The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA

February 9th: The Heart of Winter: Readings from the CCA Writers Group at 6:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. A free staged reading, featuring original seasonal material from the Chelmsford Center for the Arts Writers Group.

February 13th: Sober Karaoke 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Presented by the Chelmsford Health Department. Snacks and soft drinks provided.

February 14th: Soul Train Dance Party from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Grab your valentine and your pals and dance the night away at this Soul-Train themed dance party! Presented by the Chelmsford D.E.I. Committee. Tickets $10 online, $15 at the door. 

February 14th: StickMan Blue: A Candlelight Concert at 7:30 pm StickMan Blue presents a Valentine’s Day candlelight concert celebrating love in all its forms – romantic, communal, and creative. Featuring expressive vocals and the rare Chapman Stick, this intimate performance offers a peaceful, heartfelt musical experience. All are welcome to share in an evening of connection, beauty, and live artistry. Tickets $25.00. 

February 20th: Janelle's Dirty Basement Comedy Show at 8:00 pm In the Cabaret Cafe. Join us for yet another evening of raunchy hilarity in the Cabaret Cafe. Along with Janelle, enjoy the comedic stylings of nationally recognized comedians. Regular tickets $25.

February 23rd: Folk Music Open Mic at 7:00 pm Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for an evening of acoustic fun! This monthly event, hosted by Doug Kwartler, is perfect for folk performers and listeners alike. FREE ENTRY! Full bar and snacks available. Donations accepted.

February 27th: Chrome Horse: A Bob Dylan Tribute at 7:00 pm In the auditorium.  Immerse yourself in the timeless music of Bob Dylan as Drew Gabbert, a Texas-based veteran musician, brings his Bob Dylan tribute act to life with stunning accuracy, spanning his entire discography. Whether you're a die-hard Dylan fan or new to his music, this performance is not to be missed. Regular tickets $20, $15 for students and seniors.

February 28th: Jazz Brunch 2026 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Join us for a live jazz band performance accompanied by a delicious brunch to celebrate Black History Month. Sponsored by the Chelmsford Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee! February 28th from 11:00 am - 1 pm in the CCA auditorium. $40 per person, brunch included. 

NEW! March 7th: Ranting Parents Comedy Tour at 7:30 pm If your kids drive you nuts, this show is for you. Share the pain with Boston comedians Paul Nardizzi, Dave Rattigan and Jim Ruberti! In a night of stand-up and more, three hilarious Boston comedians share their best, worst, and weirdest moments as parents. Online regular tickets $27, $25 for students and seniors, and $30 if purchased at the door.

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.

 

This March, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will be offering a very special education program "NAMI BASICS” designed for parents and other caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental health issues and behavioral challenges. The class will help families cope with the impact these disorders have on the child and the entire family. The program is free to all and peer led, meaning that the trained teachers are themselves parents/family caregivers of children living with these difficulties. This structure creates an intimacy that few programs possess and consequently, a program now whose capacities are unparalleled.  

The course consists of six (6) classes, each lasting 2 ½ hours. The class will be held at the Tewksbury Library starting Wed March 4,2026 from 6:15 - 8:45 pm. and run for 6 weeks. The program helps parents and other care givers to understand the illnesses that are causing behavioral difficulties and the critical role families play. NAMI Basics bridges the gap. It provides help that can’t be found in a doctor’s office.

Join us and obtain the tools needed that will greatly assist you in making the best decisions possible for the care of your child. For registration and details call: Dee - 978.697.3441 cell, Brian 617-257-1767, or Lisa - 978-869-1242.

Call early as the class is limited and fills quickly.

 

 

Severe blood shortage intensifies as snow, ice and extreme temperatures impact blood drives

BOSTON, Feb. 3, 2026 — The American Red Cross urges people to take action now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the blood supply during an ongoing blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are asked to make a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.

