Weekly Suggested Events for July 31 – August 6, 2021

Home > Suggested Events > Weekly Suggested Events for July 31 – August 6, 2021
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Hilltown Families' list of weekly Suggested Events includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!

Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!

Hilltown Families annual Class Directory debuts mid-August! Add your class, program, or private lessons!
FEATURED EVENT: 2021 KO FESTIVAL

The 2021 KO FESTIVAL centered on JUSTICE | CLIMATE CHANGE | ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETYTHE MAGIC CITY MASSACRE, now – 8/8, web-on-demand of about the notorious burning of Black Wall Street in Tulsa + postshow w/Daryl Davis, a Black man noted for convincing KKK members to give up their robes! After a sold-out run last week, high-end video version of Serious Play Theatre Ensemble’s MOVING WATER, written by Eric Henry Sanders, about climate change & our human relationship to water — streamed online 7/30-8/1. Then 8/6- 8/8 Piti Theatre premieres HAWAII FIVE-G: Canary in the Goldmine. Jonathan Mirin has raided his son’s LEGO stash to make us an eco-justice mockumentary that’s “like theatre…but flatter!” Sliding scale tix at kofest.com.

FEATURED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Conscious Postpartum Caregiver Program

Become a Conscious Postpartum Caregiver! Serve new families with skills informed by the principles of Ayurveda and traditional methods of care. Learn online from anywhere with an inspiring cohort of students from around the world. Receive professional mentoring as you build and grow your practice. Become part of a vibrant and loving community of professionals passionate about supporting and raising awareness for the Sacred Postpartum Window. Enroll for the Fall 2021 Cohort of the Conscious Postpartum Caregiver Program. The deadline is August 9, 2021. The program begins on August 23. Independent Study option available. Visit www.sacredwindowstudies.com/learn for more information. Contact christine@sacredwindowstudies.com to get started!  

FEATURED MIDDLE SCHOOL
Four Winds School
Gill, MA

Four Winds School in Gill, MA, is currently accepting applications for the fall from 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students. The Four Winds curriculum provides a balance between focused training in basic academic skills and the freedom for students to explore their interests. Teacher and student work together to design an individualized academic program based on these evaluations and the student’s learning style. More info: fourwindsschool.info

“Four Winds isn’t a school for exceptional children. It is an exceptional school for children. [We] couldn’t be happier with our experience at Four Winds.” -Lili Dwight, parent

FEATURED SCHOOL
Stoneleigh-Burnham School

Greenfield, MA

Founded in 1869, Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS), an independent boarding & day school for girls in grades 7-12, has been a part of the Pioneer Valley for more than 150 years. SBS attracts dynamic students from more than 12 states and over 12 countries and is known for its powerful academics, debate & public speaking, performing & visual arts, and equestrian programs. SBS was the first girls’ school in New England to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and is the only secondary school in the U.S. to offer the British Horse Society Certification program. SBS’s boarding tuition is now 10% less than the national average while their day tuition is 17% less than the national average. For more information: 413-774-2711; sbschool.org.

FEATURED CLASSES
The Skating Club of Amherst
Amherst, MA

Good News! After a long absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Skating Club of Amherst will be resuming their full ice schedule in September. The Skating Club of Amherst figure skating club offers professional instruction at all levels, beginner to advanced, recreational or competitive. Their popular Learn-to-Skate program offers group lessons for ages 4-adult on Sundays at 5:50pm. Additional instruction is offered in free-skate, ice dancing, & testing for those looking to advance their skills further. All sessions are held at the UMass Mullins Center Practice Rink. The club is a member of United States Figure Skating & is a private, non-profit organization managed by volunteers. Registration forms for Sept, Nov, Jan & April are online. For more information: SCofAmherst@gmail.com; 413-253-6388; www.scamherst.org.

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Partner with HIlltown Families!

Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.

