THINGS TO DO: EVENTS

Wright Locke Farm, just over the Arlington border in Winchester near St. Eulalia Catholic Church, dates from the 17th century and is preserved to be a nonprofit open-air space appropriate for all ages. Its website states its mission as follows: "The Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy builds broad community and seeks to model sustainable practices through active learning, organic agriculture, land stewardship and an appreciation of our historic New England farm."

It also says the following: "Family Farm Night is back for [summer] 2023! Concerts [weather permitting] will be [on] Tuesday 7/11-Tuesday 8/1. Because of threatening weather, the event for July was canceled.

Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 5:30 p.m., Wright locke Farm hosted its final farm night concert with musical guest Matt Heaton.

The Menotomy Grill & Tavern, which opened in 2013 at 25 Mass. Ave., brews live music Thursday nights.

See who's scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. >>

There is plenty of parking available and never a cover charge, the managers say.

The website says of the performers, "Our live music nights feature evenings of blues, grassroots, funk, country, soul and much more."

UPDATED Nov. 27: Jam'n Java Open Mic, which historically had been open one Friday every month for 13 years, took a Covid-19 break from the Kickstand Cafe for more than three years, during which time shows continued virtually, usually twice monthly

But, in early April of this year, the opportunity to perform in person returned, and at a different and larger venue -- the back room of Donut Villa, 319 Broadway,

These events now continue on the first Friday of each month, including Friday, Dec. 8, from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

 Find out more about how to sign-up here >> 

The annual Arlington Heights holiday stroll and tree lighting is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. This event is put on by the Arlington Heights Community Association (AHCA), which invites residents of all ages to stroll along Mass. Ave. to view winter-themed painted windows and to enjoy family-friendly activites. 

This free event is in collaboration with the Arlington Commission for Arts and Culture and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. The rain date is Sunday, Dec. 10. 

The suggested route is set to start at Shattuck Heights Hardware, 1298 Mass. Ave., and end at Maruichi Japanese Food and Deli, 1398 Mass. Ave. There are expected to be more than 60 painted windows to view along the way at 25 storefronts, according to a press release. There is also a scheduled viewing of the new "You are Loved" mural on the side of Szechuan's Dumpling, recently created by muralist Alex Cook with the help of community members.

The stroll expects to end with a tree lighting outside the ACMi studio, 85 Park Ave. Guests can enjoy free cider and cookies there.

A detailed schedule of the day's events can be read below: 

Aardvark Jazz Orchestra; Mark Harvey, first row center.

The Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, which has Arlington ties, is planning a Christmas concert for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Church of the Covenant, 67 Newbury St., Boston.

Longtime Arlington resident Mark Harvey, who founded the orchestra in 1973, is expected to lead the performance. This is the group's 51st Christmas concert.

According to a press release, this year's show is dedicated to the late Arni Cheatham, a beloved saxophonist with the band for more than four decades, who died in October. Included in the show's program are jazz carols, spirituals, American originals and Harvey's piece titled "The Gift," dedicated to Cheatham. "Aardvark is blessed to have had such a wonderful musician and human being in its midst for so long.  Rest in peace, Arni," Harvey wrote in the release.

UPDATED Nov. 29: Boston's long-running intergenerational chorus The Family Folk Chorale is planning a concert at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at Arlington Town Hall, 730 Mass. Ave. The program is set to feature the music of British-American supergroup The Traveling Wilburys.

Songs scheduled to be featured are "Handle Me with Care," "End of the Line" and "Wilbury Twist," among others, a news release said.

According to its website, the chorale features more than 60 singers and is composed of many families, with chorale members ranging in age from 3 to 80 years old. The group is led by award-winning composer Chris Eastburn. 

This is a mask-optional event. Tickets to this event are priced at $18 for adults and $14 for children and seniors. They can be purchased online here >>

Cantilena, a women’s chorus based in Arlington, is planning a performance at First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, 630 Mass. Ave., at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10. The group is set to showcase its program, "Peace Within, Peace Without," which explores the idea of peace as it relates to conflicts between nations and finding peace within ourselves, according to a press release. 

Included in this performance are Ukranian folk songs and works by composer Ola Gjeilo and conducter Joan Szymko, among others. The group plans to be accompanied by a new collaborative pianist, Allyson Cahill. The concert program with further details is expected to be posted on the chorus website in advance.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door 30 minutes before the show begins.

Children 12 years or younger may attend for free with a paying adult.