DISCOVERING WORLD CULTURES AT CAM
Families wanting to broaden their children’s global awareness through fun activities like traditional folks arts, folktales and ceremonies, should check out the following series of three Art & World Culture Playshops happening at the Children’s Art Museum (CAM) in Shelburne Falls, MA (next to the Trolley Museum):
TIBET: SAND MANDALAS & PRAYER FLAGS
This series will begin this Friday (February 1st) with Sand Mandalas & Prayer Flags of Tibet from 4pm-6:30pm. Sand Mandalas are an ancient Tibetan art form that were used to teach compassion, environmental relations and impermanency. With Tibet being one of the last ancient civilizations, teaching kids the history behind this ancient art form can supplement their global awareness of world civilizations and cultures. Making a sand mandala and prayer flags joins the art and history together into a creative and tactile experience. Click here to see a video of Tibetan Monks making a traditional sand mandala. All ages are welcomed. Pre-registration is required ($). Click here to reserve your spot, or call 413.625.2030. Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families. (Postponed to Sunday 02/03 @ 10am)
RUSSIA: MATRYOSHKA MADNESS
On Sunday, February 10th at 10am, Russian traditional folk art will be discovered with Matryoshka Madness. Not only can this traditional Russian icon be used to educate your kids about fertility and motherhood, it can also be used to teach them about world culture and customs too. In this playshop, families can discover Russian culture through the traditional Russian Folk Art by painting their own heirloom Matryoshka Dolls. (Please pre-register now for this class to reserve your Matryoshka Doll). All ages are welcomed. Pre-registration is required ($). Click here to reserve your spot, or call 413.625.2030. Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families.
JAPAN: CELEBRATING GIRLS DAY
Then, on Friday, February 29th at 4pm, just prior to Japan’s National Girls Day, CAM and Hilltown Families will be sponsoring a Mother/Daughter Tea, serving Peach Blossom tea and symbolic snacks. National Girls Day is also know as the Japanese Doll Festival, or Hinamatsuri. Our craft will be Kokeshi Dolls. All ages are welcomed. Pre-registration is required ($). Click here reserve your spot, or call 413.625.2030. Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families.
SATURDAY MORNING KIDS CONCERTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS!
- This Saturday (01/26) check out the Deedle Deedle Dees at Lyman Hall in Northampton at 10am.
- Next Saturday (02/02) join us for a kids rockin’ concert with Uncle Rock at the Florence Civic Center at 10:30am.
THIS WEEK’S LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS IS SPONSORED BY:
Become a Sponsor
To find out how you or your business can help support Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor, drop us an email or give us a call at 413.296.0096 for more information. By having individuals in our community and area businesses become sponsors, Hilltown Families can continue to offer a weekly list of suggested events, a weekly podcast, updated resources, articles and much more.
If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at swildfield@juno.com, or post your event on our community bulletin board. Comments are warmly welcomed!
Local forecast | Get directions | Free Museum Passes | School Closings & Delays
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
The following key represents the sum cost of one adult and one child:
(>$) Under $10; ($) Between $10-$19; ($$) Between $20-$44; ($$$) Over $45
Saturday – 01/26
8am – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family-friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child with the Deedle Deedle Dees! [All ages] (Free)
8am & 9:15am – KIDS BASKETBALL – (Worthington) Throughout the winter months, the Worthington Recreation Department is offering co-ed basketball program for kids at the town hall. Grades 1-2 begin at 8am. Grades 3-4 begin at 9:15am. No registration is necessary. 413.238.5500 [Ages 6-9] (Free)
9am – TRAINS! – (West Springfield) The Amherst Railway Society will be holding a weekend Railroad Hobby Show at the Eastern States Exposition on Saturday & Sunday. Bring your young train enthusiasts to see over 35 operating layouts, visit with historical societies, clinics and more. www.AmherstRail.org [Families] ($)
10am – FAMILY BOOK CLUB – (Williamsburg) Family Book Club will be at the Meekins Library.Click here for more info. [Ages 9-12] (Free)
10am – KIDS CONCERT – (Northampton) The Deedle Deedle Dees will be performing at Lyman Hall at the First Churches in Northampton, MA. There will be pancakes, carnival games, live music and dancing! Click here for more information. [Families] ($)
11am & 1pm – THEATER – (Amherst) In the auditorium at the Eric Carle Musem, Castle Hill Theatre Presents an original adaptation of the Norse myth, Tatterhood. 413.658.1126 [Families] ($, ticket price does not include museum admission. Borrow a museum pass from your local library)
1pm-3pm – NATURE EXPLORATIONS – (Williamsburg) Mass Audubon will be hosting Nature in Winter at the Meekins Library (indoors/outdoors). 413.268.7472 [Ages 4-8] (Free)
1:30pm – 3:20pm – ICE SKATING – (Greenfield) The Collins/Moylan Memorial Skating Rink will have a public skate. Skate rentals available. 413.772.6891 [Families] ($)
2:30pm-4pm – FAMILY ART WORKSHOP – (Haydenville) Art Star invites families to come make art together with art projects that celebrate the family. Materials included. 413.896.3709 [Families] ($)
4pm-6:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)
Sunday – 01/27
10am – CIRCLE DANCE – (Shelburne Falls) The Art Bridge will be hosting a circle dance with Sarah Pirtle. 413.625.8275 [Families] (Donation) Cancelled
