Get ready to rock, groove, and swing! The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) is welcoming student and adult musicians to placement auditions for its Jazz, Funk, and Rock Ensembles. CCM’s Jazz, Funk, and Rock Ensembles offer musicians the vital opportunity to move beyond solo practice and truly discover the magic of group performance. These ensembles offer guided practice, musical growth, and the chance to build lasting friendships while exploring improvisation and collaboration in a fun, supportive setting. Ensembles are being created for both kids and adults.

Rehearsals and auditions take place at the new CCM2 center, at 15 Junction Square Drive in West Concord.
Placement Audition Dates: Monday, October 13, 7:00–8:00 PM, Tuesday, October 14, 3:00–4:00 PM and 6:00–7:00 PM
Open to students of varied abilities. To learn more and sign up: concordconservatory.org/programs/jazz-funk-and-rock-ensembles, or call CCM (978) 369-0010.

The League of Women Voters of Westford is hosting a virtual Special Town Meeting Preview on Thursday, October 16,  at 7:00 p.m. that will give residents a clear and comprehensive overview of the articles on this year’s warrant.
The Preview is a great opportunity to learn more about the 13 articles on the warrant and to have your questions answered by Town staff. Register on Zoom here:  westfordma-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dAPvOsq3TTWh0TnE9sc9zg.

The Special Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 27, at 7:00 p.m. at Westford Academy, 30 Patten Road. The voter registration deadline for Special Town Meeting is Friday, October 17, at 5:00 p.m. You can check your voter registration status and register to vote on this site: sec.state.ma.us/OVR/.
To read the Town Meeting warrant, click here: westfordma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16888/2025-STMWARRANT-09232025.

For more information about Special Town Meeting, check out the Westford Town Moderator’s website at westfordma.gov/891/Town-Moderator. 

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization – open to all – that encourages informed and active participation in government. The League does not support or oppose any candidate or political party. For more information about the organization, go to lwv.westford.org. 

Be transported by Concord Youth Theatre’s Teen Company and their performance of Alice by Heart. From the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning creators of Spring Awakening, Alice by Heart is a musical inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, set during the London Blitz of World War II. It tells the story of Alice Spencer, who uses the Wonderland story to escape the harsh reality of an underground tube station where she and her terminally ill best friend, Alfred, are hiding. The musical explores themes of first love, grief, loss, and imagination, as Alice's journey through Wonderland blurs with her real-world experiences. CYT’s Teen Company is made up of local actors in grades 9-12. Performances will be held at CYT, 53 Church Street in West Concord on Friday, October 17 at 7:00, Saturday, October 18 at 4:00, and Sunday, October 19 at 2:00. Our theater is handicap accessible.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://concordyouththeatre.org/ If you have any questions, please call 978-371-1482 or send an email to concord_youth_theatre@concordyouththeatre.org.

The Friends of the Bolton Public Library will hold their semiannual book sale on Saturday October 18th, from 8:30am – 4pm. No Rain Date. Location is the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street. There are over 5,000 books sorted and “not picked over.” Puzzles, CDs and DVDs. The book sale is the Friends' largest fundraiser. Proceeds from the sale support programs, events, museum passes, and our online newsletter Wowbrary.
 

The annual Concord Festival of Authors (CFA), managed by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library, celebrates the written and spoken word this fall with two weeks of literary events throughout town from October 18-November 1.
The 2025 CFA kicks off with a jam-packed day featuring the ever-popular Authors Breakfast moderated by Suzanne Koven at the Colonial Inn at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 18.  Ticket information will be available on the CFA website by October 1.  Following it, Barefoot Books opens its doors and shelves for families with story time and crafts; Barrow Bookstore hosts a live and online event examining the Concord Free Public Library’s Special Collections; and wrapping up that evening at 8 pm at Umbrella Arts Center with From Page to Stage, a special post-show conversation following Tick…Tick, Boom! exploring the unique art of writing for the theater.
The Concord Free Public Library hosts multiple events including a Poetry Panel, the Robbins House presenting Tara Roberts; the Debut Authors Panel; renowned middle-grade author Marcella Pixley; and Karen Kirsten, author of Irena’s Gift, in conversation with author Jennifer S. Brown.
Additional programs are offered by local organizations including the Concord Museum, the Thoreau Society, the Transcendental Council of First Parish, and Walden Woods Project.
This year’s capstone event on November 1 spotlights innovative thinker and international economic policy advisor, Cass Sunstein, drawing from the ideas in his forthcoming book On Liberalism: In Defense of Freedom.
Most events are free with registration, unless noted on the website. For more information on this year’s CFA, visit https://www.concordfestivalofauthors.org.

Miss your favorite quilting shop and JoAnn’s fabric store? Find bargains galore on Sat., October 18 from 9am-2pm at the Concord Piecemakers guild sale.

Location: St. Matthews United Methodist Church, 435 Central St., Acton.

Featuring high quality quilting fabrics ($5/yard) and bins full of yarn ($2/skein) for your knitting projects. Huge selection of sewing notions – zippers, scissors, rotary cutters, full packets of pins, excellent thread, hemming tape, etc. Pick up bundles of 5” nickel squares all cut and ready to become your next quilt top. Useful quilting books and patterns at rock bottom prices. Everything’s priced to sell and sell fast.

Learn more about our guild: https://concordpiecemakers.org/
 

The Friends of the Hudson Public Library will have their annual Fall Book Sale on Saturday, October 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Armory garage, 35 Washington Street, Hudson. From timeless classics to thrilling mysteries, popular fiction and children's books, find your next read at unbeatable prices. 
 

