Arts Archives - Page 12 of 14 - Neighborhood View

Filming ‘Ted 2’ at Malden Public Library: An Inside Look

July 13, 2015 annedr 0

Perhaps unbefitting to the historical significance and elegant grandeur of the Converse Memorial Library in Malden, the interior of the library’s historic wing provides the setting for a scene in the recently released Ted 2 comedy starring Mark Wahlberg and Amanda Seyfried. The scene was created and filmed over a two-week period in July last summer. Full disclosure: I’m on the Board of Trustees for the library and have an inside view for this story. The Trustees voted on the approval for the filming after the library was approached by the film company, Raging Bear, last June. There was some, but not much hesitation, on approving the deal. According to John Tramondozzi, President of the Library Trustees, “Our main concern was the safety of the building.” The library was offered considerable compensation for the filming, though the project would require a great deal of time and extra work on the part of the library staff. “Sure, we would have loved for the film to be a period drama,” says Dora St. Martin, the library’s executive […]

Ashanti Munir kicks off ‘Live on the Lawn’ music series

July 10, 2015 neighbormedia 0

On July 8, Ashanti Munir took the stage in front of the Malden Public Library, ushering in the Live on the Lawn concert series that will take place on every other Wednesday evening for the rest of the summer. The crowd, which included such pillars of the Malden community as Mayor Gary Christenson, danced along enthusiastically to Munir and her band’s soulful songs, filling the whole block with music and merriment. Sponsored by Eastern bank, the concert series will continue with Four Guys in Tuxes on July 22 at 7 p.m., followed by an outdoor movie on August 5 at 8 p.m. and will wrap up with Hungrytown on August 19 at 7 p.m. –Len Tetta

“Touching Experience” showcases art inspired by the visually impaired

June 19, 2015 Ose Schwab 0

What does an art exhibit that considers the visually impaired look like? If the Touching Experience exhibition is any indication, it looks like a celebration among friends who discover through art what is possible for others. A few artists in Malden and the surrounding area offer this multimedia exhibition of touchable art through June. Held at the Beebe Estate Gallery in Melrose, a Touching Experience is a combination exhibit of touchable art and works produced by artists with some vision loss, and a performance series intended to appeal to everyone, including individuals with little or no sight. Touching Experience comes as a response to a friend’s journey going blind. Alyce Underhill, Georgetown artist and founder of the project, describes a day three years ago, when guitar maker and musician friend Joe LeBlanc comes to her photo exhibit. “He stands three inches away from the image. Even then, he has to ask his wife to describe what she sees,” she emotes. “That is so wrong.” “By not offering enough accessible art, we’ve cut people with vision […]

Malden Sketch Group celebrates 20 years of sketching

May 15, 2015 sharonsantillo 0

When committees make decisions on the dispersal of grant money, there is always the hope that this little bit of money will lead to some greater good for the community. Who could ever have predicted that a little grant given to the Malden Sketch Group 20 years ago would have led to one of the longest lasting drawing groups in the whole Boston area? Nunzio Luca was there at the very beginning. Fred Seager, also one of the founders remembers, “I had a great deal of respect for him and consider him as a mentor. He was a much admired head of the Malden High School Art Department for years, and was a wonderful artist and good friend.” Nunzio and Fred decided to get a life drawing group together and they set out to find a space. “We were fortunate also to have the early support of the Malden Arts Council in the grant process, Niecie Degan and Nana Goldberg were facilitators of the cultural center building, an old fire station on Pearl Street. It […]

PHOTOS: Malden Public Library’s ‘Secrets in the Stacks’ event

May 13, 2015 art4muse 0

A lucky group of 20 Malden residents got a special tour of the Malden Public Library’s central stacks and rare books room as part of the 2015 Malden Reads event, “Secrets in the Stacks.” Malden Public Library’s director Dora St. Martin and assistant director Caron Guigli led the tour. Participants had a chance to see and learn and explore the vast collection of treasures the library stack! The tour started at the lower art gallery of the Converse Memorial building, were rare treasures were displayed for participants to see and explore. They were serious when they said . . . . . . attendees must be in good physical condition and be able to climb ladders! Our tour guide, “the librarian,” led us through the stacks, pointing out rare book dating back to 1885, the year the library was built, various tools and systems that had been used for the borrowing flow and creative materials used in library construction .,. the amazing glass floors. –Elena Martinez

