MCC to Welcome Lowell Chamber Orchestra for Second Concert of Spring 2025 “A World of Music”

 
For a second time during the Spring 2025 “A World of Music” concert series, Middlesex Community College will welcome the Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO). The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center, Theatre in Lowell.
“The final concert of the LCO season features works in which composers reach back to their traditions and make them sound new,” said Orlando Cela, MCC music professor and conductor of the LCO. “In the case of Pulcinella, Stravinsky reaches out to our musical past and refurbishes 21 pieces from the Baroque period into a modern style. Hailstork also contributes to the centuries-old genre of the romance – particularly as it applies in the solo orchestral repertoire – as exemplified perfectly by Bruch, hence why we perform both pieces together, one after the other. On the other hand, composer Simon Andrews looks into the New England tradition of communing with nature, and his work ‘Till Voices Wakes Us’ takes the sound of the American toad and makes a beautiful work. We open with Mendelssohn’s homage to the style of Baroque counterpoint, his Symphony for Strings No. 3.”
Entitled Voices Near and Far, this program features music from the past and present. Till Voices Wake Us by Simon Andrews, the winner of the 2024 LCO Call-for-Scores, will be performed, and violist Jeremy Kienbaum, winner of the 2024 LCO Young Artist Competition, will be the soloist in Two Romances by Adolphus Hailstork. The concert will also include works by Felix Mendelssohn, Max Bruch, and Igor Stravinsky.
“A World of Music” will end the season with a second Student Recital at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 28 at MCC’s Concert Hall on the Bedford Campus.
Previous performances include a previous concert by the LCO on Saturday, February 1; an Online Saturday Arts Concert featuring MCC faculty, alumni and students on Saturday, March 8; Know Orchestra on Sunday, March 23; a Piano Recital by Anastasia Seifetdinova on Friday, April 4; and Guqin and Viola in Musical Dialogue on Friday, April 11.
All concerts are free and open to the public.
MCC’s Academic Arts Center is located at 240 Central Street in Lowell. With parking not available on site, the nearest public parking facility is the Early Garage on 135 Middlesex St.
Visit https://www.middlesex.edu/events/worldofmusic.html for more information.

Fresh Start Furniture Bank report

www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
I THINK we have seen the last of snow this season!  My wise Dad told us that spring snow is nature’s fertilizer; it pulls nitrogen out of the atmosphere for the lawns.
At Fresh Start we still need couches and loveseats, upholstered chairs, dressers and dining tables.  In the kitchen area we are short on saucepans, food storage containers, and bowls (cereal, mixing and serving). We are running out of microwaves and slow cookers and we can always use silverware.  Our supply of lamps goes up and down; right now it is down so bring them!   For bedrooms we need throws and comforters.  We just partnered with a woman who works for an organization that rescues and rehabs owls and she needs fleece for them.
Please look at our website if you don’t know our location or hours.  We take donations of housewares on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-noon and furniture AND housewares on Saturday mornings from 8:30-10:30.  The website also spells out what we DO and DO not take and there is a place to sign up for a pickup by our truck if you have several large items.
Thank you for helping us to help others!
New song

New Song Welcomes Singer-Songwriter Vance Gilbert on Saturday,
May 17

The New Song Music Series welcomes beloved singer-songwriter Vance Gilbert on Saturday, May 17. Join us for a memorable evening with one of folk music’s most engaging and celebrated performers.
Known for his genre-defying blend of folk, jazz, and soul—infused with sharp wit and masterful storytelling—Gilbert delivers performances that are equal parts humor, heart, and authenticity.
He has released 13 albums, toured with acclaimed artists such as Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, and George Carlin, and was even featured on a Grammy-nominated children’s album!
The Chicago Tribune praised his performance, writing, “Gilbert took the stage accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, a whimsical sense of humor, and an astonishingly smooth, pure tenor voice. But that proved to be more than enough.”
The concert will take place in the Reed Room at Bedford Town Hall, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA. Doors open at 6:45 PM, and the music begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at newsongbedford.org. Refreshments will be available for purchase.
New Song is a volunteer-led initiative of the Bedford Cultural District, supported by the Mass Cultural Council. The series aims to build community and provide a regional stage for contemporary folk, bluegrass, and Americana artists.
Special thanks to Bedford Florist & Gifts for their beautiful floral arrangements and to Prince Street Café & Bakery for providing delicious desserts and beverages.
New volunteers are always welcome to help coordinate events or provide technical and marketing support, either occasionally or on an ongoing basis. For more information, contact info@newsongbedford.org.

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Concord Park

May 8, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.
Final gettinghere onepage

Conocrd250 info

Final mapandscheduleapril13

Concord Parade Map

Concord 250

Concord 250 Patriots day

Carlisle 250

Carlisle 250 Patriots day

Special Events and Programs:
Fitchburg Art Museum

 
185 Elm Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Hidden Treasures
Event Date: Thursday, April 24
Event Time: 1 to 2 pm
Event Details: Contact the Education Department
Champagne Reception
Event Date: Friday, April 25
Event Time: 6 to 8 pm
Event Details:
Join us for a special evening of art, music, and flowers!
Finicky Fork catering, Cash bar with specialty drinks (one complimentary drink ticket for each guest), Kay Previtte prizewinner announced, Emily Mazz Duo providing the entertainment.
Leominster native Emily Mazzarella is a pianist and teacher who regularly performs throughout Central Massachusetts. She will be joined by acoustic bassist Sahil Warsi to perform jazz standards and Great American Songbook classics.
Tickets:
$30 per person/ $25 members
Violinist Stefani Perrett Performs in the Galleries
Event Date: Saturday, April 26
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
2-2:45 pm Contemporary Folk in Stephen DiRado, Better Together: Four Decades of Photographs
2:45-3:30 pm Classical in Evoking Eleanor
Local Violinist, Stefani Perrett started playing violin at age 8, after admiring her mother’s playing over the years. She has performed with numerous orchestras, and in venues from Boston to Europe. After Suzuki teacher training, she began teaching private violin lessons while working toward her violin performance degree at UMass. Now Stefani enjoys playing a variety of genres for all different types of events.
The Art of Bonsai with Michael Levin of Bonsai West
Event Date: Sunday, April 27
Event Time: 2 to 3:30 pm
Event Details:
The program will consist of a display of beautiful bonsai and the talk will include all key points regarding history, care, and a complete demonstration teaching the fundamentals of creating a bonsai from scratch. The talk will touch on all aspects of traditional and contemporary bonsai and will be a fascinating overview of the art.
Event Sponsors include Rose Sponsors: Fitchburg State University and Spinelli CPA; Lily Sponsors: Achla Designs; Daisy Sponsors: King Farm, Manor on the Hill, Rise & Grind, All One Credit Union, Gallery Marquee, and Rollstone Bank.
Art in Bloom Admission:
Tickets:
$15 Adults
$10 Seniors and Students
FAM Members are FREE
View Events Online: https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/art-in-bloom-2025/
Contact Aimee Cotnoir, FAM Membership and Events Manager with questions at acotnoir@fitchburgartmuseum.org or events@fitchburgartmuseum.org.