Saturday, October 18, 2025 1pm - 4pm
Join the Stow Garden Club for their annual Daffodil Bulb Sale at Shaw’s Plaza - 155 Great Rd., Stow.  Six Unusual and Beautiful Varieties: 5 bulbs $10; 10 for $15; 15 for $25; 20 for $30. 
Come early - bulbs sell out fast!
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The Stow Garden Club was formed in 1937 by a small group of dedicated gardeners. The club exists today as a non-profit organization committed to a variety of horticultural endeavors, with emphasis on education and community beautification.   
The Club planted and maintains the Head Memorial Garden at the Randall Library, the planters at the Community Center, Fire Station, Veterans' Memorial, and other locations in town. 
We host monthly educational presentations, workshops, and demonstrations.  See our website at https://www.stowgardenclub.org for upcoming programs and join us to explore the many aspects of gardening! 
 

Join us for spooky family fun on Saturday, October 18th, 3–5 PM at Field E, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford. Designed for children ages 0–5 (siblings welcome!), the event features a magic show, games, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, snacks, prizes, and plenty of candy. Costumes encouraged!

Tickets: $10/member families, $30/non-member families. Get yours at bfctoday.org
 

6 Bridges Gallery presents “Grain Elevators” , an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Joyce McJilton Dwyer.

The exhibit will be on view at 6 Bridges Gallery, 77 Main Street, Maynard, from October 15 to November 15, 2025.  It will also be hosted online at 6Bridges.gallery. A reception will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, 5:00–7:00 PM.

In this exhibit, watercolorist Joyce McJilton Dwyer turns her focus to grain elevators, a prominent fixture of the farmland in the Midwest. She writes:

“Grain Elevators are a piece of agricultural architecture scattered across the midwestern landscape from the Great Lakes to the Northwest Upper Peninsula into Canada, often sticking up into the sky from tiny towns on the open prairie where one can see unobstructed across the landscape.

I grew up in Michigan on a family farm and our harvest went to our local grain elevator—to be dried, recorded and transported from there after my father decided, from the morning crop price report on the radio, that it was time to sell part of that crop. It was always a guess if the price would later go up or retreat. We’ve grown corn, navy beans, pinto beans, black beans, soybeans, wheat, oats and sugar beets. We also grew alfalfa when we had a dairy herd.

The elevators were busy at harvest time because all the farmers were trying to get their crops harvested when the weather was dry and the crops were dry and ripe. My grandfather would take a slow ride with a tractor and wagon full of the crop and wait in a long line for his turn to dump his load and return for another load. My father would stay at our farm to continue harvesting, sometimes into the night, to take other loads to the elevator or to back them into our large shed so no rain or dew would add to their moisture—or to put the wheat and oats into our own bins in our shed. We would put our corn harvest into long, tall, thin corncribs to dry out from the wind for animal food. It was always a relief to get all the crops harvested in September and October, securing our crop income for the year. 

These structures have a lot of meaning for me, as I have traveled locally and further west. In preparation for this show, I started to look at them more closely and learn more about the progression of crop storage in the US and the changes in storage architecture over time—as well as the changes in agriculture with small farms disappearing and giving way to huge industrial agriculture, not the best answer for small farmers.

My question is, where do we think our food comes from?”
 
For more information, please visit 6 Bridges.Gallery, Facebook, and Instagram.

As the leaves begin to fall and the weather shifts to cooler days, the 3rd Annual Maynard Fall Ball is on the horizon.

The Fall Ball helps to fund the rising cost of the Maynard Holiday Parade. The Halloween costume themed party is on Saturday, October 18th at the Maynard Elks from 7-11pm. All ages are welcome.
Costumes are encouraged, but not required. The fun includes live band Westwood Junction, raffles, and KBK Sports will be providing a silent sports, movie and music memorabilia auction. Kids will enjoy the free face painting and cookie decorating. Appetizers and desserts will be served. Cash bar.
Come dance the night away for a wonderful cause! You’ll be supporting our highly anticipated Dec. 7 (rain/snow date of Dec. 14) holiday parade and village.

To purchase Maynard Fall Ball tickets, go to www.lightuptheholidaysmaynard.com. Donations and sponsorship opportunities are available there as well.

The Bedford Cultural District’s New Song Music Series will welcome the irresistible grooves of Rob Flax’s Boom Chick Trio to Bedford Town Hall’s Reed Room on Saturday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Equal parts hot swing, snappy songwriting, and lyrical storytelling, the trio’s music will transport you to somewhere in the back of a speakeasy bar. As Mark Schaffer of The Folk Project observes, “Individually, [the musicians] are each virtuosos on their instruments. Together, they are the happiest music to hit planet Earth…their harmonies are a joy, and their talent is at an astonishing level.”
Founder Rob Flax is an award-winning violinist and powerhouse vocalist. Classically trained yet celebrated for his improvisational pyrotechnics, he has shared the stage with B. B. King, Tower of Power, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His voice moves seamlessly from silky crooning reminiscent of Nat King Cole to visceral Chicago blues shouts.