Over 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, causing more than 20,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. In addition to the disruption of blood drives, dangerous weather conditions have also made it tougher to transport vital blood products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations. 

Patient care is at risk — donors in unaffected areas are asked to book an appointment to give blood or platelets now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those in areas facing extreme winter weather are asked to give when it’s safe to do so. All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

Hospital impact
Shortfalls in blood and platelet donations caused by recent winter storms are putting further strain on the national blood supply, forcing some hospitals to cancel elective procedures due to blood product shortages. When supplies are critically low, trauma surgeons and other doctors face the real possibility that blood could run out when it’s needed most. Now is the time to give blood or platelets before doctors have to face difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment, and who will need to wait.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 7-28:

Chelmsford

2/21/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Aldersgate United Methodist, 242 Boston Rd.
2/23/2026: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chelmsford Public Library, 25 Boston Rd

North Chelmsford

2/17/2026: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road
 

CHROME HORSE: THE BOB DYLAN TRIBUTE is coming BACK to the Chelmsford Center for the Arts this February! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! Immerse yourself in the timeless music of Bob Dylan as Drew Gabbert, a Texas-based veteran musician, brings his Bob Dylan tribute act to life with stunning accuracy, spanning his entire discography. Whether you're a die-hard Dylan fan or new to his music, this performance is not to be missed.  Friday, February 27th at 7:00 pm in the auditorium.  Regular tickets $20, $15 for students and seniors. GET TICKETS AT: www.chelmsfordarts.org  Facebook: Chelmsford Center for the Arts  Instagram: @chelmsfordarts  

Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford

 

 

19 Carter Street, Berlin
Visit 19Carter.org for tickets, registration + more info!

FEBRUARY 8-14, 2026

Sunday, February 8, 2pm | Armchair Traveler: Riding the Rails from Worcester to San Francisco
Join Lee Tabor as he recounts a 4-day, 3-night trip on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and the legendary California Zephyr from Worcester to San Francisco! Cost: Free!

Monday, February 9, 4:30pm | Social Singing with Music Includes
Learn more at ldfamusic.com/music-includes.
Tuesday, February 10, 1:30pm | Chat with Public Health Nurses Susie + Sandi!
Stop by to chat with Public Health Nurses Susie Thompson and Sandi Richard over tea or coffee. All are welcome.
Friday, February 13, 7pm | Open Mic
Join our supportive and inclusive open mic! Hosts Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli will support with professional sound, a welcoming vibe, and a piano. Performers must sign up in advance by emailing LoriDiamondMusic@gmail.com. Sign up window opens 6pm the Wednesday before the event. Suggested donation: $5 

Saturday, February 14, 10am | Parody Playhouse
A dynamic music and movement program for ages 0-6 that supports early childhood development with parodies of iconic artists like The Beatles, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, and more! Suggested donation: $5

Saturday, February 14, 7:30pm | Rioflow Trio
Join us for a special Valentine's day concert celebrating the love of friendship, the earth and community featuring the Rioflow Trio! Enjoy Latin American grooves with styles such as bossa nova, Afro-Peruvian festejo, rumba flamenca, and Afro-Caribbean vibes. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 at the door at 19Carter.org
 

Join us the 2nd annual Valentine's Family Karaoke Party Join us for a night of making music and making friends! There will be pizza and baked goods (including vegan and gluten-free options), non-alcoholic beverages, candy and prizes in several categories (Best Solo, Best Duo, Best Group, Best Love Song, Best "You Done Me Wrong" Song) Bring your voice and come join the fun from 5 to 8pm, Friday, February 13, 2026, First Church Unitarian, 19 Foster Street, Littleton. We had so much fun last year, we had to do it again! $5 per person/$20 per family, Cash and Venmo accepted. Parking available on street, behind the fire department, and at the Castle in the Trees Playground parking lot on King St.

