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Discover fun and educational events happening this weekend in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
We've posted a couple of resources for dying eggs naturally over on our Facebook page. Click on the photo above to surf over and see what gems await you there! While you're there, become a "fan" and share some of your own! (Photo credit: Brian Dewey)
If you have a family friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending
FRIDAY NIGHT IN THE HILLTOWNS
6:30pm – MUSIC: Chris Scanlon & The Other Guys/Span of Sunshine to play at The Blue House Cafe. 268-7441 Haydenville, MA (FREE)
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Saturday, April 10th from 5:30-7:30pm – CUMMINGTON FAMILY CENTER: The CFC will be holding their annual silent auction fundraiser at the Cummington Community House. Tickets are $10 and include delicious appetizers, wine and beer, baked goods, music and childcare. On the auction block is a diverse mix of local goods and services. It’s a super fun event — a chance to party and catch up with neighbors and friends — while meeting new ones — and supporting local communities. 634-5362 Cummington, MA (FUNDRAISER)
Sunday, April 11th from 3-5pm – TRANSITION WILLIAMSBURG: Come learn more about The Transition Movement at a Community Mapping Project happening at the Williamsburg Grange. There will be a screening of the film In Transition: From Oil Dependence to Local Resilience, along with a clothing swap and community potluck. Child care available. Come check out what all the buzz is about! Click here for more info. Williamsburg, MA (FREE)
FEATURED EVENT
THE NIELDS: Saturday, April 3rd at 10:30am – FAMILY CONCERT: The Nields at the First Churches of Northampton (129 Main Street) in The Sanctuary. The harmonious sisters sing new renditions of old folk songs as the finale of Nonotuck Community School’s Winter/Spring Family Concert Series. http://www.nonotuck.org 586-5996 Northampton, MA (FUNDRAISER)
BULLETIN BOARD
SPONSORSHIP, ADVERTISING & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Deliver your message to a large local family based audience while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Advertise your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement on our List of Weekly Suggested Events. – SPONSORSHIP: Interested in supporting the work of Hilltown Families? Find out how to be a sponsor! Serious inquiries can email us at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for details.
MEDICINE GIRLS: An herbal program for girls aged 8-12 years old starting out on the Herbal Medicine Path. Classes will be held on Sundays at Blazing Star Herbal School from 2-5pm in Ashfield, MA, on 4/18, 5/2, 5/16, 6/6, 6/20, plus one mid summer date 7/18 (for special herb harvesting). Activities will include: Herbal Prepreations, Folk Lore, Ethical Wild Crafting, Wild Foods, Global Studies, Botanical Art, Medicine Wheels, Power Animals & Plants and First Aid. Girls will be introduced to the practical skills essential for every aspiring herbalist. Join this circle of learning and make new friends with other girls who share the same passion for healing. More info tlemos@noho.com 413 625 6875 www.blazingstarherbalschool.typepad.com
CITIZEN SCIENTISTS: Kristen & Jane of Berkshire Environmental Action Team write: The salamanders are crossing! The salamanders are crossing! If you know of a road where woodfrogs or salamanders cross, now is the time of year to document this. Check out the website: Linking Landscapes. You can use the map tools to zoom in and put a marker right where you saw the amphibians crossing. Then you fill in your name, the date that you saw them crossing, the road and town, the weather, how many of each species you saw, and any other comments. Please help us get these places on the map, so in the future salamander crossing structures can be installed to help these fascinating creatures make it safely across the road.
TICKET GIVEAWAY: Hilltown Families and Iron Horse Entertainment Group have partnered up to offer a chance for two families to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see Secret Agent 23 Skidoo at the Iron Horse in Northampton, MA. on Sunday, April 11th at 2pm. Mister G will be opening. Deadline to enter to win is 04/07/10. Find out how to enter to win here.