Joining him is Slava Tolstoy, a Boston-based guitarist, singer, and producer originally from St. Petersburg, Russia. Leader of the acclaimed International String Trio, Tolstoy fuses Gypsy jazz with world music influences and has toured extensively across the United States.
Rounding out the trio is Chris Tate, a Boston-based cellist and composer whose work spans jazz, folk, classical, and hip-hop. Tate has performed at venues from Blues Alley to the Kennedy Center, continually expanding the expressive possibilities of the cello.
Together, the Boom Chick Trio delivers intricate instrumental interplay, rich three-part harmonies, and an infectious stage presence. Watch them perform Virtual Hugs on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FclFn_3Rg84.

Tickets are available at https://newsongbedford.org. Performances take place in the Reed Room, Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, enhanced by a newly upgraded sound system. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. for refreshments and community connection, with the music beginning at 7:30 p.m.

New Song is a volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District, made possible by the generous support of its sponsors: Bedford Florist & Gifts, FYZICAL® Therapy and Balance Centers Bedford, Prince Street Café & Bakery, Red Heat Tavern, and the Mass Cultural Council.
 

You can count on some serious laughs October 18 at 7:30pm when Parish Center for the Arts presents comedian Brian Longwell and guests at 10 Lincoln Street. Said Edfringe.com Reviews, “This show is definitely for anyone who has ever worked in a very corporate setting. Brian is very dry and sarcastic, but he is very funny. His visual aids will stun you with its humorous simplicity.” BYOB and snacks and get your general admission cabaret table tickets ranging from $20 to $25. For more information, call (978) 692-6333 or visit pcawestford.org and click on “Comedy” in the “Performances.”

Brian Longwell has worked for years as a professional comedian at venues in the U.S. and has toured the UK.   He combined his corporate background with his comedy experience and now gives “presentations” using an old style overhead projector with stick figure drawings with his parody of a motivational speaker “How to be Successful.”  His unique talent was recognized at the New York Comedy Festival by his inclusion in the Andy Kaufman competition in which he was a finalist, proclaimed an Edinburgh Festival Top 10 by the London Times, a finalist in the Boston Comedy festival, regularly headlines at the Comedy Studio in Cambridge, and other venues with his unique act.

When guest comedian Janet McNamara takes the stage, everyone wants to know more. From the first word, audiences are treated to an original perspective and an awkward energy that captivates undergrad hipsters and suburban housewives, sometimes at the same show. As an accountant with townie charm and no time for BS, Janet has opened for some of the biggest names in comedy and won a loyal fan base of her own across New England. So if you’re looking for razor-sharp jokes delivered with a plainspoken flair, Janet will tell you to get a better hobby… but also she does that.

Opening comedian Jorge Velazquez is the winner of the 2025 PCA Comic Showcase & Contest! He is a New Orleans comedian, show producer, podcaster and founder/producer/host of Craft Comedy, which has become a significant platform for local comedians to perform and develop their talent during 20+ shows a month. Velazquez's approach to comedy is unique, as he frequently travels throughout the U.S., performing at various venues from local comedy clubs to rooftops and backyards. His work has not only entertained audiences but also fostered a vibrant Nola comedy scene.
For more information about the PCA and their season, visit pcawestford.org, email admin@pcawestford.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram!

Greetings from Theatre III! Tickets for our fall production of Women In Jeopardy! are now available!
Thelma and Louise meets The First Wives Club in this fun and flirtatious comedy. Divorcées Mary and Jo are suspicious of their friend Liz’s new dentist boyfriend. He’s not just a weirdo; he may be a serial killer! After all, his hygienist just disappeared. Trading their wine glasses for spy glasses, imaginations run wild as the ladies try to discover the truth and save their friend in a hilarious off-road adventure. Saturday, October 18; Friday, October 24; & Saturday, October 25 (7:30pm);
Sunday, October 19 & Sunday, October 26 (2pm). https://www.theatre3.org/upcoming/WomenInJeopardy2025

The Concord Orchestra presents “Always in Motion” at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 18 and Sunday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden. The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performs a program of Michael Torke, Samuel Barber, and Margaret Bonds. A pre-concert talk is scheduled for 7:15 on Saturday.

Margaret Bond’s The Montgomery Variations was composed in 1964 and dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. It portrays the early history of the Civil Rights Movement, in particular the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its aftermath. The variations are based on the spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”
Margaret Bonds was an accomplished pianist, composer, and teacher who was one of the first Black musicians to gain recognition in the United States. In her early twenties, she performed as a pianist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her musical works include frequent collaborations with poet Langston Hughes, jazz arrangements, film music, popular songs, choral music, and musicals.
Michael Torke’s Javelin was commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for its 50th anniversary and performed at the opening ceremony of the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996.

Samuel Barber’s lyrical Symphony No. 1 combines the four movements of a classical symphony into a single movement. It is modeled after Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7, which is also in one movement.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com.
 

Sunday, October 19th 10:00AM - 3:00PM. Act now to reserve your space $10 per table (bring your own) or $15 to use ours. Keep 100% of your sales. Anything not sold must leave with you.

Community is welcome to rent a space for a table or just come browse and shop.
 

There was a second revolution brewing in New England in the late 1700s, America’s own Industrial Revolution.  On Sunday October 19, the Boxborough Historical Society is proud to present Boxborough’s Jim Gorman discussing the early efforts of New England craftsmen to develop a system of interchangeable parts production that would sweep the world by the late 19th century.  Jim is an Aerospace Engineer with deep interest in precision manufacturing.  While most histories trace New England innovations in firearms, this early manufacturing story is really more about clockmaking and shoemaking, and does not encompass firearms until after 1810.

