The Halalisa Singers are a world music ensemble that performs in the Boston area. Composed of 28 men and women from Winchester, Lexington, Arlington and several other surrounding towns, the Halalisa Singers perform African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk and Jazz music. The singers will be making their way to Lexington this Saturday, Jan. 22 for an 8 p.m. show. The concert will take place at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church located at 7 Harrington Road, near the Battle Green. “The Boston area has become a much more diverse place over the last 20 to 25 years," ”…

In the basement of the United Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, community members stood in a large circle, grasping hands, as a man many of them had just met asked them to bare their souls to each other. He began with a basic request: “Find a partner and tell them – what’s something you’re looking forward to this year?” Partnerships formed and emotions spilled out nearly immediately, even in response to a question that could have been answered with a casual, “I’ll be getting a dog,” or “going to see more movies.” The man with all the questions is Christopher Ellinger, director of True Story …

Dave McLaughlin, writer of the 1998 independent film, Southie, and director and writer of the 2007 indy feature, On Broadway, is hosting an independent film series at the Robbins Library, with friend and actor, Lance Green. The film series starts this week and aims to bring independent films to a wider variety of audiences.   “I'm a big believer that stories create community," McLaughlin said. "So the notion of a film series in the town where I live appealed to me very strongly.” McLaughlin hopes to incite conversations between audience members.  "They are interesting films and a stimulating …

Although it was tough to receive communications from Bonaparte the Magician while he was on his distant, purple planet of Quylar, Patch did manage to get some key facts about the out-of-this-world magician and his Saturday morning, January 8 show at the Regent Theatre. “Expect some tried and true classics, and few furry creatures to appear, although, as always I will need help from my audience, seeing how things are so different on your planet and the magic words don't always work as planned,” joked Bonaparte. The award-winning magic of Bonaparte has been delighting families and private …

Winter term begins in two weeks at the Arlington Center for the Arts with classes for all ages and abilities. Registration is underway for the eight-week courses beginning on Jan. 18. According to Communications Director Linda Shoemaker, the center is offering  a wide variety of brand new classes for children, teens and adults.   “There’s something for everyone here,” she said. “We have courses for all ages and all abilities, from total beginner to advanced.” One new class, “Not Your Mother’s Acrylic Paints,” will be taught by Adria Arch, education director and a well-known exhibiting Boston …

Local filmmaker, Richard Chandler will be premiering his 45-minute comedy, Legless  this Saturday at the Regent Theatre. Chandler, who wrote, directed and produced the film, currently resides in Easton, but shot Legless all over Greater Boston and the South Shore. Chandler got his start in film-making in his early twenties, when he and a group of friends began shooting horror movie shorts. From there, Chandler's base of local talent grew and in the past few months, he put together Legless, a film about the tragic comedy of drinking. "I wanted to keep my vision intact so I decided to also …