CHESTER SPAGHETTI SUPPER: The Chester Elementary PTO is hosting its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Friday, April 9. Dinner will be served from 5 – 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $7, and children ages 3 – 12 will be $5. All children under 3 are free. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, rolls, various drinks, and cake for dessert. Students have assembled baskets to be raffled off at the end of the dinner. Tickets will be available for purchase. There will also be a gift card raffle. If you have any questions, please call the school office at 685-1360.
VULTURE CULTURE: Can anything be done to change the “Vulture Culture?” Kids won’t stop until adults change themselves, says expert – The suicide of South Hadley’s Phoebe Prince is getting a lot of press this week, with District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel’s announcement that 9 students will be prosecuted for criminal charges, including harassment, violation of civil rights, stalking, bodily injury and statutory rape. Psychiatrist Dr. Susan Lipkins told the Today Show’s Anne Curry this morning that bullying is on the rise because of the pervasiveness of demeaning and derogatory behavior, insults, innuendo and downright meanness in our culture. From reality TV to School Committee meetings, from the halls of Congress to talk radio, adults are modeling bad behavior for children. Lipkins’ website has her definition of bullying and more on the “Vulture Culture” – how we encourage bullying.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
This week’s episode is Chantey & Mambo, with a few sea chanteys (Dan Zanes, Country Joe McDonald, and Astrograss) and mambo tunes (Beny More and Ricardo Lemvo).. Tune in to 103.3FM WXOJ this Saturday from 9-10am, or listen to our podcasts HERE. Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
HFVS Podcast: Listen to our most recent episodes anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio from 9-10am.
On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA from 9-10am.
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Family Centers (Ages 0-4) | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
Next week is the Week of the Young Child in Northampton, MA. Click on the image to find out the details!
Saturday – 04/03/10
6-10am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) offers 4-hours of commercial-free family programing every Saturday, including the Hilltown Family Variety Show and Spare the Rock. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org.
7:30am – NATURE STUDIES: The Hoffmann Bird Club is sponsoring “Birding Beyond Your Backyard,” a two-hour bird walk at Pittsfield Lakes. Pre-registration encouraged. 655-8594 Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
9am, 10:15am & 11:30am – EASTER EVENT: Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Look Park. 584-5457 www.lookpark.org Florence, MA ($)
9am-12Noon – ART: Printmaking in the art studio at the Eric Carle Museum for kids ages 8-10. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA ($$)
9am- 4pm – SPORTS FANS: Take the kids to Amherst College to see a variety of sporting events: tennis, track, softball, baseball and lacaross. 542-2000 www.amherst.edu Amherst, MA
9:30am-5pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: At the Old Sturbridge Village this weekend, nearly 40 of the museum’s rarest bonnets are on display and village historians will demonstrate bonnet-making. See how clever New England women transformed old bonnets by adding feathers, flowers and frills. (508) 347-3362 www.osv.org Sturbridge, MA
10am-3pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: It’s Family Day at the Smith College Museum of Art. 585.2760 www.smith.edu Northampton, MA (FREE)
10am – EASTER EVENT: Egg hunt at Berkshire South for young kids. www.berkshiresouth.org Great Barrington MA (>$)
10:30am – FAMILY CONCERT: The Nields will perform a family benefit concert at The First Churches as a benefit for the Nonotuck Community School. 586-5996 www.nonotuck.org Northampton, MA ($)
11am – EASTER EVENT: Egg hunt at the Rod and Gun Club. All are welcomed. Worthington, MA (FREE)
11am-1pm – NATURE STUDIES: Naturalist Brandon Abbott will lead a hike to vernal pools at Fitzgerald Lake. See quacking wood frogs and salamander eggs maybe even some fairy shrimp. Meet at North Farms Road entrance. Florence, MA (FREE)
