deCordova Performance Series: Leslie Mendelson

Join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring Leslie Mendelson in the deCordova Sculpture Park! Spread a blanket on the ground, or bring your own chair for a wonderful, family-friendly evening. Come early to enjoy our beautiful grounds surrounded by art and nature especially our new Nature Sanctuary exhibition. With her enchanted voice and evocative songwriting, Leslie Mendelson has won the hearts and minds of both an adoring fanbase and fellow artists alike. No less than Jackson Browne has declared, “Leslie’s melodies are timeless. They reach me way back in my youth somewhere. I hear traces of Burt Bacharach and Carole King, and hooks and passages that remind me of the pop songs I grew up hearing on the radio,” while The Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan shares: “Voices like Leslie’s can get away with almost anything. Along with being a great songwriter, this leaves her with few if any peers.” A Grammy Award-nominated artist, Mendelson returns this summer with her fourth studio album,&nbsp;After The Party. For this latest effort, she collaborates with not one, but three producers: the legendary Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt), the young, in-demand Tyler Chester (Madison Cunningham, Sara Bareilles, Sara Watkins) and her longtime songwriting partner, three-time Grammy Award-winner, Steve McEwan. Recorded at Jackson Browne’s studio Grove Masters in Santa Monica, CA, she was joined by an ace band featuring guitarists Waddy Wachtel and John Jorgenson, bassists Leland Sklar and Derrick Anderson, and drummers Jim Keltner and Abe Rounds. YOUR TICKET INCLUDES Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus and free parking. Please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program. You’re welcome to picnic in the Park. Purchase beer, wine and food at the <a href="https://www.thetwistedtreecafe.com/">Twisted Tree Café</a>&nbsp;in advance. NOTE: OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If it rains, this concert will take place inside of the museum. Our deCordova Performance Series include:<ul><li><a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/416680/">Arias Aloft</a>&nbsp;on June 29 and rain date on July 25</li><li><a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/416679/">Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band</a>&nbsp;on July 11</li><li>Black Stone Valley Quartet on July 18</li><li>Leslie Mendelson on August 8</li><li>Low Lily Band on August 15</li></ul>Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please reach out 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers may not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

deCordova Performance Series: Low Lily Band

Join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring Low Lily in the deCordova Sculpture Park! Spread a blanket on the ground, or bring your own chair for a wonderful, family-friendly evening. Come early to enjoy our beautiful grounds surrounded by art and nature especially our new Nature Sanctuary exhibition. With the release of their 2023 album ‘Angels in the Wreckage’ (produced by Dirk Powell), the Vermont-based American Roots band LOW LILY brought their infectious sound to a new level. With the energy of fiddle music, the introspective quality of contemporary folk, the precision of bluegrass, and the drive of Americana, the members of Low Lily (Liz Simmons, Flynn Cohen, and Natalie Padilla) combine their individual talents into one stunning soundscape. Low Lily has shared their signature sound with enthusiastic audiences throughout North America and the UK, garnering two #1 songs on international folk radio and two Independent Music Award wins. In 2018, the band released a full-length album with 2X award-winning title track “10,000 Days Like These” and their original song “Hope Lingers On”, which has been sung by choirs around the world as an anthem for peace and justice. YOUR TICKET INCLUDES Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus and free parking. Please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program. You’re welcome to picnic in the Park. Purchase beer, wine and food at the <a href="https://www.thetwistedtreecafe.com/">Twisted Tree Café</a>&nbsp;in advance. NOTE: OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If it rains, this concert will take place inside of the museum. Our deCordova Performance Series include:<ul><li><a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/416680/">Arias Aloft</a>&nbsp;on June 29 and rain date on July 25</li><li><a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/416679/">Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band</a>&nbsp;on July 11</li><li>Black Stone Valley Quartet on July 18</li><li>Leslie Mendelson on August 8</li><li>Low Lily Band on August 15</li></ul>Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please reach out 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers may not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

Library in the Landscape

Library in the Landscape welcomes young minds to enjoy live storybook reading and hands-on art making amidst nature’s beauty. Set in the heart of the Sculpture Park, this program invites children and an accompanying adult to immerse themselves in a blend of storytelling and creativity. With curated readings by Lincoln Public Library Children’s Librarians and hands-on activities inspired by the stunning sculptures of Nature Sanctuary, children are encouraged to connect with both literature and the environment. It’s an interactive experience designed to spark imagination, foster curiosity, and inspire a love for both art and reading. deCordova’s family programs are designed to welcome a wide range of ages and abilities. Sensory kits are available to help anyone feel more comfortable and engaged. Please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mnelson@thetrustees.org">mnelson@thetrustees.org</a>&nbsp;to discuss reasonable adaptations to benefit anyone in your group. Pre-ticketing is required in order to anticipate capacity. Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus, so please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program.

