Things to See & Do

While Concord’s role in the start of the American Revolution is widely recognized, less well known are the continued experiences of disruption and turmoil in Concord throughout the war. Through eyewitness historical objects, artworks, and documents, Transformed by Revolution explores what it was like to be part of this war-time community that hosted Harvard College and became a hub of military supplies for the army in Boston. The exhibition also considers who participated in this fight for Independence and the meanings of freedom for women, the Black community, and sovereign Indigenous nations.

“There is art in the science, and science in the art.” – Marsha Wilcox Ancient Light transforms the Allie Kussin Gallery from Jan 12 - Mar 22 with celestial photography by Marsha Wilcox. Join us for a joint opening reception on Jan 28 at 6 PM celebrating Ancient Light and Carl Ristaino’s Inspirational Jam (RSVPs appreciated).

Carl Ristaino’s imagination comes alive through dynamic jazz scenes and whimsical cityscapes in Inspirational Jam, on view in the Wedge Gallery at The Umbrella Arts Center. Working in acrylics, Ristaino builds layers of bold color that capture the transcendence of live music and fantastical worlds. In his jazz series, Ristaino’s canvases become stages where musicians lean into their instruments, vocalists throw their heads back in ecstatic song, and the audience communes over the pleasure of spontaneous creativity.

Get Into the Groove! High-Energy Bucket Drumming Join us for a dynamic, hands-on workshop that proves you don’t need fancy equipment to make incredible music! With nothing more than buckets and drumsticks, participants of all skill levels can dive into an energizing and collaborative drumming session. In this exciting, rhythmic workshop, you will be guided by CCM faculty member Tsuyoshi Honjo through a series of exercises that build rhythmic mastery, helping you deepen your understanding of musical timing, pulse, and complex syncopation.

The Concord Orchestra presents “Far, Far, Away” at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, Feb 1 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. 

The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performs a program of W. A. Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni, Alexander Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia, and John Williams’ Star Wars Suite.  The winner of the young artist competition, Maggie Bai, joins the orchestra to perform Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor.

Preceding each concert, one of the young artist competition runners-up, both cellists, will present a pre-concert recital.  On Saturday, Gabriel Jojatu performs a recital at 7:15 p.m.  On Sunday, Philip Jeong performs a recital at 1:45 p.m.

Enjoy the best of classic, independent, and foreign films curated by The Concord Film Project at The Umbrella Arts Center, with pre-show dinner options. This February, join us for TORN CURTAIN (1966, dir. Alfred Hitchcock), a suspenseful Cold War spy thriller starring Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. This film is rated PG and runs 2 hours and 8 minutes. Optional pre-show dinners from Saltbox Kitchen are available.

Master the Foundation: The Science of Rhythm. Is rhythm the foundation of your musical voice? In this unique and essential Rhythmic Laboratory workshop, you will go beyond simple counting to truly feel the pulse that drives all music! Percussion instructor and renowned Jazz Jam leader Giuseppe Paradiso will guide you through an exciting, hands-on session focused on the essential rhythmic skill of subdivision. This dynamic workshop uses a powerful, physical approach, engaging your body as an instrument to help you deeply internalize and master complex timing.

Are music and mathematics two sides of the same coin? Join us for a captivating evening that unlocks the hidden architecture behind some of the world’s most beautiful classical music. This isn’t just a concert; it’s a thrilling journey into the brilliant minds of Johann Sebastian Bach and Béla Bartók—composers who used mathematical patterns, symmetry, and structure to build music of enthralling texture and deep, timeless emotion.

Wit & Word is a literary event in the dead of New England winter, designed to warm post-holiday hearts sans shopping or screens. Featuring five area writers sharing sharp satire, candid confessions, and true stories that explore mysteries of middle age and realities of modern adulting, the night offers humor with heart, insight, and perhaps a little cringe. You’ll leave laughing, thoughtfully entertained, and hopefully, slightly more fortified to make it to spring. 

Join naturalist and avid outdoor enthusiast Jeff Adams for a winter walk featuring identification tips and natural history facts for some of the trees and shrubs along Walden's shore. We’ll discuss different techniques for identification of bare trees/ shrubs like branching, buds, bark, galls, and persistent leaves and fruit. We may also see some non-woody plants that remain erect in winter.