Newton Mayor's Office for Cultural Affairs Presents NEWTON DANCE CONCERT on 5/22

The City of Newton, is presenting the Newton City Dance Concert, a program of dance companies based in Newton. Participating groups include CreationDance, directed by Helena Froehlich, Dance Currents Inc., directed by Kathy Hassinger, Selmadanse, directed by Joanie Block, and Thaillai Fine Arts Academy, directed by Sunanda Narayanan. This second annual event will present dances which were not seen last year, and will include a number of premiers. Joanie Block and Kathy Hassinger are co-chairs of the event.

The Festival of the Arts will be a two month long, citywide celebration and showcase of Newton's talented citizens and organizations. There are numerous events throughout the month that cover almost every art form. The offerings are at www.NewtonCommunityPride.org/Festival. According to mayor Setti Warren, "Art, music and cultural events are very important to the richness and vitality of a community and to Newton in particular... Proceeds from the Festival will help support Newton's food pantries, nonprofit arts and cultural organizations as well as cultivating Newton's young artists."

City Arts Festivals open a door for working artists. Arts organizations are exposed to wider audiences and connections with a variety of artists, marketing organizations and businesses all focused on enhancing the local cultural life. The life of the imagination, which is so difficult to navigate in our society, is not only a mindset, but also a skill set, and both take a lifetime to train and develop. This is the crux of the arts, and with the support provided by the press and public, the beauty of all the arts can shine.

Newton Festival of the Arts, 2016 presents Newton Dance Concert at Newton Highlands Congregational Church, 54 Lincoln St., MA 02461 at 3pm. Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students or seniors may be purchased at www.NewtonCommunityPride.org/Festival . The cost is $20 at the door. For information or reservations call 617-965-1569 or email kathyhassinger@gmail.com.