Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events for March 17th – 23rd, 2018
“Hilltown Families is an amazing resource. It is my go-to for discovering kid-friendly events each week. This website makes it really easy to find out what’s happening in and around the Valley, as well as provides great information about local resources and ideas of things to do with my child. Thank you!” – Jaime C. (Northampton, MA)
If you have a community event, educational program, or service-learning opportunity happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our Suggest An Event bulletin board. 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.
Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools, and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families through sponsorship and advertising. Let us help get the word out about your after school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Click HERE to find out more.
Summer Camp
Our summer camp guide is up! Check out our featured post, 2018 Summer Camps and Programs in Western MA for a list that will wow and dazzle you! Summer opportunities featured range from music, art, farming, theater, dance, science, nature, sports, speaking, yoga, rock ‘n roll… to traditional summer day or overnight camps/programs! There’s something for all ages, toddlers to teens! Check it out and start making your summer plans! — Do you have a summer camp or program you’d like to have included in our comprehensive list? Find out how you can submit your listing HERE.
Bulletin Board
Mar 18 12pm – 4pm
Celebrate spring with The Very Hungry Caterpillar on Sunday, March 18 from noon to 4:00 pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, MA. Guests can meet and join the beloved Caterpillar for a Wiggle Jiggle dance party, make caterpillar and butterfly puppets in the Art Studio, taste Very Yummy Smoothies from Whole Foods, enjoy special storytimes, films and search for the Caterpillar’s favorite foods in a museum-wide scavenger hunt. The Carle Bookshop is having a sale with 15 percent off of any caterpillar-related items. Plus, free apples and Caterpillar Cookies! For more information and a schedule of activities, please visit www.carlemuseum.org or call 413-559-6300. All activities are free with Museum Admission!
Mar 24, 25, 30 & 31
The Connecticut Trolley Museum will hold Easter Bunny Fun Days, featuring pictures with the Easter Bunny, an Easter scavenger hunt, and crafts! Take as many trolley rides as you would like operated by period dressed motormen. Inside the Visitor Center you will find more static trolley cars and artifacts, a theater showing a short film about trolleys and a gift shop to buy that ‘special’ souvenir. Entrance into the Connecticut Fire Museum complete with antique fire trucks and apparatus is included with admission price. 413-627-6540. 58 North Road, East Windsor, CT.
Open House: Mar 24
Open House: March 24, 10am-12noon. Best kept secret in Amherst! Spring Street Preschool is an independent, progressive preschool located in downtown Amherst. Experienced and caring teachers provide opportunities for constructive play, literacy learning, friendship development and creative arts. Spring Street Preschool has two outdoor play spaces, including a nature playground. Enrolling children from 2 yrs 9 months – 5 years. Flexible schedule with hours from 8am-5:30pm and affordable tuition. Spring Street Preschool is a non-denominational preschool located behind the Congregational Church. To schedule a tour call 413-256-8442 or email springstreetpreschool@gmail.com. For more info visit www.springstreetpreschool.com.
March 25
Skating Club of Amherst Presents: Gold! Since 1968, the Skating Club of Amherst has been teaching Pioneer Valley children and adults to ice skate. On Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. come celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary at the annual community figure skating show at the Mullins Center at UMass-Amherst. The show features performances by figure skaters at all levels – from students in the Learn-To-Skate program, to competitive skaters. In honor of the club’s golden anniversary, the show will feature US pairs champions Marissa Castelli and Mervin Tran, Hong Kong National Champion Maisy Ma, and reigning adult synchronized skating gold medalists Team Excel. Tickets $10 online or at the door. A portion of proceeds will go to support the Dakin Humane Society.
April 16-20
Spend April break at Hartsbrook Farm Camp and welcome the coming of Spring! Tend the goats, collect chicken eggs, take walks to the stream, plant seeds, bake bread, and listen to stories on hay bales. Through a combination of physical and restful activities, campers experience a healthy, balanced rhythm to their days. For ages 6-12. The Hartsbrook School, 193 Bay Road, Hadley 01035. For more information visit www.hartsbrook.org, or call 413-586-1908 x116.