Town of Concord officials honor resident’s 100th birthday

“Fran Gardella, a celebrated former teacher at the Thoreau, Alcott and Willard Schools and major Red Sox fan, recently became a centenarian! Cameron McKennit, Concord Select Board Member and Fran’s former student, granted her an official citation. State Representatives Simon Cataldo and Jonathan Zlotnik were also in attendance.”

Quilt Show

The Thimble Pleasures Quilt Guild is pleased to announce that it’s biennial quilt show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 14th and 15th, 2026 at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical Show in Upton, Massachusetts. The Guild has selected “Creating Comfort’ as their show theme. This theme reflects not only the members’ love of quilting but also reflects the guild’s mission and fundraising efforts. Over 200 member quilts as well as guild challenges and round robins will be on display. Also included at the show will be a special raffle quilt, the quilters’ boutique, raffle baskets, and local area vendors. Any local area vendor wishing to participate in the Guild’s show should contact Deb Hudgins through the website at thimblepleasures.org  or  by contacting her by mail at TPQG, P.O. Box 447, Mendon, MA 01756.
The guild has chosen Home Base as the show’s special fundraiser. All funds raised through the sale of items at the special fundraiser table will be donated directly to Home Base. Home Base is a Red Sox Foundation dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of veterans, service members, and their families through clinical care, wellness, education and research. The 2026 show is being chaired by Gina Brooks, Donna Hopkins, and Val Ogilvie.
Dr. kevin leong

Concord Chorus Presents Together in the Light - Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service and Works of Randall Thompson May 10, 2025

The Concord Chorus, with Music Director Dr. Kevin Leong, presents Together in the Light - Ernest Bloch: Sacred Service and works of Randall Thompson, on Saturday, May 10, 8 p.m., at St. Camillus Church, 1185 Concord Turnpike, Arlington MA. This moving concert is part of the official Concord250 celebration of the American Revolution, themed “Still Heard ‘Round the World.” The concert features David Kravitz, baritone soloist and John Sullivan on piano. The setting of the performance in Arlington marks the very route the British soldiers took to march to Lexington and Concord, and near the site of the bloodiest battle of that day in 1775. Ernest Bloch immigrated from Switzerland and became a U.S. citizen in 1924. He wrote Avodath Hakodesh (Sacred Service) while visiting his home country, and then safely settled permanently in the U.S. in 1939 before the start of the second World War. Join us as we celebrate and reflect on the beginnings of our nation and the power of the music of American composers. Saturday, May 10, 2025 8:00 p.m., St. Camillus Church, 1185 Concord Turnpike, Arlington MA. Special prices: $25 general, $20 seniors (65+), and $8 children and students. Tickets and information on concordchorus.org.
Yad sale

HUGE Yard Sale

April 26, 8 am to 2 pm, King and Rogers streets at the Historical Society of Littleton. Come early for the best selection of everything but the kitchen sink. You will find gently used household and sporting goods, linens, small appliances and furniture, bikes, tools, toys, books , some baby equipment and vintage goodies, maybe a few CDs and DVDs. Come shopping and be surprised at the bargains to support education in Ghana and Honduras.
Donations from the community will be accepted Friday night, 4-6 pm. No car seats, clothing, shoes, TVs/computer equipment, or just plain junk. Clean out your closets and garage and promote education abroad for people who have many fewer resources than Americans.
For information, email c s j at f c u littleton dot org. Remove the spaces for the right email. Thanks in advance for your support.

World Amateur Radio Day

The Westford Police Amateur Radio Team (http://www.wb1gof.org/) will be conducting an open house in celebration of World Amateur Radio Day (https://www.arrl.org/world-amateur-radio-day).
During this event, we will be communicating with other amateur radio operators from across North America and around the world. We will be showcasing multiple live amateur radio stations each using a different radio communication technique. Most of all, one of the stations will permit you to get on the air.
Come join us at the Great Brook Farm State Park (https://www.mass.gov/locations/great-brook-farm-state-park) at 165 North Road, Carlisle, MA on Saturday, April 26 (rain date May 3) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
See you there!

Divorce Support Group by Remote Meeting

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

Garden Club of Concord Hosts Annual Plant Sale: A Blooming Event for Mother’s Day

The much-anticipated annual plant sale hosted by the Garden Club of Concord will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, rain or shine, at the Tri-Con Church located at 54 Walden Street in Concord, MA. This cherished event promises a wide array of plants sourced from the flourishing gardens of the club’s members, as well as garden tools for those looking to cultivate their own green spaces.
The Garden Club of Concord, renowned for its commitment to horticultural excellence and community enrichment, has been organizing this beloved plant sale for years.  One of the hallmarks of the Garden Club of Concord’s plant sale is its dual purpose: to provide the community with access to high-quality plants and to raise funds for local projects through its grant program, to provide a college scholarship and to fund outreach projects.  The grants support a variety of initiatives aimed at enhancing the natural beauty of Concord and fostering environmental stewardship. From beautification projects to conservation efforts, the impact of these grants reverberates throughout the community, leaving a lasting legacy of greenery and sustainability.
In addition to supporting local projects, the Garden Club of Concord also recognizes the importance of investing in the future. To this end, the club offers a $ 1,000 college scholarship to a deserving student with a passion for horticulture or environmental studies.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, the plant sale offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate the special women in our lives with a beautiful and meaningful gift. Whether it’s a vibrant flowering plant or a unique shrub, there’s something for every mom to cherish and enjoy.
So, mark your calendars and join the Garden Club of Concord on Saturday, May 10, for a day of blooming beauty and community spirit.
Dog

