Established in 1953, Brattle Theater plays host to an array of alternative film screenings, in addition to book readings and acoustic concerts. Their eclectic schedule features everything from Japanese animation and American classics, to indie and foreign series. Occasionally they organize film festivals and entertainment events like film noir, French cinema and Oscar winning movies. This is one of the few theaters in town showcasing double features.
Spontaneous Celebrations is a non-profit group whose mission is "to create and sustain a community cultural life that unites and empowers people for positive change through the arts." To this end, they throw a good party. Their spring Wake Up the Earth festival boasts music, dancing children, art, and a plethora of fried foods and craft items for sale. This annual festival dates back to 1979, when the I-95 extension was defeated, a win for Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, which would have been effectively destroyed by the project. Check out the Spontaneous Celebrations web site to see their ongoing programs from LGBT/Queer Argentine Tango to Foods not Bombs, or to get involved. - Anais Wheeler