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

     Are you enjoying the arctic blasts?  It is certainly making things challenging for everyone!  At Fresh Start, we closed a couple weeks ago due to the extreme cold. But last Saturday, with the temperature still below 10°, we were open and donors came to us with their furniture and household goods.  The donor intake crew took turns unloading donor items and ducking inside to get warm.

We need:
-Rugs
-Pristine or new Mattresses
-Table Lamps
-Kitchen Starter Sets (cutting boards, can openers, slotted spoons, colanders, etc)
-Shower curtains and rings
-Towels

     We also can use more volunteers, especially those who are bilingual. We are having volunteer Open house dates on March 14 and 19th at 11 AM to see our facility and to fill out paperwork.
      Thank you for helping us to help others!

 

Free, open to the public, & on view at the Davis Museum on Friday, Feb. 6, 2026
WELLESLEY, MASS. (February 2026) - In spacious, newly-reinstalled galleries on the fifth floor of the Davis Museum at Wellesley College, the public is invited to see modern and contemporary works of art by well-known artists Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Daniela Rivera, Horace Pippin, and Judith Rothschild, among others, beginning Feb. 6. The galleries have been closed for several years, but now the 2,606-square-foot space will house some notable works as well as some never-before-seen works that are coming out of storage to hang in the larger galleries longterm.
“To select works for the top floor installation, I reviewed over 900 works – mainly paintings and sculptures – in the permanent collection, created over the last century, emphasizing some classics and favorites, but also trying to bring forth things that had never been placed on view, like a fantastic and critical vision of the modern department store by Irving Norman, or a glazed ceramic vessel by studio potter (and former Dadaist) Beatrice Wood,” said James Oles, Adjunct Curator of Latin American Art and Associate Teaching Professor in Art, who curated the new gallery spaces known as Harold and Estelle Newman Tanner Gallery and Lawrence and Ina Lee Brown Ramer Gallery.
Among the paintings and works of art that Dr. Amanda Gilvin, the Davis’s Interim Co-Director, Sonja Novak Koerner ‘51 Senior Curator of Collections and Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, most looks forward to seeing are: Irving Norman’s Labyrinth (1955); Sonia Delaunay-Terk’s Electric Prisms, (1913) and Judith Rothschild’s Curious Personage (ca. 1947-49). Notable works by artists Olga Albizu, Theo van Doesburg, Roland Dorcely, Yvette Mayorga, László Moholy-Nagy, Magdalene Odundo, and Adrian Piper will also be on view.
The newly reinstalled galleries, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, reflect how faculty teach art across the disciplines at Wellesley College. Instead of a chronological organization, the sections address themes that emerge from the college’s curriculum and the collection’s strengths: Modern Fragments, The Label, An Eye for Materials, Plane and Grid, Dream and Gesture, and Contemporary Art.
In Modern Fragments, select paintings and sculptures suggest just a few of the ways that artists reacted to the radical upheavals that characterized the modern age. A Label reminds visitors to read texts that they encounter in museums critically. Artworks in An Eye for Materials share nothing beyond an experimental embrace of materials.
“From the start of this project I wanted to involve students,” Oles said, adding the project’s four student employees wrote wall labels for the galleries and learned about the curatorial process. “They wrote (and signed!) many of the object labels, including those for our 1966 painting by Willem de Kooning, where they came up with three very different interpretations.”
The Davis Museum’s collection is especially strong in post-World War II abstraction from the Americas. Plane and Grid features artists whose primary focus was on precision and calculation, and on grids and systems as governing structures. Meanwhile, Dream and Gesture unlocks personal, emotional, and even unconscious forces. The artists featured in Contemporary Art all remain active in the art world, and the selected works all entered the collection in the past 15 years. They reveal the Museum’s expanding aspiration to represent voices from the entire globe, as well as from diasporic communities in the United States. These contemporary works challenge standard narratives while also forging connections with objects elsewhere in the collection, from all periods.
The gallery restoration was made possible with funds from the Mellon Endowment for Academic Programs, Helyn MacLean Program Fund for Contemporary and South Asian Art, Amos W. Stetson Fund, Mary Tebbets Wolfe ’54 Davis Museum Program Fund, and Wellesley College’s Friends of Art. A label writing workshop with Juening Mao ‘26, Elle Scheffel ‘26, Ruofan Wang ‘27, and Alesia Zhou ‘26, received the generous support of the Art Department.
The Davis Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please call 781-283-2051 or visit https://www1.wellesley.edu/davismuseum/visit/directions.