The presentation will be in the Boxborough Town Hall (29 Middle Road) starting at 2:00 p.m.  Admission is free, all are welcome, and registration is not required.  It will be followed by a brief annual meeting of the Society.
 

The Friends of the Goodnow Library will launch their 2025-2026 Program Series with a presentation by Len Simon entitled Tales from the Rail Trail. This program will take place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3 PM in the Community Meeting Room of the Goodnow Library, 21 Concord Road, Sudbury. This program is free and open to the public.

Please join the Friends for a slide presentation, stories, and commentary about the history and development of the trail, future plans for the trail, and how best to use and enjoy one of Sudbury’s newest recreational resources. Following the presentation, there will be a question and answer period.

Len Simon has lived in Sudbury for 43 years. He is a former pharmacist, Navy veteran, and trial lawyer. He retired from the practice of law in 2012 and in 2013 decided to get involved in local politics, He served two terms on the Sudbury Select Board. Before becoming a Select Board member, Len was a member of the Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. As a member of the Select Board, one of Len’s priorities was to work to bring the Rail Trail to Sudbury.

The Friends of the Goodnow Library is a 501(c)3 organization. To learn more about the Friends, please visit our website www.friendsofgoodnow.org, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and contact us at friendsofgoodnow@gmail.com.

The Boxborough Company of Minutemen will hold a Company meeting on Sunday October 19 at the Boxborough Community Center at 30 Middle Road starting at 8 p.m. For information please contact Captain Chad Childers at captain@boxboroughminutemen.org.
  The Boxborough Minutemen Company is open to anyone of least 18 years of age, regardless of gender or town of residence, who is interested in service to the Town and/or perpetuating the memory of the Minutemen of 1775.  You do not need to be a marcher or revolutionary war re-enactor to join the Company.

Our members may participate in any number of the Company's activities including marching in parades and town celebrations, organizing the annual Fifer's Day town festival, performing seasonal clean-ups on Route 111, sponsoring the Boy and Cub Scouts, providing volunteers to the FreeBee Market, community supper, and other service organizations, and participating in our various social functions. The Company also provides financial support to a variety of service organizations and sponsors a number of annual scholarships to Boxborough students who are continuing their education after high school.
 
All are welcome to come and make new connections with others. For more information visit www.boxboroughminutemen.org.

The 2025 Taste of Concord is Tuesday, October 21 from 6:00-8:00 pm
Nashawtuc Country Club, 1861 Sudbury Road, Concord

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind evening of food, wine, rare spirits and Community
The Concord Chamber of Commerce and West Concord Wine & Spirits are excited to host The Taste of Concord on Tuesday, October 21st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord.
Enjoy a lively evening of flavors from local Concord restaurants, bakeries and food establishments.
From Concord Center, Fiorella’s Cucina for Italian inspired, homemade cuisine and Bandolero’s for a nearby true taste of Mexico. Gräem Nuts and Chocolate is a European inspired roaster specializing in nuts, chocolate and dried fruit sourced from high quality, unique products from around the world. New England Olive Oil Company offers oils and vinegars from all corners of the globe. Verrill Farm, a fourth-generation family business features farm-to-table with their locally sourced farm stand, deli, and bakery. The Cheese Shop, offering a ‘customer experience’ where their deepest pleasure is recounting the provenance and history of what you see and taste in their quaint Concord Center store. Concord Teacakes, a West Concord café where you can indulge in the finest pastries and desserts and Debra’s Natural Gourmet, Concord’s independent natural market bringing health and deliciousness to West Concord since 1989. Nashoba Brooks Bakery, crafting slow rise breads since 1998 with a bakery café and West Village Tavern, a neighborhood spot where locals enjoy scratch made food and creative cocktails.
New this year is Twin Seafood, West Concord’s neighborhood fish market that offers a hand selected catch daily and Woods Hill Table, providing their passions: food, family farms and sustainable sourcing. Main Street Café, combining classic American fare with a contemporary flair, and our host, Nashawtuc Country Club, featuring gourmet delights in their beautifully renovated event space.
West Concord Wine & Spirits will provide a guided tasting experience with over 50 selections of wines from around the world including California, Italy and Spain, as well as craft beers, mocktails and artisanal spirits.
Also new this year is a VIP Tasting Experience which includes a rare bourbon tasting led by a Sazerac Ambassador featuring EH Taylor Small Batch, Weller 12 Year, Stagg, Thomas H. Handy, and Pappy Van Winkle 10 Year. A limited number of tickets are available for this rare opportunity to taste and learn about some of the most sought-after spirits.
Admission is $60.00 for the event from 6:00-8:00 pm or $120.00 which includes the VIP Hour from 5:00-6:00 pm.

Tickets can be purchased on-line at: concordchamberofcommerce.org
or in person at West Concord Wine & Spirits, 1216 Main Street in W. Concord.

First Connections invites parents with or without their children age 3-5 to join a free 8-week facilitated group at our playroom in Acton beginning Thursday, October 23, 10-11:15 a.m. Parents will receive a copy of the book by Joanna Faber and Julie King, and the group will discuss a chapter, ask questions, and get support each week while the children play alongside us in our playroom. Each session will end with a circle time for the children. Parents with multiple children, including siblings under 3, or children who are in preschool, are welcome. Infants must be in a carrier to keep them safe. The group is limited to 10 families. To register, email First Connections: lmatthews@jri.org. This program is funded by a Mass. Dept. of Early Education & Care CFCE grant.

