Circle the Square Events Schedule

As we continue to monitor the safety of large public events, there will be no Circle the Square in 2021. Stay tuned for festivities in 2022 and join us at the Mystic River Celebration on September 25, 2021!


Watch the main stage performances on the Circle the Square Facebook page or live streaming on Medford Community Media's website and on Public Access Channels - Comcast Channel 3 and Verizon Channel 47.

1:00 - 1:40 PM:
Singer/Songwriter Erica Leigh and featuring Sean Peters

1:45-2:00 PM:
Dance performance from The Dance Studio (pre-recorded)

2:00 - 2:40 PM:
Jazz with Sheryl Bailey and Rick McLaughlin

2:45 - 3:00 PM:
Comedy with Sam Ike

3:00 - 4:00 PM:
Bluesy-rock music with singer Jen Truesdale and guitarist Joe Musella

4:00-4:15 PM:

Local filmmaker Andrew Rotondi directed and wrote "Color Red Only," a short film about segregation through the eyes of innocence. This film is produced by Stonewall Productions in association With Hop Top Films.

"Peace Train" Project: Medford musicians Laura Brereton and Raleigh Green joined together with other Medford-based musicians to perform and record a virtual music collaboration of the song "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens. This video features Josh Cohen, Rick McLaughlin, Mary Glaser, Susan Cattaneo, Rose Polenzani, Ryan Alvanos, Matt and Shannon Heaton, Nicholas Cattaneo, Ellery Klein, Laura Brereton, and Raleigh Green.

4:15 - 5:00 PM:
Acoustic R&B, blues, and jazz by singer and ukulele player Lydia Harrell

More Info about Circle the Square

Sponsors

1:00 PM: VIRTUAL STORY TIME
Enjoy Virtual Story Time featuring silly stories for kids ages 3-6 (or for the kid in you) with the Medford Public Library from 1:00-1:30 p.m. Email ssednek@minlib.net for Zoom information to participate.

1:00 PM: STYLING WEBINAR
SwapIt presents "The Very First Steps to Shopping Your Closet (Without the Overwhelm)" a styling webinar for women where they will teach you SwapIt's simple formula to match up anything in your closet. You will find new looks you love and also be comfortable letting go of some of your less loved looks. SwapIt, a store front in South Medford, revolutionizes the way you get dressed, helping you love yourself in your clothes while also reducing textile waste. Join the webinar live at http://meet.google.com/frj-ohaz-qid. Participants will receive a special discount for future swaps.

1:00 PM - AUGMENTED REALITY APP DEMO
This event is an smartphone app training to support the Augmented Reality Event (see more about the full event under "Art Installations and Self Tours"). Join a live demonstration at 1:00 p.m. at https://www.facebook.com/events/937958316712014/ to learn how to use the app, and you can start using it to view local artists' art on your own walls or in specific locations around Medford.

1:30 PM - MEDFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY "LETTERS TO MEDFORD"
View a screening of the 2016 production of “Letters to Medford” by Two Roads Performance Projects. The play was inspired by a “Letter to Future Medford 2055” that historian, Charles Brooks, wrote in his History of Medford in 1855. See the main hall of the Historical Society transformed as history and the present collide when Charles Brooks, Lydia Maria Child, and Lucy Osgood confront the archivist who wants to protect their history and meet Medford teens who remain anxious about what the future holds for them. Performance recorded in September 2016. View screening here: https://www.facebook.com/events/329972331694443/

2:00 PM - MYSTIC MAKERSPACE TOILET PAPER ROLL CRAFTS
The Mystic Makerspace will present a live virtual Toilet Paper Roll Crafts Class. Join Jerusha and Kerri as they walk you through making some great crafts using cardboard toilet paper rolls. Make flowers or more advanced crafts. To do these crafts you will need 5 toilet paper rolls per craft. You will also need scissors and glue (hot glue works best, but any fast drying glue or even works. Head to the Mystic Makerspace's Facebook page to join this live presentation https://www.facebook.com/MysticMakerspace

3:00 PM: WMCC POETRY, SPOKEN WORD, AND STORYTELLING
The West Medford Community Center will be hosting a Roundtable Discussion about Life - Intertwining Poetry, Spoken-Word and Storytelling. Join the show from 3:00 to 5:00 pm on on the West Medford Community Center's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WestMedfordCC. They will be posting the names of the individuals who will be taking a chair at the roundtable on their page.

