Suggested Events for June 30th – July 6th, 2018

To find out about more event, be sure to visit our Suggest an Event Bulletin Board to see what our readers have recently shared! Have an event to share? Feel encouraged to self-post community events here at any time!
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.
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Bulletin Board
July 7, 8, 11
PaintBox Theatre—the Valley’s theatre of imagination and improvisation—presents Tarzan! Renowned researcher Jane—assisted by an audience of scientists—is searching for the mysterious, elusive Tarzan. Is he really the king of the jungle? Not even close. Tarzan is a friend of all the wild beast youngsters, teaching the little ones how to swim, climb, and avoid danger. When Tarzan wants to brag, shout, and fly through the jungle, the older ones just play along. Shows are Sat. & Sun. July 7 & 8, 10:30am & 1pm at Easthampton’s Williston Theatre and Wed. July 11, 10:30am at the Easthampton Band Shell. Tickets: $10 at the door or at BrownPaperTickets. Season Tickets: $24. Group discounts (12+): $7. paintboxtheatre@gmail.com, paintboxtheatre.org.
July 13-15
Western Massachusetts’ most family friendly music festival happens at Greenfield Community College July 13-15 in Greenfield, MA. Kids 10 and under are always free. In addition to an incredible lineup of music for adults featuring Michael Franti & Spearhead, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dr. Dog, Josh Ritter, Lucy Dacus, Femi Kuti, and I’m With Her, Green River Festival is packed with activities for children and families. Come hang out with Curious George or Big Nazo’s hilarious larger than life characters. There is also music for the entire family on the Art Garden stage, Flying High Frisbee Dogs, crafts at The Art Garden tent, a Mardi Gras Parade, tethered hot air balloon rides, a swimming shuttle, and carnival games at The Art Garden Arcade.
July 30 – Aug 10
Learn, play & unplug at Storrowton Village’s Early American Summer Days for ages 7-12. Their unique hands-on approach to history will help 21st century children learn what it was like to be a kid in the 1800s. This year will feature two different sessions, each with fun and educational themed activities, making it possible for children to attend and enjoy both weeks. Register online or stop into the Museum Office to register in person. Invention Week runs from 7/30-8/3; Toys & Games Week from 8/6-8/10. For more information, visit storrowtonvillage.com/summer-days.
Add your 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.
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.
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LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
June 30th – July 6th, 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, June 30, 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. Rocknoceros joins us as our Guest DJ with a Songs About America Episode. The musical trio explores their record collections to find tunes that celebrate, illustrate, and even criticize the Land of the Free. Starting with the Chuck Berry-inspired rock ‘n roll of the 1950s, the selections quickly span the decades that followed and the various styles that continue to thrive today. Join in the fun as the band members discuss the people and places that help make American music what it is, with a few asides about lemonade stands and Irving Berlin. 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, June 30, 10am
PLACEMAKING/PARADE
Celebrate Worthington’s 250th anniversary with four full days worth of exciting events! Purchased in 1762 by John Worthington and five other settlers, the area was originally planned to be settled by sixty families, but by 1796 the town had become such a vital spot in between Boston and Albany that one of the first post offices in the region was established there. The town population peaked in 1810 with 1395 residents, as a number of mills and tanneries were built in the town. This was followed by a period during which Worthington gained local fame as a popular summer resort town. Join the community in commemorating the illustrious history of this charming hilltown with a parade, fireworks, live music, petting zoo, and theater performances! Worthington, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 10am-12pm
NATURE STUDIES/MUSEUM ADVENTURES
Do you dream of exploring the wilderness? This is the event for you! The Berkshire Athenaeum and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council are coming together to offer a special workshop, which will help prepare you for a journey into the wilderness. Participants will learn important facts about local flora and fauna and go over some of the basic supplies and tools necessary for exploring in the great outdoors. This event will also help participants learn about how to check out a backpack, fully stocked with necessities like a first aid kit and binoculars. Berkshire Athenaeum. 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 10am-4pm
GARDENING/HISTORY
Amherst has a rich history dating back to the early eighteenth century. The first European to explore the Amherst area was Nathaniel Dickinson, great great grandfather of poet Emily Dickinson. The history of the town remains to be seen in many historic sites around Amherst, including some of its lovely eighteenth century gardens. The Amherst History Museum will be hosting its annual Garden Tour this Saturday, featuring some of the most sensational gardens from today and yesteryear. Amherst, MA ($)Saturday, June 30, 1-2:30pm
SOCIAL ISSUES/IMMIGRATION
