Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events for August 4th – 10th, 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.
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.
After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs
Reach thousands of families in the region with our 2018-2019 directory! Reserve your space.
Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!
If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.
Bulletin Board
Aug. 4, 5, 8
Who reads underwater? No one! The books just end up a soggy mess. But our hero will find a way. PaintBox Theatre presents a take on the deep-sea extravaganza, The Little Mermaid. Our Mermaid will figure out a way to get books under the sea and teach everyone to read. There will be stories covering the seabed for as far as the fin can swim. We’ll witness the Mermaid’s epic struggle with the deep’s deadliest denizen—the Giant Octopus—played by the audience, of course. Shows are Sat. & Sun. Aug. 4 & 5, 10:30am & 1pm at Easthampton’s Williston Theatre and Wed. Aug. 8, 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.
Aug 5
On Sunday, August 5, from 10am-12pm at the Emily Dickinson Museum at 280 Main Street in Amherst, the “Buccaneers of Buzz” Pollinator Fair celebrates all things pollination! Emily Dickinson wrote about 100 poems featuring bees, and was a keen observer of the natural world. At the Pollinator Fair, learn more about the important role of bees, insects, birds and other creatures as pollinators, and the things people can do at home to make a happy environment for them. Activities include rolling beeswax candles, potting milkweed seedlings, a pollinator-themed story corner, scavenger hunt, and a live observation hive, which allows children a chance to learn about the inner workings of a beehive. Learn more at www.EmilyDickinsonMuseum.org.
Sept 17-Dec 10
Chad Stewart, former Disney animator and veteran home school Dad, offers a 12 week LIVE – online Animation Course for ages 11-18. He also teaches 2 online Drawing Classes as well. Each assignment, whether completed in hand-drawn or computer animation, is given a professional review with feedback for the individual learning of each student! We are taking registrations for our 2018 Fall Session (September 17-December 10)! Classes tend to fill up very quickly, so we encourage families to hold their child’s spot with a $50 registration fee. We have live spots and recorded classes, so there are options available for many different needs. Our live and recorded classes – with grading – are $350. Please send inquiries to kayla@theanimcourse.com or check out our website: theanimcourse.com.
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.
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
August 4th – 10th, 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, August 4th, 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. Recess Monkey leads listeners on a wacky, musical step-by-step process for creating photo memory books that will rival any Instagram post. 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, August 4, 9am-12pm
SPORTS/ROWING
Calling all aspiring scullers and coxswains! Rowing, or crew as it’s often called, is an exciting sport that’s growing in popularity. Even in its modern incarnation, the sport dates back to the 10th century, when races were held on the River Thames, in London. In one form or another, rowing as a competitive sport can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt and was one of the very first Olympic events in ancient Greece. One of the most remarkable things about rowing is that it engages every single muscle group in the body, as well as building cardiovascular strength, providing an amazing workout with very low impact on the body. If you have ever been curious about this sport or wanted an opportunity to get started, now is your chance. Northampton Community Rowing will be hosting their Learn to Row Day, this Saturday. Rowers love to introduce their sport to others! Northampton Community Rowing. 68 Damon Road, Northampton, MA (FREE)Saturday, August 4, 10:30am; 1pm
THEATER
Saturday, August 4, 10am
LIVING HISTORY/METALLURGY
Scientists from 3 different continents now agree that overwhelming evidence proves that chimpanzees and other primates have entered the Stone Age. The myth of human exceptionalism proposes that humans are the only species intelligent enough to effectively utilize tools to alter their environment. This myth was unquestioned until recent biologists realized that, in fact, many other species use tools, from bears, to crows, and even insects. In terms of primates, the discovery that has made all the difference is that chimpanzees have developed a culture surrounding the production and use of stone tools. We now understand that chimpanzees in West Africa have been passing down their knowledge of stone tools to new generations. Based on this, it is difficult to imagine that these communities will not continue to develop new types of tools and skills. In terms of human communities, the Stone Age was followed by the advent of firemaking and metallurgy. The oldest furnace used for smelting iron was found in Jordan and dates back to roughly 930 BCE, though most archeologists place the beginning of the Iron Age much earlier. With the advent of iron tools, human technological advancement accelerated considerably, as iron was significantly lighter and stronger than bronze and other early alloys. Iron smithing remained a vital part of human life until relatively recently. For early American settlers, including the Shakers, blacksmiths were responsible for creating all the tools used in the community. This Saturday, blacksmiths from around the region will be coming to the Hancock Shaker Village to demonstrate both traditional and contemporary blacksmithing techniques. Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield MA (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)Saturday, August 4, 1:30-3pm
LITERARY STUDIES/POETRY SLAM
