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Circus Smirkus’ talented teens will amaze you
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The youth performers of Circus Smirkus (top) return to the area with July 28-July 30 performances in Waltham, while in Newton, Pine Manor College is showcasing “Resist’’ (left), an exhibit of protest paraphernalia. (Robert Sanson/Circus Smirkus)
By Nancy Shohet West
Globe Correspondent

BIG TOP TOUR Circus Smirkus, Vermont’s international youth circus, brings its 2017 Big Top Tour back to Gore Place in Walthamwith six shows July 28 through 30. This year’s tour continues the tradition of theme-based shows with “Midnight at the Museum.’’ The show features young aerialists and wirewalkers, clowns and jugglers, live music, brilliant costumes, and the many skills of its young circus artists. Three of the tour’s 30 performers are from the Boston area: 15-year-old clown/aerialist Alexa Wang of Jamaica Plain, 16-year-old acrobat/juggler Chase Levy of Newton, and 12-year-old clown/hula hooper/contortionist Eva Lou Rhinelander of Melrose. Tickets are $18 for children age 2-6, $22 for youth age 7-12, and $26 for adults 13+ and can be purchased by calling 877-764-7587 or going online at www.smirkus.org. Gore Place is located at 52 Gore St., Waltham.

STILLNESS Lonnie Harvey, Lois Andersen, Sing Hanson, and Max Payne, resident artists at The Umbrella in Concord, are showing their work in a collaborative exhibit titled “Stillness.’’ Through the mediums of monoprint, painting, photography, and mixed media, the artists have spent the past year considering the effect of stillness, with a goal to transport, engage, and include the viewers in their acts of creation as depicted through the play of light through trees on water, the nature of artifacts from the earth, the dark beauty of vast fjords and oceans, or a riverbed holding stones and treasures. “Stillness’’ runs through Aug. 14 at The Umbrella Gallery at 40 Stow St., Concord. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For hours and more information, go to www.theumbrellaarts.org.

CONNECTIONS 6 Bridges Gallery presents “Connections,’’ a juried exhibit on view through Aug. 12. Twenty-four artists explore the connections that define our lives and the world in which we live — whether tangible or intangible, strong as steel or ethereal as the finest silk thread. 6 Bridges Gallery is located at 77 Main St., Maynard. For gallery hours or more information, call 978-897-3825 or go to www.6bridgesgallery.com.

RESISTING The outpouring of protest sparked by the recent presidential election served as inspiration for “Resist,’’ an exhibit of poster art, clothing, paintings, and sculpture from recent protests of all kinds as well historic work from the 1960s–1990s on view now through Aug. 20 at the Hess Gallery of Pine Manor College. Topics depicted include immigrants’ rights, women’s rights, and Black Lives Matter. The gallery is located on the Pine Manor campus on the first floor of the Annenberg Library, 400 Heath St., Chestnut Hill. Admission is free. For gallery hours and more information, go to www.pmc.edu/library.

OPERETTA Franklin Performing Arts Company presents free outdoor performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic “The Mikado’’ at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, and Friday, July 28, on the Franklin Town Common as part of the third annual Franklin Cultural Festival, hosted by the Franklin Cultural District Committee. For more information, go to www.fpaconline.com.

Shakespeare The Gazebo Players of Medfieldcontinues its 2017 season with a free outdoor performance of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice’’ on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30, at 5 p.m. at Powisset Farm, 37 Powisset Street, Dover. Bring outdoor chairs and picnics, or purchase food and beverages on site. For more information, call 508-785-0339 ext. 3003 or go to www.thetrustees.org/powissetevents.

CEMETERY TOUR Learn about the notable namesakes of Newton’s elementary and middle schools on a guided stroll through the Newton Cemetery. The tour, offered by Historic Newton, takes place Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. and begins in front of the chapel just inside the main gate, 791 Walnut St., Newton Centre Suggested donation, $10 per person. For preregistration and more information, call 617-796-1450 or go to www.historicnewton.org.

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