Are you interested in learning more about the current immigration crisis? Under the current presidential administration, unprecedented numbers of immigrants are being criminalized and detained indefinitely by border officials. Children, in particular, are suffering as a result of these policies, as they are being separated from their families. This Saturday, in conjunction with MoveOn’s march in Washington, DC and local protests all over the country, local citizens will be gathering on the Greenfield Town Common to spread awareness about this situation and voice their concerns. Greenfield Town Common. 14 Court Square, Greenfield, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 1-4pm
NATURE STUDIES/BOTANY
The idea that plants communicate with each other is quickly becoming mainstream. Historically, despite compelling scientific evidence, this position was only shared by relatively few scientists on the fringe of the community. Today, however, it is generally accepted among scientists and botanists that plants communicate with each other. Most of the types of plant communication that scientists have observed relates to defense. Plants of the same species are capable of communicating threats to each other, as well as communicating between different species who share the same enemies. Perhaps most amazingly, plants also communicate with insects, and presumably other forms of life. When corn is attacked by a particular type of caterpillar, for example, the plant releases a type of chemical that attracts wasps, which then kill the caterpillars. Contemporary science is only just starting to become aware of how complex and intelligent the natural world is. We know that plants feel pain, we know that they can communicate. Given these facts, how much more do we have to learn about the intelligence and awareness of non-human forms of life? If plants can communicate with other, it also stands to reason that other organisms can communicate with plants. Learn all about how human beings can communicate with plants through sound at this special workshop. Clearpath Herbal Medicine Gardens. 119 Old Sunderland Road, Montague, MA ($)Saturday, June 30, 1pm Concert, ~9PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
Webster will celebrate the fourth with a community celebration and a fireworks display on Saturday, June 30. The gates will open at about 1:00 pm and the fireworks are scheduled to start at dusk, or about 9:00 pm. The show is staged at Memorial Beach on Lake Chaubunagungamaug. The admission to the beach will be $10.00 per carload or $2.00 per person for walk-ins. Beach stickers will not be sold on the day of the fireworks. The celebration includes food and entertainment during the afternoon. The rain date will be on July 2.
Webster, MA ($)Saturday, June 30, 2-3pm
NATURE STUDIES/SENSORY WALK
When we slow down and pay special attention to what’s around us, we are able to perceive a vast sensory world. By focusing on our environment we notice a thousand smells, sounds, sights, and textures that we never knew were there. One of the best ways to enter into this magical sensory reality is in the forest. Come explore the Notch with a special Super Sensory Walk, suitable for all ages, and you’ll find out what sassafras smells like, what redstarts sound like, and lots more! Mt. Holyoke Range and Notch Visitor Center. Route 47, Hadley, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 5pm Concert, ~9PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
The Ware Lions Club Annual Fireworks will be held on Saturday, June 30. The show will be preceded by a concert that begins at 5:00 pm. The fireworks are scheduled to start at dusk, or about 9:00 pm. The event will be held at Greenville Park on Church Street. at Walter Dr. Ware, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 7:30pm
THEATER/DANCE
If you are a fan of contemporary modern dance, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to see two different dance companies come together for a special performance. Western Massachusetts’ own Quantum Dance Collective is teaming up with New York City’s DC2 dance company to explore the connections between human communities and shared spaces through athletic and theatrical movement. This is a great way to learn about the kinds of work that contemporary dance companies are doing! For more information visit A Tale of Two Cities. Shea Theater Arts Center. 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA ($)Saturday, June 30, 6:30pm Concert, ~9:30PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
The annual family friendly Fourth of July Fireworks Show will take place at Szot Park, 687 Front St in Chicopee. The night begins with a 6:30 – 9:30 performance by Bringfield’s Brass Attack, which always puts on a high energy show with outstanding musicians. They’ll perform classic hits from the last fifty years, including Chicago, Cheap Trick, KC and the Sunshine Band to Bruce Springsteen, Steely Dan and Bruno Mars. The Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 PM that night (Rain Date 7/1/2018). Chicopee, MA (FREE)Saturday, June 30, 9:15PM
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
Westfield is celebrating the Fourth of July with a community celebration and fireworks. Festivities will begin at 6:30 pm. Headlining the entertainment for the evening will be Cory and the Knightsmen starting at 7:00 pm. Vendors in attendance will be Moolicious, Angelo’s Fried Dough, Sub King, Ed’s French Fries, Kettle Korner, face painting and others. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at dusk, or about 9:00 to 9:30 pm, at the South Middle School fields (30 West Silver Street). Handicapped spaces are designated at the Amelia Park Ice Arena, entrance at 21 South Broad Street. (Rain Date 7/1/2018). Westfield, MA (FREE)
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
7-8am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) airs encores of the Hilltown Family Variety Show every Sunday morning. commercial-free family radio. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show podcast anytime – click here to select from over 10 years of archived shows!