When luminous poet Arthur Rimbaud was only 17 years old, he wrote in a letter: “I say one must be a seer, make oneself a seer. The poet makes himself a seer by an immense, long, deliberate derangement of all the senses.” Rimbaud stopped writing poetry completely by the age of 21 and would only live another 16 years before his untimely death. But in his few short years of poetic production, he created works that have inspired some of the most brilliant writers and musicians of the 20th century, including Bob Dylan, Jack Kerouac, Jim Morrison, Vladimir Nabokov, and Henry Miller. Rimbaud is only one of the great poets who made a lasting impact on literary history as a young person. Perhaps there is a sense in which the derangement of the senses, which Rimbaud so aptly links to the creation of poetry, comes more naturally to the young. Come out for an afternoon of readings by local poets ages 12 to 20 at this Poetry Slam and Open Mic. Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. 28 Renne Ave, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Sunday, August 5th, 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, August 5, 10:30am; 1pm
THEATER
Sunday, August 5, 10am-12pm
POLLINATION FAIR
Sunday, August 5, 8am-6:30pm
HISTORY/CURRENT EVENTS
It’s been more than 70 years since the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During that time period, the United States has produced more than 70,000 nuclear warheads, although it only possesses around 4,000 nuclear weapons currently. The Nipponzan Myohoji branch of Japanese Buddhism is best known around the world for constructing “Peace Pagodas,” first built in post-war Japan to commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After Nichidatsu Fujii, the founder of Nipponzan Myohoji met with Mahatma Gandhi in 1937, he began building pagodas around the world as a call for peace and nuclear disarmament. Commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and gather as a community to stand against nuclear weapons and global war, with a full day of vigils, prayer ceremonies, live music, and special guest speakers. New England Peace Pagoda. 100 Cave Hill Road, Leverett, MA (FREE)Sunday, August 5, 10am-5pm
CRAFTS/HISTORY
Basket making is an ancient art, which has been used for practical, aesthetic, and ceremonial purposes. Over time, baskets have been made from such diverse materials as plant materials, horsehair, wire, and baleen. Some of the most sophisticated traditional woven baskets can even hold water! Perhaps the first, and still highly effective, type of basket was made from tree bark. The Visioning Bear Circle Intertribal Coalition will be hosting and subsidizing a special basket making workshop, focusing on tree bark baskets. Materials and lunch included. Registration required. Visioning Bear Circle Intertribal Coalition. Greenfield, MA (SUGGESTED DONATION)Sunday, August 5, 4:30pm
HEALTH AND WELLNESS/YOGA
Without exception, traditional communities around the world viewed mountains as places of incredible spiritual power. From the dwelling place of the gods, to the pillar that holds up the world itself, mountains have been venerated since humanity’s earliest days. In this context, what could be a better place to do yoga than on the top of one of the tallest mountains in New England! Berkshire Yoga Dance and Fitness will be having yoga class on top of Mount Greylock this sunday so bring your yoga mat and enjoy a series of relaxing exercise at 3,491 feet. All ages and levels of experience welcome. Bascom Lodge. Lanesboro, MA ($)
Monday, August 6th, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Storyhour & Playgroups: East Longmeadow, Pelham & Whately
Monday, August 6, 2-4pm
CRAFTS/ENGINEERING
The largest catapult ever made was built in 1304 by the vicious English King Edward I, also known as the ‘Hammer of the Scots,’ for his brutal repression of the Scottish people, and immortalized in the film Braveheart. The catapult, called ‘Warwolf,’ required 30 wagons to carry parts and when constructed, measured over 400 feet tall! During the siege of Stirling Castle, the sight of this ludicrous weapon was so intimidating that the Scots immediately surrendered, although Edward I refused to accept their surrender and demolished much of the castle anyway. Historians have observed that the Warwolf served absolutely no practical function whatsoever and was purely designed to terrify Edward’s enemies. Well, you probably won’t be building a 400 foot tall catapult, but if you are intrigued by these contraptions and the engineering that makes them possible, come check out Make It Monday at the Berkshire Athenaeum. This Monday’s session will be focusing on catapults and sound spinners. Berkshire Athenaeum. 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA (FREE)
Tuesday, August 7th, 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, August 7, 11am-12pm
STEM/CHEMISTRY
The word “alchemy” is the root of “chemistry.” There is some dispute over the precise definition of the word. It is generally considered to be derived from the Arabic word meaning “the fusing or casting of metal.” Some Egyptologists, however, argue that the word comes from the Coptic phrase “the Egyptian science.” Either way, while ancient alchemical traditions existed in China and India, through the Daoists and Vedic medicine respectively, Western alchemy will forever be associated with ancient Egypt. What we now know of as alchemy originated in the Hellenistic Egyptian city of Alexandria, which became a center for science and the arts in the ancient world. As a crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe, Alexandria was home to many of the most dynamic thinkers of the era and much of their wisdom was recorded in texts kept in the legendary library of Alexandria, which was tragically destroyed by fire during the Roman invasions of Egypt in 48 BCE and again in 270. The central figure of alchemy is the syncretic figure of Hermes Trismegistus, a blend of the Hellenic messenger god Hermes with the Egyptian god of wisdom Thoth. Indeed, alchemy to this day represents the persistence of ancient Egyptian and Hellenic Pre-Socratic wisdom and philosophy. In this sense, alchemy is a philosophy of resolving opposites and transcending the dualistic, binary Western worldview. Ed the Wizard will be demonstrating a variety of exciting alchemical processes, including changing the properties of water, looking through solid objects, and defying gravity! Hatfield Public Library. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA (FREE)Tuesday, August 7, 5-8pm