Chelmsford Center for the Arts CCA Champions Membership Drive Sunday, February 1st from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. The CCA Champions – a nonprofit organization with a mission to support the CCA through advocacy, promotion, and fundraising – invites all who love the Chelmsford Center for the Arts to come to its premiere event! Attendees will enjoy delicious cookies, cupcakes and cocoa while meeting the brand new CCA Champions and discovering the benefits of becoming members. Join us to celebrate our love of the CCA and all that it has to offer! Sunday, February 1st from 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Cabaret Cafe.

Can't make the membership drive? No problem! You can join the Champions, or make a one-time donation, online at  www.chelmsfordarts.org/champions.

ABOUT THE CCA CHAMPIONS:  The Chelmsford Center for the Arts Champions (CCAC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to fundraise on behalf of and foster community interest in the Chelmsford Center for the Arts (CCA) programs and to support and cooperate with the CCA in sustaining such programs and resources

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton's own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Dudley Laufman, who will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a  grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds .Refreshments are provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes. Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St. 

 

MOVING-ON is a social group for singles, mostly age 60 or over, who wish to get to know other people and build friendships.  We hold a weekly meeting every Thursday evening to discuss topics that avoid politics or religion; some meetings are in-person and others are on-line. Members organize fun and interesting group activities around greater Boston, such as plays and concerts, movies, restaurant dining, and nature hikes.  Come join us for an in-person meeting at 7:00 PM on the 2nd or 4th Thursday of the month at The Church of Our Redeemer, 6 Meriam St., Lexington; or for more information email info@moving-on-together.org.

 

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

• Only 50% of foster youth graduate from high school
• Fewer than 4% earn a four-year college degree
• Nearly half experience homelessness by age 26

• Have a deep desire to make a difference in a child’s life
• Be 21 years or older
• Commit to at least 18 months of service
• Ability to meet with youth 1-2 times a month at their home or in community
• Approach difficult situations with compassion and diplomacy
• Keep personal beliefs separate from their advocacy role

• Tuesday January 27 12-1:00pm (Last info session before the March training)
• Tuesday February 10 5:30-6:30pm

19 Carter Street, Berlin

Weekly Events: Suggested donation $5

Monday: A Politics-Free Tea Time 2 - 4pm
Turn off your TV and stop by for 2 hours of pleasant tea and pleasantries, pastries with good company, and no politics!
Tuesday: Armchair Meditation 8 - 8:30am
Wednesday: Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Wednesday: Office Hours with Melissa (Director of the Berlin COA) 10 – 11am (Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday)
Wednesday: Old Time Music Jam 11am – 1pm (every 2nd and 4th Wednesday)
Wednesday: Irish Session 7 - 10pm
Thursday: Afternoon Games 2 - 4pm
Friday: Open Art Studio & Coffee Hour 9am - 12pm
Friday: Fiber Arts Group 2 - 4pm
Saturday: Social 10am - 1pm
Office Hours w Senator Kennedy’s team Every second Wednesday of the month at 11am – 12pm

Visit 19Carter.org for tickets, registration + more info!
We frequently add new upcoming events :)

FEBRUARY 1-7, 2026

Sunday, February 1, 2pm | Music and Stories from Little House on the Prairie
Come enjoy the tunes Laura Ingalls Wilder loved and find out more about the music that was so popular with the pioneers. Cost: Free!