Sunday, July 1, 8:30am
NATURE STUDIES/CANOEING
The Housatonic River, running 149 miles from Pittsfield to the Long Island Sound, was once home to more than 30,000 Mohicans and several Algonquian communities. The word ‘Housatonic’ comes from the Mohican phrase meaning “river of the mountain place.” European settlement in the region began in Sheffield in 1725. Since then, this important watershed has become an industrial hub. By the nineteenth century there were dozens of dams and mills along the Housatonic in Pittsfield alone. Hundreds of years worth of industry has heavily polluted the Housatonic but recent clean up efforts have made it possible for areas along the river to continue to thrive. The Housatonic Valley Wildlife Management Area, in particular, is home to numerous species of fish and animals. Come along for a relaxing canoe trip along the Housatonic river and learn all about the natural and cultural history of this important ecosystem. Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley. New Lenox Road, Lenox, MA ($$)Sunday, July 1, 10am
PLACEMAKING/PARADE
Celebrate Worthington’s 250th anniversary with four full days worth of exciting events! Purchased in 1762 by John Worthington and five other settlers, the area was originally planned to be settled by sixty families, but by 1796 the town had become such a vital spot in between Boston and Albany that one of the first post offices in the region was established there. The town population peaked in 1810 with 1395 residents, as a number of mills and tanneries were built in the town. This was followed by a period during which Worthington gained local fame as a popular summer resort town. Join the community in commemorating the illustrious history of this charming hilltown with a parade, fireworks, live music, petting zoo, and theater performances! Worthington, MA (FREE)
Sunday, July 1, 1-3:30pm
PLACEMAKING/ICE CREAM
We all know that everybody screams for ice cream. Ice cream socials are an American community tradition dating back to the eighteenth century. According to legend, the custom began in 1744 when Maryland governor Thomas Bladen bizarrely chose to serve ice cream for dinner during a party. During the nineteenth century ice cream became more widely accessible and was commonly served at school and church events. In high society, “ice cream gardens” were also very popular. Keep Homestead Museum will be hosting an old fashioned ice cream social this Sunday! Keep Homestead Museum. 35 Ely Road, Monson, MA ($)
Monday, July 2, 2018
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Storyhour & Playgroups: East Longmeadow, Pelham & Whately
Monday, July 2, 10am
PLACEMAKING/PARADE
Celebrate Worthington’s 250th anniversary with four full days worth of exciting events! Purchased in 1762 by John Worthington and five other settlers, the area was originally planned to be settled by sixty families, but by 1796 the town had become such a vital spot in between Boston and Albany that one of the first post offices in the region was established there. The town population peaked in 1810 with 1395 residents, as a number of mills and tanneries were built in the town. This was followed by a period during which Worthington gained local fame as a popular summer resort town. Join the community in commemorating the illustrious history of this charming hilltown with a parade, fireworks, live music, petting zoo, and theater performances! Worthington, MA (FREE)
Monday, July 2, 11am
LIVING HISTORY
In the tumultuous religious climate of 18th century England, the Shakers or “Shaking Quakers,” as they were originally known, presented a radical vision for human society. Promoting celibacy, pacifism, communalism, and total equality of the sexes, the Shakers believed that god spoke directly to them through ecstatic experiences, hence their name. After arriving in the American colonies in 1774, the Shakers established communities throughout New England. During the so-called ‘golden age’ of the Shakers, communities were created as far west as Indiana and Ohio and the total population of Shakers grew to 6,000 people. This was the peak of the Shaker movement, however, and by 1920 only twelve of the original twenty Shaker villages remained. Since the Shakers were celibate, the movement ultimately died out. As of 2017, there is only one Shaker community left in the world, with a population of two people. But the impact of the Shakers on New England region culture still remains. The Shakers were committed to simplicity in all things and were well known for their austere, highly functional furniture, as well as their rich folk art traditions and beautiful music, which was considered by the Shakers to be one of the ‘gifts’ from god. You may be familiar with the song “Simple Gifts,” which is one of the best known Shaker songs. Today, numerous Shaker museums display these artefacts, including, of course, the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are invited to take a tour of the village and experience daily life in a 19th century Shaker village! Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA ($$)
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
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Tuesday, July 3, 5pm
PLACEMAKING/PARADE
