Library, the Newton DPW Sustainable Materials Management Division, and funds from a MassDEP grant.
Sign up for a repair appointment: https://tinyurl.com/FixitFeb2026repair
To help out by volunteering, sign up: https://tinyurl.com/FixitFeb2026helpout

Indie Lens Pop-Up: "The Librarians" Film Screening & Panel Discussion
2026-01-28 18:00 - 20:00
Join the Newton Free Library and GBH for an Indie Lens Pop-Up! This event will feature a screening of the Independent Lens documentary The Librarians, in which librarians across the U.S. examine how book review policies are shaping their communities.
Following the screening will be a panel discussion and Q&A with Malinda Lo, bestselling author and member of Mass Freedom to Read, and Andrea Fiorillo, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom/Social Responsibilities Committee. The panel will focus on the state of intellectual freedom and book bans and challenges here in Massachusetts.
About the Film:
The Librarians
By Kim A. Snyder (director/producer), Janique L. Robillard (producer), Maria Cuomo Cole (producer), and Jana Edelbaum (producer)
When Texas lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race-related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life.
About the Panelists:
Malinda Lo is the New York Times-bestselling author of seven novels, including the National Book Award-winning Last Night at the Telegraph Club, which was the fourth most banned book in schools during the 2024-25 school year, according to PEN America. She received the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Bravery in Literature in 2025, and is an active member of the Mass Freedom To Read coalition.
Andrea Fiorillo, MLIS, is Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom/Social Responsibilities Committee and the Manager of Cambridge Public Library’s O’Neill Branch.
About Indie Lens Pop-Up:
For more than 20 years, the award-winning Indie Lens Pop-Up program has partnered with local organizations across the country to bring people together for film screenings and community-driven conversations. Inspired by the documentaries featured on PBS’s Independent Lens, Indie Lens Pop-Up is a space for sharing ideas and making connections that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Since its inception in 2005, nearly half a million participants have come together at Indie Lens Pop-Up events to discuss issues that impact local communities. Learn more at pbs.org/indielenspopup.
The film runs approximately 90 minutes, followed by a 30-minute panel.

Boston Meshk Ensemble: An Afternoon of Classical Turkish Music
2026-01-25 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Boston Meshk Ensemble for an afternoon of classical Turkish music, featuring vocal and instrumental works from the 17th to 20th centuries. The program highlights the expressive makam tradition through choral pieces, solo songs, instrumental compositions, and traditional improvisations.
The Boston Meshk Ensemble is a dedicated group of musicians committed to sharing the depth and beauty of Turkish classical music with the Boston community. Founded in 2022, the ensemble brings together performers from diverse backgrounds who rehearse weekly and present programs that celebrate centuries of musical heritage.

Leaves in the Library: An Art Workshop for All Ages
2026-01-22 15:00 - 16:00
Visit the Library for a colorful craft workshop designing your own decorated bookmark to take home, while also contributing paper leaves to a collaborative art installation that will brighten the Library and celebrate our 150th anniversary. No art experience is needed, just bring your creativity and community spirit and help “leaf” your mark at the Library!
This crafting program is for adults, teens, tweens, and kids ages 5 and older. Attend on your own, with friends, or with family! Children 9 years old and younger must be accompanied and supervised by their caregiver at all times.
*Please register for this program at the accompanying link.*
This program is part of the Library’s 150th anniversary celebration, and one of several workshops leading up to our final anniversary celebration and the installation of the Leaves in the Library community art project. This workshop is for all ages, and we will be holding workshops for adults, teens and tweens, and kids in February. There will also be opportunities to contribute paper leaves to the Leaves in the Library project at the Library’s services desks throughout the winter. Then on Sunday, March 15, we’ll hold the final celebration in our 150th anniversary series and install the finished Leaves in the Library project!
Leaves in the Library is facilitated by local artist Tova Speter. Tova is a Newton artist and art therapist who facilitates collaborative art experiences that offer opportunities for self expression, artistic exploration, and community connection. In addition to being a practicing painter, installation artist, and community muralist, Tova also has over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of arts and healing. All of her work is based on her belief that engaging in art-making is inherently therapeutic and formative and that art helps us connect with each other and with ourselves.

