Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all year long!

This week we are featuring 12 events that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners:

• Berkshire County
• Franklin County
• Hampshire County
• Hampden County

Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.

Berkshire County

Tuesday, November 11, 7:30pm: SUSTAINABILITY/AGRICULTURE: “Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret” will be screened at the Regal Berkshire Mall 10. This groundbreaking feature-length environmental documentary follows an intrepid filmmaker as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today (animal agriculture) – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it. 413-684-3463. 123 Old State Road, Route 8, Lanesboro, MA ($$)

Friday, November 14, 8pm – ASTRONOMY: The Milham Planetarium at Williams College will be open to the public for a planetarium viewing. You can learn about the motions of the planets, the phases of the moon, comets, and much more! Reservations recommended. 413-597-2188. 829 Main Street. Williamstown, MA. (FREE)

Franklin County

Monday, November 10, 5pm-6pm – AUTHOR TALK: Author Cammie McGovern, who has written books for both adults and young adults, will be at the Sunderland Public Library to discuss how she writes and lead writing exercises. Best for teens and tweens in grades 5-12. 413-665-2642. 20 School Street. Sunderland, MA.

Thursday, November 13, 6:30pm – SPELLING BEE: The Mary Lyon Foundation’s annual Community Spelling Bee is November 13 at Mohawk Trail Regional High School! Adults can form teams of three people per term and compete for trophies, sponsors, and raffle prizes. Proceeds from the Bee go toward education programming in the area. Show off your spelling skills with friends for a good cause! 413-625-2555. 26 Ashfield Road. Shelburne Falls, MA.

Friday, November 14, 7pm-10pm – SUSTAINABILITY/FILM STUDIES: Join the Pioneer Valley Institute for the Pioneer Valley Transition Towns Film Festival. See some great local films on the topic of “How Communities are Working toward Sustainable Living.” The films focus on food and farming, health and medicine, education, the economy, transportation, energy, and housing, and would appeal to older students and adults interested in sustainable living and the transition town movement. Takes place in the Greenfield Community College dining commons. 413-775-1671. 1 College Drive. Greenfield, MA. (FREE/DONATIONS ACCEPTED)

Hampshire County

Tuesday, November 11, 3:30pm – CREATIVE ARTS: All ages can express their creativity at Hampshire Youth Connect‘s ART Reach event in Hampshire College’s Franklin Patterson Hall. Participate in theatre, dance, and visual art workshops facilitated by Hampshire College students and explore the connections between artistic expression and community. This creativity-focused event engages all ages in hands-on learning and art-making. 893 West Street. Amherst, MA. (FREE)

Tuesday, November 11, 7pm – FILM STUDIES/FILM NOIR: As part of their Hard Boiled Film Noir Classics Series, Amherst Cinema is screening Out of the Past (1947) on November 9. The film is about a former private eye who is forced back into business. Older students interested in film studies and film noir will enjoy this screening. Tickets available in advance. 413-253-2547. 28 Amity Street. Amherst, MA. ($)

Wednesday, November 12, 6:30pm – MUSIC STUDIES/VIOLA: Viola player Scott Slapin will perform viola music at the Gaylord Memorial Library. He will perform original music as well as music from the last 300 years by Bach, Paganini, and John Duke. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.

Friday, November 14, 7-9pm: MUSIC STUDIES/HISTORY: The Looking Back Project will be presenting “100 Years Ago,” an evening of song, music and readings. Best for older students interested in history through music, WWI songs of Afro-American soldiers, songs that John McCormack sang, Sephardic and Yiddish music, and accordion will be presented. Takes place at The Village Church. 32 Main. Street. Cummington, MA (DONATION)

Friday, November 14, 8pm – MUSIC STUDIES/ORCHESTRA: The Mt. Holyoke College Music Department presents a concert by the Mount Holyoke Orchestra. They will perform Flights of Fancy. Takes place in McCulloch Auditorium. 413-538-2306. Lower Lake Road. South Hadley, MA.

Hampden County

Monday, November 10, 6pm – LOCAL HISTORY/TEXTILES: Learn about the textile industry and local history at the Wistariahurst Museum’s “Threads that Bind” lecture series. This week, Jane Crutchfield will present “Quilt History – Why Does it Matter?” She will discuss the study and preservation of quilts and what they can teach us about the lives of women in Massachusetts from the colonial times to the present. Crutchfield will bring antique quilts that presented mysteries, and attendees are welcome to do the same. Best for older students interested in local history and textiles. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot Street. Holyoke, MA. ($)

Friday, November 14, 7:30pm – THEATER/MUSICAL: Bay Path University’s fall musical is Once On This Island, based on Rosa Guy’s 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl. The play, which also incorporates elements of Romeo and Juliet and The Little Mermaid, tells the story of a peasant girl who uses the power of love to bring together people of different social classes. Tickets available in advance. 413-565-1307. 588 Longmeadow Street. Longmeadow, MA. ($)