25th Annual Paws in the Park!
Sunday, May 4, 10 am - 3 pm

Are you a dog lover looking for a day filled with canine and family fun?
Join Save A Dog on Sunday, May 4, rain or shine on the grounds of historic Wayside Inn in Sudbury as we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Paws in the Park, one of the largest gatherings of pups and people in New England!
This year’s event features day-long food and music, dog games and contests, an agility course with try-outs, main ring demonstrations, raffles and a silent auction, and 67 vendors and exhibitors including many animal rescue groups. Special highlights include a group dog walk at 11 am led by Anna Meiler, WBZ News Anchor and host of the station’s Sunday morning “Pet Parade,” and Save A Dog’s “Adoptable Dogs Parade” at 12 pm. TRAX, the Worcester Railers mascot pup, will also make a special appearance right after the parade from 12:30-1:30 pm.
Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 5-12. Kids under 5 are free, and strollers are welcome.
Bring your dog—if they enjoy being around people and other dogs—on a 6 foot or shorter leash (no retractable leashes, please).
All proceeds benefit the life-saving rescue and adoption work of Save A Dog, a 501c3 tax exempt humane society. Now entering its 27th year, Save a Dog has found loving forever homes for more than 8,500 pets through its Sudbury shelter and dedicated network of foster homes.
See you on May 4th!

Helping Parents Understand and Manage Challenging Behaviors in Young Children

A free live webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. Our speakers will be Lynn St. Germaine, an Infant-Toddler teacher for 37 years, and Patricia Collins, a Preschool teacher for 25 years, from Concord Children’s Center. Young children often act out for various reasons such as hunger, tiredness, frustration, confusion, or difficulty transitioning between activities. At times, they may not have the words to express what they need, leading to outbursts and meltdowns. These behaviors are not random-they signal underlying needs or developmental challenges, like unmet emotional needs, underdeveloped communication skills or lack of self-regulation. By understanding the root causes of challenging behaviors, parents can respond more effectively and support their children’s emotional and social development. By attending this program, you will gain an understanding of why children act out, and learn strategies that might include creating predictable routines, reinforcing positive behaviors, and using calm and consistent responses to guide the children through emotional ups and downs. To receive the Zoom link for this FREE program email First Connections: lmatthews@jri.org.
Top dog calendar

Top Dog Calendar Contest Event!

Saturday, April 19 & 26,
10 am - 1 pm
Could your dog be a picture perfect calendar star?
Here’s your chance to find out when Wag N’ Wash at 444 Great Road in Acton hosts the Top Dog Calendar Contest event Saturday, April 19 and 26, from 10am to 1pm.
Enter a photo of your dog to win a spot (or the cover!) in Acton Community Dog Park’s 2026 Top Dog Calendar, and enjoy the store festivities featuring a photo booth, raffle basket and free samples. Joining in the fun will be dog park mascot Parker, Acton police dog K9 Zane with Officer Stackhouse, and adoptable pups from Save a Dog. A $10 contest entrance fee benefits the Acton Community Dog Park.
More information can be found at https://www.gogophotocontest.com/actoncommunitydogpark
See you Saturday!

Weaving An Address Commemorates Forgotten Black Patriots Of Revolutionary Concord

250th Anniversary Inspires Contemporary Black Artists to Recover, Re-interpret and Re-envision Town’s History in Expansive Indoor/Outdoor Exhibition at The Umbrella Arts Center and Brister’s Hill in Walden Woods
CONCORD, MA— April 3, 2025 – The Umbrella Arts Center in historic Concord Center will commemorate the semiquincentennial of the American Revolution and “the shot heard round the world” with an ambitious outdoor/indoor public and gallery art exhibition, Weaving an Address, curated by artist Marla McLeod.
For the first time, Weaving an Address combines The Umbrella’s popular Art Ramble public art installation, on view April 15 through October 7 at Brister’s Hill in nearby Walden Woods, with an indoor exhibition on view April 14 through June 14 in The Umbrella’s Allie Kussin Gallery. The exhibition features site-specific work by eight prominent Black artists combining sculpture, fiber art, installation and live performance inspired by little-known experiences of historical Black inhabitants of Concord and its Walden Woods.
Featured artists in the exhibition are Ifé Franklin, Stephen Hamilton, Whitney Harris, Ekua Holmes, Perla Mabel, Marla McLeod, Kimberly Love Radcliffe, and Anthony Peyton Young.
Outdoors, large-scale work will be installed on Brister’s Hill, named for Brister Freeman, an enslaved man who won his freedom by serving in the Revolutionary War and then bought the property and lived there along with other formerly enslaved. Today, The Walden Woods Project owns and stewards Brister’s Hill with an interpretive trail about Henry David Thoreau and Brister
Freeman. Indoors at The Umbrella, inter-related fiber artworks will weave narratives from fragmented pasts to offer a vision of how history shapes the present and influences the future.
Supporting community activities include an opening reception on April 14, monthly curator talks, a processional with artist Ifé Franklin, and participation in the town-wide Revolutionary Concordians Trading Card program. (Find details on our website.)
The program is part of a rich season of Umbrella artistic programs that examine the 250th through a lens that amplifies underrepresented voices in Concord’s history. It is presented in partnership with The Walden Woods Project, The Robbins House, Concord250 and Gather, the regional fiber arts symposium.
See https://TheUmbrellaArts.org/Weaving for more information about special engagements, wayfinding, artist bios, and background to the exhibition.

Free Concert on May 4th

Please join us for a free concert by the Grenadilla Gang; a professionally coached ensemble of nine clarinet players.
Date: May 4th
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Saint Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St., Acton, MA
The “gang” will perform an eclectic variety of music, including that of Bach, Elgar, Grieg, Vaughn Williams, Lennon/McCartney and others. Oh, and in case you wondered... The group gets its name from Grenadilla, a dark, dense hardwood from Southeast Africa used to make virtually all high-quality clarinets.
The hour-plus performance will be followed by refreshments.
Eggs

Free Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday April 12th at 1pm

Children are invited to join in an Easter Egg Hunt at the Lutheran Church of the Savior, 426 Davis Road, Bedford, MA.  Rain or Shine.
Pastedgraphic

The Transylvanians Are Coming!