11am – THEATER – (Amherst) In the auditorium at the Eric Carle Musem, Castle Hill Theatre Presents an original adaptation of the Norse myth, Tatterhood. This is a story of an unconventional girl who combats trolls, saves a princess, and enchants a prince, all the while remaining true to herself. Colorful masks, visually exciting backdrops, clanging symbols, and fine acting make this a delightfully zany tale you won’t want to miss. 413.658.1126 [Families] ($, ticket price does not include museum admission. Borrow a museum pass from your local library)
12:30pm – ZOOLOGY FOR KIDS: RAPTORS – (Holyoke) Tom Ricardi will be giving a raptor (birds of prey) show and workshop, including craft projects at Holyoke Heritage State Park. Pre-registration required. 413.322.5620 [Families[ (Free)
Noon – 1:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Greenfield) The Collins/Moylan Memorial Skating Rink will have a public skate. Skate rentals available. 413.772.6891 [Families] ($)
2pm-4pm – SKIING FOR KIDS – (Windsor) Join Bill Koch Youth Ski League at Notchview. Regular meetings of this family-oriented ski league. Lessons, games, races, and fun. 413.584.1128 [Ages 5-13 & their parents] ($)
3pm-5pm – ICE SKATING – (Easthampton) Open ice skating every Sunday at Williston Northampton School’s Lossone Rink. 413.529.3000 [Families] ($)
2pm – FAMILY PERFORMANCE – (Amherst) Performances of The Music Man at the Bowker Auditorium at UMass. 413.259.3065 [Families] ($$)
2pm – HOME-STUDIES: TEXTILES – (Deerfield) Families wanting to discover more about the history of textiles might find the Historical Deerfield’s All About Silk lecture of interest. This is part of three talks in the series “Celebrating the Fiber Arts.” 413.775.7216 [Ages 10 & older] (Free)
2pm & 4pm – THEATER – (Pittsfield) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day will be at the Colonial Theatre. 413.997.4444 [Families] ($-$$)
Monday – 01/28
2pm-4pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Shelburne Falls) Monday Afternoon Art at the Children’s Art Museum begins today and runs through 03/08/08. 413.625.2030. tlemos@valinet.com [All ages] ($$$)
1pm-4pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Easthampton) Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary offers a Monday Winter Homeschool Class beginning today and running through 03/17/08. Homeschool children are invited to join their winter session focusing on wildlife of Massachusetts. Registration is required. 413.584.3009 [AGes 5-10] ($$$)
4pm-5pm – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES – (Chesterfield) Outdoor Adventures for Kids in the Hilltowns at the Chesterfied Base Camp. Through age appropriate activities, young kids can explore their surrounding environment and learn about our ecology through indoor and outdoor activities and games. Click here for more information. 413.296.4249 [Ages 5-7]
Tuesday – 01/29
7pm – FAMILY RADIO – (Air Waves) Tune-in between bath and bedtime to the Hilltown Families very own radio show, the Hilltown Family Variety Show, on WXOJ LP 103.3 FM, Valley Free Radio out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org. [Families] (Free)
Wednesday – 01/30
10am-2pm – HOMESCHOOL CLASS – (Shelburne Falls) Wednesday Home Schooling Coop at the Children’s Art Museum has some spots open this winter. 413.625.2030. tlemos@valinet.com [All ages] ($$)
Noon-1:50pm – ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a public skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)
Thursday – 01/31
Open till 8pm – LOCAL LIBRARY – (Williamsburg) Did you know the Meekins Library stays open until 8pm every Thursday? A great thing to have in the winter months. Take the kids in their PJ’s and spend time at the library before bed time reading stories or getting help with homework. [Everyone] (Free)
Friday – 02/01
10am-11am – COMMUNITY FEEDBACK – (Cummington) Families Together, a Hilltown Community Health Center program is looking feedback to improve their program. Drop by the Cummington Community House and fill out a survey, or call Lee at 413.238.5511 x155 [Parents] (Free)
11am-1pm – HOMESCHOOL ICE SKATING – (Amherst) There will be a homeschool skate at the Mullins Center Ice Rink. Skate rentals available. 413.545.3990 [Families] ($)
4pm-6:30pm – ART & CULTURE WORKSHOP FOR KIDS – (Shelburne Falls) Come discover Tibetan culture while celebrating the Tibetan New Year at the Children’s Art Museum. Create Sand Mandalas and Prayer Flags. Tibetan Folk Tales will be read. Click here for more information or call 413.625.2030. Co-sponsored by Hilltown Families & CAM. [Families] ($) (Postponed to Sunday 02/03 @ 10am)
4pm-7pm – FAMILY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – (Amherst) Storytime at 5:30 pm and Film at 6:15 pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers families the opportunity to meet, eat, and enjoy all of the Museum’s regular public programs and special exhibitions at a time convenient for you! First Fridays @ The Carle invites visitors to head to the Museum after school/work to enjoy a storytime in the Reading Library, drop by the Galleries, take in a short film in the Auditorium, and create a masterpiece in the Art Studio . . . all before bedtime! 413.658.1100[Families] (Free w/museum pass. Borrow museum pass from your local library.)
5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – (Ashfield) Elmer’s invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Click here for menu 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)
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Hilltown Families 
Folk art is an integral part of our traditions. I would definitely want my kids to learn the art. Each region has a unique folk art which generally depicts nature and life.