Class Directory

Summer Directory

Discover summer camps & programming in our Summer Directory for Western MA

Preschool & Daycare Directory

Preschool Directory

Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA

List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, JULY 31, 2021

FARMERS’ MARKET. 9am-1pm. There are so many lessons to be learned and information to share at a farmers’ market. Every Saturday is the Pittsfield market, the first teen-run market in the region. Get curious (and hungry) and bring the kids! Pittsfield Farmers’ Market. First Street Common. Pittsfield, MA. 

SUSTAINABILITY. 9am. Summer Reuse Rally with Northampton ReUse at Smith Vocational High School. A great opportunity to have your family participate in a community recycling event, learning what is recyclable, how to recycle, and organizations that support sustainable living. 80 Locust Street (Route 9), Northampton, MA. 

LITERACY. 10am. Book Sale Fundraiser for Becket Athenaeum. Bring a picnic and make a day of it! Enjoy a dance performance courtesy of Jacob’s Pillow On the Road at 1pm at the new pavilion at Maple Street Park (across from Becket Washington School). 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA. 

FAMILY PERFORMANCE. 10am. Young at Heart: Roger the Jester at Dewey Memorial Hall. 413-229-2357. 91 Main Street, Sheffield, MA.

NATURAL HISTORY. 10am & 2pm. Easy walking tour with a Park Interpreter. Discover the mysteries of Natural Bridge with short stories that enliven and highlight this unique park. Once the site of a major marble quarry, it is also home to North America’s only white marble dam. The feature attraction of this tour is the “Natural Bridge,” a marble arch spanning a gorge and carved centuries ago by melting glaciers. This tour offers one of the best places in New England to witness the amazing effects of glaciation! Suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Rain cancels. 20-30 minute duration. 413-663-6392. Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. McAuley Road, North Adams, MA.

MUSIC STUDIES. 10:30am. Saturday Morning Rehearsal: Schumann, Saint-Saëns, and Stenhammar at Tanglewood Music Festival. Tanglewood. 413-637-5180. 297 West St. Lenox, MA.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. 11am. Summer events at the Odyssey Bookshop. 413-534-7307. 9 College Street, South Hadley MA. 

PHOTOGRAPHY. 11am. Cyanotype Workshop: Using the Sunlight to Make Unique Prints for Your Home at Make-It Springfield. 413-342-1681. 168 Worthington St, Springfield, MA.

MUSIC STUDIES. 11am. Chamber Music with the Quark Quartet at Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.

STORYTELLING. 11:30am. Storytelling by Eshu Bumpus at Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.

MERRY-GO-ROUND/PHYSICS. 12-4pm. Are you someone who always picks a horse on the inside of the carousel, or do you ride one on the outside? All merry-go-round horses make one complete circle in the same amount of time, but the interior horses travel a much shorter distance in that time than the outer ones do, resulting in very different linear speeds. And what happens when you choose a stationary horse versus one that gallops up and down? Experience the fun of physics by bringing your kids, or grandkids, for a ride on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. Known as “Holyoke’s Happiness Machine,” the antique carousel with brightly painted wooden animals and calliope music is a sensory treat for young and old. It was once part of Mountain Park, an amusement park on the side of Mt. Tom, and was moved to Holyoke Heritage Park when Mountain Park closed in 1987. 413-538-9838. 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA. 

ANIMAL WELFARE. 12:30pm. Adopt a pet with the Berkshire Humane Society at Milne Public Library. 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street. Williamstown, MA. 

DANCE STUDIES. 1pm. Pack a blanket or your favorite outdoor chair, invite your family and friends, and bring a snack to enjoy this 45 minute pop-up dance performance with Jacob’s Pillow. No RSVP required. North Becket Park. Maple Street. Becket, MA. 

KITES. 1pm. Bermuda Kite-Making at Arms Library. 413-625-0306. 60 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA.

SCENIC SUMMIT TOURS. 1pm & 2pm. Short park interpreter-guided talks along easy walking paths explore the history, culture, and unique mountain ecology of the highest point in Massachusetts. The Tour route is wheelchair accessible. All ages. Meet at the bronze map model at the Summit. A parking fee may apply. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

HIKING. 1-3pm. This guided hike will travel on the MM Trail to Mt. Nonotuck. The pace will be moderate while observing flora and fauna on the way, with a great view of the CT River Oxbow. The terrain is relatively easy with some moderately strenuous stretches. Bring water and bug spray. Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA. 

