The Nave Gallery is a collaboration between ARTSomerville and the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church. Run and staffed completely by volunteers, the Nave provides an important new exhibition space for both local and regional artists. Artists interested in exhibiting at the Nave are encouraged to apply via our guest curatorial program.  In addition to the visual arts there are musical performances during the year sponsored by CHPC and ARTSomerville.

Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church in collaboration with ARTSomerville hosts many of the area's performers for concerts of all types and styles of music.  Many of these performances have been recorded and are now available.  Listen on line, or download high quality files for your MP3 player or for burning your own CDs.  

Take me to the Music at CHPC page.

4 December 2008, 6 - 8 p.m., Opening reception, 'The December Salon' with Milo Jones at The Nave
exhibit page • Milo Jones
FREE
Part folk, part country, a little punk, and all eccentric, singer/songwriter Milo Jones has been compared to the likes of Lee Hazlewood, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waitts, and even Dracula. Romantic, weird, and haunting, Milo's lyrics, voice and style thrill you and stay with you long after.
"One man, one 3/4 scale guitar, Milo Jones is an ascendant star in the elite pantheon of modern-day crooners. His super sensitive mix of Lee Hazlewood and Leonard Cohen is served up with just a hint of understated irony, while
languidly oozing sincerity and warmth. Weird, but kind of heavy and beautiful, too. Which I guess makes it really weird." Don Bolles - (Club Screwball host, Germs, Psychic TV)

5 December 2008, 6 - 8 p.m., 'The December Salon' at The Nave
FREE

5 December 2008, 7:30 p.m., Allison Crowe's Tidings Concert, a benefit for The Everyday Angels Foundation at The Nave
Allison Crowe • buy tickets • edaf 
$10 advance tickets, $12 at the door.
ARTSomerville Presents Tidings - Allison Crowe's special holiday concert - as a fundraiser for the EveryDay Angels Foundation's Project Warmth.  Come Winter, EDAF volunteers deliver warm clothes and blankets to the homeless. In other seasons, they clean up beaches, and perform a range of community service including partnering with Heifer International.

Tidings stirs together traditional Christmas carols and holiday favourites with an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, gospel and soul.  "The Yuletide find of the year," says The Record. "Be prepared to be amazed," chimes ChristmasReviews.com "Allison Crowe is a stunningly talented performer."

"Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe." ~ Robert Reid, The Record (Canada)

"The most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life." ~ Ross Hocker, WGTE/NPR Radio (USA)

6 December 2008, 2 - 4 p.m., 'The December Salon' with John O'Hara at The Nave
exhibit page • John O'Hara
FREE
Singer/songwriter John O'Hara's earliest memories are of his mother reading Frog and Toad books. His bedroom was right next to the Footlight Club and he fell asleep to rehearsals for musicals every night. His musical career began with the Sorry Jar, playing at the Middle East upstairs and CB's Gallery in NYC, among others. He's performed solo at the Somerville lounges--Abbey or P.A.'s--for the past few year and is s-l-o-o-w-l-y recording an album, in his apartment, song by song, instrument by instrument, for a very long collection of spare time. Writing songs about laundry, autumn, and falling in love with mice, Somerville has become his home.

7 December 2008, 2 - 4 p.m., 'The December Salon' with Audrey Ryan at The Nave
exhibit page • Audrey Ryan
FREE
Maine native Audrey Ryan performs solo shows with instruments that include an electric Japanese axe, a vintage Gibson acoustic, a retro 80's era Casio keyboard, and of course, an accordion. Surrounded by a cacophony of musical influences from an early age, this talented musician was inspired to begin playing guitar at the ten and experimented with different genres throughout college. After graduating, Ryan started a band and has been performing and touring ever since.
"Ryan is an intriguing new singer....She is a jazz-pop artist whose influences would appear to range from Joni Mitchell to Edie Brickell. And she has a high-pitched voice with original phrasing and backup that includes her own impressively syncopated work on electric, acoustic, and classical guitars, as well as her standout violin lines, which lift a song when you least expect it... Ryan has a literary sensibility, writing about the isolation of the computer age, overbearing friends, and the nostalgia of childhood." -Boston Globe (Steve Morse)

11 December 2008, 6 - 8 p.m., 'The December Salon'at The Nave
FREE

12 December 2008, 6 - 8 p.m., 'The December Salon'at The Nave
FREE

13 December 2008, 2 - 4 p.m., 'The December Salon' with The West Somerville Illuminations Caroling Tour at The Nave
exhibit page • Somerville Arts Council
FREE.
Westward Ho ho ho! SAC and ARTSomerville are teaming up to offer a West Somerville Illuminations Walking & Caroling Tour. Expanding on the tradition the sellout Illuminations Tour, this year we are adding a walking tour of West Somerville. Tour-goers will walk past some of the snazziest West Somerville holiday light displays, including the showstopper created by Al Pellechia on Wallace St. Singing will be lead by Alex the Jester and the Somerville Community Chorus. We will end our perambulations at the Nave Gallery where we will feast on art and holiday refreshments.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 6-8pm. Meet at 6 p.m. in Davis Square, in Front of J.P. Licks (4A College Ave.). The tour will take about an hour and will end at the Nave.

14 December 2008, 2 - 4 p.m., Closing reception, 'The December Salon' with The Milling Gowns at The Nave
exhibit page • The Milling Gowns
FREE
The Milling Gowns showcases the original songs of baritone singer M. backed by darkly elegant piano and viola, punctuated with drums and bass. Their "gloom pop" sound ranges from upbeat with subliminal sadness to slow textured laments. the original songs of baritone singer M. backed by darkly elegant piano and viola, punctuated with drums and bass. Their "gloom pop" sound ranges from upbeat with subliminal sadness to slow textured laments.

20 December 2008 7 - 9 p.m., Good Cheer Festival at The Nave
FREE
Twas just days before Christmas and all thru the city
The people were scurrying to make everything pretty.
Everyone was preparing and keeping so busy
It just seemed like a whirlwind of activity was making all dizzy.
Then came a suggestion, of celebrating right
With the Good Cheer Festival, on a Saturday night
So fun and so festive, filled with spirit and light
To make the holiday truly happy and bright.
Jason Anderson performing with songs of such cheer
That even the Grinch would want to appear!
So let's sing some Carols together, could be such a sight
With cookies and eggnog to delight.
Please wear a Christmas themed sweater, of red and green
And bring something meaningful to contibute to the scene.
The spirit of the holiday created by "Art"
And to cause others to smile because of generous heart.

Just in time for Christmas, the Good Cheer Festival arrives in Somerville! Last year's event was so fun and festive, featuring
dramatic readings of The Night Before Christmas and Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, a piano-led group
carol sing and awesome refreshments. This year is going to be even merrier!  This is an awesome event for the whole family, that will totally get you ready--and excited!--for the holidays!  Cookies and egg nog will be available!
Note: Christmas sweaters are heavily encouraged. Please dress the part, and come ready to sing!