Isabel Oliart Band in Concert
2026-01-11 14:00 - 15:00
The Isabel Oliart Band – featuring Isabel Oliart, Anne Hooper, and Sammy Wetstein – presents an afternoon of Celtic fiddle music.
Isabel Oliart is the current National Scottish fiddle champion and plays music from her CD of original tunes, ‘Late Evening’s Dram.’ She also plays as a duet with Anne Hooper with new arrangements that will be recorded for her second CD soon. Anne Hooper is also a National champion fiddler and world renowned fiddle teacher, who taught Isabel fiddle many years ago. She currently plays in the Boston Philharmonic orchestra. Sammy Wetstein is a multi-instrumental fiddler playing cello, piano, guitar, and fiddle. He is part of several notable bands including Catfish in the Sky and the Carrol Sisters Trio. Together the band plays traditional and original Celtic fiddle music.

Sing & Play with Newton Folk Music
2025-12-20 14:30 - 16:30, 2025-11-22 14:30 - 16:30
Join Newton Folk Music at the Newton Free Library to sing and play a wide range of folk music, from traditional to contemporary, in a low-key, warm, and friendly environment.
Singers and instrumentalists of all levels are welcome. Going around the circle, everyone will have the chance to suggest a song—and usually to lead it. You can always pass, of course, and the organizers are here to help.
Printed songbooks with selected favorites will be provided for participants to use during the session, or you can bring a tablet to reference an electronic version. Newton Folk Music also sometimes uses the book Rise Up Singing as a source, especially for simple 3-chord tunes, so bring that along if you have a copy. For less familiar or more complex songs not in our songbook, the group likes to play from paper handouts.
This program is geared towards adults. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the organizers at events@newtonfolk.org.

Fix-It Clinic coming up, Sat. Oct. 6!
2025-12-06 10:00 - 15:30
BROKE IT? FIX IT!
We’ll show you how!
Fix-It Clinic
Newton Free Library, 330 Homer St.
Saturday, Dec 6, 10am-3:30pm
Fix-It Clinics empower Newton residents to fix for themselves, and are totally no-cost! Bring in a broken household item and a Repair Coach will help guide you through diagnosing and repair.
Reserve a time slot based on the category of broken item. Categories will include small appliance & electronics, sewing and textiles, lamp repair and rewiring, jewelry, computers, musical instruments, and more!
Fix-It Clinics are run by the Newton Recycling Committee, with the Newton Free Library, the Newton DPW Sustainable Materials Management Division, and funds from a MassDEP grant.
Sign up for a repair appointment: https://tinyurl.com/Dec2025repair
To help out by volunteering, sign up: https://tinyurl.com/Dec2025volunteer

Narratives of Change: Book & Film Discussion with FORJ
2025-12-02 18:30 - 20:00
Stories shape the way we see the world—and each other. Join us for a discussion that brings together middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults to explore the book The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and its movie adaptation. Together, we’ll reflect, ask questions, and have honest conversations about race, justice, and community in a discussion facilitated by a Newton Free Library librarian and a racial justice dialogue facilitator from FORJ Newton North High School.
We recommend that you either read the book or watch the movie (or both) in advance of this program. You can request a library copy of the book here, and you can request a copy of the movie here. Don’t have time to read the book or watch the movie? You’re still welcome to join us to discuss these themes.
About FORJ: Families Organizing for Racial Justice, FORJ, is a coalition of families and individuals who believe change starts at home and in our own communities. Our name derives from the verb “forge,” meaning to create or form, perfectly mirroring what we do: creating and forming a movement committed to realizing lasting change in our city. We offer antiracist programs in the schools and the community that bring people together, raise awareness, educate, and provide skill-building trainings for youth and adults. We share resources, source programming, and collaborate with like-minded organizations to offer dynamic partnerships.