AGRICULTURE/APIOLOGY
The use of chemical pesticides to protect against insects and weeds that impact crop production can be linked to a wide variety of environmental problems and human health problems. According to the United Nations, 98 percent of pesticides reach a destination other than their intended target, which is to say, the air, soil, and water. Additionally, 9 of the 12 most dangerous organic chemicals in terms of human toxicity are found in pesticides. Perhaps even more importantly, the effectiveness of chemical pesticides is constantly diminishing due to growing pest immunity. Since the widespread use of chemical pesticides in the 1940s, the percentage of annual crops lost has increased by ten percent. Since that time, thousands of insect and plant species have developed resistances and immunity to pesticide. In Sweden, for example, use of pesticide has been halved in recent years, without any reduction in crop numbers. One of the most harmful consequences of pesticide use has been its impact on pollinator species. If you are interested in learning more about the relationship between pollinators, pesticides, and conservation, don’t miss this special presentation, organized by the Hampshire Conservation District. This event is designed for farmers but everyone is welcome. Astarte Farm. 123 West Street, Hadley, MA (FREE)Tuesday, August 7, 7-8:30pm
SOCIAL ISSUES/LITERARY STUDIES
There are now more cellphones on earth than humans. Increasingly and beginning at earlier and earlier ages, we are tied to our phones. This development has had a massive impact on many aspects of human life, perhaps none as dramatic as the impact on language. Texting and social media has brought rapid changes to the way we communicate and is even altering the structure of language itself. What kinds of possibilities are being opened up for language and literature by this new technology? Do these technologies allow for more democratic access to language and communication? Or are they inseparable from the ever present danger of censorship and surveillance? When will we see the emergence of a new literature that is born from digital technology? We can only assume that as technology continues to evolve, texting and social media will be replaced by even more dynamic and sophisticated types of communication. Artist and writer Russell Steven Powell will be discussing smartphones and social media at this week’s panel presentation on current events at Laurel Park Arts. 2 Laurel Park. Northampton, MA (FREE)
Wednesday, August 8th, 2018
Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.
Wednesday, August 8, 10:30am
THEATER
Wednesday, 10am-1pm
NATURE STUDIES/HIKE
Basin Pond in Lee stands as a reminder that the power of the natural world cannot be restrained by human activity and industry. The pond was dammed twice, once for a high end real estate development and once for a hydro power plant, and both times it broke free. Fortunately, the area is still populated by dense hardwood forests, elderberries, nettles, and trilliums. Enjoy a leisurely walk through Basin Pond, passing a natural stone amphitheater and rippling streams along the way. Bring along a lunch and enjoy a picnic overlooking the pond! Basin Pond. Lee, MA (FREE)Wednesday, August 8, 8-10pm
FILM SCREENING
The animated film Coco is the first film ever with such a large budget to feature an all-Latino cast and won significant praise for its gorgeous imagery, powerful music, and depiction of Mexican culture. Additionally, the film manages to deal with weighty subjects such as death, betrayal, and family expectations in a gentle manner that resonates well with children. It’s rare to find a film that explores death in a meaningful way while still feeling lighthearted and upbeat. Come experience Coco on the big screen, outdoors, at Cinema Northampton! Forbes Library. Northampton, MA (FREE)
Thursday, August 9th, 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, August 9, 9am
CITIZEN SCIENCE/NATURE STUDIES
A great opportunity to explore the beautiful outdoors and learn about marine wildlife conservancy, with hands on experience! The Brook Floater is an endangered species of freshwater mussel found in the waters of Western Massachusetts. The Connecticut River Conservancy, in collaboration with MassWildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, will be conducting a survey of the species, and they need your help! Sign up to explore an area with waders, snorkels, and wetsuits to collect important data about the habitats needed to sustain this vital species. This event requires a full day commitment and will involve hiking through underbrush and climbing over slippery rocks. Connecticut River Conservancy. 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA (FREE)
Friday, August 10th, 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, August 10, 11am-12pm
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
In 1936, Italian philosopher Maria Montessori wrote: “Adults have not understood children or adolescents and they are, as a consequence, in continual conflict with them. The remedy is not that adults should gain some new intellectual knowledge or achieve a higher standard of culture. No, they must find a different point of departure. The adult must find within himself the still unknown error that prevents him from seeing the child as he is.” In developing her world-renowned Montessori method of education, Maria Montessori was inspired by this idea of engaging with children through a radically new framework, one that sees children as naturally disposed towards curiosity and learning, and empowers them to pursue knowledge on their own terms. This method has revolutionized early childhood education and continues to inspire educators at all levels. Come enjoy this opportunity to play and learn with Montessori materials, with a Montessori educator, for infants through kindergarten aged children and their caregivers. Forbes Library. Northampton, 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.