Choral Concert
Saturday, April 26 at 7:00 p.m.
First Parish in Concord Sanctuary
20 Lexington Road, Concord, Ma
First Parish will welcome the forty-member Choir of the János Zsigmond Unitarian High School from Kolozsvár, Transylvania (Romania) to Concord from April 24 – 28, the final stop on their concert tour of the eastern United States.
They will perform a concert on Saturday, April 26 at 7:00 pm, which will feature Hungarian folk songs, accompanied by traditional dancers and musical instruments, as well as European and American songs in eleven languages.
Be prepared for a unique cultural experience as they take you on a musical journey! There is a suggested donation of $20 for attende

The Concord Players present “Urinetown” May 2-17, 2025

A slightly different kind of revolution will take place in historic Concord with The Concord Players’ production of URINETOWN: The Musical!
It’s a dark time in a dark city, where a 20-year drought has led to severe water restrictions – including a ban on private toilets. Public pay toilets are controlled by the evil ‘Urine Good Company’, which is gleefully gouging huge profits off a very basic human right: the privilege to pee.
Despite the title, this multiple Tony Award winner is an irreverent satire, whose sharp wit and non-stop humor presents the endlessly comic side of unchecked capitalism, corporate greed and social irresponsibility.
Boxborough resident Martha Warren, having played numerous roles on the Concord Players stage, is making her Musical Director debut for this production.
Carlisle resident Chuck Holleman portrays Joseph “Old Man “Strong, leading character Bobby Strong’s rebellious father, whose refusal to pay the fee sends him off to ‘Urinetown’, ultimately launching the revolution.
Acton residents Crisanto Guadiz plays “Tiny Tom”, a member of the Poor Ensemble who fights for the cause, and Samantha Casale as “Mrs. O’Henry”.
Chris Govang of Ayer plays “Officer Barrel”, a thuggish and aggressive policeman.
Urinetown the Musical takes a modern approach to examine the concept of a revolution on this road to freedom paved with catchy music, flashy dance sequences and witty comedy.
You’ll laugh so hard you’ll…well, you get the idea.
Performances: May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 & 17 at 8:00 pm and May 4 & 11 at 2:00 pm at The Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden Street, Concord, MA
For tickets and more information: concordplayers.org

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

Www.freshstartfurniturebank.org
We had another good day at Fresh Start on Tuesday with nice weather for clients to arrive as well as several donors.  One donor, our regular angelic Judy was there with donations when I arrived for my shift at 9AM.  Another donor brought two big boxes containing 8(?) towels sets, brand new from the store - Kohl’s I think.  The details were lost in the excitement!
Our volunteers put together kitchen sets for our clients.  At present we really need measuring cups and measuring spoons, spatulas, and both slotted and non-slotted spoons.  Also pot holders, placemats and kitchen towels.  We are also low on baking pans, platters, serving bowls and both small and medium pans.
In our furniture department we need couches, couches, and couches!  Also dressers and kitchen tables & chairs.
Our linen department needs more comforters, blankets and throws.  It’s getting warmer outside but we need them for our clients.
Finally, to make a home cozy we need lamps and artwork for our clients to choose.
We are open to accept housewares on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9-noon and furniture on Saturday from 8:30-10:30.  We are located at 16 Brent Drive in Hudson, just past Sauta Farms condos on Lower Main St.  Check our website (above) for other information and thank you for helping us to help others

Annual Plant Swap at West Acton Citizens’ Library

Hosted by Acton Garden Club
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 10:00 AM—12:00 PM
21 Windsor Avenue, Acton, MA, 01720
Join fellow plant enthusiasts for the West Acton Citizens’ Library 3rd Annual Plant Swap. The Acton Garden Club is hosting and invites everyone to come share and talk about plants!

What is a Plant Swap?
A Plant Swap is an event where houseplant enthusiasts can come together to swap cuttings, propagations, and their own houseplants with other like-minded green fingered people. - Emma Sibley, Founder London Terrariums
Bring one or more healthy, pest-free plants. We will set you up on a table to display your offering(s), providing cards to identify plants and name tags to greet and meet other green fingered people. Make your offer to the owner of that plant you covet and exchange your plants for new acquisitions. Not green-fingered? No matter, come with your questions to learn more about plants, we can’t wait to learn more from you! For more information contact Cathy Fochtman lcfochtman@gmail.com.

Join Us for Holy Week
at St. Irene Parish, Carlisle

Holy Thursday: April 17
7:30 PM, Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Washing of the Feet, Procession of the Eucharist to the Altar of Reservation
Good Friday: April 18
4:00 PM, A Children’s Service including the Passion and Death of Christ.
7:30 PM, The Solemn Good Friday Liturgy including the Proclamation of the Passion and Death of Christ, sung Prayers of the Faithful, Veneration of the Cross, and Holy Communion
Holy Saturday: April 19
7:30 PM, The Easter Vigil, the first Mass of Easter, including the Lighting of the New Fire (outdoors, weather permitting).
Easter Sunday: April 20
ST. BERNARD CHURCH, Concord - Masses at 8 am, 10 am and 12 pm at 12 Monument Square, Concord
ST. IRENE CHURCH, Carlisle - Mass at 11:00 am at 187 East Street, Carlisle

7 Southern Rail Brings High-Energy Bluegrass to Concord Conservatory of Music

Get ready for an evening of toe-tapping fun! Southern Rail, a beloved bluegrass band celebrating over four decades of musical excellence, will perform at the Concord Conservatory of Music on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
Before Southern Rail takes the stage at 7:00 PM, join us for a Bluegrass Band Scramble at 11:00 AM. This exciting event will feature local bluegrass musicians forming impromptu bands and jamming together, creating a lively and spontaneous musical experience.
Then, as the evening begins, Southern Rail will deliver their high-energy performance, riveting harmonies, irrepressible humor, and sparkling banjo, mandolin, and guitar solo work, promising an unforgettable night of bluegrass music. The band features CCM faculty member Rich Stillman on banjo and harmony vocals, Jim Muller on guitar and lead vocals, Sharon Horovitch on acoustic bass and harmony vocals, and John Tibert on mandolin and harmony vocals. Together, they create rich vocal textures and deliver beautiful, creative bluegrass arrangements that have captivated audiences for years.
This event offers the perfect opportunity to experience the joy and vibrancy of live bluegrass music. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, both the Bluegrass Band Scramble and Southern Rail’s dynamic performance are sure to delight.
Event Details:
● Bluegrass Band Scramble: ○ When: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00 AM, 3:00 pm Live Concert with participants
○ Where: Concord Conservatory of Music, 1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742
○ Admission: $35 (please reserve your spot and pay in advance)
● Southern Rail Bluegrass Performance:
○ When: Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM
○ Where: Concord Conservatory of Music, 1317 Main Street Concord, MA 01742
○ Tickets: $25 General Admission, Free for students 18 and under.
○ Purchase: Purchase Tickets in advance or payable at the door for this event.