1-2pm – EASTER EVENT: Egg Hunt at Look Park. Broken down into age divisions, this year’s egg hunt will include over 10,000 eggs that contain either candy or a small toy. 587-1044 www.lookpark.org Florence, MA (FREE)
1pm – THEATER: Grab the kids and become a Shakespearean actor for an afternoon with Shakespeare & Company. 637-1199 www.shakespeare.org Lenox, MA (>$)
6pm – WORLD DANCE: Smith College students will perform music and dance from all around the world at the John M. Greene Hall at Smith College. www.smith.edu Northampton, MA (FREE)
6-8pm – MUSIC: Bread Euphoria will be holding a Bread & Acoustic Jam with local musicians. Come jam, or just come and listen. www.breadeuphoria.org Haydenville, MA (FREE)
6:30pm – FAMILY MOVIE: Family movie night at the Shutesbury Town Hall. Grab the kids and come see Ponyo. A fundraiser for M.N. Spear Memorial Library. www.mnspear.org Shutesbury, MA (>$, fundraiser)
8pm – CONCERT: Tony Vacca is having a drumming fundraising event for the Senegal-America project at the Academy of Music. 584-9032 x105 www.tonyvacca.com Northampton, MA (Fundraiser)
Sunday – 04/04/10
HAPPY EASTER
9:30am-5pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: At the Old Sturbridge Village this weekend, nearly 40 of the museum’s rarest bonnets are on display and village historians will demonstrate bonnet-making. See how clever New England women transformed old bonnets by adding feathers, flowers and frills. (508) 347-3362 www.osv.org Sturbridge, MA
7pm – GOSPAL MUSIC: Gospel music with Evelyn Harris and Joel Martin at the IMA’S Big Barn. 268-3074 www.ima.org Goshen, MA ($$)
7pm – WORLD MUSIC: Musekiwa Chingodza, a musical virtuoso from Zimbabwe, will perform musical pieces on the mbira, a traditional instrument from the Shona culture commonly known as a “thumb piano.” 584-7327 www.nohoarts.org Northampton, MA ($)
Photo credit: Eggs (ccl) B. K. Dewey
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Mondays from 12noon-1:30pm in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Free Mother-Mother Breastfeeding group hosted by a certified lactation consultant every Monday from noon-1:30 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Baby weight check – Information discussed includes but not limited to: latching, pumping basics, introducing bottles, introducing family foods, allergies, weaning. Medela Symphony pumps available to rent by the day or month. Full line of Medela pumps and products are available, including camisoles and bras. Fittings by appointment. 582-2096
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Mondays in Amherst, MA ($$)
Book Arts for Beginners In The Art Studio. Beginning April 5th, 2010, 3:30 – 5:00 pm. $85 (Members $75).
Mondays, April 5, 12, 26, May 3, 10 for Ages 5-7 (Class size 4-8 children)
Experiment with paper and printing to create one-of-a kind books. Inspiration drawn from the artist’s books and wood block prints of Antonio Frasconi on view at The Carle, and our own collaboration will result in a mini-library of artfully made books to take home. Instructor: Diana MacKenzie
The Eric Carle Museum Picture Book Art (125 West Bay Road) Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 658-1100, http://www.carlemuseum.org
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Mondays in Northampton, MA (FREE)
The Forbes Library hosts a Manga/Anime Club from 4:30-5:30pm. Drop-ins welcomed. In the children’s department. http://www.forbeslibrary.org/
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Mondays in Northampton, MA ($)
Momma and Baby Yoga (Start after 7 weeks postpartum)
10:15 – 11:30am in Northampton at Cooley Dickinson Hospital
Get back in shape through healthy movement that stretch and tone the new mother’s body gently. Connect with other mothers. Relieve aches and pains due to nursing and poor posture. Reduce stress through breathing and awareness. Recondition your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Whether baby is feeding in your arms or lying on you or next to you, your baby is included in the fun.
Momma and Baby Yoga classes are offered weekly as long as there are enough families pre-registered to attend
Cost: $44 for 4 classes; or $13 per single class. Pre-registration is required: 582-2736, press “3” for Yoga
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Tuesday in Hadley, MA (Free)
The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA, will be holding an Open Class Day on Tuesday, April 6th from 8:20-10:30am.
