Slip Resistant Soul Performs at the American Legion in Nonantum for the “Rockin’ at The Post” concert. Photo by Christian Maitre
Tarot card readings, steampunk fiction and lively music performances were just a few of the many offerings at “Rockin’ at The Post” held last Friday at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440 on California Street in Newton.
The Waltham-based non-profit Watch City Arts organized the event to raise awareness for an upcoming Waltham culture and arts festival 2025.
Robin Capello, the nonprofit’s founder and president, wanted to give local artists and small business owners a platform to share their work and express themselves.
And express themselves they did. Worcester band Big League Collective demonstrated a diverse musical range pairing energetic outlaw and psychedelic rock-inspired performances with emotional soul-infused ballads that evoked different aspects of American Traditionalist music.
“Playing live, it’s a lot of fun. It’s fun to see people’s reactions. It’s fun to connect with people through music,” said band member Peter Lespersons. “And it’s rewarding when people come up to you and are like, ‘I like how you explain that song.‘ ” Lesperons said that community arts events like this allow the band to perform outside of their usual set of venues in the Worcester area, giving them an opportunity to connect with more people through their music.
Other musical sets included an electrifying Jimi Hendrix cover from Waltham-based Slip Resistant Soul, and a performance by local jazz musician and former assistant professor at Berklee Herman Johnson, who drew his own crowd of fans from Somerville.
Attendees could also participate in a kid-friendly “Instrument Petting Zoo” giving children exposure to a wide variety of musical instruments.
“It’s extremely important to support our community and the arts in our community, because the arts, like journalism, are a reflection of your community.” said Jessica Lucci, a local steampunk fiction author and president of the Waltham Arts Council. Lucci was one of multiple small business owners showcasing their talent last Friday.
Avery Woodbury, who Capello met at a wedding expo in Wilmington, runs the tarot card reading and advice YouTube channel “Seldom Dreams.” While tabling at the event, he spoke to the positive effects community arts programs like these have.
“It’s been a hard 5 to 10 years for a lot of people, because of the world’s circumstances, and something that brings people out of skepticism and more into open mindedness is very important,” he said. “I think art, especially what we see here today, does that.”
Capello emphasized that the event was very much a group effort. Whether it was a sundae bar provided by the Newton ice cream staple Cabots, food served by the American Legion’s Auxiliary Group or the emceeing provided by local singer Patricia Bellini, everyone pitched in to give back to their community. Waltham’s mayor Jeanette Mccarthy attended the event as well.
“Art is not just museums,” said Libby Chiu, former deputy director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. “The one thing we tend to forget is that arts and culture really are intertwined.”
“We’re planning a cultural festival, cultural food and music festival, in 2025 and this is our way to say, you know, here we are again, welcome and get people who support the arts involved, and know that Mayor Wu is supporting a lot of the arts, and it’s trickling down and from the state as well.”