Celebrate Worthington’s 250th anniversary with four full days worth of exciting events! Purchased in 1762 by John Worthington and five other settlers, the area was originally planned to be settled by sixty families, but by 1796 the town had become such a vital spot in between Boston and Albany that one of the first post offices in the region was established there. The town population peaked in 1810 with 1395 residents, as a number of mills and tanneries were built in the town. This was followed by a period during which Worthington gained local fame as a popular summer resort town. Join the community in commemorating the illustrious history of this charming hilltown with a parade, fireworks, live music, petting zoo, and theater performances! Worthington, MA (FREE)
Tuesday, July 3, 6pm Celebration, ~9:30PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
South Hadley celebrates the Fourth of July with a community celebration with local food vendors, nonprofit group displays, games for the kids, a disc-jockey, a community band and a fireworks display. The event will be held at Micheal E. Smith Middle School, 100 Mosier Street. The rain date for the event is July 5. The field opens at 6:00 pm, the fireworks start at 9:30 pm and admission is free. South Hadley, MA (FREE)Tuesday, July 3, 9pm
PLACEMAKING/BOATING
The most famous boat parade in the world is the Spirit Boat Procession in Nagasaki, Japan. This annual event draws crowds of more than 180,000 people to watch the handmade boats and rafts float down the river. The boats are lavishly decorated with lanterns, prayers, commemorative plaques, fruit, and flowers and are traditionally believed to carry the souls of the dead to the other world. Firecrackers are set off and gongs are sounded to ward off evil spirits and cleanse the souls of the dead for their long journey. Today, with both mourners and spectators participating, the event has become a major phenomenon. This Tuesday, the Lake Wyola Association will be holding their popular, annual Boat Parade! Lake Wyola. Shutesbury, MA (FREE)Tuesday, July 3, ~9:30PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
East Longmeadow celebrates summer and the fourth of July with a fireworks display. The fireworks display will be held at East Longmeadow High School on Maple Street. East Longmeadow, MA (FREE)
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
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Wednesday, July 4, 9:30am-5pm
LIVING HISTORY
Come celebrate the Fourth of July as the early Americans would have in the nineteenth century! Old Sturbridge Village is offering a full day of living history activities. Everybody enjoys a good parade and visitors will be able to actually join in the “citizens parade.” Baseball is still America’s favorite pastime but did you know that the nineteenth century version of the game differed quite a bit from the game we now know? You’ll have a chance to learn all about it by playing a game of old fashioned baseball. There will be muskets and rifles galore as well as a reproduction of traditional cannon, which will be firing 3-pound cannon balls! For more information and a full list of Fourth of July activities, please visit Fourth of July at Old Sturbridge Village. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSIONWednesday, July 4, 10am-12pm
HISTORY/SOCIAL JUSTICE
Frederick Douglass, generally considered to be one of the greatest orators in American history, was a key figure in the Abolitionist movement in New England during the nineteenth century. An escaped slave, Douglass’ autobiography is one of the most important slave narratives in American literature. In 1852, in Rochester, New York, Douglass delivered perhaps the greatest anti slavery speech of all time: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” In this speech, Douglass powerfully contrasts the freedom and liberty that Americans are so proud of with the oppression and exploitation of the slaves. Rhetoricians have observed that this speech is so powerful because it uses positive examples to argue for change. The third annual Fourth of July community reading of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” will be held this Wednesday. Shaw Memorial Library. 312 Main Street, Plainfield, MA (FREE)
Wednesday, July 4, 10am-12pm
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
The East Longmeadow Fourth of July parade features floats, marching bands, beauty queens, local dignitaries, Smokey the Bear, fire trucks, The VFW Post, Korean War Veterans, Shriners, military vehicles, toy vendors, buggies, gymnasts, clowns, and more. The parade begins at the high school (180 Maple St) and parades down Main Street to Hanward Hill at the Middle School. East Longmeadow, MA (FREE)Wednesday, July 4, 5-11pm
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
It’s a little known fact that the United States actually declared independence on July second, rather than July fourth. Congress, however, took an additional two days to sort out the precise language, which is why the holiday is celebrated on the fourth. John Adams wrote to his wife on July third that the holiday “ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” Join the Amherst community for an evening of games, food, music, and fireworks! McGuirk Alumni Stadium. 300 Stadium Drive, Amherst, MA (FREE)Wednesday, July 4, 6:30pm Baseball Game, ~9:30pm Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