ART STUDIES. 2pm. Cartooning Workshop: Let’s Draw Animals with Sunderland Public Library. Virtual.

HILLTOWN HISTORY. 2-5pm. Kingman Tavern Museum. 413-563-1981. 41 Main Street. Cummington, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES. 2:30pm. Tanglewood Pre-Concert Talks with Jeremy Yudkin at Lenox Library. 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street. Lenox, MA.

COMMUNITY. 5pm. Music Brings Communities Together at Becket Arts Center. 413-623-6635. 7 Brooker Hill Rd, Becket, MA.

DANCE STUDIES. 5pm. Pack a blanket or your favorite outdoor chair, invite your family and friends, and bring a snack to enjoy this 45 minute pop-up dance performance with Jacob’s Pillow. No RSVP required. The Common, 100 First Street. Pittsfield, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/LATIN NEW WAVE. 6pm. Live performance by Sotomayor with special guests, C.A.M.P.O.S. & DJ Bongohead. This brother-sister duo draws from cumbia, merengue, dancehall, afrobeat, and other Afro-Latinx rhythms to create their signature sound – an incredibly danceable, elector-percussive groove with lots of low end, tantalizing vocals, and satisfying electro-pop. BYO picnic! Florence Congregational Church/Beit Ahavah. 130 Pine St. Florence, MA. 

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA. 

Self-Directed Learning:
KITES

Sat., Jul 31 @ 1pm. Bermuda Kite-Making at Arms Library. 413-625-0306. 60 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, MA.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 1, 2021

LOCAL FOOD. 10am–2pm. Easthampton Farmers’ Market. 2350 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA. 

NATURAL HISTORY. 10am & 2pm. Easy walking tour with a Park Interpreter. Discover the mysteries of Natural Bridge with short stories that enliven and highlight this unique park. Once the site of a major marble quarry, it is also home to North America’s only white marble dam. The feature attraction of this tour is the “Natural Bridge,” a marble arch spanning a gorge and carved centuries ago by melting glaciers. This tour offers one of the best places in New England to witness the amazing effects of glaciation! Suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Rain cancels. 20-30 minute duration. 413-663-6392. Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. McAuley Road, North Adams, MA.

ORNITHOLOGY. 10:30am. Birding for Beginners. This program helps beginners to learn the basics of birding. The use of bird guides, lists, and binoculars to learn about the local feathered inhabitants of Mt. Tom. Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA. 

ART STUDIESTake a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)

HISTORY WALK. 12pm. Join the Park Interpreter for an easy walking tour to rediscover the working life in a bustling quarry during the 1800s and early 1900s. What was it like to labor in the stone quarry in the heyday of the Industrial Revolution? Who were these tough quarrymen? Explore these topics along the way. Suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Rain cancels. 20-30 minute duration. 413-663-6392. Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. McAuley Road, North Adams, MA.

MERRY-GO-ROUND/PHYSICS. 12-4pm. Are you someone who always picks a horse on the inside of the carousel, or do you ride one on the outside? All merry-go-round horses make one complete circle in the same amount of time, but the interior horses travel a much shorter distance in that time than the outer ones do, resulting in very different linear speeds. And what happens when you choose a stationary horse versus one that gallops up and down? Experience the fun of physics by bringing your kids, or grandkids, for a ride on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. Known as “Holyoke’s Happiness Machine,” the antique carousel with brightly painted wooden animals and calliope music is a sensory treat for young and old. It was once part of Mountain Park, an amusement park on the side of Mt. Tom, and was moved to Holyoke Heritage Park when Mountain Park closed in 1987. 413-538-9838. 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA.

NATURE-BASED LEARNING. 1pm. Family program: Impressions of Nature. This program takes a close look at the designs and shapes of nature and then recreates them with plaster and crayon crafts. Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA. 