Jun 24 – Aug 4
Stoneleigh-Burnham School is pleased to offer a unique variety of summer programs for girls ages 9-18. Summer camps for young riders, debaters, dancers, and artists blend excellent instruction with a uniquely supportive community full of fun and self-discovery. Based on a beautiful, 100-acre campus, Stoneleigh-Burnham camps make use of the school’s outstanding facilities and adhere to the same high standards set during the academic year. Campers live in school dormitories, enjoying campus life with new friends and caring faculty mentors. All Stoneleigh-Burnham summer camps, from riding and dance, to debate and art and animation, emphasize the development of confidence, the acquisition of skills, and the discovery of new talents. For more information, call 413-774-2711 x256 or email summerprograms@sbschool.org.
Jun 25 – Aug 4
The Bement School in Deerfield offers summer programs for children from 4 to 15 years old. Children have the opportunity to enjoy the fun of a traditional day camp and help create their own schedule by choosing from our wide range of unique activities. Digging into Nature at Pine Hill provides outdoor education for ages 7-10. The Junior Camp provides a safe, nurturing camp experience for our youngest campers. The Adventure Day Camp offers activity choices that include cooking, movie-making, sportds, nature, arts and crafts, and swimming. The Counselor-in-Training program gives young teenagers experience working with children and developing valuable job skills while still enjoying the fun of summer camp. Summer programs run from June 25 to August 10. For more info: 413-774-7061; summer@bement.org; www.bement.org/summer.
Jul 1 – Aug 10
A week (at least!) in the Berkshires this summer at overnight Camp Bonnie Brae! No prior Girl Scout experience required. One week of day camp available with busing from Lanesborough and Lee. Girl Scouts’ dedication to progression in outdoor programming means that girls practice age-appropriate skills and gain the experience needed to feel confident taking the next step in their outdoor journey. Skills like building a campfire, pitching a tent, or sailing, canoeing or paddle boarding (SUP) across a lake. Girls, age 6-18 years, explore leadership, build skills, and develop a deep appreciation for nature with an opportunity to grow, explore, and have fun under the guidance of caring, trained adults. Accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). For more information, call 413-584-2602 or email camp@gscwm.org.
Jul 1 – Aug 10
Jul 4 – Aug 24
Learn to take care of & exercise a world class athlete – the Alaskan Husky Sled Dog! Choose a dog for the week and learn to feed, pet, play, clean-up after & train a sled dog. Ride a racing rig, scooter, bike, jog & swim – some of the warm weather activities dogs & Day Campers love to do together. Overnight Camp includes wilderness skills, primitive cooking at the bonfire, storytelling, marshmallows & howling! All have fun bonding, playing & mushing with the team! “My son just finished his first Puppy Camp, it was everything & more! He not only bonded with the dogs – he seemed to grow in self-confidence each day” (Cummington, MA). “My daughter loved the Sled Dog Camp. Marla’s personal approach & expertise with her animals is unmatched” (Hadley, MA). For more information about Sled Dog Camp, located in West Chesterfield, MA, call 413-296-0187 or email hilltownsleddogs@gmail.com.
Jul 2 – Aug 24
Kids, Art & Nature Summer Program! Children in Deborah Bazer & Lahri Bond’s week-long, themed Summer Art classes explore the natural world through the visual arts. Drawing from many traditions, they nurture the creative, intellectual and emotional growth of the children in their care. Visual arts, storytelling and environmental education are all integral parts of their summer classes. Summer 2018 session is from 8:30am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri at the Arts Barn on the beautiful Hampshire College campus, and includes classes on making art with nature, faeries & myths, toymaking, superheroes, kites, dinosaurs & spaceships, ceramics and using Minecraft ideas to create real world environments. Much of the day is spent outside, art-making, exploring, and playing noncompetitive games. For more information, email kidsartandnature@hotmail.com or call 413-367-0186.