On Thursday Oct 23 from 5-8, Friday Oct 24 from 9-5 and Saturday Oct 25 from 9-1 Memorial Congregational Church is holding its semi-annual Thrifting Market where we sell gently used clothing, shoes, accessories and linens. There will be lots of clothing for people of all ages. All items are carefully organized making shopping very easy. Good quality clothing at rock bottom prices! Pay with cash, check or Venmo!

On Saturday you will find even more bargains as all items will sell at half price!

Memorial Church is located at 26 Concord Rd (across from Goodnow Library) in Sudbury. For questions or additional information, please call 978-443-3885.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will once again be partnering with the Sudbury United Methodist Church to shine a light on the issues related to domestic and break up violence.

On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the Roundtable and the Sudbury United Methodist Church, 251 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury will host a Shine a Light Vigil at 7.00 pm.  The indoor event will focus on remembering those who have lost their lives to domestic violence in the past year, recognizing those surviving abuse today, and calling all of us to action as we work to prevent abuse in our communities. A survivor will speak. Community leaders from Sudbury, Wayland, and Lincoln will also be participating in the program.

At a time when budget cuts to life-saving programs are happening at the state level and being threatened at the federal level, and survivors are increasingly worried about their safety, it is even more important for our communities to stand up and show support for those who are being affected. Please join the Roundtable for this very important community event.

For more information about domestic violence please go to https://www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org or contact the Roundtable at infodvrt@gmail.com. 

Auditions for the Concord Orchestra Young Artists Competition will be held on Thursday and Friday, November 6-7, 2025.  Auditions will be held at the Moloney Performing Arts Center (formerly Durgin Hall), 35 Wilder Street, Lowell, MA  01854, on the campus of the University of Massachusetts in Lowell.   The winner will be the featured soloist at the Concord Orchestra's Concerts, on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, 2026.  The winner will also receive the Ehlers Memorial Scholarship cash award.  The second and third place finishers may be invited to perform a recital prior to these concerts.  The competition is open to high school and younger instrumental students, including pianists.  Applications are due October 23, 2025.

For complete requirements regarding eligible repertoire, maximum concerto length, specific memorization requirements for each instrument, and to apply online, please visit our Young Artist website page at:  https://www.concordorchestra.com/young-artist-concerto-competition.  Please email any further questions regarding the competition to:  jan.kinmonth@gmail.com with subject line “Concord Orchestra YA Competition.”   
 

The Cannon Theatre is proud to present Wait Until Dark. This production, directed by Ali Coes, is the second in The Cannon Theatre’s 2025-26 season line-up, which also includes upcoming productions Something Rotten Jr (February), Don’t Tell Mother (March/April) and featuring a radio performance of It’s a Wonderful Life in December.  

Wait Until Dark is adapted from the 1966 movie of the same name. Susan Hendrix, newly blind, seems like an easy mark when three ruthless criminals invade her Greenwich Village apartment. When the lights go out, survival comes down to nerve, instinct, and the element of surprise.

The show runs for 3 weekends. Show times are October 24, 25, 31st, and November 1, 7, and 8th at 7:30 p.m. Matinees are taking place on November 2 and 9th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at www.thecannontheatre.org, and are $25 for adults, and $20 for students/seniors.
The cast and crew comes from the following towns: Fitchburg, Groton, Littleton, Lunenburg, Roslindale, and Tyngsboro.

The Production Team includes:
Directed by Ali Coes
Produced by Maren Caulfield
Stage Management by Mary Beth Fletcher
Tech Director and Set Build by Brett Bahe
Costume, Hair and Makeup by Shawn Cannon

The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) is excited to share a featured performance by our own faculty member and internationally acclaimed pianist, Yelena Beriyeva, on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 7:30 pm.
Yelena—described as “a paragon of the concert pianist” by the LA Examiner—will present a program that takes the audience on a journey through musical history and geography:

• Intimacy: Brahms' introspective and penultimate piano work, Klavierstücke, a moving dedication to Clara Schumann.
• Exoticism: Debussy’s Estampes (“Prints”), a set of pieces influenced by the sights and sounds of the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Iconic Storytelling: The program concludes with Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition, a vivid musical narration of the composer’s visit to an artist's gallery.

Event Details

Who:Yelena Beriyeva, CCM Faculty and Award-Winning Pianist
What:Yelena Beriyeva: Piano Inspirations
When:Friday, October 24, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Where:Concord Conservatory of Music
Tickets:$25 General Admission, FREE for students 18 and under
 

The First Baptist Church of Lexington will be hosting the 67th annual Fall Fellowship Fair on October 25, 2025 from 9am to 3pm. Breakfast will be served from 9am-11am. Fresh baked muffins made on site will be served.  Lunch served at 1130am.  Many items to choose from including homemade corn chowder.
The fair features the Cookie Walk room, Holiday Corner with homemade Christmas items and silent auction on gift baskets.  Bake Shop with homemade pies and other baked goods.  Jewelry table, Knit Shop, handcrafted Items.  Patchwork and Quilts. Yard Sale rooms with many fun items. Fun vendors as well.
The First Baptist Church is located at 1580 Massachusetts Ave in Lexington Center. For additional information, telephone number is 781-862-9050.  fbclexington.org
 

On Saturday, October 25th, The Plymouth Church in Framingham, a partner in the Framingham community for over 300 years, is excited to host a fundraiser. This is an event that brings the community together. With a lot of helping hands and fun, we welcome people into the church to enjoy and shop at our many venues. From costumes, Christmas cheer, baked goods, White Elephants, and more, you can expect a great variety of treats and goodies to enjoy and take home. Come to the church from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to enjoy the fair.