Monday, February 2, 4:30pm | Social Singing with Music Includes
Music Includes brings people of all abilities and identities together for inclusive, high-quality musical experiences. Join us in a safe, joyful space to share songs of all kinds. Select Mondays from Jan 19 - April 27.  Register at nacc.net. Learn more at ldfamusic.com/music-includes.
Monday, February 2, 7:30pm | Open Mic for Comics
Join us for our monthly, laid-back night of comedy brought to you by OMP Productions and the Carnival Personnel Podcast. Comics can sign up for a stand-up slot in advance by emailing openmicpain@gmail.com. Audience welcome! Ages 18+ Suggested donation: $5

Tuesday, February 3, 6pm | Book Launch: When Did We See You? A Lenten Reflection on Poverty and Wealth
Berlin resident Reverend Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill invites us into an honest conversation about faith, money, and community, posing hard questions about poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. Cost: Free!

Saturday, February 7, 11:30am | Veg Group: Cooking with Plants!
This month guest speaker Tracy Zook will talk about plant foods and recipes especially delicious in February! Suggested donation: $5

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service. Since 1968, Tax-Aide has helped over 82 million taxpayers receive all the credits and deductions they're entitled to. Our volunteers are IRS-certified every year, so they understand the latest changes and additions to the tax code.  We can prepare and e-file both Federal and state tax returns.

Every year, from early February to mid-April, our volunteers take appointments at host sites around the country. Check with your local senior center or use the AARP Tax-Aide Service Locator Tool at aarp.org/money/taxes to find a site near you. 

Happy New Year!
     Fresh Start Furniture Bank in Hudson served 596 families in 2025!  That’s almost 600 families who had been homeless and not only found housing through agencies but were given everything they needed to make those homes warm and welcoming.  Everything from bed and bath linens to silverware, dish sets, and small appliances to rugs, couches, dressers, dining tables and chairs - all at no cost to them and through the generosity of donors like you!  A lot of donors showed up today and a Girl Scout troop assembled and donated dozens of kitchen starter sets for our clients.
     We are always looking for more volunteers; Fresh Start Furniture Bank is a warm and welcoming and rewarding place to work.  Take a look at our website (above)and join the family!  You’ll be happy that you did!
     Donations of household items (linens, small appliances, kitchenware, lamps, etc.)can be brought to us at 16 Brent Drive, Hudson, MA on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon.  Furniture can be accepted on Thursday mornings from 8:30-10:30 and household items until noon.  Donated items do not need to be new but they need to be in good shape.  If you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, don’t give it to our clients!
     You will find lists of most needed items on our website, and links to Amazon and Target Wishlists under Other Ways to Donate.
     Let’s make it a happy new year for more families!  Thank you!

 

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA

January 24th: Y2K Night from 8:00-11:00 pm. In the auditorium. Live out your early 2000's fantasy at our first ever Y2K NIGHT! Dress up in your best Y2K attire and dance all night to your favorite pop hits from the the year 2000 and beyond, curated by a live DJ. Full bar available. Tickets $20, one drink included in your ticket! AGES 18+ ONLY.

January 26th: Folk Music Open Mic at 7:00 pm Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for an evening of acoustic fun! This monthly event, hosted by Doug Kwartler, is perfect for folk performers and listeners alike. FREE ENTRY! Full bar and snacks available. Donations accepted.

February 1st: Membership Drive for the CCA Champions from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. The CCA Champions invites all who love the Chelmsford Center for the Arts to come to its premier event! Attendees will enjoy delicious cookies, cupcakes and cocoa while meeting the brand new CCA Champions and discovering the benefits of becoming members. The CCA Champions is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support the CCA through advocacy, promotion, and fundraising. Join us to celebrate our love of the CCA and all that it has to offer!

February 7th: On Bleecker Street: A Simon & Garfunkel Tribute at 7:30 pm. In the auditorium. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Two sets with one 15-minute intermission. Regular tickets $30, $25 for students and seniors. Learn more about the band at www.onbleeckerstreet.com.