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum

deCordova Book Club: Nature Sanctuary

Celebrate art, nature, and community with the deCordova Book Club! In June, August, and October, we will read a book inspired by the exhibition&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary, now on view at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Each book club meeting will take place near one of the original, site-inspired commissions of&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary&nbsp;and will be facilitated by Lauren Artiles, Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. Light bites and refreshments provided. Check your local library or bookstore for copies of each month’s book. August 20: “The Painted Drum” by Louise Erdrich About the book: A lyrical novel of a priceless Ojibwe object and the effect it has had on those who have come into contact with it over the years. About the Facilitator: Lauren Artiles (she/they) is the Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. In this role, she oversees the management of the Center for Creative Writing, both creatively and operationally; supervises GrubStreet’s events, membership program, and partner initiatives; and works to cultivate a warm, welcoming third place where every writer feels at home and empowered at each stage of their artistic journey. Lauren teaches and writes short fiction. She received an MFA in Writing from CalArts and is an alum of GrubStreet’s Short Story Incubator program. Lauren’s writing has been supported by a Vermont Studio Center Fellowship. Outside of work, her greatest pleasures include reading freaky little novellas, cooking elaborate meals for loved ones, watching horror movies, and tending to both her real garden and her garden of carefully curated playlists.

Celebrate art, nature, and community with the deCordova Book Club! In June, August, and October, we will read a book inspired by the exhibition&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary, now on view at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Each book club meeting will take place near one of the original, site-inspired commissions of&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary&nbsp;and will be facilitated by Lauren Artiles, Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. Light bites and refreshments provided. Check your local library or bookstore for copies of each month’s book. October 8: “Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden” by Camille T Dungy About the book: Poet and scholar Camille T. Dungy recounts the seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden in the predominantly white community of Fort Collins, Colorado. About the Facilitator: Lauren Artiles (she/they) is the Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. In this role, she oversees the management of the Center for Creative Writing, both creatively and operationally; supervises GrubStreet’s events, membership program, and partner initiatives; and works to cultivate a warm, welcoming third place where every writer feels at home and empowered at each stage of their artistic journey. Lauren teaches and writes short fiction. She received an MFA in Writing from CalArts and is an alum of GrubStreet’s Short Story Incubator program. Lauren’s writing has been supported by a Vermont Studio Center Fellowship. Outside of work, her greatest pleasures include reading freaky little novellas, cooking elaborate meals for loved ones, watching horror movies, and tending to both her real garden and her garden of carefully curated playlists.

Holding Water: Artist Workshop with Evelyn Rydz

Join us for an an immersive, hands-on workshop in which participants will explore the intersection of art and the environment under the guidance of artist Evelyn Rydz. Inspired by the installation&nbsp;Holding Water, participants will engage with themes of water conservation, sustainability, and the natural world through creative expression. Drawing inspiration from Rydz’s own work, which often explores human connections to nature, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with watercolor pencils, ink, and meditative drawing. This workshop is best suited for ages 16+. About the Artist: Multidisciplinary artist Evelyn Rydz creates work across drawing, site-responsive installations and community projects. Her artistic practice centers on interconnected bodies of water, highlighting relationships between personal histories, human impacts, and threats to natural and cultural ecosystems. In her participatory projects, Rydz creates spaces for intergenerational community conversations and collective art making exploring immigration, public health, ancestral foods, and ways we are shaped by our sense of home. Rydz received her MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and is currently Professor at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. <a href="https://evelynrydz.com/home.html">https://evelynrydz.com/home.html</a> Image: Folded Waters (Atlántico). Installation created for Ríos Intermitentes, part of the 13th Havana Biennial Palacio de Justicia, Matanzas, Cuba.

