Anatomy to Chemistry. Ducklings to Woodcocks. Ukulele to Intergenerational Playshop… These are just a few of the community-based learning highlights we’re featuring this week!

Peruse our list below and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!

Featured community highlight this week: Do you want to learn how to solve mysteries using science? Attend a free, CSI-themed Chemistry Adventure Day at the Emily Williston Memorial Library on Saturday, April 4 from 10:30am-11:30am! Students from Mt. Holyoke College will lead this event for kids, which uses forensic science to figure out who stole the cookies from the school fundraiser. Kids who love science and mysteries will have a blast at this hands-on program, which will help teach basic chemistry concepts. Call 413-529-1605 or stop by the Youth Department to register. The library is located at 9 Park Street in Easthampton, MA. (FREE)

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Easter ♦ Art/Anatomy ♦ STEM ♦ Bird Studies ♦ Culinary Arts ♦ Creative-Free Play ♦ Theater ♦ Dance Studies ♦ Local History ♦ Farm Animals ♦ Music ♦ Parent Workshops ♦ Museum Adventures ♦ Nature-Based Learning

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Learn Local. Play Local. is sponsored in part by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation:

Art/Anatomy

The Jones Library will display “Anatomy Portrayed” in the Burnett Gallery this April. The exhibit, which is up from April 1-30, features works by Darcy Tozier and Leonore Alaniz. Tozier sculpts bones out of felt and wool, and Alaniz makes prints from plants and bird parts. Students interested in integrated art will enjoy this exhibition, which integrates both plant and human anatomy. 413-259-3090. 43 Amity Street. Amherst, MA. (FREE)

STEM

Do you want to learn how to solve mysteries using science? Attend a free, CSI-themed Chemistry Adventure Day at the Emily Williston Memorial Library on Saturday, April 4 from 10:30am-11:30am! Students from Mt. Holyoke College will lead this event for kids, which uses forensic science to figure out who stole the cookies from the school fundraiser. Kids who love science and mysteries will have a blast at this hands-on program, which will help teach basic chemistry concepts. Call 413-529-1605 or stop by the Youth Department to register. The library is located at 9 Park Street in Easthampton, MA. (FREE)

The West Springfield Public Library is hosting LEGO Creations for ages 6-8 on Tuesday, April 7, 3:30pm-4:30pm. Come make a cool LEGO creation in honor of Earth Day. 413-736-4561. 511 Main Street. West Springfield, MA. (FREE)

Have fun with LEGOs and Duplos at the Monson Free Library on Thursday, April 9, 4:30pm-5:30pm! All ages welcome. 413-267-3866. 2 High Street. Monson, MA. (FREE)

Bird Studies

Woodcocks return north to forest and farmland in the early spring, where males perform their mating displays at dusk. You can listen and watch for this distinctive and fascinating display at Guyette Farm with Franklin Land Trust on Saturday, April 4, 6:30pm-8pm. Catching sight of these interesting breeding displays can teach you a lot about woodcocks – how the males attract mates, what their ideal habitat is, which mating displays seem most effective, and how females react to the displays. This program allows people to have the opportunity to enter ideal woodcock habitat in search of these birds, while learning about their behavior and habitat from a Franklin Land Trust expert. Call or email jmorse@franklinlandtrust.org ASAP to register. 413-625-9151. Guyette Farm. Plainfield, MA. (FREE) [Postponed until April 11, due to weather]

Culinary Arts

Chandler’s Restaurant offers a Kids Cooking class for families to explore the art of cooking, proper use of kitchen tools, and raw ingredients that go into delicious dishes on Saturday, April 4, 10:30am-12noon! A brief tour of their professional kitchen follows the class. Great way to introduce children to the world of culinary arts! Space is limited, reservations are required 413-665-1277. 25 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA ($$)

Creative-Free Play

There will be an Intergenerational Playshop at the Lenox Community Center on Saturday, April 4, 1pm-3pm. Ages 6 and up (grown-ups too!) can come have fun with creative movement, non-competitive games, music, relaxation strategies, and imagination. 413-528-5732. 65 Walker Street. Lenox, MA. (FREE)

Theater

The UMass Department of Theater’s New Play Lab presents a reading of The Sabine Play by Michael Yates Crowley on Saturday, April 4, 2pm. New Play Lab is a playwriting festival that showcases new works in staged readings, and would be great for older students interested in theater and playwriting. See the New Play Lab website for information on the plays. Takes place in the Curtain Theater. 413-545-3590. Amherst, MA.