Bedford Garden Club Aprfil Meeting

The Bedford Garden Club of Bedford is holding their next meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the First Church of Christ, Congregational, 25 The Great Road in Bedford at 6:00 PM: Social period.  6:30 PM:  Meeting and guest speaker is Deb Trickett on The Captured Garden – Chameleon Containers. Visit the website at:
https://thecapturedgarden.com
Container start off with the glorious colors and textures of one season and then “changes its colors” when the next season makes its appearance.
Deb Trickett will speak about container garden designs and techniques and will create some container gardens during her presentation.   She is an award-winning garden container designer, Deb has worked in the gardening industry for over 30 years, starting her first job in a greenhouse at age 13 to her present position as owner of the Captured Garden.
By combining unusual plant material and creative design ideas, she creates gardens and containers that are truly one of a kind.  The public is invited.  Visit the club’s website at: https://www.bedfordgardenclub.org
New england folk frestival

New England Folk Frestival

The New England Folk Festival Association (NEFFA) is a non-profit educational and cultural organization promoting folk arts and traditions in New England and elsewhere. Every April, for 8 decades,  NEFFA runs the New England Folk Festival which blends dance, music, crafts, family activities, and food. The 2025 Festival is on April 25-27 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA 01752
The Festival is unique because of the participatory nature of the events. Not only are there concerts and performances, but there are also opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with music, dance, and folk arts culture. There is music everywhere!  You will find jam sessions, instrument workshops, group singing, and  traditional music throughout the Festival. The Festival is also known for its varied social dance program, which includes: Contra and Traditional Square Dance, International Folk Dance, Waltz, English Country, Scandinavian, and more. There are plenty of introductory workshops, as well as sessions geared towards intermediate and advanced dancers.  It attracts more than 2000 attendees from all over the world and features close to 1000 performers.
This year, NEFFA is offering special reduced rate  “Festival Sampler Tickets” to introduce the festival to a wider audience.
Please spread the word!  The NEFFA Sampler ticket ($10; kids under 8 are free) is a great way to explore some of what the New England Folk Festival has to offer. Shop at the Festival Marketplace, watch traditional dances from around the world, and experience folk music, storytelling and exhibits at the Ramblin’ Road Show and Homemade Hootenanny. Take the kids to the Family Activities Area, then enjoy a snack at the food trucks while watching traditional Morris dance performances outside. Sampler tickets admission will only be available on Saturday April 26th from 11AM-4PM  More information at  https://www.neffa.org/festival-sampler/

Fresh Start Furniture Bank

WWW.FRESHSTARTFURNITUREBANK.ORG
It was another great Saturday at Fresh Start in Hudson!  Clients showed up on time and with trucks.  Our translators arrived in time to help with a Portuguese-speaking client.  Several new volunteers began their shifts.
   Fifteen minutes after our furniture donation time had ended at 10:30, a couple arrived from Uxbridge with a car and trailer full of furniture, including two couches!  They are cleaning out a parent’s home.  At the time, we had three couches available for clients (we typically have more than 10).  After checking with the folks who were loading the trucks for clients we said we would take all the furniture.   There was no way that we were going to turn the donors and their two couches away, even if I had to muscle the couches through the front door by myself (unlikely!!)
     Please take a look at our website to see what we do and do not accept, where we send our truck for pick-ups and the requirements for that.  Keep us in mind when you’re doing spring cleaning or updating your home.   We need more couches and loveseats, chairs and recliners, dining tables & chairs and housewares and linens. And remember - if you wouldn’t give it to a good friend, please don’t give it to us!

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Concord Park

April 10, 2025, 12:00 pm, hosted by Concord Park Assisted Living and Memory Care Community, 68 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Please contact Amanda Spinale, Compass Memory Care Director, at 978-369-4728 or aspinale@concordpark.org for more information and the Zoom link. This group is free and open to the public.
Concord Park Assisted Living and Compass Memory Support is a project of the nonprofit Volunteers of America Massachusetts, which has supported local seniors with specialized services for over 75 years.
Some of the 120 vendors

“The Power Of Angels!”
30Th Annual Craft And Vendor Fair

Treasures Antiques, Collectables & MORE! will be hosting the annual “Power of Angels” fundraiser to benefit Kitty Angels, Inc. on Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd and 4th. The event will take place on the grounds at Treasures from 9AM to 5PM, rain or shine, both days.
   The kitties and vendors are eager to have you get out of the house and visit with them for some tremendous finds, great musical entertainment and most important of all, to help Kitty Angels, Inc.! The weekend festivities are being held at Treasures Antiques, 106 Ponemah Road (Rt. 122) in Amherst. We’ll have the ‘603 Smok’n Que BBQ Company’ food truck on site with the best slow smoked BBQ in New Hampshire! Also, the crew from Mapledell Farm will be on hand again, showcasing a petting zoo as well as horse and pony rides. Look for all your favorite vendors, including Artist Lori-Ellen Budenas of Respect the Wood, Cam’s Shop, Monica Gesualdo of Trading Faces and Central Birch Art Studio, Seasonal Creations by Laurianne, The Glass Bottle, The Pearl Shop!, Ink 3-D, Damsel Safety Chick, Threaded Treasures, New Hampshire Board Games/Lime on the Loose, Hearts Design Jewelry, Gabe’s Creations, Wolfpac Studio, All About Honey, Luv Belly Rubs, Dubz Dyes, Nana’s Odds & Ends, Oak Hill Designs, Morel Woodworking, SoGo Metal Art, Happy Cat Creations, Vinyl Revival, Midnight Kitty Creations, Crafts By Sherry, To Bead Or Knot Two Bead, Willey’s Whirleys, Dollar Shy Farm, Color Street, Crystal X Clear Collection, LuLaRoe, Custom Care Designs, 2 Good 2 Be Baked, Tupperware, Krochet Voodoo, Fiber Art By Eve Huston, Eclectic Touches and Just A Bunch Of Knots. Be sure to check the Treasures website as the list continues to grow! 
     The bands and soloists for the event will consist of “9 Strings” with Dick Spencer and Dan Rodd, Roosta Gulla, Sunset Rhythm, Wildwood with Paul & Donna, Jeff Damon, Side Effects and Joey Peavey!
      As always, featured throughout the fundraising weekend and into the month of June, is a thrilling and interesting raffle of numerous and diverse prizes, all generously donated by local and national businesses, professional sports teams, private individuals and some of the awesome on-site vendors. All to benefit Kitty Angels, Inc. 
   Kitty Angels, Inc. is the sole beneficiary of this event. This is the 30th year that the owners of Treasures have been doing fundraisers for this non-profit, an all ‘unpaid’ volunteer organization. They are a no-kill cat shelter, dedicated to rescuing stray and abandoned cats and kittens, furnishing them with treatment for injuries or other health issues and then placing them into new forever homes with compatible owners. They are a 501(C) 3 charitable corporation where all donations are fully tax-deductible and every penny of every donation is used in the caring of cats.
    Interested in becoming a vendor for the event or having your business donate an item for their raffle? Contact Sherry or Rick, at (603) 672-2535 Visit their websites at www.TreasuresNH.com and www.kittyangels.org
   Please come, visit, and relax for a while. Consider adopting a new life-long forever-friend as well. Yes, your pets are always welcome, too!