North Adams’ annual fireworks display brings visitors from the Capital region of New York State, Southern Vermont, and Berkshire County after the July 4 SteepleCats game. Join the crowd at Joe Wolfe Field, 310 State Street, for a low-key community evening with Lickety Split ice cream, concessions by local students and the fireworks, which start after the game at about 9:30 p.m. (Rain date: July 5) North Adams, MA (FREE)
Thursday, July 5, 2018
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Thursday, July 5, 7-9pm
NATURE STUDIES/FILM SCREENING
Due to the vital importance of trees to the overall health of the biosphere and human survival, in particular, it’s no surprise that trees feature so prominently in folklore from communities all around the world. From northern Europe to Nigeria to Japan, trees are commonly believed to play an important role in the structure of the cosmos and represent living temples. The reverence of trees among traditional communities demonstrates what is currently described as Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). Human beings have had an intimate understanding of our place in the cosmos since the earliest moments of our species. The interrelation between human and non-human was a key component of all mythologies and folklores. The film Call of the Forest: The Forgotten Wisdom of Trees discusses the cultural and scientific history of trees and forests and exploring the deeply meaningful spiritual connections human beings have had with trees throughout our history. Amherst Cinema. 28 Amity Street, Amherst, MA ($)
Friday, July 6, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Friday, July 6, 10am-5pm
LIVING HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES
Free Fun Fridays is committed to providing access to some of the region’s most exciting cultural sites. On Fridays over the next 10 weeks, area museums, historic sites, and performing arts spaces will be accessible to families free of charge. This Friday, families will have the opportunity to explore the Hancock Shaker Village. Learn all about New England life in the 19th century! For more information about the Free Fun Fridays program and a complete list of participating locations, please visit Free Fun Fridays. Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)Friday, July 6, 4pm Festivities, ~9:30PM Fireworks
FIREWORKS/PLACEMAKING
Greenfield’s Independence Day Celebration will be held at Beacon Field (61 Beacon St) and will feature an afternoon of live music, food, and vendors, ending in a fireworks display over Poet’s Seat Tower. Come be a part of this beloved community event! (Rain Date 7/7/2018). Greenfield, MA (FREE)Friday, July 6, 5-8pm
ART STUDIES/PLACEMAKING
As Henry David Thoreau points out, the root of the word “saunter” comes from “the idle people who roved about the country… under the pretense of going à la Sainte Terre, or the Holy Land.” Thus the act of casually strolling an inherently sacred act. For those who saunter, the entire world becomes their Holy Land. To walk aimlessly is to find a pilgrimage in every step, a temple in every tree, shrub, or blade of grass. What better way to find your temple than to combine walking with art? Pittsfield’s First Fridays Artswalk features a dozen different art shows throughout the Upstreet Cultural District. Come check out amazing local art and meet some of the artists! Downtown Pittsfield. Pittsfield, MA (FREE)Friday, July 6, 6pm
THEATER/SHAKESPEARE
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is by far his most well-known play. For hundreds of years, fans have been moved by this powerful story of love and loss. Billy Shakes Free Shakespeare is committed to making Shakespeare’s plays more inclusive and accessible to contemporary audiences. This unique adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is a truly immersive, interactive experience, in which characters talk to audience members and even invite them up on stage! Look Memorial Park. 300 North Main Street, Florence, MA (FREE)Friday, July 6, 6:30-7:30pm
AVIATION/AERODYNAMICS
Accord to legend, in 1633, Ottoman engineer Lagari Hasan Celebi was the first person to successfully pilot a manned rocket. The account, which is only found in one dubious text, states that Lagari built a seven winged rocket and launched it into the sky with 140 pounds of gunpowder. It is said that he proclaimed as the rocket took off: “Oh, my Sultan! Be blessed, for I am going to talk to Jesus!” After the rocket fell into the sea, Lagari swam back to shore and said to the Sultan “Jesus says hi.” The doubtful nature of this story notwithstanding, the basic premise of rocket flight has been known to human beings for almost a thousand years. The same general concept that allows shuttles to be launched into space is at work in the simple rockets built by the Ancient Chinese and Persians so long ago. Ed the Wizard will be offering a special hands on workshop, building air powered rockets, for children ages 6 and above. Watch the rockets fly and learn all about the principles of aerodynamics that make flight possible! M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 10 Cooleyville Road, Shutesbury, MA (FREE)
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.