The Plymouth Church in Framingham has been hosting the Fall Fair for over 50 years. It started out as a Crafts Boutique. Eventually, it evolved into an annual event that is unique to the church and has a strong loyal following.

The Plymouth Church in Framingham is located at 87 Edgell Road in Framingham, MA. For more information, please call the church office at 508-875-1364.

Gathered in 1701, the Plymouth Church in Framingham is a member congregation of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC), the largest Protestant denomination in Massachusetts, with roots dating back to the Pilgrims of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1620s.

Looking to add a canine member to your family?
Join Save A Dog on Saturday, October 25, from 10 am to 12 pm at MetroWest Subaru, Route 9 East, Natick, for our “Meet & Greet” adoption event! Meet the adorable dogs and puppies looking for their forever homes and speak directly with staff who can introduce you and tell you more!

Monthly “Meet & Greet” events have been key to the success of hundreds of Save A Dog’s adoptions.

“This is always a fantastic opportunity for so many of our amazing, deserving pups to meet their potential forever person or family in a fun and welcoming setting,” says Julie Bolio, Save A Dog’s Shelter Manager. “Adoptions all over the country have slowed, leading to longer stays in shelters, so we especially appreciate the opportunity to give our pups extra exposure during 'Subaru Loves Pets Month!'
While Save A Dog adopters hail from all over New England and Massachusetts, “Meet & Greet” events are particularly popular with residents from surrounding communities including Acton, Maynard, Marlborough, Hudson, Stow, Carlisle, Westford and Littleton.

More information about Save A Dog’s adoptable dogs (and cats) can be found at www.saveadog.org.

Interested adopters are encouraged to complete an online application beforehand (www.saveadog.org/applytoadopt.asp) to help streamline the adoption process and find the best match for their household.

Now celebrating 27 years of rescuing homeless dogs and cats through its Sudbury shelter and network of dedicated foster homes, Save A Dog has found loving families for nearly 9,000 companion animals.

See you Saturday, October 25! 

Acton-Boxborough Open Studios: Local Artist Mike Quigley Opens His Studio
Event: Acton-Boxborough Open Studios
Dates: Saturday & Sunday, October 25–26 | 12:00-5:00 PM
Location: Acton and Boxborough artist studios (full map at https://www.actonopenstudios.org)
Details: Local Boxborough artist Mike Quigley will participate in this year’s Open Studios, welcoming visitors to view his oil paintings and creative process. The event features multiple artists opening their workspaces across Acton and Boxborough.
More information: https://www.actonopenstudios.org

Presents
Brilliant Borrowings
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 4:00 pm
First Parish Church, Sudbury, MA 
Sunday, October 26, 2025, 4:00 pm
Old South Church, Boston, MA
and live-streamed at www.oldpostroad.org
In-person Audience Tickets $10-$55, kids come free with an adult
Virtual Audience Tickets: $35 individual, $70 family, $10 students

Two-time winner of the Noah Greenberg Award from the American Musicological Society, Musicians of the Old Post Road begins its 37th season with Brilliant Borrowings, a program featuring works that illustrate the magic of inspiration and influence among Baroque luminaries.

Performances will be presented on October 25 at 4 pm at First Parish Church in Sudbury and October 26 at 4 pm at Old South Church in Boston and online. The weekend marks the opening of the ensemble’s “Cross-Pollinations” season, celebrating inspiration among composers and across cultures in four programs exemplifying the ensemble’s signature programming of musical “rediscoveries” performed alongside beloved 18th-century works.

Musicians for these concerts, all of whom will play on period instruments, include flutist Suzanne Stumpf, violinists Sarah Darling and Jesse Irons, violist Renée Hemsing, cellist Daniel Ryan, and harpsichordist Kelly Savage.

Single In-Person Tickets are $55 general admission, $50 seniors, $35 for under 35. Kids 18 and under are free with an adult. Day-Of-Concert Rush Tickets (students and EBT Card holders only) are $10, availability permitting. Virtual single tickets and virtual subscriptions are also available.
For more information, visit www.oldpostroad.org, email musicians@oldpostroad.org, or call 781-466-6694.
The Sudbury concert is co-presented with the Sudbury Historical Society (members receive a $10 discount on their ticket).
 

Join us at the Massachusetts National Guard Museum Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 5PM for a fascinating evening with EVP specialist and New England Paranormal lead investigator Joe Rainone. In 2024, Joe led a two-team ghost hunt at the Museum, uncovering intriguing evidence and stories from the Armory. During this one-hour presentation, he will share his findings, personal experiences exploring unexplained phenomena, and some of the evidence captured right here in the historic building. Following the talk, the Armory will remain open for visitors to explore. This special event is part of a fundraiser to support the Museum’s programs and preservation efforts. The Museum is located at 91 Everett St, Concord, MA 01742. Go to https://friendsmangmuseum.org/events/ to register for the event.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
(rain date: Sunday, Oct. 26)
Stargazing begins at 6:00pm and ends at 9:00pm

SAS members will set up their telescopes for guest viewing. This Star Watch has a wonderful show, featuring glorious Saturn with near edge-on rings, a thin sliver Moon, Mercury and Mars if you come early, and galaxies if you stay late! See the galaxies of Pegasus and Andromeda, the Ring Nebula in Lyra and, with dark skies, the Veil Nebula in Cygnus! In conjunction with visual scopes, check out our newest digital imaging system, a Seestar 50, which may even let us see a real live supernova!

