Weekly Suggested Events for September 4-10, 2021

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!
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities


Amherst Community Theater announces auditions for Disney’s The Little Mermaid! Auditions will take place September 24-26 at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst, MA. For an audition appointment, call LSSE at 413-259-3065. A hauntingly beautiful love story for the ages, this timeless fable will capture your heart with its irresistible songs, lavish sets and costumes, and a full live orchestra. Enthusiastic audiences will fill the 600-seat UMass Bowker Auditorium for nine performances in January 2022. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For more info about auditions, including character descriptions and audition music and readings, visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org.
FEATURED SALE
River Valley Co-Op
Shelburne Falls, MA

The popular River Valley Co-op Truckload Sale is back! Come stock up and save during this huge sale in the parking lot of their Northampton and Easthampton stores September 3rd–6th. Score big discounts of up to 50% OFF full cases! Save on pantry staples like organic olive oil, canned tuna, and peanut butter, household items such as laundry detergent and hand soap, and frozen items like burritos, pizzas, and local ground beef. The savings continue inside the store with 20% OFF all co-op brand supplements and 10% OFF all wine. Please note that pre-orders are not accepted and sales are only available while supplies last. Sales may not be combined with other discounts, coupons, and promotions. rivervalley.coop/truckloadsale
FEATURED DANCE CLASSES
Great Falls Creative Movement
Turners Falls, MA

Great Falls Creative Movement offers unique dance programming for kids (and sometimes adults!) at their studio, outdoors, and in partnership with schools and constituent-based groups. All dance classes include improvisation, social dance, therapeutic dance, and concert dance practices and support participants’ positive relationship with their own mind/body/spirit, with each other, and with the wider world. Studio and outdoor classes open in September and January, with an open house at the beginning of each session. School residencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, as well as programs designed for specific groups, are available on an ongoing basis. All programs will comply with CDC guidelines for COVID safety. For more information: studio.movement@gmail.com; 413-834-4644; greatfallscreativemovement.com.
FEATURED NATURE-BASED PROGRAM
Grow Wild Association
Hinsdale, MA

Grow Wild Association is organized for educational, personal, and spiritual development, relying on a strongly held belief in and interdependence with nature. Grow Wild Association hosts an outdoor nature-based program for homeschool-aged children, adult classes, enrichment programs, and tutoring. They believe nature is our best and most important teacher, and children are innate learners who naturally follow their own sense of wonder. Mixed-age children’s groupings allow for role modeling, responsibility, community building, and multidirectional learning. All information/programs/services are intended for association members only. They’re accepting new members now! For more information: growwildlearning@protonmail.com; 413-464-2507; www.growwildlearning.com.
FEATURED DAYCARE & PRESCHOOL
Valley Playschool
Shelburne Falls, MA

Daycare. Preschool. ♦ Ages 8mo-6yrs
For more information: ahawk@girlsclubofgreenfield.org; 413-625-2406; www.girlsclubofgreenfield.org.
Valley Play School is located in the heart of Shelburne Falls. It is a branch of the Girls Club of Greenfield and offers a variety of full and part time options for parents as well as a variety of subsidies. It operates year round, Monday through Friday from 8am-4:30pm, with breakfast and snack served daily. Two classrooms serve children 8 months to 6 years. VPS’s methods emphasize low teacher/student ratios and a healthy, enriching environment where children learn through their play and process has more importance than product. Children learn by doing in a supportive, nurturing environment that promotes pro-social behaviors. It provides diverse opportunities for quality interactions, connections and school readiness.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Music School is enrolling for the fall 2021 semester! Take a private lesson or Community Group Class in-person at BMS’s historic campus or online. Private lessons are offered in any orchestral or band instrument as well as voice & theory. Lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes each week to meet the needs of the individual student and may begin at any point during the year. Online lessons are conducted via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype, and students should have access to a computer or iPad with internet connection. BMS’s fun Community Group Classes are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, with suggested tuition listed for each course. For more information: cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org; 413-442-1411; www.berkshiremusicschool.org
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA

Bement School LIVE Virtual Tours. Join the admission office for a LIVE virtual campus tour. These LIVE virtual tours will give you the opportunity to learn a bit more about Bement and see their students and faculty. Throughout September and October, they are offering one-hour campus tours and Q&A sessions on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-9:30am. Registration is required. Participants will receive a Zoom invitation. Bement School is accepting applications for fall 2022. Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or to register for one of their virtual tours. The Bement School is a co-ed and boarding school for K-9 in Deerfield, MA. www.bement.org

See Your Ad Here

Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers each week, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of families in Western Massachusetts. Serving the region since 2005, Hilltown Families is an award-winning, online communication network, recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting “positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness.” A trusted partner in your online marketing! To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact us for info on our affordable options and packages: swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org. Have an event, resource, or opportunity you’re ready to promote? Click HERE to submit your information.

Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2021

COMMUNITY SERVICE. 9am-12pm. Clothing Drive at the M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 413-259-1213. 10 Cooleyville Rd, Shutesbury, MA.
AGRICULTURE/PYO APPLES. 9am-5pm. Pick Your Own Apples Opening Weekend at Pine Hill Orchards. 413-624-3325. 248 Greenfield Rd., Colrain, MA.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 9am-7pm. Come swim, fish, or picnic by the pond at Chicopee Memorial State Park in the summer, or enjoy hiking and biking on the trails year-round. Chicopee Memorial State Park. 413-594-9416. 570 Burnett Rd., Chicopee, MA.
ORIGAMI. 10am-4pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
SPORTS HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Baseball in the Berkshires Exhibit at the Williamstown Historical Museum. 413-458-2160. 32 New Ashford Road, Williamstown, MA.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT.10am. Young at Heart: Toe Tapping Tunes at Dewey Memorial Hall. 413-229-2357. 91 Main Street, Sheffield, MA.
LEGOS. 10am. LEGO CLUB on the Patio at the Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.
LAWN CONCERT. 2-3:30pm. Summer lawn concerts with the Amherst Historical Society. BYO blanket & picnic. Simeon Strong House. 67 Strong Street. Amherst, MA.
FIREWORKS. 3-9pm. South Hadley Fireworks at Michael E. Smith Middle School. 100 Mosier St., South Hadley, 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.
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT/COMEDY. 8pm. Comedian, Alex Edelman at MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
THEATER STUDIES. 8-10pm. Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Common Park. 100 1st St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS/BASEBALL HISTORY
Sat., Sept 4 @ 10am-4pm. Baseball in the Berkshires Exhibit at the Williamstown Historical Museum. 413-458-2160. 32 New Ashford Road, Williamstown, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
STEM/LEGOS
Sat., Sept 4 @ 10am.
LEGO CLUB on the Patio at the
Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

HIKING/BIRD-WATCHING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mount Tom features wonderful views of the Pioneer Valley in west-central Massachusetts. The area is also a great place to bird-watch, especially for hawks and self-guided hikes. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
SWIMMING/HIKING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mohawk Trail State Forest is one of the most scenic woodland areas in Massachusetts. It covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods, and it is home to a variety of plant and animal life. 413-339-5504. Cold River Road, Charlemont, MA.
AGRICULTURE/PYO APPLES. 9am-5pm. Pick Your Own Apples Opening Weekend at Pine Hill Orchards. 413-624-3325. 248 Greenfield Rd., Colrain, MA.
LOCAL FOOD. 10am–2pm. Easthampton Farmers’ Market. 2350 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA.

WILDLIFE BIOLOGY. 11am-5pm. Wild Kratts: Creature Power, an immersive, interactive exhibit where kids and families explore four animal habitats and the creatures within them, building STEM skills as they play. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, 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:
AGRICULTURE/APPLES
Sun., Sept 5 @ 9am-5pm.
Pick Your Own Apples Opening Weekend at Pine Hill Orchards. 413-624-3325. 248 Greenfield Rd., Colrain, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
HISTORY/MERRY-GO-ROUND
Sun., Sept 5 @12-4pm. Experience the fun of physics by bringing your kids for a ride on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. 413-538-9838. 221 Appleton Street, Holyoke, MA.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

ART STUDIES. Take a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)
HIKING/BIRD-WATCHING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mount Tom features wonderful views of the Pioneer Valley in west-central Massachusetts. The area is also a great place to bird-watch, especially for hawks and self-guided hikes. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
GARDENING. 9:30am-4:30pm. Learn about the Native American practice of planting corn, beans, and squash together at the Native American Three Sisters Garden at Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
ROSH HASHANAH. 10am. Rosh Hashanah Apple Picking: A Gathering for Young Families with Lander~Grinspoon Academy at Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.

ORIGAMI. 12-5:30pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
ARTS & CRAFTS. 4pm. Crafternoon: Back to School Suncatchers with Agawam Family and Community Program at School Street Park. Agawam, 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.
LANGUAGE ARTS/POETRY. 7pm. Poets and Writers Virtual Café with The LAVA Center. 413-376-8118. 324 Main St, Greenfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ROSH HASHANAH/AGRICULTURE
Mon., Sept 6 @ 10am. Rosh Hashanah Apple Picking: A Gathering for Young Families with Lander~Grinspoon Academy at Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ARTS & CRAFTS/HISTORY
Mon., Sept 6 @ 4pm.
Crafternoon: Back to School Suncatchers with Agawam Family and Community Program at School Street Park.
Agawam, MA.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2021

PreK PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
ORIGAMI. 9:30am-5:30pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES. 10am-12pm. Drawing Into Watercolor at the Northampton Center for the Arts. 413-584-7327. 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, 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.
SIGN LANGUAGE. 6pm. Virtual Beginners American Sign Language with the Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA.
MUSIC. 6:30pm. Ray Mason in Concert at the Dickinson Memorial Library. 413-498-2455. 115 Main Street. Northfield, MA.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