Groton Grange #7 Invites You to Our Traditional New England Contra Dance

on Saturday, April 5,, 2025,  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 Don Heinold,,  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.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Foundation 2nd Annual Golf Tournament

On July 7, 2025 register by June 30.
Cost: $150/Golfer (individuals to foursomes) Includes registration and lunch
At: Northern Spy Country Club, Townsend, MA
Sponsorships Available Green: $50 / Tee: $100
Register at www.nashobatech.net/page/nshoba-valley-technical-high

Spring Pops! Program
Concord Band Performs Revolutionary Music

The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 7:00pm, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic events of April 19, 1775.
North Bridge Portrait by noted composer and arranger Stephen Bulla was commissioned by the Concord Band. The composition builds on foreboding melodies leading to martial themes, culminating in the fateful “shot heard ’round the world” at Concord’s North Bridge. The program also features Seeds of Revolution, recently commissioned by the Lexington Bicentennial Band and composed by Daniel Lutz, Director of University Bands at UMass Lowell. Seeds of Revolution depicts unfolding events and growing sentiments in Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775. The performance continues with a march representing both historic towns, aptly titled Concord and Lexington, written by George Briggs, former band director at Harvard University.
The Concord250 program concludes with Concord, composed for the U.S. Marine Band by Clare Grundman, incorporating traditional tunes from colonial New England, “The White Cockade,” William Billings’ “America,” and “Yankee Doodle.” Grundman noted that “Yankee Doodle” was a very popular tune for jigs and country dances, but for his composition he used 7/8 time for an exuberant and clever ending.
Music Director James O’Dell has also selected twenty-first century music representing the digital revolution, drawn from video games and superhero movies. Epic Gaming Themes by Paul Murtha elevates classic video game soundtracks to the stature of film scores. Video Games Live, by Marty O’Donnell, includes excerpts from a Hollywood concert phenomenon celebrating music from video games that toured around the world from 2005 through 2015. This composition will be conducted by Concord Band clarinetist Jim Dorney, who studied conducting at SUNY Geneseo. The Concord Band will perform Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy, arranged for band by Michael Brown. The powerful soundtrack is based on popular hits of the 1960s and 1970s, which the film’s protagonist plays to remind him of his childhood on Earth.
Tickets to the Spring Pops concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Admission includes open seating and complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at ticketstage.com/concordband. Additional information about the Concord Band is available at www.concordband.org and on Facebook.

7th Annual EmerSong A Cappella Festival

Saturday, April 5, 2025
2 Showtimes: 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM EST
51 Walden Performing Arts Center, Concord, MA
The Auxiliary of Emerson Health is proud to announce the return of our EmerSong A Cappella Festival!
Gather your family and friends and buy your tickets today for this popular community event. Please consider making a donation or becoming an EmerSong Friend!
All tickets are $35. Proceeds support Behavioral and Mental Health Services at Emerson Health.
Performers include:
•BroadBand
•Concord Academy
•Doo Wop Shop – UMass Amherst
•Krokodiloes – Harvard University
•The Nor’easters – Northeastern University
•Peanut Butter & Jelly – Lexington HS
•Pralines – Weston High School
•sQ! – Tufts University
•Up The Octave – Brandeis University
•The Works
Seating is limited; all tables can seat up to 4 people. Drinks will be available for purchase at the 7:30 PM show.
For more information, please visit http://EmersonHealth.org/EmerSong
Elizabeth almeida fmf

“All Things Mushrooms”

Learn About “All Things Mushrooms” at the Cameron Senior Center, with Special Guest Elizabeth Almeida on April 8th.
Come learn about “All Things Mushrooms” at the Cameron Senior Center, with special guest Eizabeth Almeida, Founder and Owner of Fat Moon Farm on Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Welcome Farmer Elizabeth Almeida as she shares an informative slide presentation on her world of mushrooms. Learn about their uniqueness, benefits and nutrition. Hear cooking tips and how you can grow your own fascinating fungi at home! Whether you are a foodie, a gardener, or just looking for a fun afternoon, you will enjoy getting up close with the beauty of mushrooms.
This is a FREE program sponsored by the Westford Women’s Club at the Cameron Senior Center, 20 Pleasant Street in Westford. The afternoon will include refreshments and themed door prizes.
Please call the Cameron Senior Center at 978-692-5523 to register to attend “All Things Mushrooms”.
Westford Women’s Club is a 501c3 charitable organization, serving the community since 1976. The club is affiliated with the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC.org ) and GFWC Massachusetts (GFWCMA.org). Members are women of all ages and backgrounds living in Westford and surrounding communities, including southern New Hampshire. For more info about the WWC: westfordwomensclub@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook.
Bluebird helpers

Bluebird Helpers Need Pipes

Group of 7 in effort trying to save bluebirds facing extinction needs old pipes 5 to 10 feet long to mount nesting boxes on. Do you or anyone you know have any?  Thank you. Raymond 25bloo_brd@toast.net

TCritical Need For Blood And Platelets!
Please help!

Cornerstone Congregational Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, March 29th from 9AM to 2PM. Each pint of blood we collect can help save up to three lives and will touch the lives of so many more. What a great way to pay it forward and make an impact on people in your community and across the region.  An estimated 38 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood or platelets, but of those, less than 10 percent actually donate each year. If you are healthy and eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take less than an hour, so book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross.
Thank you!!
Cornerstone Congregational Church
32 Graniteville Road
Westford, MA 01886
For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org
Or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Tom Denney Nature Camp Early Bird Discount Ends April 1!