Jul 9-Aug 3
Miss Leticia Music Summer Camp for Guitar, Ukulele, and Rock Band! Music instruction for beginners and interm/adv Rock Band for students ages 6-14. Weekly themed camps for 4 weeks total, July 9-Aug 3rd. Themes this year are: July 9-13 (British Invasion); July 16-20 (Radio Hits); July 23-27 (Rock Through the Ages); July 30-Aug 3 (Songwriting). Classes held at 41 Blue Hills Rd in Amherst at Miss Leticia Music School, 8:30-3pm M-F. Campers bring their own lunch, snack provided. Cost: $400 weekly (multi week and sibling discounts available). Classes limited to 8 students per group. Instructors: Rhys Davies, Leticia Davies, Kimaya Diggs, Rusty Daniels. To register, email leticiadavies@comcast.net.
Add your class
Hilltown Families has put together an After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs Directory of classes and programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners and our directory makes it easier to find these gems while connecting families with resources that support their interests and education. — Have a class or program you’d like to include in our directory? Click here to find out how to have it added. New and updated opportunities are added throughout the year.
Add your school
Hilltown Families Preschool Directory: Are you looking for a preschool that fits your child’s personality and reflects your family’s values? Check out our growing Preschool Directory, covering all four counties in Western Massachusetts, and find the perfect place for your young one! — Have a school you’d like to include in this list? Click here to find out how to have it added.
ADVERTISE HERE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! See your summer camp, class, community event, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, after-school class, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and in our weekly eNewsletter, reaching thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Find out more about our advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by emailing us at at sales@hilltownfamilies.org.
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community-building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish, and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including local reviews, DIY posts, seasonal cooking/local food, and community-based educational & community service learning opportunities/resources. Send your query to info@hilltownfamilies.org.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
March 17th – 23rd, 2018
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
9-10am – HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Spring returns this week on March 20! Celebrate it’s arrival with our guest DJ, Charity Kahn, sharing music and insights that lift the spirits as spring begins to emerge in our Spring Equinox Episode. Encore of Saturday’s broadcast airs Sunday morning from 7-8am and podcast is posted here on Hilltown Families immediately following Sunday’s broadcast. Listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show podcasts anytime. Click here select from over 10 years of archived shows!
Saturday, March 17, 9:30am-12pm
TREE IDENTIFICATION/NATURE STUDIES
As local poet Robert Frost wrote in 1922: “The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” Frost wrote these lines, from his immortal poem “Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening,” in Shaftsbury, Vermont. But we could easily imagine these beautiful words being written of our own forests. In these few short lines, Frost is able to capture something profound about the power of the forest in winter. It is, of course, a power altogether different from the other seasons. A bare, stark kind of power, but one that is present, nevertheless. This tree identification event is all about appreciating the beauty of the forest in winter. Even without their leaves, its possible to identify trees in the colder months. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA ($)Saturday, March 17, 10am-12pm
YOGA FOR KIDS
The benefits of yoga for children are absolutely tremendous. While yoga is a great way for anyone to get exercise and de-stress, there are particular developmental benefits for children. In the first case, yoga is a great way for kids to socialize together in a non-competitive environment. It can also build bodily awareness, boost concentration, and provide a health source of self esteem. This special kids yoga class provides a casual, fun introduction to yoga through games, music, and art activities. Whately Library. 202 Chestnut Plain Road, Whately, MA (FREE)Saturday, March 17, 10:30am-12pm
COMPOSTING/SUSTAINABILITY
Saturday, March 17, 10:30am-12:30pm
NATURE STUDIES/HIKE
Saturday, March 17, 1pm
FARMING/MAPLE SYRUP
Saturday, March 17, 1-2:30pm
CARPENTRY/ORNITHOLOGY