Concert with Violinist Ilana Zaks
2025-11-30 14:00 - 15:00
Join acclaimed violinist Ilana Zaks for a captivating solo recital that showcases the expressive power and versatility of the violin. The program spans centuries and styles—from the timeless elegance of Bach to the rhythmic fire of fiddle tunes, the soulful prayer of contemporary Jewish composers, and the bold voices of 20th- and 21st-century innovators. With brief spoken introductions, Ilana invites listeners to experience the stories and emotional landscapes behind each piece.
Program:
J.S. Bach – Sonata No. 1 in G Minor, BWV 1001
Dick Kattenburg – Rhapsody No. 1
Howdy Forrester – Wild Fiddler’s Rag
Lera Auerbach – T’filah (Prayer)
Prokofiev – Sonata #1 in D Major
Doug Thomas – Pulse
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich – Fantasy for Solo Violin
Jewish-American violinist Ilana Zaks has been described as, “fearless, refreshing and commanding.” She has performed as a soloist with the Boston Civic Symphony, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, among others. Her many honors include top prizes at concerto competitions such as the 2020 BMOP Concerto Competition and the New England Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pysanky: Ukrainian Egg Decorating Demonstration
2025-11-24 18:30 - 20:00
Explore the art of pysanky, Ukrainian egg decorating. At this demonstration, Christina Pasicznyk Vogel will explain the history and symbolism of “writing eggs” in the ancient Ukrainian tradition. After a presentation about pysanky, Christina will demonstrate the process live. There will be plenty of time for questions throughout the program.
Christina Pasicznyk Vogel is a first generation American of Ukrainian descent with a life-long dedication of sharing her love of Ukrainian heritage and history. She is a banduristka (player of Ukraine’s national instrument, the bandura), a pysankarka (artist of Ukrainian egg writing), a singer, and dancer. She is also a member of the US Holodomor Committee of Genocide Awareness and Advocacy. Christina promotes peace and freedom while celebrating the beauty of the Ukrainian people and the richness of their ancient heritage. She has been welcomed at various schools, churches, libraries, and universities including Dartmouth University, The University of New Hampshire, and NHTI, as well as the Cambridge Public Library, and the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA.

Reclaiming Folk: Celebrating People of Color in Folk Music
2025-11-23 14:00 - 15:30
Reclaiming Folk is an event series that celebrates and honors People of Color in folk music – we “reclaim” folk because, despite POCs being at the root of the genre, history and culture has erased us from American Folk music. From field calls to Blues and Gospel to Indigenous traditions, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.
Folk music is more than a genre, folk music is traditional music, folk music is storytelling, folk music is the music of the people, and folk music is a voice for what’s happening in the world today. In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell our stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to share their stories and share the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all.
Founded in 2024, Reclaiming Folk achieved immediate success and support from the community, featuring performances by 15+ artists and traveling to over 10 locations in Massachusetts. The event includes original music from folk musicians singing in the round, cover songs that honor the musicians who came before us, short interviews with the musicians about folk music, and a Q&A from the audience.
About the artists:
Naomi Westwater (they/them/she) is a queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter from Massachusetts. Their work combines folk-rock music, poetry, and spirituality. Naomi holds a Master of Music in Contemporary Performance and Production from Berklee College of Music, and they are a part of The Club Passim Folk Collective, where they produce Re-Imagining Lilith Fair: a tribute to the feminist music scene of the 1990s with an intersectional lens for today. Naomi was nominated for four Boston Music Awards, and featured in The Boston Globe, Under The Radar, WBUR, GBH, and The Bluegrass Situation. They made the WBUR’s 2024 Makers list, and in November 2024 the musician-in-residence at Château d’Orquevaux in France. Currently, Naomi is producing a series called Reclaiming Folk: A Celebration of People of Color in Folk Music and has received over 20 grants to tour the series. Naomi is on faculty at Club Passim and Not Sorry Productions teaching songwriting, spirituality, and poetry.
Louie Lou Louis is a Brooklyn-based songster who combines an uplifting musicality with a soothing, yet energizing vibe. Through life experiences and short stories, he celebrates human imperfection and engages audiences with an infectious positivity. With a unique blend of folk, jazz, and global music, he inspires joy and connection in any audience.
With his heartbreakingly powerful voice and incisive lyrics, Prateek (pruh – TEEK) has been described as “Not just any guy with a guitar…” by The Boston Globe. When you hear his music, you’ll believe it too. Evolving away from the spare, Dylan-esque sound of his first EP, Prateek’s latest album “‘Til June” adds gritty electric guitars, silvery backing vocals, and a driving rhythm section, all in service of his tightly written, evocative songcraft. Prateek has been a Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Finalist and has been nominated for Singer-Songwriter of the Year at both the New England Music Awards and the Boston Music Awards. His music has seen rotation all over the radio including Sirius XM, 98.9 WERS, and 92.5 The River. Listen to “‘Til June” now wherever music is sold or streamed.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Newton Cultural Council, a local council that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council and the City of Newton.