4:00 PM: TANYA HOWARD COOKING CLASS
Join Tanya Howard for a live 45-minute cooking demo featuring fall ingredients easily found at the Medford Farmer's Market. Streaming from @tanyahgourmet on Instagram.

4:00 PM: MFN CONCERT WITH ALASTAIR MOOCK
Enjoy a family concert with Alastair Moock on the Medford Family Network’s Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5OSne_94OJfxxziUIILig. Email Marie Cassidy at mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us during the concert to be entered in a free Lottery to win an Activity Basket that includes Alastair's latest CD - "Be a Pain"!

SUN-DOWN: SALVATORE'S OUTDOOR MOVIE
Following Circle the Square, head to Salvatore's in Medford Square for dinner and enjoy an outdoor showing of "The Sandlot" at sundown. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your table in advance at https://salvatoresmedford.com/

BROOKS ESTATE TALK
The Medford Brooks Estate presents: An Introduction to the History, Natural Features, and Architecture of this Wonderful Community Asset. Learn about a Medford hidden gem through this video viewable on Youtube at  https://youtu.be/JvzPFYS4lFI.

IRISH DANCE PERFORMANCE
This video is the final performance from the Hannah DeRusha Dance "Step into a Story" camp from February 2020 - a production of Hannah DeRusha Dance with music by Dan Accardi, presented by O'Riley Irish Dance. During this Irish Dance Theater camp, students picked a folk tale, created a script with characters, setting, and plot; designed and produced sets, props, and costumes; learned lines and dances, and put on the final performance. https://youtu.be/EHJOzRFIlEw

MEDFORD FARMERS MARKET
Check out past live performances by local musicians, enjoy delicious recipes made from items found at the Medford Farmers Market, and learn how to cook with market ingredients, all on the Market's web site at https://medfordfarmersmarket.org/more-medford-resources/circle-the-square/

MEDFORD RECREATION ORIGAMI CRAFT
Kate from Medford Recreation leads an origami craft program for all ages. All you need to participate is some paper! https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Wm3iQuZSUnwFToX1hO77njJg

MEDFORD SQUARE VIRTUAL SKETCH & EXHIBIT
During the pandemic, urban sketchers in New England have been holding 'virtual sketch events.' This exhibit presents the work of urban sketch artists working remotely in various media. The spotlight for the exhibit is Medford Square! Their virtual gallery will be filled with sketches as the artists finish and post their work during the week leading up to Circle the Square 2020, and 'released' for public viewing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at tinyurl.com/medfordexhibit2020. Visitors to the virtual exhibit are invited to leave comments for the artists. And, calling all sketchers! Join the virtual sketch-along and online exhibit, spotlighting Medford Square! There are no age or skill restrictions. If you like to draw, sketch, or paint, you are invited. Photography is welcome, too. Visit the Eventbrite page for more information on how to participate. Details for Artists: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/medford-square-virtual-sketch-event-2020-tickets-117024388095

ROYALL HOUSE & SLAVE QUARTERS CONCERT WITH BALLA KOUYATE
This summer, master musician Balla Kouyaté performed a live concert with his family for the Royall House and Slave Quarters, treating the audience to the beautiful sounds of the balafon and the kora. The balafon is considered to be the antecedent of the xylophone while the kora is a string instrument that most resembles the harp. Video of his concert is viewable on the Royall House's YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Q3Ce9eA_AxZ4O-yzo-6Xw

SANCTUARY UCC VIDEO
The Threshing Place is a series of photographs by Julie Wiliams-Krishnan made with paper figures that her mother used to illustrate Bible stories to children. These figures would be put on felt backdrops representing Biblical landscapes as the story was told. By arranging and photographing parts of this teaching archive in new contexts, Julie is rediscovering these characters and finding new, revised, and relevant meanings. Julie is a fine art photographer and the Director of Programs at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA, and a teacher of photography. Tune into this video to watch as Julie discusses her work and answers questions about her journey and process. https://youtu.be/u8n2Sz3q0Hc

CIRCLE THE SQUARE SCAVENGER HUNT
Play our Paint By Numbers scavenger hunt. Click the links to print the Junior or Senior Picture or print from our Facebook page, and look for the signs in the windows of businesses in Medford Square to find out what color goes with each number. Email a photo of your colored-in picture to circlethesquaremedford@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. on September 12 to be entered into our raffle to win a Paint by Pixels Mosaic Kit (Junior submissions) or a $25 gift card to Colleen's (Senior submissions).

AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented Reality (AR) comes to Circle the Square. AR is the combination of the digital world with the real world, and is accessible to most of us through smart device apps. Some examples are apps that let you "try on" a pair of eye glasses, or try out a new hair style or hair color. As part of Circle the Square, the Mystic Makerspace will show you how to view and display art using AR. Use an app called Walla Me to view "art" that has been placed in public places around Medford. You will also learn how to use the app to see how art pieces look on the walls of your home. Join a live demonstration at 1:00 p.m. at https://www.facebook.com/events/937958316712014/ to learn how to use the app, and you can start using it to view local artists' art on your own walls or locations around Medford.

MARV THE MEDFORD ARTS RESOURCE VEHICLE - MANDALAS OVER THE MYSTIC
View Mandalas Over the Mystic, an installation of mandalas made from scrap cloth and hoolah hoops, to inspire hope and joy in this challenging time, at the Condon Shell from Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12. Presented by Tuesdays with MARV, a project of ArtsMedford. And learn how to make your own Mandala with MARV at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHrKZiVYfrc&t=674s

MEDFORD ARTS COUNCIL - ELECTRICAL BOX ART TOUR
Take a self-tour of the Electrical Boxes around Medford painted by local artists commissioned by the Medford Arts Council. View a map of their locations at https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1u0VFfxQYmcAshB8F9wBI9CB_8tHgHmCl&ll=42.411624673066264%2C-71.1222153&z=15

MEDFORD FAMILY NETWORK - STORY WALKS
The Medford Family Network has created five Story Walks around Medford for you to read and enjoy:

  • Dugger Park - "You Read to Me, I'll Read to You" by Mary Ann Hoberman
  • Brooks School Playground - "I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato" by Lauren Child
  • Victory Park -"Over in the Meadow" by Olive A. Wadsworth
  • Columbus School - "My Mother's Sari" by Sandhya Rao
  • Roberts School - "Stick and Stone" by Beth Ferry
  • McGlynn School - "Forest Bright, Forest Night" by Jennifer Ward

Once you’ve completed a Story Walk, email Marie Cassidy at mcassidy@medford.k12.ma.us to be entered in a free Lottery to win an Activity Basket that includes a $25 Gift Certificate to Colleen's

ArtsMEDFORD AND JEROME STREET STUDIOS - ART IN WINDOWS
ArtsMedford, formerly known as MACI (Medford Arts Center, Inc.) and Jerome Street Studios are proud to present art from local artists presented in Medford Storefronts. Go for a stroll in Medford Square and surrounding areas and browse the work of local artists. The following businesses will be displaying art from the listed artists -

  • Mystic Valley Travel presents Nancy Haddad
  • Re/Max Andrew Realty presents Sarah Gerould
  • Colleen's Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop presents Jerome Street Studios
  • Salvatore's presents Earl Howard
  • Washvault presents Susan Altman
  • Mystic Coffee Roasters presents Louise Musto-Choate
  • Members Plus Credit Union presents Mike Saporito
  • Real Gusto presents Sharon Fischer
  • SckyArt presents Ed Cardini
  • Goldilox presents Adam Lorusso

MEDFORD COMMUNITY COALITION PHOTO CONTEST
Submit your photo of "What Medford Means to Me" in 4 different categories to the Medford Community Coalition's photo contest, and be eligible to win prizes. Submission deadline extended to Thursday, September 10. Full details at https://mailchi.mp/74ae473945f7/medford-community-coalition-photography-contest-1569602?e=55e89db76f

CHEVALIER THEATRE TRIVIA QUIZ
The Friends of Chevalier Auditorium and Gene Mack Gym invites you to test your knowledge of Medford’s 80-year-old landmark by taking their 10-question Trivia Quiz. All contestants with the most correct answers will be entered into a drawing for an original copy of the Chevalier Theatre dedication ceremony book from March 7, 1940 (up to 10 winners). Entry deadline is 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 12. Take the quiz at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PCV2K6B?fbclid=IwAR17h-5E-4K61rPYPROxf2Sr2eIkAfK2aKMEkHtAiKfQnrKaHdHcbhlTA2w

CIRCLE THE SQUARE SCAVENGER HUNT
Play our Paint By Numbers scavenger hunt. Click the links to print the Junior or Senior Picture or print from our Facebook page, and look for the signs in the windows of businesses in Medford Square to find out what color goes with each number. Email a photo of your colored-in picture to circlethesquaremedford@gmail.com by 5:00 p.m. on September 12 to be entered into our raffle to win a Paint by Pixels Mosaic Kit (Junior submissions) or a $25 gift card to Colleen's (Senior submissions).