Nest boxes were invented by 19th century British conservationist Charles Waterton, to encourage the growth of the bird population on his estate. The boxes are typically made out of wood though some birds will also nest in metal structures. Building a bird box on your property is a great way to encourage your local bird population and can be a beautiful addition to a garden. This nest box workshop will give participants handson experience constructing their own bird box. You will also learn all about the natural history of kestrels and wood ducks. And if you don’t have a place to put your bird box, the organizers will help you find a local bird sanctuary where you can place it. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA ($$)Saturday, March 17, 6-11:30pm
WORLD MUSIC/CONCERT
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Sunday, March 18, 10am-12pm
AGRICULTURE/GREENHOUSES
In 2005 a small group of neighbors in North Amherst worked together to preserve a plot of farmland. This was the beginning of the North Amherst Community Farm. This nonprofit is dedicated to preserving the land, providing educational opportunities for community members to learn about how agriculture and environmentalism can work together, and offer affordable organic produce. Simple Gifts Farm has been working in collaboration with the North Amherst Community Farm since 2006 and is currently one of the only farms in Massachusetts that offers year round Community Supported Agriculture produce. In order to provide organic produce year round, Simple Gifts uses a variety of greenhouses, tunnels, and other techniques and apparatus. If you would like to learn more about how to utilize tunnels and other structures to grow vegetables year round, you won’t want to miss this presentation on tunnels and greenhouses by Simple Gifts and North Amherst Community Farm founding member Jeremy Plotkin. Simple Gifts Farm. 1089 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA ($)Sunday, March 18, 12pm – 4pm
CHILDREN’S ART & LITERATURE
Monday, March 19, 2018
Monday, March 19, 4-8pm
COMMUNITY MEAL/COMMUNITY SERVICE
There is nothing quite like sitting down and enjoying a meal with members of your community. Since ancient times, people have come together to share food and drink to celebrate a wide variety of occasions. The Philippines has long been considered the world’s festival capital, with over 42,000 holidays, many of which are only celebrated in specific villages. These events celebrate seasonal changes, commemorate heroes of the community, and patron gods and spirits. But on some level the true value of these types of events lies in the connections made between individuals when they sit down together and eat together. This Monday, come enjoy a community meal to benefit the Amherst Survival Center and take home a beautiful piece of handmade pottery while you’re at it! The Pub. Amherst, MA ($$)Monday, March 19, 5:30pm
GRANDPARENTING/SUPPORT GROUP
In many countries around the world, including the United States, grandparents play an important role in childcare. In fact, in Great Britain up to 65 percent of families involve grandparent childcare and in Singapore, grandparents who provide childcare actually receive tax credits from the government! Having grandparents be involved in childcare has lots of benefits to both the grandparents and their grandchildren. Although, of course, it’s not without its challenges, as well. Come meet other grandparents involved in childcare and share your experiences at this Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group. Snacks and free childcare will be provided. Meadowbrook Apartments Community Room. 491 Bridge Road, Florence, MA (FREE)Monday, March 19, 6pm
HISTORY/KENNEDYS
The tragic history of the Kennedy family has captured the imaginations of the American public for decades. In 1969, while driving back from a party in Chappaquiddick, Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off a bridge and into the ocean. Kennedy freed himself and swam to safety but his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. It wasn’t until ten hours later that Kennedy reported the event to police. He was ultimately charged with leaving the scene of an accident and received a suspended two month jail sentence. It is widely speculated that it is because of this event that Kennedy did not run from president. The mysterious circumstances of the event have prompted various theories and interpretations over the years. Join local author Don Nelson for a discussion of his book on the ‘Chappaquiddick incident’ and then go check out the film Chappaquiddick when it is released next month! Greenfield Public Library. 402 Main Street, Greenfield, MA (FREE)Monday, March 19, 6:30-8pm
WORKSHOP/INTERIOR DESIGN
