Lectures on Ballet and Photographers in a Dark Time

In the Eye of the Storm: Six Photographers in the Nazi Era.

Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m.

This one hour presentation looks at the lives, works, and choices of six photographers who lived and photographed in Germany during the Nazi Era.  Utilizing the photographs of each artist, the presentation introduces the audience to the works of the following photographers: August Saunder, Leni Riefenstahl, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Erwin Blumenfeld, Erick Salomon, and Roman Vishniac.  Within the historical context of Nazi Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s, the presentation focuses on the artistic / moral choices of these photographers: what they chose to photograph – what they saw (in the Eye in the Storm) – as well as their artistic and ethical choices.  The talk also looks at the response of the Nazi regime to their work, how tyranny affected their lives, both as individuals, as well as artists.  Presented by Geoffrey G. Brahmer, M.Div.

The Story of Ballet.

Friday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m.

In this lecture you will learn about the major stages of ballet development, which included Renaissance and French court ballets, Romantic era ballets of 19th century, 20th century, and post-modern ballets.  You will hear fascinating stories from the lives of ballet’s great choreographers and dancers: August Bournonville, Marius Petipa,  George Balanchine, Sergey Diaghilev, Isadora Duncan,  Anna Pavlova, Margot Fonteyn, and others. You will learn about historic origins of some of ballet body positions and moves.  Presented by ballet enthusiast Sarah Heretz.

Reminders

Menotomy Weatherization Assistance Program

Beat the cold weather rush and insulate now!

Menotomy Weatherization Assistance Program services eligible homeowners and tenants twelve months a year at no cost to them with air sealing, insulation and more.  Heating system tune-ups and repairs may be completed when needed.  All contractors are licensed and insured.  The program oversees the entire project from the initial audit through the final quality control inspections after the work has been completed.

Please take advantage of our program.  Contact us now and beat the rush.

For additional information and guidelines please call 781-316-3436 or visit http://www.town.arlington.ma.us/Public_Documents/ArlingtonMA_Planning/weatherization/index

Day and Overnight Trips

Thursday, Feb. 16

Show Time at Spinelli’s, Lynnfield, MA

Show Time includes performances by Ray Cavicchio, Sharon Zee, and Frank Zarba; lots of hits from Hollywood to Broadway; and live music for dancing. Meal choice: Yankee Pot Roast or Baked Boston Schrod.  Cost is $69 per person. Check payable to Gateway Tours. Full refund if weather is a problem.

Wednesday, March 14

Irish Day at the Venus de Milo Restaurant, Swansea, MA

Enjoy the music and voice of Andy Cooney’s Forever Irish show, featuring the Irish Sopranos and Liam O’Connor.  Meal choice: Corned Beef & Cabbage or Baked Haddock.  Cost is $69.00 per person.  Check payable to Best of Times.

Friday, May 11 to Friday, May 18

Bermuda Cruise.

8 days & 7 nights Boston to Bermuda cruise on the Norwegian Cruise Line Dawn, which includes roundtrip motorcoach transportation from Belmont to Boston, all meals on board the ship plus NCL’s freestyle dining ashore program, travelers’ insurance, an exclusive cocktail party, and the services of a Best of Times Professional Tour Director.  Cruise leaves Boston’s wharf at 4:00 p.m. and will spend 3 days at King’s Wharf, 3 days at sea, and will return to Boston on Friday at 8:00 a.m.  Costs range from $729pp inside stateroom to $1129pp mid-ship balcony stateroom (plus $300pp for taxes, transfers, and government fees.)  A deposit of $400pp is due upon registration.  Final payment due no later than January 27, 2012.  Checks or credit card payable to Best of Times.