DANCE STUDIES. 1pm. Pack a blanket or your favorite outdoor chair, invite your family and friends, and bring a snack to enjoy this 45 minute pop-up dance performance with Jacob’s Pillow. No RSVP required. River Grove Park. Corner of River & Houghton St. North Adams, MA. 

RPG. 1pm. D&D Super Dungeon at Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.

AGRICULTURE. 2-3pm. Learn the basis and importance of grapes and grape growing that make great wine! Tour a working vineyard and learn how grapes hold a sense of place. Black Birch Vineyard. 413-247-3300. 108 Straits Rd, North Hatfield, MA.

STORYTELLING. 4pm. Ted Lawrence of Trunkside Tales at Erving Public Library. 413-423-3348. 2 Care Dr, Erving, MA.

MUSIC STUDIES. 4pm. Sevenars Music Festival features live outdoor music held at the historic Academy concert hall alongside Jackson Brook. Sevenars Academy. 413-238-5854. 15 Ireland Street, South Worthington, MA. 

DANCE STUDIES. 5pm. Pack a blanket or your favorite outdoor chair, invite your family and friends, and bring a snack to enjoy this 45 minute pop-up dance performance with Jacob’s Pillow. No RSVP required. Town Hall Park. Great Barrington, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES/AMERICAN MUSIC. 5-7:30pm. Live music. BYO picnic. Stump Sprouts. 413-339-4265. 64 W Hill Rd, Hawley, MA. 

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA.

Self-Directed Learning:
GEOLOGICAL TIME

Embracing ‘Deep Time’ Thinking

Self-Directed Learning:
POTASH

History of potash in western MA.

MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

PLAYGROUP. 10am. Pick-up playgroup at Stanley Park’s sandbox area. Make not only sandcastles but also new friends at this weekly self-directed playgroup. Stanley Park. 413-568-9312. 400 Western Ave, Westfield, MA. 

NATURAL HISTORY. 10am & 2pm. What were the forces that created these unique landforms? Discover the human elements that altered them through historical photos and fascinating little-known details that illustrate how this geological and industrial marvel came to look as it does today. Suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Rain cancels. 30-minute duration. 413-663-6392. Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. McAuley Road, North Adams, MA.

NATURE-BASED LEARNING. 1pm. Children ages 10-14 are invited to explore Mt. Tom during their hiking program, Explorer’s Club. Bring water and bug spray. Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA. 

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA. 

MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. Ukulele Strum-Along with Springfield City Library. Virtual.

Self-Directed Learning:
NUTRITION

Gluten-free recipes.

Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD STUDIES

Fruits of the world: Map

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021

ART STUDIES/HISTORY. 9:30am-5:30pm. May Day: An International Labor Poster Exhibit from the collection of Stephen Lewis. This exhibit is part, graphic art, part history, part culture and part political message. Artists may appreciate the various ways a theme is depicted by many different artists, hailing from different countries and cultures. Lewis has made the foreign language posters more accessible by including translation of key phrases to English. Historians can see what social and political changes were being advocated for in different countries at different times. Activists can see some of their favorite causes, including the celebration of May Day itself, agitated for in these posters. On view through Aug 26 in the Hosmer Gallery at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.

STORYTIME. 10:30am. Join the Chicopee Public Library for outside musical storytime with singing, dancing, and stories! For families with little ones up through school-age kids, every Tuesday morning through August 10. Call the Children’s Room at 413-594-1800×4 or email chicopeelibrarykids@gmail.com to sign up. Chicopee Public Library. 413-594-1800. 449 Front St., Chicopee, MA.

NATURE-BASED LEARNING. 10:30am. Children ages 6-9 can join in and expand their knowledge about the different habitats at Mt. Tom. Explore habitats and learn how the plants and animals have adapted to each environment. The Field, Stream, Pond, and Forest will be the topic. Bring water and bug spray. Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.

JUGGLING. 11am. Henry the Juggler at Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.

FARMERS’ MARKET. 1:30-6:30pm. Northampton Tuesday Market is a vibrant downtown market with the best in local fruits and vegetables, local prepared foods, and the occasional local craft. Entertainment most weeks. Northampton Tuesday Farmers’ Market. 413-320-4799. 1 Kirkland Ave, Northampton, MA.

