Three Things to Do This Weekend: Neighborly Arts

It's the last weekend of summer which means Belmontians (or is it Belmontonians?) are taking out the flannel and winter coats preparing for the first snowfall in, um, eight miserably short weeks? 

So like the ascending scuba diver who has to acclimate to the surface or suffer from the bends, here are three activities that requires residents to do things indoors in preparation for winter's forced hibernation.

Anniversaries are to be celebrated and Belmont artists are the honored guest.

Bet you didn't know your neighbor was an artist? So why not go see their work? The Belmont Gallery of Art on the third floor of the Homer Building - it's the big square building across from the Town Hall and School Administration building - is holding its Fifth Anniversary Show featuring the work of 54 artists who call Belmont home. 

The works include sweeping landscapes, smaller colorful watercolors, vibrant prints, photography, pottery and intricate beadwork. The styles include abstracts, realism, functional and contemplative works that evoke Zen-like qualities. Ommmm. 

It's free and it's a great way to spend this Sunday as the Gallery is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What's that sound? Everyone looks what going down ... at the coffeehouse? 

Remember the days when the coffeehouse was were you went to hear some of the great American songwriters and performers – Bobby Dylan, Miles Davis and Belmont's own Joan Baez - ply their craft? Well, neither do I, but that in itself should be the impetus for you, your friends and family to bebop over to the Plymouth Congregational Church on Pleasant Street Saturday at 7 p.m. and harken back to the days of hipsters and barrettes with a night of Jazz at the Coffeehouse.

Hear the Daniel Bennett Group with Daniel on saxophone and special guest Xenia Dunford. Enjoy the melodies of music, sip coffee and savor tasty desserts!  

The admission is $10 and it's money well spent as it helps support the church's Plymouth Nursery School Scholarship Fund.  Free admission for children under 12! 

The church is at 582 Pleasant St., at the corner of Pleasant and Alexander streets, half block up Alexander Avenue from Macy's. Be there or be square.

BYOLF (Bring Your Own Lighter Fluid), It's the Jimi Hendrix Film Festival

This Saturday, Sept. 18 Arlington's Regent Theatre is presenting an exclusive Jimi Hendrix film and concert tribute: "The Man with The Guitar," celebrating the rock icon's unsurpassed music, mastery, and magic 40 years (!) after his death on Sept. 18, 1970.

While the film festival last from Friday to Sunday, head on over on Saturday when Boston's Thaddeus Hogarth Trio will perform a live concert tribute, "Thaddeus Plays Jimi," at 8 p.m.

After the concert, stay for the 11:30 p.m. showing of t

he long-awaited deluxe edition of the 1973 theatrical documentary which was never given a formal title, just "A Film About Jimi Hendrix – featuring the guitar wizard on stage and behind the scenes, classic concert footage. You'll hear songs like "Hey Joe," "Rock Me Baby," "Like a Rolling Stone," "A Star Spangled Banner" and many, many more from throughout his career.

The Regent Theatre is located at 7 Medford St. in Arlington. The box office is 781-646-4TIX (4849).