If you have COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone ill, we ask that you refrain from attending.

Parking and Location:
SAS members will have telescopes setup to the left. Look for signs and glow sticks to direct the way. Please try to minimize the use of headlights when possible.
For more detailed info: https://skylight.kantbelievemyeyes.com/star-night-minute-man-airfield/
 

The Concord Band will perform its Fall Concert on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 7pm, at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord MA.  The Fall program features the world premiere of POEtic Justice by noted composer Roger Cichy, inspired by the dark, sinister tales of Boston-born author Edgar Allan Poe.

The composition was recently commissioned by one of the Band’s French horn players, Jean Patterson, along with her daughter, Alexandra Mattor.  Both worked closely with Cichy, pitching their ideas for subtle, and not so subtle, musical themes for three of Poe’s classic short stories,  “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Masque of the Red Death.” On listening, one can “hear” and actually visualize the servant who is haunted by the incriminating heartbeat of his murdered master buried under the floorboards, or a drunken Fortunado wandering from the carnival down to the crypt only to be walled in brick by brick, or the chimes that ring out during a masked ball as Prince Prospero is pursued and hunted throughout the castle, room by room, by the Red Death.

To round out its seasonal program of eerie and beguiling musical themes, the Concord Band will perform several additional works. Dance of the Witches, a piece John Williams wrote for the 1987 film “The Witches of Eastwick,” involves three women who unintentionally form a coven and conjure a dashingly handsome man, whom they must then inescapably deal with. In composer John Barnes Chance’s Incantation and Dance, low and muted incanted rituals of magic bring forth wild and frenzied dancing, while Unquiet Spirits by John Mackey evokes unsettled and unsettling moods from the restless, to an ominous off-kilter, waltz-like dance, to a fiendish yet sparkling “moto perpetuo” (perpetual motion) finish.  The Concord Band will perform two timeless masterpieces, Charles Gounod’s witty and ironically humorous Funeral March of a Marionette, and Johann Sebastian Bach’s powerfully majestic and rhythmically driven Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.  The Fall concert program will close with Halloween by composer Morton Gould, which summons all the creatures and objects of darkness – ghosts, goblins, pumpkins and brooms – to spring to life to celebrate an unholy sabbath.

Admission is free and open to the public.  A $20 per person donation is requested.  Complimentary light refreshments will be served at a reception following the concert.  To learn more about the Concord Band, visit www.concordband.org and on Facebook.
 

The United Church of Christ in Boxborough, https://boxboroughucc.org/,
will be hosting a Cuba Benefit Concert featuring Boston-based Pan-Latin Band, Sol y Canto, on Saturday, October 25th, at 7:30 PM at the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, 723 Massachusetts Avenue, Boxborough, MA.
Tickets are $25 per person ($30 at the door), $15 for students. To make a donation or to purchase tickets, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-cuba-benefit-concert-with-sol-y-canto-tickets-1611092764829?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The COVID Pandemic forced Cuba to close its doors to tourism for several years, which severely impacted the economy. Additionally, the main power plant experienced a breakdown last fall, resulting in widespread power outages across the island for several weeks. Since then, electricity has been rationed, and families can expect to have power for only a few hours each day. Food and water are also rationed. The people are struggling to survive.

In an effort to support the Cuban people, the United Church of Christ in Boxborough, MA, will host a benefit concert at UCCB on October 25th, featuring the Boston-based band Sol Y Canto, an award-winning Pan-Latin ensemble known for its vibrant concerts and critically acclaimed music that blends diverse Latin American styles. The Boston Globe and WBUR describe their performances as “exhilarating and moving,” highlighting the duo's poetic lyrics, intricate guitar work, and engaging stage presence. Their music is often described as a "journey" through different rhythms and cultures, making it accessible to both Spanish- and non-Spanish-speaking audiences.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the congregation of the Second Baptist Church in Santiago de Cuba and neighboring communities.

The event organizer is Cuban-born Maricel Lucero. Her father, Oscar Lucero, played a significant role in the Cuban Revolution of 1959. Unfortunately, he was captured and killed by Batista’s officers, only months before the triumph of the Revolution. Today, he is known as “The Martyr of Silence” because he refused to reveal the names of other rebels when he was captured.

Maricel immigrated to the U.S. as a child, leaving behind a significant part of her extended family. She has journeyed back to Cuba many times to learn about her father's legacy and to reunite with loved ones. Over the years, she has guided groups from the U.S. to Cuba, bringing not only visitors but also vital humanitarian aid.

Free Music Event by Dr. Andrew Marshall and the PCIS Choral Choir on Sunday, October 26 at 330 Concord Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776
 

Children ages 10 and under are invited to wear their costumes and take part in First Parish of Sudbury's Fantastic & Fun 4th Annual Trunk or Treat So Others Can Eat! Collect candy, play games, and have lots of Ghoulish Fun!!

There is no fee to attend, but…PLEASE BRING A NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEM TO DONATE to our collection for the Sudbury Community Food Pantry. The Food Pantry will accept donations of all unexpired food.

The event will take place in the First Parish Parking Lot (or inside if the weather is inclement). Free parking is available across the street behind the Sudbury Town Hall (322 Concord Rd, Sudbury).
 