February 9th: The Heart of Winter: Readings from the CCA Writers Group at 6:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. A free staged reading, featuring original seasonal material from the Chelmsford Center for the Arts Writers Group.

THE CITY I KNOW: Michael S. Veira Gallery Exhibit Running January 7th - March 1st Artist reception this Saturday (1/10), from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Beginning on Wednesday, January 7th, we will be opening our next exhibit in the Gallery – "The City I Know", a collection of paintings by artist and local, Michael S. Veira. This installation reflects the beauty and character of our neighboring city, Lowell, turning familiar streets and buildings into a study of time and place. The Gallery will be open to the public for viewing every Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm through the installation's close on March 1st. A public artist reception will take place this Saturday (1/10) from 1:00-4:00 pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Joy of Paint: January Class Signups & Winter Watercolor Class Signups NOW OPEN!
Knitting with Marion: Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Free meditation class: Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am, as well as Wednesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 pm.
Chelmsford Town Hall Winter Market Every first & third Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Town Hall Gymnasium Runs from November through May!

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.

Chelmsford Center for the Arts On Bleecker Street: A Simon & Garfunkel Tribute Saturday, February 7th at 7:30 pm. Led by Fred Krug and Brian Crane, this acclaimed cover band performs everything from greatest hits to deep cuts, all with stunning accuracy. Saturday, February 7th at 7:30 pm in the auditorium. Regular tickets $30, $25 for students and seniors.

ABOUT THE BAND: Fred Krug and Brian Crane met in high school over 30 years ago where they discovered a shared love of music in general, and of Simon & Garfunkel in particular. They have been singing together ever since. Krug and Crane have headlined multiple concerts-in-the park around the greater Susquehanna region (Danville, Lewisburg, Eagles mere). They have performed sold-out shows at the Booth Theater, and have entertained at standing-only private events at the Villages in Florida. Audiences have been delighted and moved by a tribute to the music that defined much of the folk music of the 60’s.

Facebook: Chelmsford Center for the Arts Instagram: @chelmsfordarts www.chelmsfordarts.org   Chelmsford Center for the Arts | 1A North Road | Chelmsford, MA 01824

ATTENTION:  LINCOLN/REAGAN DINNER
WHEN:  January 31, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE:  American Legion, 90 Groton Rd., North Chelmsford
SPEAKER:  Mike Minogue, Candidate for Governor
PRICE:  $35 per person donation (Includes appetizers, dinner and dessert)

RSVP no later than Jan. 23rd to:  Mary Gail Leonard, marygail.leonard@aol.com, 978-918-8261

Groton Grange #7 invites you to our traditional New England Contra Dance on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 7:30 - 10:00 PM , at Historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney Street. This will be an evening of live music and dancing with Groton's own Contra  Banditos, along with caller Dudley Laufman,  who  will teach traditional New England style contra, square, and line dances to the beat of old time fiddle tunes. Beginners are welcome, no experience or partner is necessary.  Suggested donation at the door is $5.00  per person, children under  3  years old are free, and family maximum is $20.  Made possible by a  grant from the Town of Groton lecture Funds. Refreshments are provided. Bring your soft soled dancing shoes .Parking allowed only on the Grange side of Champney St.

Looking for a fun evening?

Join the Nashoba Valley Neighbors for a wine tasting and warm winter meal, with lots of fun people interested in an evening out and a nice dinner at a local restaurant.  The NVN are joining a wine tasting at The Westford Wine & Spirits in Westford at 5 pm Saturday, January 24, and dinner at the nearby Evviva Trattoria at 6:30.  Please feel free to join us for either or both, but we ask that you respond by Thursday, January 22 at noon.