The way our physical environment influences our mental and spiritual health is profound indeed. Human communities throughout history have recognized this fact and sought to transform their homes into beautiful and meaningful spaces. The ancient Egyptians believed in the life of the soul after death. Because of this they adorned their tombs with favorite pets, food, and they even built ‘soul houses’ for their spirits to reside in. These elaborate houses, found within tombs, were lavishly decorated and have remained as a physical record of changing Egyptian attitudes toward interior design. If you have a home project that you have been working on or an idea for something that you want to create, this is a perfect event for you: Erica Fay will be discussing DIY interior design and offering tips and strategies for transforming your home. Dalton Free Public Library. 462 Main Street, Dalton, MA (FREE)
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Tuesday, March 20, 6:30pm
BOOK DISCUSSION/LITERARY STUDIES
Franz Kafka’s 1915 novella The Metamorphosis is perhaps the greatest example of existential absurdism in literary history. The famous, unforgettable opening sentence reads: “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect-like creature.” While translators and commentators tend to view the creature as an insect, the original German word “Ungeziefer” literally translates to “an unclean animal not suitable for sacrifice.” However it is translated, Kafka perfectly captures the shocking and horrifying realization that one has been spontaneously and inexplicably transformed into something disgusting beyond comprehension. Over the years, legions of literary scholars and critics have sought to make sense of Kafka’s haunting and disturbing tale, including the modernist novelist Vladimir Nabokov, who vehemently argued against reading the novella in purely allegorical terms, as many previous scholars had done. The conventional interpretation was that the story represents Kafka’s conflicted relationship with his father and that the entire family stands in as a sociological study of contemporary society. Given Kafka’s preoccupations as a writer, it’s easy to see why this explanation was insufficient for Nabokov. For Nabokov, Kafka’s story revolves around the contemporary artist’s ultimately futile attempts to struggle for meaning in a world that constantly undermines him and denies his validity. No matter how we choose to read this story, it will remain an endlessly provocative fantasy that no reader is ever likely to forget. Join professor Lisa Ruch for this discussion of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. Storrs Library. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA (FREE)Tuesday, March 20, 7-8pm
CIRCUS/BALLOONS
Take a magical journey with the Acrobuffos to a land of balloons, flying umbrellas, and giant kites. This circus adventure tells the story of two siblings who find themselves in a surreal air world, where everyday objects take on a life of their own and become transformed into beautiful and dreamlike entities. The Acrobuffos, a husband and wife team, met in Afghanistan, got engaged in Scotland, and were married in China. For more information, please visit Air Play. UMass Fine Arts Center. 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA ($$)
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Wednesday, March 21, 5-8pm
ADULT SPELLING BEE
Get ready for an evening of plethoric risibility! Do you fancy yourself an adroit orthographer? It’s time for the 18th Annual Adult Spelling Bee! Watch doughty members of the community moiling with some of the most recondite words that the scurrilous judges can come up with. All proceeds will go to benefit grants to teachers in the Northampton Public School system. Northampton Educational Foundation. Northampton, MA (FREE)Wednesday, March 21, 7:30pm
CONCERT/JAZZ
Currently a professor of jazz at Hampshire College, Marty Ehrlich has been a leading figure in the avant-jazz movement for several decades. Avant-jazz, along with the related free jazz tendency, first developed in the 1950s, when musicians began to question the conventional musical structures and traditional forms of organization. This was especially true in regards to blurring the boundaries between written and improvised music. Over the years, Ehrlich has recorded twenty five albums and performed all around the world with some of the most illustrious jazz musicians. Now audiences will have the opportunity to see Ehrlich performing live at this special concert. Hampshire College. Amherst, MA ($)
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Thursday, March 22, 5pm
ART STUDIES/MODERNITY
For two hundred years, until 1960, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil. In 1883, Italian saint Don Bosco had a dream of a shining futuristic city built in the very heart of Brazil. In 1960, that vision became reality when the city of Brasilia was built. Legendary modernist architects Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, the city’s designers, planned the city in the shape of an irregular cross, suggesting a dragonfly. Within the so-called Monumental axis are the civic and government buildings. This is crossed by the residential axis, which features residential ‘super blocks,’ which are designed to be self sufficient neighborhoods. Unlike most cities, which are designed to be able to increase in size as the population grows, Brasilia was built to contain 500,000 people and thus in its early years, many areas were empty. Throughout the city, massive and imposing modernist architecture dominates the landscape. The city of Brasilia, with its utopian design, is a perfect representation of modernity, a tendency that proposes a forward-looking orientation and progressive vision of human society, based on scientific and technological advancement. Artist Clarissa Tossin grew up in Brasilia and it is no surprise that her work investigates the dreams and hopes of modernity, as well as its failures. Come listen to Tossin discuss her work at this visiting artist talk. Graham Hall. Smith College. Northampton, MA (FREE)Thursday, March 22, 6:30pm
