Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

Dec 4, 2017 

To: Franklin Cultural District Committee, Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator, Jamie Hellen, Deputy Town Administrator

CC: Bryan Taberner, Director, Planning and Community Development, Representative Jeffrey Roy

From: Franklin Cultural Steering Committee

RE: Recognition of Significant Accomplishment

We want to take a moment to recognize the significant accomplishment that has occurred over the past several years. What started as an idea for a cultural district was nurtured, tended to, and brought to reality through hours of dedicated service by numerous individuals. It began on November 21, 2013 when several of us, joined town and school officials, Ms. Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council, and Jeff Roy, State Representative, on a tour of the high school (which was under construction) and the downtown area, including THE BLACK BOX (also under construction). During this tour, the seeds of the proposed cultural district were planted.

We set out to create a Cultural District, conduct a Cultural Festival to showcase the wealth of cultural assets in Franklin, and prepare an application for Cultural District status for the town. We did this work over the past four years. The Franklin Cultural Festival began in July 2015, highlighting the visual, culinary, performing arts, music, dance, and the talents of the many individuals and organizations within Franklin. The Festivals continued in 2016 and 2017 demonstrating the importance of cultural events and encouraged the inclusion of the arts within other town events. By way of example, the Franklin Downtown Partnership has consistently elevated its inclusion of the fine and performing arts within its community events.

The seven member Franklin Cultural District Committee was formally approved by the Town Council on Wednesday, Nov 29, 2017 by unanimous vote. The formal application for Cultural District status can now be submitted.

The Cultural District Steering Committee, which brought this to fruition, has achieved this through much hard work, many hours of planning, collaborating, and executing. We want to thank the Town leadership, Franklin businesses, and institutions, and the numerous individuals and organizations that helped to advance Franklin along the pathway to Cultural District status.

Our work as a Cultural District Steering Committee and as the coordinator of the Cultural Festival is complete.

Sincerely,

Pandora Carlucci
Alan Mercer
Jim Schultz
Susan Sheridan
Steve Sherlock
Roberta Trahan


PDF version of this letter can be found here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1DvlJpoHOXSb_jGm9fad92R66v1Gnlo/view?usp=sharing

Franklin Almanac Episode 10 (YouTube)

Franklin Almanac Episode 10 with Host Polikseni Manxhari was originally broadcast on Aug 14, 2017.

• Introduction- 00:00-00:36
• Sara Ahern, Superintendent of Franklin Public Schools- 00:37-09:52
• Franklin Cultural Festival-09:53-15:17
• Operation Chill-15:18-21:00
• DARE Program-21:01-27:05
• Final Thoughts-27:06-28:30

Note: you might recognize someone as he talks about letting "magic happen" at the end of the Franklin Cultural Festival segment

Electric Youth and Future Shock pleased the crowd at the Town Common
on the opening night of the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Saturday Recap

A collection via Storify of the Twitter posts during the Festival as it happened on Saturday, July 29, 2017.

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to view all the posts.

day is done, the tent is empty

Thanks to all who helped to make this wonderful event a reality! Thanks also to all those who came to participate, please tell your friends and neighbors to come next year!

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Saturday - July 29 - Closing Day

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

Performance Schedule

Saturday, July 29

At THE BLACK BOX

The Franklin Art Association will display works of local artists in the lobby of THE BLACK BOX.   The detailed schedule of performances looks like this:

	Festival Stage (inside)	Circle of Friends Stage (outside, under the tent)
	Set up
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Heath Nisbett	Set up
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Set up	Michele Kelly
1:30 - 2:00 PM	Emma Newton	Set up
2:00 - 3:00 PM	Set up	Jamie Barrett
3:00 - 3:30 PM	Universal Singers	Set up
3:30 - 4:30 PM	Set up	Stefilia's Stone
4:30 - 5:00 PM	Ann Sears	Set up
5:00 - 6:00 PM	Set up	Jim Henry
6:00 - 6:30 PM	Kaye Kelly	Set up
6:30 - 8:00 PM	Set up	Victims of Gravity
8:00 PM	FPAC performs a “24 Hour Play”

Bring your beach blanket and chairs for the 'Franklin lawn' in THE BLACK BOX parking lot (seating limited under the tent, first come first serve).

For updates to the schedule, follow @artshappenhere

Franklin restaurants will offer samples of their best for sale under the tent during the afternoon

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html


If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


You can also download and print a copy of the Saturday schedule here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10DSpiywIulafMNpPpj5a1ajiY_Gk-jBVXlH15dMS7f4/edit?usp=sharing

3rd Annual Cultural Festival - Friday Recap (photo, video)

The weather was perfect for the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival outdoor events on Friday. The Farmers Market was active and full of vendor choices. 

Multiple farms had fresh produce and I got our set of cooking knifes sharpened. #shopFranklin's space was represented by Linda Waters and Confidence Beads. Bob Vozella and family conducted tastings for Franklin's own La Cantina Winery. 

two rows of vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market

Bill and Linda Hamaker led a good group in laughter yoga inside the Town Common bandstand.