SUMMER FUN. 2-4pm. The City of Pittsfield hosts “Make Your Own Summer Fun” at different locations throughout the summer. Drop-in, say hello, pick up supplies for fun summer activity and/or participate when a special activity is scheduled. Pittsfield, MA.

STORYTELLING. 2:30pm. Personal Storytelling Workshop for Teens w/ Terry Wolfisch Cole with Palmer Public Library. Virtual.

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA. 

ORNITHOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. Beach Nesting Birds. Learn about shorebirds, the challenges they face, their population trends in Massachusetts, and what actions and tools we can all use to protect them. Best for self-directed teens and lifelong learners. Virtual. 

Self-Directed Learning:
JUGGLING

Tues., Aug. 3 @ 11am. Henry the Juggler at Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.

Self-Directed Learning:
FILM HISTORY

Check out these drive-in theaters:
West Springfield Drive-In &
Northfield Drive-In Theatre

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021

CANOEING. 8-11am. Canoeing October Mountain State Forest. For all, children 10 & up. Buckley Dunton Lake, Becket, MA. 

BOTANY. 9am. Summer Wildflowers at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.

ART STUDIES. 9am. TAILS & TALES PAINTING at Agawam Public Library. 413-789-1550. 750 Cooper Street, Agawam, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 9-10:30am. Northampton Parent Center hosts an indoor/outdoor playgroup at Bridge Street School. Northampton, MA. 

STE(A)M. 9am-12noon. Kids ages 7-12 can become an innovator this summer using STEM concepts to make art! This week’s activity: S.T.E.A.M Punk Art Bots. Let the bot do the drawing! Create a bot using recycled materials, a motor, and a switch. Workshop13. 413-277-6072. 13 Church Street, Ware, MA. 

KINDERGARTEN. 9:30am. “Ready for K” 4-week kindergarten readiness class with Hubbard Memorial Library. Virtual.

ART STUDIES/HISTORY. 9:30am-5:30pm. May Day: An International Labor Poster Exhibit from the collection of Stephen Lewis. This exhibit is part, graphic art, part history, part culture and part political message. Artists may appreciate the various ways a theme is depicted by many different artists, hailing from different countries and cultures. Lewis has made the foreign language posters more accessible by including translation of key phrases to English. Historians can see what social and political changes were being advocated for in different countries at different times. Activists can see some of their favorite causes, including the celebration of May Day itself, agitated for in these posters. On view through Aug 26 in the Hosmer Gallery at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA. 

MINDFULNESS. 10am. Explore healthy, mind-body techniques such as yoga, walking meditation, Qi Gong, and Forest Bathing. Classes are guided by certified teachers and vary in duration (20—120 minutes). No experience is necessary. All ages & beginners are welcome. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

KINDERGARTEN. 11am. Ready for Kindergarten Skill Building Group with Southwick Public Library. Virtual.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. 2pm. Head Start 101 with It Takes a Village. Virtual.

PLAYGROUP. 2-4pm. Pick-up playgroup at Peskeumskut Park. Grab a treat from the farmers’ market happening simultaneously and share with new friends at the playground. Peskeomskut Park. Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA

SUMMER FUN. 2-4pm. The City of Pittsfield hosts “Make Your Own Summer Fun” at different locations throughout the summer. Drop-in, say hello, pick up supplies for fun summer activity and/or participate when a special activity is scheduled. Pittsfield, MA. 

ARTS & CRAFTS. 4pm. Pocket Sloth Craft at the Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.

SERVICE ANIMALS. 4pm. Dog with a Job: Meet Gingham, the Service Dog-in-training at the Milne Public Library. 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street. Williamstown, MA.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 5:30pm. Off to the Great Outdoors: Exploring Poor Brook in East Springfield at Regreen Springfield. 36 Stanley Street, Springfield, MA.

LAWN CONCERT. 6pm. Crimson Canary Concert on the Lawn at the Emily Williston Memorial Library. 413-527-1031. 9 Park Street. Easthampton, MA.

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA. 