deCordova Performance Series: Girl Power Playlist Live

Join us for a wonderful evening of music featuring Blackstone Valley Quartet at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum as they bring the songs of Female Pop Stars to life on strings. Spread a blanket on the ground, or bring your own chair for a wonderful, family-friendly evening. Come early to enjoy our beautiful grounds surrounded by art and nature especially our new Nature Sanctuary exhibition. <a href="https://www.blackstonevalleyquartet.com/">The Blackstone Valley Quartet</a>, based in North Grafton, specializes in mixed genre performances on stringed instruments throughout New England. From iconic pop hits to timeless classical favorites, the Blackstone Valley Quartet reimagines familiar melodies with a fresh, innovative twist. The Blackstone Valley Quartet strives to unite people of all ages and all walks of life through the power of music. YOUR TICKET INCLUDES Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus and free parking. Please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program. You’re welcome to picnic in the Park. Purchase beer, wine and food at the <a href="https://www.thetwistedtreecafe.com/">Twisted Tree Café</a>&nbsp;in advance. NOTE: OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If it rains, this concert will take place inside of the museum. Our deCordova Performance Series include:<ul><li>Arias Aloft on June 29 and rain date on July 25</li><li>Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band on July 11</li><li>Black Stone Valley Quartet on July 18</li><li>Leslie Mendelson on August 8</li><li>Low Lily Band on August 15</li></ul>Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please reach out 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers may not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

deCordova Performance Series: Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band

deCordova Performance Series: Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band Join us for a wonderful evening of one of the world’s top klezmer ensembles in the deCordova Sculpture Park! Spread a blanket on the ground, or bring your own chair for a wonderful, family-friendly evening. Come early to enjoy our beautiful grounds surrounded by art and nature especially our new Nature Sanctuary exhibition. Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band has performed in theaters across the globe from Amsterdam’s Het Compagnie Theater to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and DC’s Kennedy Center, but they hold a special place in their hearts for downhome dance parties in Brooklyn. Their music has been featured on television in the Netherlands and Brazil, on the Boston Jewish Music Festival’s compilation album, and a feature length film, in addition to their eight albums. The Wheels have performed with Hankus Netsky, David Broza, Paula Cole, Jill Sobule, BETTY, and many more collaborators from the klezmer world and beyond. When they’re not playing klezmer, they can be found backing up such household names as Eminem, Hugh Jackman, Weird Al Yankovic, Amanda Palmer, and Chris Botti, and holding down the pit orchestras of musical theater shows across New England. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fewklezmer.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Ccclark%40thetrustees.org%7C1d2376e6acd94e9b4e8f08dc4d48ebc2%7C912a785a67cc420da3dce817f6ff7bfc%7C0%7C0%7C638470222878496901%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DiCHUGxsE20EDhpQgs2eoOB5TlIBd2fwxAt9PpLfX%2B8%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://ewklezmer.com</a>. YOUR TICKET INCLUDES Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus and free parking. Please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program. You’re welcome to picnic in the Park. Purchase beer, wine and food at the <a href="https://www.thetwistedtreecafe.com/">Twisted Tree Café</a>&nbsp;in advance. NOTE: OUTSIDE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PROPERTY. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. If it rains, this concert will run inside the museum. Our deCordova Performance Series include:<ul><li>Arias Aloft on June 29 and rain date on July 25</li><li>Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band on July 11</li><li>Black Stone Valley Quartet on July 18</li><li>Leslie Mendelson on August 8</li><li>Low Lily Band on August 15</li></ul>Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please reach out 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers may not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

Maker Space: PRIDE

Maker Space: PRIDE is a safe space to celebrate community through drop-in art-making inspired by themes and artists on view in the Sculpture Park. Find your own approach or collaborate to construct creative works of art. Join us for a short time or the entire drop-in window. Designed for children ages 4–12 and their accompanying adult, but all are welcome. Maker Space will take place outside in the Sculpture Park, light drizzle or shine. In the event of a cancellation, those registered will receive an email. deCordova’s family programs are designed to welcome a wide range of ages and abilities. Sensory kits are available at Maker Space to help anyone feel more comfortable and engaged. Please contact <a href="mailto:mnelson@thetrustees.org">mnelson@thetrustees.org</a> to discuss reasonable adaptations to benefit anyone in your group. Pre-ticketing is required in order to anticipate capacity. Your ticket includes admission to deCordova’s campus, so please feel free to explore the grounds before or after the program.

