Five Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need To Know Today—Thursday, July 26

Kidstock at library; picnic basket and blanket family concert; School Building Committee meets.

1) It's funny Lt. Dan said that, because right then, God showed up: A chance of showers, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 1 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind 7 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Tonight, a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. (Forecast by the National Weather Service.) 2) The play's the thing: The popular Kidstock Theater Group of Winchester returns at 2 p.m. today for an interactive show at the Melrose Public Library. The performances are free and are recommended for …

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VIDEO AND PHOTOS: Toddler Flash Mob Concert at Ell Pond

Roman Music Therapy Services and Melrose Patch decided to play hooky Friday morning and invited some friends along for an impromptu concert.

We at Melrose Patch decided that the weather is so nice, we should play hooky at Ell Pond Park today—and Meredith Pizzi at Roman Music Therapy Services agreed. So in a few hours yesterday afternoon we cooked this up, and this morning we had a toddler flash mob, so to speak, and impromptu kids' concert: "Wake Up and Wiggle." Meredith played songs—including one she wrote Friday morning!—to get the kids up and dancing on the gazebo. Click through the photos above and watch our video clip from the concert. Thanks to everyone who came and a special thank you to Meredith for indulging our weather-inspired spontaneity. You can 'Like' Roman Music Therapy Services on Facebook, check them out at www.romanmusictherapy.com, and check out Sprouting …

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Melrosian's Jazz Concert Is Curtain Call For Corinthian Hall

Joe Mulholland kicks off his fourth album with a June 8 concert at Corinthian Hall, the last event at the venue that is now closing.

The kick-off jazz concert for Melrosian Joe Mulholland's fourth album release on June 8 with also serve as the curtain call for Corinthian Hall, the refurbished banquet hall that only re-opened two years ago on Franklin Street. Kelly Carroll, Corinthian Hall's executive director, informed Melrose Patch "with great sadness" of the hall's closing in an email. After Stephen Longmuir purchased the building in 2009, Corinthian Hall was refurbished and re-opened, restored to match how the ballroom looked when it hosted its first event in 1900. Carroll said in her email that "we were just not able to generate enough income to sustain it any longer." Long-time Melrosian Mulholland will give the hall a final send-off with his jazz quartet on Friday…

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VIDEO: Polymnia Prepares for Fauré's 'Requiem' Concert on Saturday

Polymnia Choral Society with UMass Lowell Chamber Singers and an orchestra of top Greater Boston musicians will perform on Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's.

Editor's note: This article was corrected on Friday, March 23 at 4:05 p.m. This Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m., Polymnia Choral Society is holding a concert at St. Mary's featuring Gabriel Fauré's "Requiem" and other works from the  Romantic Revolution age. The group will be joined by members of the UMass Lowell Chamber Singers, one guest from the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and 14 other orchestra musicians from around the Greater Boston area. Watch the video above for a preview of the music from Tuesday night's rehearsal and details from Polymnia Director Murray Kidd about the pieces that will be performed. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, $5 for children 12 and under, and can be purchased online.

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Photos: Sprouting Melodies Concert on Melrose Public Library Lawn

Children up to age six and their parents enjoyed an evening outside on the Melrose Public Library lawn with music from Sprouting Melodies, a part of Roman Music Therapy Services.

The first Blanket and Basket concert of the summer was held last Thursday on the Melrose Public Library lawn, featuring Sprouting Melodies, a part of Roman Music Therapy Services. The concert series is made possible by the Melrose Public Library, PAL, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Poland Springs. Were you there? Upload your own photos from the concert to this gallery. It's easy—just sign into your Melrose Patch account (or sign into Melrose Patch using your Facebook account) at melrose.patch.com/login. Click the "Add your photos & videos" link below the photos and follow the directions.

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Five Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need To Know Today—Monday, July 4

Happy Fourth of July!

Today is Independence Day, Monday, July 4, and here are Melrose's five fast facts for the day: 1) It's true that his metal flag pole does shine like God's own wrath: Forgive me if this forecast isn't super accurate, as I'm compiling it a couple of days in advance. (Ahem). Mostly sunny with a high near 85 today. Tonight, mostly cloudy with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. (Forecast by the National Weather Service.) 2) ... (he) suggests, gently, construction paper and “Magical Markers,” which explains my now-beloved homemade flag: The Fourth of July at the Common will be held from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. today. Join in the annual bike and carriage parade around the park—registration starts at 9:45 a.m. 3) They're coming to …

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Video: 'Bad Girls' Take Center Stage at Polymnia's Romantic Revolution Concert

Featuring mezzo-soprano soloist, Eileen Christiansen, Polymnia presented music from the beginning of the Romantic Era.

On Sunday, the Ploymnia Choral Society presented Romantic Revolution, music from the beginning of the Romantic Era, at St. Mary's Church. Music Director, Murray Kidd, explained what distinguishes music from the Romantic Era from other types of Classical music. The concert also featured mezzo-soprano soloist, Eileen Christiansen, who posted on her blog, "I've decided that I'm singing the anti-Disney Princesses at this concert." Christiansen spoke to Melrose Patch about going against the "Disney Princess" stereotype and really bringing out the characters that she portrays.

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Video: Holiday Pops at the Melrose Symphony Orchestra

Country's oldest volunteer orchestra presents its holiday concert at Memorial Hall

The Melrose Symphony Orchestra, the country's oldest continuing volunteer orchestra, presented its Holiday Pops concert this weekend at Memorial Hall. Gospel vocalist, Renese King, is a seven-year soloist with the orchestra and dedicated a few of her songs to those who could not be present with their families on Christmas Day.

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Note-able Soloists Help Symphony Usher in 93rd Season

The Melrose Symphony Orchestra starts its 2010-2011 season on Nov. 6 with guest soloists from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

When the Melrose Symphony Orchestra (MSO) kicks off their 93rd season at Memorial Hall on Saturday, they will be joined by two prominent members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO)—cellist Owen Young and violinist Lucia Lin. The soloists will join the MSO and conductor Yoichi Udagawa for Brahm's Concerto for Violin and Cello. The pair worked with Udagawa before. "I have done this piece with [these soloists] in other places," Udagawa explained. "I was very eager to bring it to Melrose so that the audiences here could listen to them. These guys are amazing." Young, a Yale University graduate, has appeared frequently in concerts across New England, and with symphonies and in festivals worldwide. He served as principal cellist for the …

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