Wellesley arts roundup—theater performances, concerts, art reception, film screening

Wellesley is fortunate to have a lively arts scene, with various opportunities to engage with or make art at any given time. Check out a concert, theater performance, or film this month. Here are just a few events happening soon.


Dana Hall Upper School fall play, “Radium Girls,” Nov. 8 & 9

The Dana Hall Upper School presents its fall play, “Radium Girls,” on Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, at 7:30pm, in Bardwell Auditorium, 37 Cameron Street. Both performances are free and open to the public. The auditorium is not wheelchair accessible.

“Radium Girls” is D.W. Gregory’s gripping drama based on the true story of female laborers who were poisoned and killed by their factory’s radium-based paint. The play highlights Grace, Irene and Kathryn who paint dials in the U.S. Radium Plant and are instructed to finely point their brushes by molding the bristles with their mouths while painting. But soon many of the girls begin to notice disturbing health issues, and when one of their co-workers dies, her death is disregarded.


St. Andrews Church, Wellesley
St. Andrews Church, Wellesley

Wellesley Choral Society, fall opening concert, Nov. 17

The Wellesley Choral Society under the direction of Edward Whalen, with Hisako Hiratsuka as accompanist, has announced its 2023-2024 season opener.

PROGRAM: Vivaldi’s Virtuosic Venice
DATE: November 17
TIME: 2pm
LOCATION: St. Andrew’s Church, Wellesley

Selections from Vivaldi’s catalog of choral music, including his well-known “Gloria”


Film Screening and Community Conversation, Nov. 19

Join the MetroWest Nonprofit Network for a screening and discussion of the highly-acclaimed film: UnCharitable.

DATE: Nov. 19
TIME: 5:30pm-8:30pm
LOCATION: MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland St., Wellesley

DETAILS: The film, based on Dan Pallota’s influential book and powerful Ted Talk, challenges our conventional wisdom on giving and invites us to envision a new future for philanthropy. There are lessons to be learned & discussed for nonprofits of all sizes, community advocates, funders, and businesses alike.  How can we better support the causes that are important to our communities and to us as individuals?


Shrek, Wellesley Middle SchoolWellesley Middle School presents “Shrek the Musical, Jr.

DATES/TIMES: Thursday, 11/21 at 4:30pm; Friday, 11/22 at 7pm; Saturday, 11/23 at 2pm and 7pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Middle School, 50 Kingsbury St.
TICKETS INFO: https://sites.google.com/wellesleyps.org/wmsdrama/shows/shrek-jr


Wellesley College, Blue Jazz Combos concert, Nov. 22

DATE: Friday, November 22
TIME: 7:30pm
LOCATION: Jewett Auditorium, Wellesley College

DESCRIPTION: Join the Wellesley BlueJazz Strings and Combos, under the direction of Mark Hamilton, for a lively evening as our wonderful instrumentalists and vocalists create the interplay between group and individual expression, weaving together musical influences from around the world, in the best of small ensemble jazz.


Wellesley Society of Artists —Annual Library Show and reception

DATE of SHOW: through Nov. 30
DATE/TIME of RECEPTION: November 23, 1:30-3:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library
COST: Free; the WSA will be collecting non perishable food items for the Wellesley Food Pantry

DESCRIPTION: This show features the artwork of over 50 exhibiting members, in a variety of genres and mediums. The WSA is also thrilled to include paintings done by Evelyn Harrison and Katie Gallico, Wellesley High School students and the 2024 recipients of the WSA Art Achievement Award.

On Saturday, November 23 at 1:30-3:30pm there will be an awards reception immediately followed by an artist demonstration with Hilary Osborn,”Changing Your Scale-Revision in Landscape Painting.” This program is in partnership with the Wellesley Free Library.


Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert

EVENT: Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert
DESCRIPTION: The Wellesley Orchestra holiday concert will feature music of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Johann Straus II, traditional songs, and the annual Sing-A-Long.
DATE: Saturday, December 14
TIME: 2pm
LOCATION: MassBay Community College, 50 Oakland St., Wellesley, Mass.
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