Black Cat Theater presents a performance of High School Musical at South Hadley High School on April 9-11 at 7pm, and April 12 at 2pm.. Come see this modern Disney musical performed live onstage. Call for ticket reservations. Active and retired military personnel will get free admission, and Boy/Girl Scouts in uniform can also attend for free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Proceeds go toward a scholarship fund for local students going to college for the arts. 413-563-6023. 153 Newton Street. South Hadley, MA. ($$)

The Gateway Regional High School Drama Club presents a performance of And Then There Were None this April at the Gateway Performing Arts Center. Opening night is on Friday, April 10, 7pm. The play is based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name. 413-685-1000. 12 Littleville Road. Huntington, MA. ($)

Dance Studies

Students interested in dance can attend the Smith College Senior Dance Concert – “Where We Agree.” On Saturday, April 4, 8pm, nine graduating seniors from the school’s dance department will perform in this concert, which features different types of dance and is a chance for aspiring dancers to see these talented dance students perform. Takes place in the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre in the Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts on the Smith College campus. Tickets available in advance. 413-585-2787. 122 Green Street. Northampton, MA. ($)

Local History

The Keep Homestead Museum will have a Spring Open House on Sunday, April 5, 1pm-3:30pm. Come explore the museum and its collections, which include furniture, silver and cut glass, rocks and minerals, shells, quilts, and more. Students who want to learn more about local history can learn about the Keep family and Monson’s history at this event. 413-267-4137. 35 Ely Road. Monson, MA. (FREE)

Farm Animals

Celebrate the coming of spring at Winterberry Farm‘s annual Open Farm on Sunday, April 5, 2pm-4:30pm . Come meet animals, including lambs, chicks, and ducklings. A great way for families to spend this early-spring Sunday! Donations accepted for Right Sharing of World Resources. 413-624-3940. 340 Wilson Hill Road. Colrain, MA. (FREE/DONATIONS ACCEPTED)

Music

Join the Sunderland Public Library for ukulele fun with Julie Stepanek on Saturday, April 4, 11am. There will be music, movement, and ukuleles at this program. 413-665-2642. 20 School Street. Sunderland, MA. (FREE)

Join community members of all ages at the Westhampton Public Library for a community sing along on Monday, April 6, 7pm. Bring an instrument, songs, or music to share with others, or just come and listen. 413-527-5386. 1 North Road. Westhampton, MA. (FREE)

Parent Workshops

Autism: Community Resources for People With Autism is holding their 25th Annual Conference at the Log Cabin in Holyoke on Tuesday, April 7, 7:45am-3:30pm. Author Paula Kluth will present “You’re Going to Love This Kid,” a talk about teaching students with autism in inclusive classrooms. Liane Holliday Willey will also present a talk entitled, “Pretending to be Normal,” about her experiences living with Asperger’s syndrome. This conference is open to educators, professionals, and families, and is the largest autism conference. 413-529-2428. 500 Easthampton Road. Holyoke, MA. ($$$)

Child Behavior: The Collaborative for Educational Services is offering a workshop for parents titled, “Why do they DO That?!“ as part of their Puzzle of Parenting series on Tuesday, April 7, 6pm-8pm. At this workshop, parents/caregivers can learn about the potential roots of their child’s challenging behaviors and learn how to better handle them. Childcare is available and a light supper is provided for parents and children. This two-part workshop runs on April 7 and 14 at the Cold Spring School. Registration is required. 413-586-4998 x102. 57 South Main Street. Belchertown, MA. (FREE)

Museum Adventures

Friday, April 10, 4pm-8pm is Free Second Friday at the Smith College Museum of Art! Stop by for hands-on art-making and an informal guided gallery presentation. A great way to help kids experience a local museum! 413-585-2760. Elm Street & Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA. (FREE)

Nature-Base Learning

Homeschool students ages 6-12 can attend a Homeschool Discovery Day at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment on Tuesday, April 7, 10am-2pm. Learn about spring and have fun with treasure maps at this fun program. Sign up in advance; space is limited. 413-256-6006. 525 South Pleasant Street. Amherst, MA. ($$)

[Photo credit: (cc) Jim Pennucci]

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Learn Local. Play Local. is supported in part by a grant from the Buckland, Colrain, Cummington, Deerfield, Hadley, Longmeadow, Montgomery, New Salem, Plainfield, Shelburne, Sunderland, Westhampton, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.