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Tuesdays at 10:30am in Amherst, MA
Sing with Your Baby a fun musical program with Happy Dan the Music Man through May 4th in the Large Meeting Room at the Jones Library. http://www.joneslibrary.org/juv/programs.html
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Tuesday in Shelburne Falls, MA (Free)
MEETING TO PLAN SPRING RESILIENCY FAIR:
Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in Shelburne Falls 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Further planning for NEW BEGINNINGS, TRADITIONAL WISDOM, a daylong resiliency fair with workshops, demonstrations, displays, and just plain good company to be held in May. Location and date TBA. Would you like to participate in the fair or help with the planning?
Shelburne Senior Center, 7 Main Street, Shelburne Falls
Call for more information: (413) 625-8688
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Wednesdays in Northampton, MA (FREE)
Jewish Family Jam
Wednesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, and 26 from 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Jewish Jam is for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Appropriate for ages 0-3. Together we will sing, drum and dance our way through the Jewish cycles and explore musical play and rituals that your family can enjoy together.
Leader: Felicia Sloin
Cost: Free
Location: Lander Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect Street, Northampton, MA
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Wednesdays in Amherst, MA ($)
Momma and Baby Yoga (Start after 7 weeks postpartum)
Wednesdays from 10:30 – 11:45am in Amherst: CDH outpatient offices at 170 University Drive.
Get back in shape through healthy movement that stretch and tone the new mother’s body gently. Connect with other mothers. Relieve aches and pains due to nursing and poor posture. Reduce stress through breathing and awareness. Recondition your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Whether baby is feeding in your arms or lying on you or next to you, your baby is included in the fun.
Momma and Baby Yoga classes are offered weekly as long as there are enough families pre-registered to attend
Cost: $44 for 4 classes; or $13 per single class. Pre-registration is required: 582-2736, press “3” for Yoga
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Wednesdays in Amherst, MA
In The Art Studio: ImPRESSive Prints
April 7th – May 25th, 2010
Free with Museum Admission
Inspired by Antonio Frasconi’s woodblock prints, make your own stamp.
The Eric Carle Museum Picture Book Art (125 West Bay Road) Amherst, MA 01002
(413) 658-1100, http://www.carlemuseum.org
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Wednesday, April 7th in Cummington, MA
Sustainability meeting at 6:30pm at the Village Congregational Church on Main Street in Cummington. Also a potluck and seed swap. For more info contact Leni at leni@titaniumarts.com
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Thursday, April 8th in Cummington (FREE)
Salomn Fry stocking of the East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington. Meet at Norwottuck Rail Trail in Northampton. Call to confirm: (508) 389-6331
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Thursday in Amherst, MA ($)
THE ART OF MENTORING AND NATURE EDUCATION with Frank Grindrod, Earthwork Programs from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Come experience Frank’s introduction to youth mentoring. Whether you are a teacher, parent, grandparent, caretaker or friend, there are ways of supporting young people that foster a deeper sense of connection to the earth, community, family and self. Learn the importance of putting the QUEST back into Question and the SEARCH back in Research! Create a thirst for learning, draw out knowledge about the natural world through active engagement, and inspire your young people to be their best! We will cover philosophy, the power of stories, mentoring principles and techniques. Through practicing these skills we can contribute to a village of mentors, inspiring hope while investing in our children and future generations. Pre-registration is required; please call (413) 256-6006.
Member: $10
Non-member: $15
http://www.hitchcockcenter.org
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Thursday, April 8th in Amherst, MA
Kenichi Ebina & Company: New Moves
Concert Hall at 10am
$6 students, $8 adults; all ages
Seats selling fast-call now for availability! Complete with sound and lighting effects this exciting new dance group fuses Freestyle Hip Hop with Poppin’, Lockin’, Mime, House, Jazz, Contemporary and Ethnic dance with martial arts, comedy and visual illusion. Kenichi & Company’s unique dance show, “New Moves,” successfully introduces students to the world of dance by using elements from current youth culture.