If you would like more information, or to join us, please RSVP to info@nashobavalleyneighbors.org

The Nashoba Valley Neighbors Club is a non-profit social organization open to new and established residents from such town as Acton, Boxborough, Chelmsford, Groton, Littleton, Westford, Maynard, and Harvard, but we welcome any residents in the surrounding communities that are looking to explore new interests and to make connections with new friends.

Find us on Facebook or visit the Club’s website at http://www.nashobavalleyneighbors.org for more
Information.  We hope to see you!

Are you thinking of separating or going through the divorce process? The Metro-West Boston Divorce Support Group is a confidential peer-support group with no religious affiliation. Men and women from all towns are welcome. Our group has been meeting in Acton for decades. Now we are continuing weekly on Thursday evenings by remote videoconference. For more information, call Doreen 617-957-0838 or contact paulbaker01@verizon.net

CONCORD, MA – Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is pleased to announce a FREE Volunteer Advocate Training program for interested community members. DVSN advocates provide emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning for victims of domestic violence in our 13 partner communities.

The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.

The March 2026 training will be held at the Lexington Police department starting on March 2 through
March 20: Monday and Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Fridays from 9:15 AM to 3:30 PM. For those who decide to activate as volunteer advocates, there is an additional 10 to 12 hours of supervised field training at the completion of the classroom segment.

The training is provided at no cost to attendees. All necessary materials will be provided. For more
information about the training or to request an application, call (978) 318-3421 or send an e-mail to
training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.

DVSN member communities: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Stow,Sudbury, Wayland, Weston and Hanscom Security Forces.

 

WESTFORD, MA: Don't miss a stunning musical experience when local favorite Suzanne Buell brings an extraordinary group of singers and musicians in the most recent evolution of her Gospel journey through traditional spirituals and stirring gospel music! To be held at Parish Center for the Arts (10 Lincoln Street) on January 17, 2026 at 7:30pm, this event’s tickets are $20 for Members; $22 for non-Members; and $25 at the door (if available). Seating will be cabaret-style. BYO food and drink. Doors open one half hour prior to the show. Advance reservations are recommended. Visit pcawestford.org to reserve your seats.
In The Gospel Connection, not only does Suzanne Buell explore the roots of the traditional spiritual and historic gospel that defined the Civil Rights movement, but also the musical connections that inspire contemporary artists. Buell, a former Stax recording artist and graduate of Boston Conservatory, leads this project with a 7-piece band including David Hunte on keyboard and vocals, Phil Antoniades on drums and percussion, Mike Payette on bass and vocals, Chris Leadbetter on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Vicki Zelski on vocals, Russell Watts on vocals, and Buell on lead vocals. In their repertoire, you’re likely to hear music by artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan. The concert is a celebration of the musical traditions that is a must-see for fans of gospel music and history. You'll be moved to dance and sing along - both of which are strongly encouraged.
A graduate of Boston Conservatory and manager of the Threshold Singers at Groton Hill Music, Suzanne Buell appears as a regular soloist in the Boston Pops Gospel Choir and the Millennium Gospel Choir. Her CD “Tell the World” was recorded in Memphis (TN) in 2001. She is a featured lead vocalist in several professional bands locally and records for Hundreds Records.
Direct Ticket Link: https://parisharts.square.site/product/1-17-26-the-gospel-connection/JYRC47DIWI4Z6V632NFU7NCD

Facebook: facebook.com/ParishCenterfortheArts
Twitter: twitter.com/PCAWestford
Instagram: instagram.com/pcawestford

Parish Center for the Arts
978-692-6333

 

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is located at 1A North Road, Chelmsford, MA

January 15th: Chelmsford Children's Chorus Concert at 6:00 pm. Join us in the auditorium Chelmsford Children's Chorus "We Are Change" concert. This concert is a celebration of young voices and their power to make positive change in today's world. 

January 24th: Y2K Night from 8:00-11:00 pm. In the auditorium. Live out your early 2000's fantasy at our first ever Y2K NIGHT! Dress up in your best Y2K attire and dance all night to your favorite pop hits from the the year 2000 and beyond, curated by a live DJ. Full bar available. Tickets $20, one drink included in your ticket! AGES 18+ ONLY.

