Franklin Cultural Festival "Community Unity" - photo essay

How does one determine the success of the Franklin Cultural Festival "Community Unity" event held on Sunday, Sep 12, 2021 in great weather.

Kaye Kelly and group at the end of the "Sari Showcase"

• The crowd and lines were steady from the opening at noon through 3:30 or so. Some may have decided to check out the sports event on TV. For those that remained, salsa lessons and great music continued.

the wise owl greeted young and young at heart

• The variety and number of food trucks. Could there have been more, yes, if the food truck owners had followed through. For those who ran out of food early, maybe they'll be better prepared next time. For those trucks that didn't participate, their missed opportunity. It is a great start.

Eguie Castrillo & Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra

• The Kid's corner and puppet shows were pleasing based upon the hoots and hollers from those watching the show.

some of the crowd at the second puppet show

• The line up of artisan crafters was multifaceted. Many of the booths reported good business from the great amount of traffic.

The Pamela Means Project performed

• The beer and wine garden was busy when I stopped by. Got my wrist band after getting my license checked. Then some liquid refreshment to go with my food truck tacos on the lawn in the shade. I was not alone. Dozens of others were under the tent at tables or spread around the lawn as well.

two chicken tacos were delicious

• Cultural diversity was achieved with one view of the salsa dance lessons. Participants spread among the ages from young to young at heart, mostly women (but a few men). A youngster with a Patriots jersey learning the salsa inline with a couple of young ladies wearing saris. 

salsa dance lessons lead by RI Dance

At least for this day, the smiling faces seemed to be enjoying the art based event. Let's work together for more of this. And yes, Franklin Matters is proud to be in good company in helping to sponsor this event.

Additional photos from the event can be found in one album

https://photos.app.goo.gl/M6WyaM47TNnQaa5T9

Franklin Matters is proud to be in good company in helping to sponsor this event

Franklin Cultural Festival - today from noon to 6:00 PM on the Town Common

Today is the Community Unity themed Franklin Cultural Festival. The weather looks great for the slate of events including several food trucks and a beer & wine garden. The Kid's Corner has activities for the younger ones and the line of artisan vendors could have something you want.

The Historical Museum features their Second Sunday Speaker series with a personal reflection on Sep 11, 2001.   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/09/franklin-historical-museum-never-forget.html

Sunday, September 12  

12:00pm - Franklin Cultural Festival "Community Unity"

12:30pm - FCF: Franklin School of the Performing Arts

1:00pm - Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speakers Series

1:30pm - FCF: INDIA SHOWCASE

2:00pm - FCF: @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

2:30pm - FCF: The Pamela Means Project

3:30pm - FCF: @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

4:00pm - FCF: Salsa Dance Instructions by RI Latin Dance School

4:30pm - FCF: Eguie Castrillo & Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra

map of Town Common and events

Cultural Festival flyer with highlights

Franklin Cultural Festival - main stage schedule for 9/12/21

The Franklin Cultural Festival happens on Sunday, Sep 12 in and around the Town Common from noon to 6 PM.

The main stage schedule looks like this:

12:30 -> Franklin School of the Performing Arts

1:30 -> INDIA SHOWCASE

2:00 -> @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

2:30-3:30 -> "The Pamela Means Project"

3:30 -> @ the Kid's Corner, "Puppet Showcase Theater"

4:00 -? Salsa Dance Instructions by RI Latin Dance School

4:30 - 6:00 -> Eguie Castrillo & Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra 

The map of the events in and around the Town Common

• food trucks on Main St
• beer/wine garden on the Hayward Manor grounds
• artisan vendors along the Common walkways

Follow the Franklin Cultural Council for updates:   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil

Follow the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/186230283428825

Franklin Cultural Festival  9/12/21

Indian Sari Showcase and a Bollywood dance group - Sep 12

Curious about Indian Saris? Did you know we're having an Indian Sari Showcase and a Bollywood dance group at the upcoming Franklin Cultural Festival?!

30 of our lovely Indian community members have put together something fantastic for our Mainstage. Please be sure not to miss this one-of-a-kind performance at 1:30 on our Town Common!

Shared from the Cultural Council Facebook page ->

https://www.facebook.com/399575860396247/posts/1506418069712015/

 

Indian Sari Showcase and a Bollywood dance group - Sep 12

Franklin Cultural Festival updates for the Sep 12 event

More highlights of what will be available at the Cultural Festival September 12, 2021

Franklin Cultural Festival updates for the Sep 12 event

Follow the Cultural Council Facebook page for additional updates ->   https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil

Shared from Facebook -> https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/1492199197800569  

and Instagram ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/CS4ZHdBNc-_/?utm_medium=copy_link

Country Gazette: Kelly resigns from Town Council; Sponsors can help art bloom for the Cultural Festival

Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) tweeted on Thu, Aug 19, 2021:

Thank you for your service, Councilor Kelly.   https://t.co/n5m8cxU5n1 @TOFranklinMA

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/CountryGazette/status/1428455044035264521?s=03

Country Gazette (@CountryGazette) tweeted on Thu, Aug 19, 2021:

Help Franklin's arts scene bloom! https://t.co/kkxhsZfgaT @TOFranklinMA

Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/CountryGazette/status/1428417656869294081?s=03

In case anyone wonders if Kelly's resignation triggers a special election, no it does not as we have the regular election scheduled for Nov 2, 2021 which is within the 120 days as specified in the Town Charter.  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/uploads/revised_2013_1.pdf

"Section 8 Vacancy

2-8-1 Unless recalled in accordance with Article Five, Section 4 of this Charter, a vacancy in the office of Councillor at Large shall be declared by the Town Clerk following notification of the death, permanent disability to serve, resignation, and/or failure to maintain a permanent residency within the Town of Franklin. 

