"Shop Local, Eat Local, Art Local" this Thursday in Newton Centre

Following the recent launch of its , the is ready to present another partnership of Newton culture and local businesses.

This Thursday, residents are invited to spend a night out in Newton Centre during the NCA's first-ever Arts Stroll & Shop. The event, which kicks off at 5 p.m., will celebrate and support the Newton community by bringing together local art, music, food and retail. 

"The Arts Stroll & Shop is a way to combine both our artist communities and business communities while encouraging residents to shop local, eat local and art local," says Kara Robbins, program director for the NCA.

During the event, Newton Centre businesses will extend business hours to 9 p.m., allowing extra time for locals to get their holiday shopping done. Stores will also greet shoppers with holiday goodies and warm-weather treats.

As of today, nearly 30 shops and restaurants have agreed to participate in Thursday's event, many of which will offer special deals and sales during the evening. 

Meanwhile, performers and artists from the NCA will be weaving in and out of the Newton Centre shops and restaurants, Robbins explains. For example, a group from the Highland Glee Club singing outside , or a traveling violinist popping in and out of the .

Robbins says artwork will also be on display in vacant storefronts and parts of the .

"This is the first big community event that we are doing," Robbins says. "We’re pretty excited."

In addition to the traveling performers, there will be other, large-scale performances scheduled during the evening including:

• Boston Ballet School Adult Demonstration Class, 6 p.m. at the First Baptist Church
• Suzuki School of Newton Piano Performance Extravaganza, 7 p.m. at 67 Union Street
• Messiah Community Sing-a-Long with New Philharmonia Orchestra, Newton Choral Society and Highland Glee Club, 7:15 p.m. at the First Baptist Church
• Community caroling, 8 p.m., meet at the First Baptist Church

If all goes well Thursday night, Robbins says similar events could be held in other Newton villages. 

"[The event] aims to expose the NCA to more people and to enhance community and economic development. This is a way to do both of those things in one," Robbins says. "There are so many other towns around Boston that do this -- why not Newton?" 

For more information, visit the NCA's Arts Stroll & Shop website.