Poetry Reading & Open Mic
2025-11-18 19:00 - 20:15
Enjoy an evening of poetry at the Library! This poetry series meets in September, November, February, and April. Each event features readings by three prominent, published poets, followed by an open mic. All attendees are welcome to participate in the open mic. Sign up for the open mic at the reading, limit of one short poem per person.
This month’s featured poets are Doug Holder, Dzvinia Orlowsky, and bg Thurston.
The poetry series is hosted by Elizabeth Lund, co-director of Haiku Newton and host of Poetic Lines at NewTV and Bronx TV. Elizabeth also interviews major poets for The Christian Science Monitor. From 2015 through 2019, she wrote a monthly column about poetry for The Washington Post.
About the featured poets:
Doug Holder is the former host of the Newton Free Library Poetry Series. He is currently on the Board of the New England Poetry Club, after serving as co-president. Holder is a lecturer in creative writing and Endicott College, and arts editor of The Somerville Times. His poetry and prose have appeared in Rattle, Lilipoh, Worcester Review, Lowell Review, Bay State Banner, The Boston Globe and elsewhere. The Doug Holder Papers Collection is housed at the University at Buffalo Libraries. His latest collection of poetry is I ain’t gonna wait for Godot, no more (Wilderness House Press).
Dzvinia Orlowsky has authored seven poetry collections from Carnegie Mellon University Press including Bad Harvest, a 2019 Massachusetts Book Awards “Must Read” and Those Absences Now Closest, named to Brilliant Books’ Most Brilliant Books of 2024 list. She’s a recipient of a 2019 NEPC Samuel Washington Allen Prize selected by Robert Pinsky for her poem sequence “The (Dis)enchanted Desna.” For her co-translations with Ali Kinsella from the Ukrainian of Natalka Bilotserkivets’s and Halyna Kruk’s poetry, they’ve been short-listed, respectively, for the 2022 Griffin International Poetry Prize, Derek Walcott Poetry Prize, and ALTA’s National Translation Award in Poetry; and more recently for the 2025 PEN American Literary Award in Translation. She’s a founding editor of Four Way Books and Writer-in-Residence for Lasell University’s Solstice MFA in Creative Writing.
bg Thurston lives on a sheep farm in Warwick, Massachusetts. She received her MFA in Poetry from Vermont College in 2002. She has taught poetry courses at Lasell Village, online for Vermont College, and conducts poetry workshops. Her third book of poetry, The Many Lives of Cathouse Farm/Tales of a Rural Brothel, was published in 2025 by Cervená Barva Press and is the culmination of a decade of historical research about her 1770’s farmhouse.