Celebrate art, nature, and community with the deCordova Book Club! In June, August, and October, we will read a book inspired by the exhibition&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary, now on view at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. Each book club meeting will take place near one of the original, site-inspired commissions of&nbsp;Nature Sanctuary&nbsp;and will be facilitated by Lauren Artiles, Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. Light bites and refreshments provided. Check your local library or bookstore for copies of each month’s book. June 18: “The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World” by Robin Wall Kimmerer About the book: A bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world. About the Facilitator: Lauren Artiles (she/they) is the Director of Operations and Partnerships at GrubStreet. In this role, she oversees the management of the Center for Creative Writing, both creatively and operationally; supervises GrubStreet’s events, membership program, and partner initiatives; and works to cultivate a warm, welcoming third place where every writer feels at home and empowered at each stage of their artistic journey. Lauren teaches and writes short fiction. She received an MFA in Writing from CalArts and is an alum of GrubStreet’s Short Story Incubator program. Lauren’s writing has been supported by a Vermont Studio Center Fellowship. Outside of work, her greatest pleasures include reading freaky little novellas, cooking elaborate meals for loved ones, watching horror movies, and tending to both her real garden and her garden of carefully curated playlists.

Father's Day Yoga at deCordova

Art of Presence: Yoga at deCordova Immerse yourself in the beauty of art, nature, and mindful movement with&nbsp;Art of Presence, an yoga series at deCordova Sculpture Park. Set against a backdrop of stunning sculptures and serene landscapes, these guided sessions invite you to explore the intersection of body, breath, and creativity. Just as sculpture transforms space, yoga encourages us to shape our own sense of presence – grounding ourselves in the moment, attuning to the rhythms of nature, and finding inspiration in the art that surrounds us. Whether flowing through sunlit mornings or unwinding in the golden glow of evening, each practice will cultivate balance, awareness, and connection to the world around us. Join us for this unique opportunity to move, breathe, and be present in a place where art and nature become part of your practice.

Father's Day Family Yoga at deCordova

Art of Presence: Family Yoga at deCordova Bring the whole family for&nbsp;Art of Presence: Family Yoga, a playful and engaging outdoor yoga experience at deCordova Sculpture Park. Surrounded by art and nature, families will move, stretch, and breathe together in a fun and welcoming environment. These interactive sessions encourage creativity, mindfulness, and connection—blending movement with storytelling, imaginative play, and the inspiring sculptures around us. Just as art invites curiosity and exploration, yoga helps children and adults alike find balance, presence, and joy in the moment. Join us for a family-friendly yoga experience where movement, art, and nature come together in a space designed for all ages to explore and enjoy.

Moonlight Tour at deCordova

deCordova by Moonlight – Strawberry Moon Bring your family and friends to see deCordova’s famous sculptures transformed by the moonlight in this special after-hours tour. June is a time when wild strawberries ripen and are ready for harvest, making the full moon in June a natural marker for this event. Small group tours with deCordova’s experienced Museum Guides last 60-75 minutes. Please dress for the weather with sturdy footwear, and please bring a flashlight or lantern. Visitors should park in the main lot and meet their Museum Guide in front of the Museum. Questions about accessibility? Please contact Cindy at <a href="mailto:cclark@thetrustees.org">cclark@thetrustees.org</a>. More details:<ul><li>Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome.</li><li>Can’t make this date? Full moon tours are offered monthly.</li></ul>

Memorial Day Adult Yoga at deCordova

Art of Presence: Yoga at deCordova Immerse yourself in the beauty of art, nature, and mindful movement with Art of Presence, an yoga series at deCordova Sculpture Park. Set against a backdrop of stunning sculptures and serene landscapes, these guided sessions invite you to explore the intersection of body, breath, and creativity. Just as sculpture transforms space, yoga encourages us to shape our own sense of presence – grounding ourselves in the moment, attuning to the rhythms of nature, and finding inspiration in the art that surrounds us. Whether flowing through sunlit mornings or unwinding in the golden glow of evening, each practice will cultivate balance, awareness, and connection to the world around us. Join us for this unique opportunity to move, breathe, and be present in a place where art and nature become part of your practice.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Where

joyraft.host65317

Experiences

deCordova Performance Series: Leslie Mendelson

deCordova Performance Series: Low Lily Band

Library in the Landscape

deCordova Book Club: Nature Sanctuary

deCordova Book Club: Nature Sanctuary

Holding Water: Artist Workshop with Evelyn Rydz

deCordova Performance Series: Girl Power Playlist Live

Library in the Landscape

deCordova Performance Series: Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band

Maker Space: PRIDE

deCordova Book Club: Nature Sanctuary

Father's Day Yoga at deCordova

Father's Day Family Yoga at deCordova

Moonlight Tour at deCordova

Memorial Day Adult Yoga at deCordova