Watermelon Wednesdays got its start in 2000 as the outgrowth of occasional West Whately cultural events including natural history presentations, contradances, and neighborhood potlucks.  

The idea of having a summer concert series featuring out-of-town musical acts was the “brain-child" of Paul Newlin and Rani Arbo. Paul had tried to generate interest in using the historic West Whately Chapel for community events and dances, similar to what local contradance caller David Kaynor had been doing at the Montague Grange Hall.  However, after numerous attempts to drum up interest in such events, Paul decided that simply staging concerts with established performers would have more appeal.

He and Rani coined the name Watermelon Wednesdays with the idea that it would be easier to book touring musicians on a Wednesday evening, between their weekend gigs in New York and Boston. The name also had solid alliterative appeal and, well, who doesn’t like watermelons? Rani's band at the time, Salamander Crossing, was one of the first acts. She and the band have returned several times as Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem.

The goal of Watermelon Wednesdays, now a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit educational organization, has been to foster interest and appreciation of the acoustic musical arts by offering concerts and workshops and by sharing this music online.  Both venues are of historical significance and located in historical districts.  

Attending a show at either venue will be to experience not only great live music but living history as well.

We hope to see you at a show in West Whately soon!