ENTOMOLOGY. 7-8:30pm. The World of Insects: Butterflies and Moths. Learn about butterflies and moths, including their amazing diversity, anatomy, life history, and how to welcome them into your landscape. Best for self-directed teens and lifelong learners. Virtual.

Self-Directed Learning:
ARTS & CRAFTS

Wed., Aug 4 @ 4pm. Pocket Sloth Craft at the Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2021

FAMILY FUN.9am. FAMILY FUN For Age 6 and up at the Agawam Public Library. 413-789-1550. 750 Cooper Street, Agawam, MA.

ART STUDIES/HISTORY. 9:30am-5:30pm. May Day: An International Labor Poster Exhibit from the collection of Stephen Lewis. This exhibit is part, graphic art, part history, part culture and part political message. Artists may appreciate the various ways a theme is depicted by many different artists, hailing from different countries and cultures. Lewis has made the foreign language posters more accessible by including translation of key phrases to English. Historians can see what social and political changes were being advocated for in different countries at different times. Activists can see some of their favorite causes, including the celebration of May Day itself, agitated for in these posters. On view through Aug 26 in the Hosmer Gallery at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 10am.  Pick-up playgroup at the Dow Pavillion playground. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA. 

ART STUDIES. 11am. Pop Up Art School Presents: Dragon Eye for Teens with the Forbes Library. Virtual.

NATURE OBSERVATION. 11am. Join the Hitchcock Center on the lawn at the Jones Library to observe an animal friend and the natural world around the library. This program is for kids ages 5-8 and their caregivers. To register and learn more, email kids@joneslibrary.org. Jones Library. 413-259-3223. 43 Amity St, Amherst, MA. 

ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA. 

ENTOMOLOGY. 1pm. The Monarch’s Tale: An Amazing Migration Story at the Mason Public Library. 413-528-2403. 231 Main St, Great Barrington, MA.

JUNIOR RANGERS. 1-2:30pm. This program captures the imagination of young people ages 8-12 through fun activities that grow future stewards of the environment. Earn a Junior Ranger Patch and Certificate by attending programs and completing the Junior Ranger Activity Guide activities. Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA. 

SUMMER FUN. 2-4pm. The City of Pittsfield hosts “Make Your Own Summer Fun” at different locations throughout the summer. Drop-in, say hello, pick up supplies for fun summer activity and/or participate when a special activity is scheduled. Pittsfield, MA. 

ANIMAL STUDIES. 6pm. Forest Park Zoo on the Go at the Library at the Pelham Library. 413-253-0657. 2 S Valley Rd, Pelham, MA.

LAWN CONCERT. 6-8pm. The Franklin County Musicians’ Cooperative hosts weekly outdoor concerts. Pack a picnic and bring the kids! Energy Park. 50 Miles St, Greenfield, MA. 

STORYTELLING. 6:30pm. Story Slam at the Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA.

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA. 

PERFORMANCE ART. 7pm. Community Stage – A Talent Show with Community Music School of Springfield. Virtual.

Self-Directed Learning:
ENTOMOLOGY

Thurs., Aug 5 @ 1pm. The Monarch’s Tale: An Amazing Migration Story at the Mason Public Library. 413-528-2403. 231 Main St, Great Barrington, MA.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021

ART STUDIES/HISTORY. 9:30am-5:30pm. May Day: An International Labor Poster Exhibit from the collection of Stephen Lewis. This exhibit is part, graphic art, part history, part culture and part political message. Artists may appreciate the various ways a theme is depicted by many different artists, hailing from different countries and cultures. Lewis has made the foreign language posters more accessible by including translation of key phrases to English. Historians can see what social and political changes were being advocated for in different countries at different times. Activists can see some of their favorite causes, including the celebration of May Day itself, agitated for in these posters. On view through Aug 26 in the Hosmer Gallery at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10am Pick-up playgroup at the Dow Pavillion playground. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.