Poetry and visual art collide for ‘Lines Connecting Lines’ exhibit

April 7, 2015 kyliegailgarcia 0

What happens when you hand an artist a poem and ask them to make a visual representation of it? “Lines Connecting Lines,” the new art exhibit at MATV, ventures to find out. Officially launched March 26, the exhibit will run through the end of April. It features the work of local poets paired with artistic interpretations made by local visual artists. “This is very inspiring because you ask 10 artists a question and you come up with 10 different answers, like anybody else. It’s the way you render it and the way that you want to visualize it,” poet and visual artist, Jason Parris Fitz-Gerald shared. Curated by Lisa L. Sears and partially funded by the Malden Cultural Council, the purpose of the exhibit is to encourage art in the Malden community. What they may not have expected is the many connections, old and new, that the exhibit has sparked. Check out the video below to find out who reconnected with an old childhood friend and hear other serendipitous stories resulting from this community art project.

PHOTOS: Malden Reads celebrates ‘One City, One Book’

February 24, 2015 neighbormedia 0

Malden Reads kicked off on Thursday, Feb. 19 in the historic Converse building of the Malden Public Library. Malden Reads, whose motto is “One City, One Book,” started in 2011 and features a new book every year. The hope is the community of Malden will read the same book and participate in community events and dinners that feature discussions of the book’s themes. The event attracted residents and readers of all ages, some first-time attendees, and others who have been coming for years and have consistently read the featured book. Those who hadn’t yet read this year’s selection, “Mr Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore,” seemed eager to pick a copy up at the library. Siblings Rowan and Sunny Marcus been coming to Malden Reads since its inception. “Our mom brought us,” say the Rowan siblings, and she strongly encourages reading to her children. “It was good,” says Rowan of this year’s selection. “But the ending was annoying,” he says. “It wasn’t a nice ending. It was too abrupt.” Sunny says she plans to read the book soon, […]

Malden Reads kicks off season with ‘bits & bites’ opener

February 21, 2015 neighbormedia 0

The Malden Reads season kicked off 2015 with its “bits and bites” opener at the historic Converse building of the Malden Public Library. The community gathering was a success despite attendees having to trek out into one of the snowiest winters in New England’s history. Malden Reads is a community reading program that invites the entire city to read the same book and participate in events based on its themes. The grand opening on Thursday, Feb. 19 featured light refreshments, community conversation and a chance to learn more about the Malden Reads 2015 featured selection and companion books for younger readers. The 2015 featured selection is “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.” Written by Robin Sloan, the book combines elements of fantasy, mystery, friendship and adventure while musing on the transition between new information technology and traditional print books. In the video below, guests including Mayor Gary Christenson chat with Neighborhood View reporter Kylie Garcia about the festive opening celebration. –Photos by Elizabeth Scorsello

Air Traffic Controller’s Dave Munro is flying high

December 27, 2014 natalieahill 0

How many major rock bands have you heard about lately who have roots in Malden? Probably not many. Air Traffic Controller, or ATC, is fronted by Dave Munro, who was born and raised in the Salemwood neighborhood of Malden and graduated from Malden High School. I met with him recently at Hugh O’Neill’s in Malden Square, a fitting place for our conversation. As he sipped on a bourbon-beer he was curious about, an Irish band played (loudly) in the background. Munro’s older brother, Jeff, still lives in Malden and he organizes the Wednesday Open Mic nights here and books the bands that play on Thursday nights. Munro is an affable and thoughtful guy. He apologizes for running late for our meeting and when he arrives he warmly greets the waitress as they chat about his brother and what’s been going on at Hugh O’Neill’s. As the band’s name would suggest, Munro actually worked as an Air Traffic Controller for six years– first in the Navy, then in the civilian arena. All the while, he kept busy […]

Malden High goes green with ‘Shrek’

December 4, 2014 escorsello 2

Based on the DreamWorks movie, “Shrek,” the ogre, rescues the princess and they fall in love. Don’t miss the largest musical in the past 20 years produced by the Malden High School Play Production Class. It’s being performed by 60 kids and two faculty members that are backstage, onstage and in the band. Great show for all ages. Sean Walsh – Director Todd Cole – Music Director Allen Phelps – Tech Director Miranda Libkin – Choreographer Four performances: Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Character meet-and-greet Saturday 12:30 p.m. $5 students/seniors, $8 adults, kids under 5 free Buy tickets at the door or main office. –Photos by Elizabeth Scorsello