Curriculum Connections: Japanese American Culture/Cultural Diversity, Movement Elements, Shape and Space
For more information or to purchase tickets please call: 413-545-2116
For a complete schedule of events go to: http://www.umass.edu/fac/ and select “For School Audiences”
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Thursday, April 8th – Saturday, April 11th in Northampton, MA ($)
April 8, 2010 at 8pm to April 11, 2010 at 10pm
Academy of Music
Christ Superstar, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Written at the end of the 1960’s, Webber and Rice’s profoundly iconoclastic take on the last seven days of Jesus’ life serves to this day as a cautionary tale of the dangers of celebrity adulation and deification. While passing no direct judgement on the divinity of Jesus, PACE’s vision brings the 1970 rock musical into today, taking head-on the role that corporate media has played in exalting and crucifying those whose voices and talents have touched the hearts of the people.
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Thursday, April 8th in Windsor (FREE)
Salomn Fry stocking of the East Branch of the Westfield River in Cummington. Meet at Norwottuck Rail Trail in Northampton. Call to confirm: (508) 389-6331
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Fridays in Hardwick, MA (FREE)
Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, MA is offering a FREE 5-week Infant Massage class for parents and caretakers and their babies, ages birth- 1 year. The classes will take place at the school (242 Old Petersham Rd. Hardwick) on Friday mornings from 9-10 March 19th, 26th, April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. To register, please contact Jessica Geary at 413-477-6000 ext. 1390. Also, check out the website at http://www.centerateaglehill.org to view more information about the class and other classes offered (under ABOUT/WORKSHOPS).
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Friday, April 9th in Huntington, MA (FREE)
Stress Reduction, Led by Therese Herrick, RN and massage therapist
Free Parent/Child Support Series in Huntington, MA
Through a grant from the Massachusetts Children’s Trust Fund, the Huntington Health Center is teaming up with the Gateway Family Center to offer a free series for parents and their young children (ages 0-5 years). The series will run at the Gateway Family Center (9 Russell Road in Huntington, MA) on Friday mornings, 10:30 to noon, from March 12th to May 14th, 2010. Families are welcome to come for as many sessions as they’d like. Scheduled topics include Music with Your Child, Stress Reduction, Chat with a Pediatrician, and Budgeting for Families. Assistance with transportation is available. To register, call Lee at the Worthington Health Center, 238-5511 x155, for more information.
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Friday, April 9th in Florence, MA (Fundraiser)
Taco Night and Silent Auction. Anna Ross is going to Mexico in June to volunteer at The Netza School. The school provides free, equal access to education for indigenous (“indian”) children who cannot attend one of the 120 local Spanish speaking public schools, due to their inability to speak Spanish and extreme poverty. Anna will be hosting a Taco Night and Silent Auction to raise money for the school. April 9, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at the Florence Civic Center. Adults $8.00, kids 5 and up, $5.00. Many items for the silent auction will be craft items made by children at the school.
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Friday, April 9th in Cummington, MA
The Cummington Family Center will not have playgroups this Friday.
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Fridays in Pittsfield, MA
Aquarium Adventures at 10 & 11am at the Berkshire Museum. Each week children can get up close and personal with different animals from our aquarium and watch them eat. Story time is included; recommended for ages 2 – 4. Free with Museum admission. http://www.berkshiremuseum.org
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Fridays in Holyoke, MA
Think and Play Friday at the Childrens Museum
http://www.childrensmuseumholyoke.org
The program begins every Friday at 9:30 am and runs for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This program is designed principally for our curious museum visitors who are preschool age and offers valuable guided learning experiences that will introduce our young guests to our exhibits as well as talented members of our museum staff. Be looking forward to music and movement, fun with food, art projects, and more with Ashley!
Arrive for the program promptly because it’s only $6.00 per family (this includes admission to the museum) and is free for members. Anyone arriving after 10:00 am will have to pay regular museum admission prices.
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Friday in Williamsburg, MA
7pm – Ding-Dong talent show at the Williamsburg Grange.
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Friday in Chesterfield, MA
7pm – Family Games night at the Chesterfield Library
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Friday in Northampton, MA
5-8pm – Northampton’s Monthly Art Walk