The camp in Bolton is for students entering Kindergarten through High School.
Activities include swimming, games in the fields and woods, arts & crafts, songs, tracking, hiking, campfires to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, building shelters, Animal Adventures, Predator and Prey, The Amazing Race & more.
Campers entering grades 6th-9th in the Eco Adventures program will play kayaking games on the pond, laser tag in the woods, nighttime activities on Thursday and dinner and s’mores, water guns, an adventure hike, team building activities & more.
Counselors-in-Training must be entering 9th grade or above and attend Orientation June 24- and then choose two weeks or more to be at camp.
There are 6 weekly sessions that run June 30 – August 8, Monday - Friday, 9am - 3pm.
Before/After Care is available!
Campers from all towns are welcome!
See the website for more details and to register: tomdenneynaturecamp.org
Questions: bcttdnc@gmail.com (best means of communication) or 978-429-3004 (voice mail)

Open Table Announces Lineup for 2025 Chopped for Charity Competition and Gala

Annual fundraiser to honor Board Chair emerita Deena Whitfield
Concord and Maynard, MA (March 17, 2025) – Open Table, the MetroWest charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, today announced the lineup for Chopped for Charity 2025 with Chef Jason Jernigan as master of ceremonies and chefs Aaron Furmanek, Jason Gentles, and Shaun Coen competing for highest honors. This year’s honoree is Open Table Board Chair emerita Deena Whitfield. Open Table will also recognize Welch’s as a valued partner in its mission.
Open Table’s annual gala and cooking competition returns to Nashawtuc Country Club in Concord on Friday, May 30, for an evening of food, fun, and philanthropy. Guests will enjoy an exciting culinary showdown, silent and live auctions, as well as hors d’oeuvres and a light dinner in a beautiful setting.
VIP tickets are $250 and include preferred seating, a private reception with wine tasting, and an opportunity to meet the chefs. General Admission is $175 per person. Tickets are available at www.opentable.org/chopped.
“The Open Table Chopped for Charity Gala is back and we can’t wait to spend an evening with a room full of guests who share a commitment to our mission,” said Alexandra DePalo, executive director, Open Table. “We truly appreciate how many people offer their time and talent to make this event special; from a live cooking competition, to a variety of chef experiences and a terrific silent auction. It’s a great night for a great cause.”
A special focus of this year’s event will be a celebration of Deena Whitfield, Open Table Board Chair Emerita. Deena served six years on the Open Table Board of Directors,  including three years as chair. She continues to be an active volunteer in the organization’s planning and fundraising. “Deena is an Open Table champion,” said DePalo, “we are thrilled to honor and thank her.”

Skate4Charity 3rd Annual Tournament to Benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank

Skate4Charity founded by two friends James Pijewski and Steve Molloy is hosting its 3rd annual charity Ice Hockey tournament March 29th at 11am at the The Edge Sports Center in Bedford, 191 Hartwell Rd. Over two years the charity has raised over $74k and last year alone the charity raised over $50K to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This year they have decided to support the Greater Boston Food Bank again, who are the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, they distributed 117 million pounds of nutritious food to people who struggle to have enough to eat in the Eastern Massachusetts area and surrounding communities. Every $1 donated helps to provide 2 healthy meals to neighbors in need.
Event will be held 11am-3pm and there will be food, games, raffles and prizes. Beverages provided by Idle Hands Craft Ales. Watch 4 co-ed teams face off, and help support a great cause, all spectators welcome. Donations are accepted day of and at this link: https://my.gbfb.org/fundraiser/6068134
If you donate after seeing this article please put “action unlimited” in your donation comment.
Shout out to our sponsors for this year’s event: Torii Homes, Law Office of Susan E. Zak, Maynard Motors, and A&M Roofing.
If you would like more information follow us on instagram or Facebook @skate.4.charity

Senator Eldridge Announces 44th Annual Senior Conference on Thursday April 24th

The 44th Annual Senior Conference will include free breakfast and lunch, educational workshops, resources for seniors, with live music and art sessions
Middlesex and Worcester District – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) is excited to invite seniors from the Middlesex and Worcester District to the 44th Annual Senior Conference. The event will take place on Thursday, April 24th, from 8 AM to 2 PM at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough, where it has traditionally been held. The Senior Conference is designed to offer seniors a day filled with valuable information, entertainment, and educational workshops led by expert guest speakers on topics such as aging well, planning for the future, downsizing, and resources for caregivers and family members. Senator Eldridge also provides a free breakfast and a delicious lunch prepared by the culinary students of Assabet Valley.
“We will provide seniors with critical information, entertainment, food, and of course raffle prizes, including the Big Chair from Bouvier Pharmacy of Marlborough! I look forward to hearing the concerns of seniors, discussing state initiatives to better support older residents in Massachusetts, and highlighting the work of the Legislature so far this session,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. This event will be held at Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Marlborough. The Senior Conference’s program features resources for seniors, yoga, zumba, numerous vendors, speakers from the Massachusetts Legislature, a drop-in art session hosted by Maynard ArtSpace, and raffle giveaways. Senator Eldridge is excited to kick off this year’s event with live music from the local Marlborough group, The Romeos Duo.
Any questions about the event can be emailed to James.Eldridge@masenate.gov with the subject line: “Senior Conference 2025.”

Rotary Club Helping Open Table Food Pantry

The Rotary Club of Concord will be accepting donations of personal care items for Open Table food pantry on Saturday, March 29th from 10 am to 2 pm at Crosby’s Market, 211 Sudbury Road, Concord.
Items needed: Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Hand and Body Lotion, Detergent Sheets or Detergent Pods, Baby Wipes, Sponges, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo
Thank you to everyone who has already donated to the Show the Love donation drive which began in February and will end with this final donation day on March 29th at Crosby’s Market.
The Rotary Club of Concord has a long-standing partnership with Open Table Food Pantry in Maynard. Families who may be your neighbors are struggling to make ends meet. Open Table serves people from 21 cities and towns. Last year Open Table distributed 882,031 pounds of food. Volunteers prepared 80,362 meals. There were 22,700 pantry visits and deliveries. There were 7,046 individuals served. Guests include 30% who are children under the age of 18 and 15% are senior citizens.
Open Table budgets $12,000 a year to purchase personal care items and diapers which are not covered under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
You can help by donating Diaper Sizes: 3, 4, 5, 6, Hand and Body Lotion, Detergent Sheets or Detergent Pods, Baby Wipes, Sponges, Dish Soap, Toothpaste, Shampoo

“Understanding and Protecting Our Immigrant Neighbors”

Trinitarian Congregational (TriCon) Church of Concord, MA’s Social Action Committee, invites the public to join a free community speaking event about Immigration on Sunday, 4/6/25 at 1:30pm by the International Institute of New England (IINE)’s Suitcase Stories series.
The presentation and discussion topic will be “Understanding and Protecting our Immigrant Neighbors” and will include stories by immigrants describing their journeys, as well as a presentation by IINE of the current state of affairs in relation to immigration in our communities. More information about IINE’s Suitcase Stories series at https://iine.org/get-involved/join-our-community/suitcase-stories/.