Let's Laugh Today, Laughter Yoga at the 3nd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

Kevin Wolfe and friend performed many familiar rock songs

Kevin Wolfe and friend performing

The day closed out under the stars with a performance of The Mikado by FPAC

cast of the Mikado by FPAC takes a bow

The day had begun with the FPS Summer Music Concert at Franklin High School. There will be more video and photos from this set of performances in the days to come but for now, here is the closing song dedicated to Dr Pandora Carlucci (also a key contributor for the Cultural Festival).

Additions to the FCF 2017 Schedule for Saturday, July 29

Two additions to the schedule for Saturday, July 29. The bridal gown display at the Historical Museum is open from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A speaker on the history of bridal gowns is scheduled for 10:30. Next door, Mr Markee's kinetic robots are also on display at the Methodist Church from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

*** FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM = Display of bridal gowns; 
10:30 AM -> Speaker on history of bridal gowns

Stella Jeon's wedding gown, upper body view of veil and lace detail

*** FRANKLIN METHODIST CHURCH

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM = Kinetic Robots and Space Creations With Mr. Markee

"The Electro X" put together by Mr Markee

Day 2 Schedule - 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival - Thursday, July 27

FRANKLIN TOWN COMMON

5:00 to 6:15: Encore Music
6:45 to 8:00: Jamie Barrett
8:00 to 9:30? FPAC performs "The Mikado"

FRANKLIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM

5:00 – 8:00
Display of bridal gowns; speaker on history of wedding gowns.

FRANKLIN METHODIST CHURCH

5:00 – 8:00
Kinetic Robots and Space Creations With Mr. Markee

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival Schedule: Thursday, July 27, 2017

* note the schedule is subject to change
If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere





All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices!
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html


To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

Electric Youth and Future Shock please the crowd (photo recap)

FSPA's Electric Youth opened the 3rd Annual Cultural Festival with a rousing performance highlighted by the appearance of Future Shock. 

Electric Youth and Future Shock please the crowd

Future Shock is the younger version and quite talented!

Tinker Bell was among the audience posing for photos and
sprinkling fairy dust on the young at heart both big and small.

Face painting, sidewalk chalk, and Plein air painting were
also attractions provided by the Franklin Art Association.

Let's hope the weather continues to be bright for the rest of the Cultural Festival schedule. The Festival has performances from 5:00 to 9:30 on the Town Common today. Kinetic robots are on display at the Methodist Church and the Historical Museum is scheduled for a speaker on wedding gowns as the wedding gown display continues.

Electric Youth and Future Shock please the crowd (photo recap)

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival.  

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices!
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html 


If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://www.franklinsculturalfestival.org/ or follow the Festival on Twitter https://twitter.com/artshappenhere


To help financially support the Festival please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/FCF2017. 
  
The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

Saturday, July 29 - 3rd Annual Cultural Festival Schedule - THE BLACK BOX

3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival

Performance Schedule

Saturday, July 29

At THE BLACK BOX

The Franklin Art Association will display works of local artists in the lobby of THE BLACK BOX.   The detailed schedule of performances looks like this:

	Festival Stage (inside)	Circle of Friends Stage (outside, under the tent)
	Set up
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Heath Nisbett	Set up
12:30 - 1:30 PM	Set up	Michele Kelly
1:30 - 2:00 PM	Emma Newton	Set up
2:00 - 3:00 PM	Set up	Jamie Barrett
3:00 - 3:30 PM	Universal Singers	Set up
3:30 - 4:30 PM	Set up	Stefilia's Stone
4:30 - 5:00 PM	Ann Sears	Set up
5:00 - 6:00 PM	Set up	Jim Henry
6:00 - 6:30 PM	Kaye Kelly	Set up
6:30 - 8:00 PM	Set up	Victims of Gravity
8:00 PM	FPAC performs a “24 Hour Play”

For updates to the schedule, follow @artshappenhere

Franklin restaurants will offer samples of their best for sale under the tent during the afternoon

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29.  The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 
http://www.franklinculturaldistrict.org/2017/07/stop-by-rome-for-festival-fettucini.html


If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing


You can also download and print a copy of the Saturday schedule here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10DSpiywIulafMNpPpj5a1ajiY_Gk-jBVXlH15dMS7f4/edit?usp=sharing

Stop by The Rome for "Festival Fettucini"

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival. 

The Rome will feature "Festival Fettucini" from 4:00 PM to closing each night Wednesday, July 26 through Saturday, July 29. The culinary arts are one of the key arts that the Festival is looking to showcase. Franklin has a broad variety of culinary choices! 

Stop by The Rome for "Festival Fettucini"

If "Festival Fettucini" doesn't fit your taste, The Rome has a variety of daily specials to go along with their hearty Italian fare.  The full dinner menu can be found here  http://www.the-rome.com/menu_dinner.php

If you are interested in getting updates on the Franklin Cultural Festival please check out the webpage http://buff.ly/2tUhSCL or follow the Festival on Twitter http://buff.ly/2tqlid1

To help financially support the Festival please visit: http://buff.ly/2tqGcZh.

The tri-fold flyer with the full schedule can be downloaded here 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczZFlnZFNMV1puWkE/view?usp=sharing

All roads should lead to The Rome Restaurant in Franklin either before or after taking in one or more of the events at the 3rd Annual Franklin Cultural Festival