NATURAL HISTORY. 10am & 2pm. Enjoy an easy Interpreter-guided walk along the 0.6-mile-long Elder Nature Trail. The Natural Bridge and historic quarry are surrounded by 25 acres of ecologically rich northern hardwood forest. A leisurely walk in the woods offers the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate the natural world around us. Along the path, discover a few secrets of this landscape shaped by glacial forces and human agriculture. Suitable for all ages. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Rain cancels. 30-minute duration. 413-663-6392. Natural Bridge State Park Visitor Center. McAuley Road, North Adams, MA.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS HISTORY & CULTURE. 10am-5pm. Muh-he-con-ne-ok: The People of the Waters That Are Never Still, opens today at the Berkshire Museum. “We once called this land home and while forced removal may have physically moved us, our hearts remain. Muh-he-con-ne-ok: People of the Waters That Are Never Still showcases the history of the Stockbridge-Munsee Communities past, present, and future.” Following the symbolic pathway of water throughout the exhibition, visitors will develop new insights into the history and culture of this Berkshire County Indigenous community through objects from the Berkshire Museum collection and those of partner institutions, contemporary oral histories, and historical profiles of members of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, timelines, and more. As they travel through the galleries, museum patrons will trace the journey of this region’s first residents from their lands that stretched from the Hudson River Valley to Berkshire County, through forced removal from these lands by white colonizers, to their current home in Wisconsin. Along the way, visitors will explore historical and current-day topics, discover actions they can take to be better allies to Indigenous people worldwide, and unlearn harmful misconceptions and stereotypes. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA. 

LITERACY/NATIVE SPECIES. 10:30am. Kidleidoscope Story Hour! Kids ages 3-6 can learn about dragonflies! Meet at the Great Hall outdoor courtyard, accompanied by an adult. Learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. The program includes a story, activities, and a craft and is mostly outdoors. Siblings and friends welcome. Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.

ANIMAL STUDIES. 11am. Animals! Animals! with Mary Jo Maichack at the Lee Library. 413-243-0385. 100 Main St, Lee, MA.

PICNIC PLAYGROUP. 11am-1pm. Pick-up picnic playgroup at Childs Park (Prospect Street side). Pack a basket lunch and picnic blankets, and head to the park to round off the week with outdoor time with family and new friends. Childs Park. 413-584-1991. 71 N Elm St, Northampton, MA.

ANIMAL STUDIES. 2pm. Animal Adventures at the Southwick Public Library. 413-569-1221. 95 Feeding Hills Road. Southwick, MA.

DANCE STUDIES. 3pm. Experience the joy of creating simple dances from the comfort of your home with Jacob’s Pillow in this intergenerational 45-minute movement class, designed for movers of all ages to enoy together. From kids to adults, you are invited to get your whole household moving!  Virtual.

DANCE STUDIES. 5:30pm. Northampton Summer Park Series – Live Salsa in the Park featuring KomboLoko at Pulaski Park, Northampton, MA. 

POETRY. 6pm. Carol Purington Poetry Collective at the Griswold Memorial Library. 413-624-3619. 12 Main Rd. Colrain, MA.

LAWN CONCERT. 6pm. Summer Concert Green Sisters and Eric Lee on the Amherst Common. Amherst, MA

CANOEING. 6-8:30pm. Housatonic Evening Paddle. For all, children 10 & up. Decker Boat Ramp, Lenox, MA. 

FILM STUDIES/PLACEMAKING. 6:30pm. West Springfield Drive-In. This outdoor movie experience, under the stars, harkens back to the 50s, 60s, and 70s when the drive-in movie experience created life-long memories for people of all ages. Located in the Eastern States Exposition’s Gate 9 parking area. West Springfield, MA.

THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. A Broadway Cabaret with Silverthorne Theater Company at Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center. 413-774-0150. 289 Main Street, Greenfield, MA.

Self-Directed Learning:
ANIMAL STUDIES

Fri., Aug. 6 @ 11am. Animals! Animals! with Mary Jo Maichack at the Lee Library. 413-243-0385. 100 Main St, Lee, MA.

Weekly eNewsletter

Online and in-person events and resources shared above are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.

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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Dalton, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Hinsdale/Peru, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Tyringham, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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