January 26th: Folk Music Open Mic at 7:00 pm Join us in the Cabaret Cafe for an evening of acoustic fun! This monthly event, hosted by Doug Kwartler, is perfect for folk performers and listeners alike. FREE ENTRY! Full bar and snacks available. Donations accepted.

February 1st: Membership Drive for the CCA Champions from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. The CCA Champions invites all who love the Chelmsford Center for the Arts to come to its premier event! Attendees will enjoy delicious cookies, cupcakes and cocoa while meeting the brand new CCA Champions and discovering the benefits of becoming members. The CCA Champions is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support the CCA through advocacy, promotion, and fundraising. Join us to celebrate our love of the CCA and all that it has to offer!

February 7th: On Bleecker Street: A Simon & Garfunkel Tribute at 7:30 pm. In the auditorium. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Two sets with one 15-minute intermission. Regular tickets $30, $25 for students and seniors. Learn more about the band at www.onbleeckerstreet.com.

February 9th: The Heart of Winter: Readings from the CCA Writers Group at 6:00 pm. In the Cabaret Cafe. A free staged reading, featuring original seasonal material from the Chelmsford Center for the Arts Writers Group.

THE CITY I KNOW: Michael S. Veira Gallery Exhibit Running January 7th - March 1st Artist reception this Saturday (1/10), from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Beginning on Wednesday, January 7th, we will be opening our next exhibit in the Gallery – "The City I Know", a collection of paintings by artist and local, Michael S. Veira. This installation reflects the beauty and character of our neighboring city, Lowell, turning familiar streets and buildings into a study of time and place. The Gallery will be open to the public for viewing every Sunday from 1:00-4:00 pm through the installation's close on March 1st. A public artist reception will take place this Saturday (1/10) from 1:00-4:00 pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Joy of Paint: January Class Signups & Winter Watercolor Class Signups NOW OPEN!
Knitting with Marion: Tuesdays and every other Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Free meditation class: Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:00 am, as well as Wednesday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 pm.
Chelmsford Town Hall Winter Market Every first & third Saturday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm in the Town Hall Gymnasium Runs from November through May!

Visit https://www.chelmsfordarts.org/ for tickets or more information.

 

Donors have chance to win trip to Super Bowl LX during National Blood Donor Month
Red Cross, Saquon Barkley huddle up for a lifesaving play in January

BOSTON, Jan. 5, 2026 — The American Red Cross is teetering on a blood shortage this winter, which could lead to a disruption in lifesaving care. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now.

The Red Cross blood supply is under pressure following a busy holiday season when winter weather and packed schedules made it even tougher to ensure hospitals have the blood products needed for critical care. Without immediate action, doctors may have to make difficult decisions about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait. Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood are especially needed now.

Don’t wait – make an appointment to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

For the seventh year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to urge individuals to kick off 2026 with a blood donation. As a thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-25, 2026, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LX giveaway. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California, access to day-of in-stadium pregame activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 6-9, 2026), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

Join a lifesaving team
The Red Cross and Pro Football Champion and blood donor Saquon Barkley are teaming up to remind donors that the best offense against a winter blood shortage is making and keeping blood donation appointments. The blood supply can drop quickly – now’s the time to get in the game and give blood or platelets.

"I gave blood once in college and that was the only time I had ever been asked to give, until the Red Cross reached out this fall,” said Barkley. “It was a no-brainer for me to give again. It only takes about an hour and once you realize in that short amount of time how much help it can bring – it’s a beautiful thing."

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 5-31:

Chelmsford
1/12/2026: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chelmsford Town Hall Gym, 50 Billerica Road

North Chelmsford
1/8/2026: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road
1/27/2026: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chelmsford American Legion, 90 Groton Road