Climb aboard for an unforgettable old-fashioned trolley ride into Framingham’s mysterious past! On this Haunted Trolley Tour, our lively guides and talented reenactors will lead you on a one-hour, multi-stop adventure filled with witches, pirates, highwaymen, and eerie ghosts from local legends.

Along the way, you’ll hear spine-tingling stories and fascinating history that bring the City’s most mysterious characters to life. Be ready for thrills, chills, and just the right dose of fun.

Tours last 1 hour and depart from Village Hall on the Common every hour from 1PM-6PM.
Suitable for ages 8 and up. ADA-accessible trolleys available. Spanish and Portuguese written scripts available upon request.

More information for the event and tickets are on the FHC website website: https://framinghamhistory.org/events/2025-haunted-trolley-tour/

The public is invited to an exciting Harvest Fair on Oct. 29 from 10-3 at the Cameron Senior Center on Pleasant Street in Westford. Over 25 outside/local vendors will be displaying their crafts, services, jewelry, plants, and holiday items. Music, coffee and cider refreshments will be available, as well as some delicious homemade bake sale products to take home. Take a chance on one of our many Raffle Baskets and get lucky! Do your holiday shopping early and support local artisans. All proceeds made from this festival, sponsored by the Friends of the Cameron Center help to support Westford Seniors.
 

Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) will host its annual Light in the Darkness Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 6:00 PM at the Lexington Community Center, 39 Marret Road, Lexington.

Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month each October, the Vigil commemorates the lives lost in Massachusetts to domestic violence in the past year. Community members will read each victim's story as their lives are represented by the reader, a rose, and a candle that is lit in their memory. In this year's keynote address, Chief Michael McLean of the Lexington Police Department will speak on the importance of community partnerships in supporting those who experience domestic violence. "While the Vigil is a solemn occasion," says DVSN Executive Director Jacquelin Apsler, "It is also a night of hope. By publicly standing together to witness and commemorate, we build awareness and show the survivors in our communities that we believe their stories and support their journeys."

The public is invited to attend this free event. A light supper will be served following the ceremony. For more information regarding DVSN’s Candlelight Vigil, visit DVSN.org/Vigil or call 978-318-3421.
 

Friends of the Hudson Senior Center invite families and friends of all ages for a fun
event to get us all in the holiday spirit. Our Annual Fall Fair will take place Saturday,
November 1, 2025, at the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church Street, Hudson , MA
from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Event Details
Handmade Quilt Raffle $500 Visa Card Raffle Calendar Raffle
Crochet Temperature Afghan Raffle Theme Basket Raffles Gift Card Raffles Baked
Goods Tables Homemade Apple Pies for Sale Lunch being served at 11 AM
Handmade Quilted Items Knit and Crochet Items Adorable Knit & Crochet Critters
7' Christmas Tree Decorated with Handmade Ornaments and so much more.

NEW: We will be accepting Venmo payments, Cash and Checks this year.
Admission is FREE! Parking is FREE & the Building is Wheelchair Accessible.
Gift Shop is OPEN for those of you who can’t stop by during our regular hours.
Raffle Ticket Sales for the Homemade Quilt will begin on Monday, September 1st.

Tickets can be purchased at the Senior Center between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM,
Monday through Friday. Mail-in tickets will also be featured in the Hudson Senior
Center September Newsletter.

The handmade quilt will be on display at the Senior Center from the first week of
September, and photos of the quilt will be shared on our Facebook page as well
as the Hudson Senior Center’s Facebook page.

Contact Information:
Email: friendsofhudsonseniorcenter@gmail.com
Facebook: Follow us on Facebook for updates, photos, volunteer opportunities, and
the Fair Flyer for this event.
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofHudsonSeniorCenter/
Phone: 1 (978) 568-9638 / EXT 6

Kick off your holiday shopping at our First Annual Handmade Harvest Market! We're bringing together a variety of professional artisans and enthusiastic shoppers for a wonderful day of creativity and community.
Proceeds benefit the local Missions and Outreach activities of ACC.
Date: Saturday, November 1st, 10am-3pm
Where: Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton
Admission: $3 adults, Free for students and children
 

For the past year, Green Maynard has been working on a lighting bylaw that we hope to present at the Spring or Fall 2026 Town Meeting. We have been working with experts from DarkSky Massachusetts—part of DarkSky International, an organization that works to restore the nighttime environment and protect communities from the harmful effects of light pollution. Towns such as Acton, Concord, and Boxborough already have some form of lighting bylaw, and we will propose a bylaw recommended by DarkSky Mass that has been fully implemented in communities such as Becket, Gloucester, Nantucket, Northampton, and Pelham. Other towns, like Chelmsford, are preparing similar proposals for upcoming town meetings. Additionally, two statewide bills on this issue are currently in committee.

Because of the active involvement of Green Maynard in developing Maynard’s lighting bylaw, DarkSky Mass has decided to hold their annual in-person meeting here as a way of offering support and increasing visibility.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom. Here are the details:

Place: Maynard Fire House, 30 Sudbury St.
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 1:30PM – 4:30PM (check-in starts at 1PM)
Light refreshments provided
Stargazing (weather permitting) optional after the meeting

Speakers:

• Debbie Moran is an advocate with DarkSky International who specializes in police education around glare and safety.
• Vick Mohanka is executive director of Sierra Club Mass and an expert on policy and advocacy.

To register for the event or for more information, visit DarkSkyMass.org. Recordings of the speakers will be available at a later date.