PreK PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
STORYTIME. 9:15am. Story & Learning Time at the Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA.
ORIGAMI. 9:30am-8pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
HISTORY/ANTIQUES. 12-5pm. Brimfield Antique Shows. Brimfield Antique Shows. 6 Mill Lane Rd, Brimfield, MA.
ART STUDIES. 12:30pm. In Conversation with Artist Nairy Baghramian with the Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St., Williamstown, MA. (VIRTUAL)
ECOLOGY/POLLINATORS. 5:30pm. Pollinator Habitat in Your Backyard with Grown in Westhampton at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
MUSIC. 6pm. Sarah Clay & the Star Cats at the Whately Town Hall. Whatley, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY. 6:30pm. Who Knew? Roadside Revelations in Western Massachusetts at the South Hadley Public Library. 413-538-5045. 2 Canal St., South Hadley, MA.
CULINARY ARTS. 7pm. Virtual Workshop: An Evening of Lebanese Cooking with River Valley Co-Op. 413-584-2665. 330 N King St, Northampton, MA. (VIRTUAL)
MUSIC STUDIES. 7:30pm. Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi at Academy of Music with Signature Sounds Presents at Academy of Music Theatre. 413-584-9032. 274 Main St., Northampton, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
SOCIAL STUDIES/SHAKER
Wed., Sept 8 @ 11am-5pm. A living history museum, Hancock Shaker Village brings the Shaker story to life and preserves it for future generations. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
POLLINATORS/ECOLOGY
Wed., Sept 8 @ 5:30pm.
Pollinator Habitat in Your Backyard with
Grown in Westhampton at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

PreK PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
ORNITHOLOGY. 8am. Fall Migration Bird Walk at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
ORIGAMI. 9:30am-5:30pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
PreK 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.
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
HISTORY/ANTIQUES. 12-5pm. Brimfield Antique Shows. Brimfield Antique Shows. 6 Mill Lane Rd, Brimfield, MA.
TEEN/ARTISAN SKILLS. 2:30pm. Teen Metal Etching at Southwick Public Library. 413-569-1221. 95 Feeding Hills Road. Southwick, MA.
AGRICULTURE/COUNTY FAIR. 3-9pm. The 172nd Franklin County Fair. Greenfield, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY/DENDROLOGY. 4:30pm. Historic Holyoke Tree Guide Launch at Wistariahurst Museum. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA.
DATE NIGHT/FAMILY PICNIC. 5-8pm. Naumkeag at Night at Naumkeag. 413-298-3239. 5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA.
LAWN CONCERT. 7pm. West Springfield Summer Concert Series. Bring blankets or folding chairs to relax or move and groove whenever the mood strikes. Morgan Road Pavilion. 413-781-3020. 459 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. 7pm. Why Does My Cat Do That? at the Agawam Public Library. 413-789-1550. 750 Cooper St., Agawam, MA. (VIRTUAL)
ORNITHOLOGY/BIRDS OF PREY. 7pm. Identifying Hawks in Flight (VIRTUAL)
PARENTS NIGHT OUT/MUSIC. 8pm. Lindsey Buckingham at the Academy of Music Theatre. 413-584-9032. 274 Main St., Northampton, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY/MIGRATION
Thurs., Sept 9 @ 8am. Fall Migration Bird Walk at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR/CATS
Thurs., Sept 9 @ 7pm. Why Does My Cat Do That? at the Agawam Public Library. 413-789-1550. 750 Cooper St., Agawam, MA.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

HIKING/BIRDWATCHING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mount Tom features wonderful views of the Pioneer Valley in west-central Massachusetts. The area is also a great place to bird-watch, especially for hawks and self-guided hikes. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
ORIGAMI. 9:30am-5:30pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
PreK/STORYTIME. 10:30am. Outdoor Story Time with Miss Janet at the Gaylord Memorial Library. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.
HISTORY/ANTIQUES. 12-5pm. Brimfield Antique Shows. Brimfield Antique Shows. 6 Mill Lane Rd, Brimfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE/COUNTY FAIR. 1-10pm. The 172nd Franklin County Fair. Greenfield, MA.
MUSIC FESTIVAL. 5-10pm. Millpond.live 2021 at Millside Park. 413-529-1400. 2 Ferry St., Easthampton, MA.
LANGUAGE ARTS/POETRY. 6pm. Carol Purington Poetry Collective at the Griswold Memorial Library. 413-624-3619. 12 Main Rd. Colrain, MA.
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT/MUSIC. 8pm.Madeleine Peyroux & Joan Osborne at the Academy of Music Theatre. 413-584-9032. 274 Main St., Northampton, MA.
THEATER STUDIES. 8-10pm. Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Common Park. 100 1st St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
THEATER STUDIES/SHAKESPEARE
Fri., Sept 10 @ 8-10pm. Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Common Park. 100 1st St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
GEOMETRY/ORIGAMI
Fri., Sept 10 @ 10am-4pm. Origami group show by Mountain Folders at the Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, 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.