Myles Above in Heaven

A support group in the loss of a child.....
Saturday April 19th
10:30am-12:30pm
Hudson Public Library - Tavares Room
3 Washington St, Hudson, MA
www.mylesabove.org
James dorney bkg

Concord Band Performs Revolutionary Music

The Concord Band will present its spirited Spring Pops! concert on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. The program commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord as part of Concord250 festivities this year throughout the town of Concord. The concert features two compositions specially commissioned to honor the historic events of April 19, 1775.
North Bridge Portrait by noted composer and arranger Stephen Bulla was commissioned by the Concord Band. The composition builds on foreboding melodies leading to martial themes, culminating in the fateful “shot heard ’round the world” at Concord’s North Bridge. The program also features Seeds of Revolution, recently commissioned by the Lexington Bicentennial Band and composed by Daniel Lutz, Director of University Bands at UMass Lowell. Seeds of Revolution depicts unfolding events and growing sentiments in Massachusetts leading up to April 19, 1775. The performance continues with a march representing both historic towns, aptly titled Concord and Lexington, written by George Briggs, former band director at Harvard University.
The Concord250 program concludes with Concord, composed for the U.S. Marine Band by Clare Grundman, incorporating traditional tunes from colonial New England, “The White Cockade,” William Billings’ “America,” and “Yankee Doodle.” Grundman noted that “Yankee Doodle” was a very popular tune for jigs and country dances, but for his composition he used 7/8 time for an exuberant and clever ending.
Music Director James O’Dell has also selected twenty-first century music representing the digital revolution, drawn from video games and superhero movies. Epic Gaming Themes by Paul Murtha elevates classic video game soundtracks to the stature of film scores. Video Games Live, by Marty O’Donnell, includes excerpts from a Hollywood concert phenomenon celebrating music from video games that toured around the world from 2005 through 2015. This composition will be conducted by Concord Band clarinetist Jim Dorney, who studied conducting at SUNY Geneseo. The Concord Band will perform Soundtrack Highlights from Guardians of the Galaxy, arranged for band by Michael Brown. The powerful soundtrack is based on popular hits of the 1960s and 1970s, which the film’s protagonist plays to remind him of his childhood on Earth.
Tickets to the Spring Pops concert are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Admission includes open seating and complimentary refreshments. Tickets are available at ticketstage.com/concordband. Additional information about the Concord Band is available at www.concordband.org and on Facebook.
Immersiveclass2

Art For All

Immersive Drawing Experience Marathon. Discover Focus and Flow while creating a mural.
March 30, 2025
Three Sessions: 2–3:30 PM and 3:30–5 PM and 5:30–8 PM
Art For All Studio #16
152 Commonwealth Ave, West Concord
Art For All Concord, a nonprofit community art center and local artist Zannah Noe, invites the public to engage in a unique opportunity to create a large community painting, “Minuteman In Wonderland,” in a meditative environment.  The Immersive Drawing Experience is on Saturday, March 30, from 2 to 8 PM. This experience blends creativity, mindfulness, and community into a single meditative practice of collective art-making.
This event offers a reset in an age of decision fatigue. In a dark room, participants will hand-trace an illuminated projected line drawing surrounded by a vibrational soundscape. It is calming work—yoga for the mind. You will experience a flow state—a form of meditative focus—through collaborative drawing and painting in a welcoming and inspired environment.
Each session over the course of the day is 90 minutes.  Attendees will sign up for one or more sessions and will co-create an intricate artwork by local Massachusetts artist Mike Sprague. The piece, Minuteman in Wonderland, is both a whimsical and historic tribute to Concord’s revolutionary past. The event consists of three key phases: “Tracing & Detailing” (2–3:30 PM and 3:30–5 PM) and the “Coloring Phase” (5:30–8 PM), which follows a paint-by-numbers approach, accessible to all skill levels.
Participants will use acrylic markers and paints on a prepared canvas, guided by Zannah Noe, who will also provide a live soundscape featuring singing bowls and ambient vibrational music. The result is a striking, community-made painting that will be displayed publicly in downtown Concord before being auctioned to support Art For All’s mission of accessible community arts programming.
This event is a meditative collective experience honoring the spirit of democracy and connection through collaboration. It is a peace practice for the mind—an antidote to digital scrolling.
Spots are limited. Each session accommodates eight participants. Tickets are available for individuals or small groups. Reserve your place and be part of a community-driven artwork celebrating Concord’s past and vibrant creative future.
Tickets and more information: Artforallconcord.org
Christine lavin

New Song Music Series Welcomes Christine Lavin on April 26

Join us on April 26 for an evening of humorous & heartfelt folk music (and more!) with New York City-based contemporary folk icon Christine Lavin.
Called “wildly entertaining” by The New Yorker, Ms. Lavin’s songs often blend comedy with social commentary, ranging from light-hearted to more serious, introspective pieces.
As if her intriguingly engaging music were not enough, Ms. Lavin will delight ticket holders with an intimate, onsite pre-show knitting circle! Then, at intermission, she’ll present her signature, must-see Downton Abbey Napkin Folding Tutorial. As Christine herself would say: “Come for the napkin folding; stay for the music!”
Ms. Lavin performs concerts in the United States and internationally. She has received numerous awards including five ASCAP Composer Awards and Album of The Year from the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. Her 26th solo album, Drum School Dropout, will be released later this year.
Buy tickets at https://newsongbedford.org. Performances take place in the Reed Room at Bedford’s Town Hall – a comfortable 100-seat venue located at 10 Mudge Way in Bedford, MA. Doors open at 6:45 and the music starts at 7:30. Refreshments from Prince Street Café & Bakery will be available for purchase.
A volunteer initiative of the Bedford Cultural District with support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, New Song strives to build community and create a regional venue showcasing the best in contemporary folk, bluegrass, and Americana.
New Song is grateful to Bedford Florist & Gifts for donating lovely floral arrangements, and Prince Street Café & Bakery for providing delicious desserts and beverages.
New volunteers to help coordinate shows and provide technical and marketing support are always welcome on an occasional or ongoing basis. Contact New Song at info@newsongbedford.org for more information.
Please note: If you purchased tickets for the rescheduled Garnet Rogers performance and did not request a refund, updated tickets for the Christine Lavin show scheduled on the same date were sent to you via email.