Newton's 5th Annual Festival Of The Arts Honors Linda Plaut

NEWTON, MA — You may have noticed that the annual Newton arts festival has another name attached to it this year. The two month-long festival was renamed the Linda Plaut Newton Festival of the Arts to honor the woman who put so many hours behind planning and growing the festival and there are plenty of activities as June rolls into town.

Plaut died in February after serving many years as the director of the Mayor’s Office of Culture Affairs. Last month, some 88 festival and Newton Community Pride banners were hung across the city. They fly along Commonwealth, Centre, Washington, Watertown, and Walnut Street, plus City Hall and the library.

The two-month celebration of arts, culture, and beautification began May 1 and will continue into June. The festival is organized and supported by Newton Community Pride, a non-profit, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.

The festival has served as a catalyst for the cultural life of the city. It has been a showcase for many artistic organizations and fostered new relationships and collaborations, according to the group.

“No other time in the year do so many organizations across media and events come together for their mutual benefit,” said Chris Pitts, chair of the festival, who organized Piano Summits.

The first Saturday in June featured Nonantum Day along with Pops Concert and Picnic with the New Philharmonic Orchestra at The Street in Chestnut Hill.

On June 9, it’s Village Day in Newton Highlands.

The Festival concludes on the weekend of June 15 with “Global Water Dances” at Crystal Lake.

Related:

• Newton Highlands Village Day and 5K Road Race
• Food, Fun & Farmers
• Tribute to Linda Plaut