ART STUDIES/LOCAL HISTORY
Frank A. Waugh, founder of the landscape gardening program at UMass in 1903, was a pioneer in the field of landscape design, promoting an ecological understanding of architecture. Much of his work revolved around recreational designs for national forests. The opening sentence of Waugh’s landmark 1922 text Textbook of Landscape Gardening reads: “Landscape gardening is eminently a fine art.” This book remains a classic in its field. In addition to his groundbreaking work in the field of landscape design, Waugh founded an art and culture club called “The Shubenacadies” in Amherst, which played a major role in influencing the social and artistic scene in Amherst. This special talk by artist and professor Annaliese Bischoff will focus on the history of The Shubenacadies, including illustrations. Jones Library. Amherst, MA (FREE)Thursday, March 22, 7pm
THEATER/FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Did you know that the 1964 Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof” is an adaptation of a series of stories that 19th century yiddish novelist Sholem Aleichem wrote about Jewish life in Russia around the turn of the century? Aleichem’s stories follow the life and fortunes of Tevye, the milkman, and his six troublesome daughters. These stories paint a vivid portrait of everyday life in the shtetls, the predominantly Jewish towns and villages found throughout Eastern Europe and Tsarist Russia, many of which dated back to the 13th century. While “Fiddler on the Roof” presents a heavily adapted version of Aleichem’s source material, the spirit of the stories, emphasizing resiliency in the face of adversity, remains a powerful theme. If you have never seen “Fiddler on the Roof” before, get ready to laugh and cry! For more information on this performance of “Fiddler on the Roof,” please visit Fiddler on the Roof. Taconic Theatre. 96 Valentine Road, Pittsfield, MA ($)Thursday, March 22, 7-9pm
CONCERT/FOLK MUSIC
Michigan native, May Erlewine is one of the most dynamic singer-songwriters of her generation. With over 15 albums of original work recorded over the last two decades, Erlewine has established herself as a major voice in contemporary folk music. Her musical sensibility has been heavily influenced by her experiences hitchhiking and riding freight trains across North America, playing on the street and absorbing influences from the rich tapestry of rural American musical traditions. As a child, Erlewine was homeschooled and coming from a musical family, she was constantly surrounded by music. Ultimately Erlewine’s music mixes bluegrass, blues, and folk music with her own stories. This show is sure to be a big hit! Come hear Erlewine perform at CLICK Music in Northampton. CLICK Workspace. 9 ½ Market Street, Northampton, MA ($)
Friday, March 23, 2018
Friday, March 23, 7:30pm
MAIL ART/PERFORMANCE
At once heartbreaking, beautiful, hilarious, and mysterious, Post Secret has been a cultural phenomenon since the community mail art project launched in 2005. Since then, Post Secret has become on of the world’s most popular blogs, published six books, been featured in numerous museum exhibits, and founder Frank Warren has toured the country, given speaking engagements, and published a book about his experience with the project. The premise of Post Secret is simple: people anonymously mail in their secrets on a homemade postcard. Over the years, the project has collected hundreds of thousands of secrets. For founder Frank Warren, the project gives inspiration and hope to the people who read the secrets, knowing that there are others out there who may share the same kinds of deepest, darkest secrets. Warren also argues that writing down the secrets and sharing them anonymously can be healing and therapeutic. Ultimately, Post Secret aims to create an anonymous community of people sharing and accepting their secrets together. At this special live performance of Post Secret, actors will read selected letters, alongside video and music. City Stage. One Columbus Center. 150 Bridge Street, Springfield, MA ($$)
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by a grant from the Belchertown, Buckland, Chicopee, Plainfield, Shelburne, Westhampton, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