2-8-2 Vacancies shall be filled by special election to be called within

ninety (90) days of said vacancy unless a regular or special Town

election shall occur within one hundred twenty (120) days."

Franklin gearing up for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12, 2021

Ben & Jerry's Ice cream truck scheduled for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12

someone say...ice cream?

We really do hope you'll be joining us on the Town Common in September for this! Better get there early to get in line for this big boy!

Sunday, September 12, 12-6pm!

Shared from  https://www.instagram.com/p/CSK_9ziLbhd/?utm_medium=copy_link

Ben & Jerry's Ice cream truck scheduled for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12

Artisan vendors sought for Franklin Cultural Festival

"The Franklin Cultural Council is looking for artisan vendors of all types. We reeeeeallllly want to support small, independent artists and businesses who were affected by the pandemic. 

The word "ARTISAN" in this case is very broad. We will certainly have visual artists, but we will also have jewelry makers, artisan clothing, artisan foods, and so on. 

This is a "juried" craft show which is to the vendor's advantage (we won't have 30 vendors all competing to sell jewelry, etc...) 

We are expecting potentially 5,000 visitors. Booth fees for this month only are $75. "

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinCulturalCouncil/posts/1450276438659512

Artisan vendors sought for Franklin Cultural Festival

FM #575 - Talk Franklin - 06/25/21 (audio)

FM #575 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 575 in the series. 

This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.

We talk about: 

Maple Hill status

Staffing changes; committee/board re-appointments

Re-opening continues, more meetings in person allowed

Farmers Market, 4th of July; concerts on the common – Cultural Festival

 

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 26 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie.

Audio file => https://player.captivate.fm/5f5bfaa1-b85f-46ea-ba17-8c72c732f308

--------------

Franklin Community Profile  =>   https://mecc.memberclicks.net/assets/2021CommunityProfiles/FRANKLIN.pdf

 

Pop Shop Franklin -> https://www.franklinma.gov/economic-development/pages/pop-shop-franklin 

 

Town Council 06/23/21 Agenda folder -> https://www.franklinma.gov/town-council/agenda/june-23-town-council-agenda

 

Town Council 06/23/21 Agenda doc (including connection info) ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/6-23-21_town_council_agenda.pdf

My notes from the Town Council 06/23/21 meeting

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/06/recap-town-council-meeting-deserved.html

--------------

We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

------------------

You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 

FM #575 - Talk Franklin - 06/25/21 (audio)

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors

ARTISAN VENDORS WANTED. Franklin Cultural Festival

Sunday, September 12, 12-6 PM

The Juried Craft Fair will be one element of the Franklin Cultural Festival, an event that also includes food trucks, a beer garden, and live performances. The Craft Fair will be made up of adult work by professional and semi-professional artisans, as well as a youth section of booths for crafters 18 and under. The Franklin Cultural Festival is hosted by the Franklin Cultural Council.

Link to request a spot as vendor: http://bit.ly/craft_fair_entry

In case the short link doesn't work for you try this:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdB7ClNOwlMqzCZ1huDBJbMu_2ky4pKhjfzZla5CNT7BfANTQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3ThJup7yP1fs8eeEFkg_raK0-FQTgVhkCQNxRSZJua50zC-o6iaDiuksg&pli=1

Shared from Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/399575860396247/posts/1455577048129451/

Franklin Cultural Festival opens registration for artisan vendors

Franklin gearing up for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12, 2021

The Franklin Cultural Council is gearing up for the Franklin Cultural Festival, a large community gathering, held on Sunday, September 12 from 12 PM - 6 PM on the Franklin Town Common. The theme of the Franklin Cultural Festival this year is “Community Unity”. 

The festival is intended to bring community together to celebrate Franklin and celebrate arts and culture. Eight sweet and savory food trucks will allow sampling of various cuisines from seafood to Italian to frozen treats. Both La Cantina and 67 Brewery will be on hand to serve craft beer and wine. 

A series of live dance and music performers, including the headliner and nationally known Salsa Band “Eguie Castrillo & Mar del Norte Salsa Orchestra“. Salsa lessons will be given on the commons during this performance.

There will be an Indian Sari Showcase on the mainstage as well as performances given by local talent.  Over 30 artisans will show their handmade wares in the juried Craft Fair that will be spread across the town common. 

For more information about the Franklin Cultural Festival, or to apply to be a vendor, please email franklinculturalcouncil02038@gmail.com. The Craft Fair and live performances are all free to attend. 

 

Franklin gearing up for the Franklin Cultural Festival - Sep 12, 2021

Franklin Cultural Festival 2016

Photos from the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival held in Franklin, MA in July 2016



or go directly to Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_sherlock/sets/72157676824880036/

Town of Franklin Applies for Cultural District Status to the State of Massachusetts

Thanks to a multi-year effort by the Town of Franklin and a group of its citizens, an official application to establish a Franklin Cultural District was submitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through the offices of the Massachusetts Cultural Council on June 8, 2018. The Franklin Cultural District (FCD) will be a demarcated region within the town that encompasses the cultural facilities, activities, and assets that lie in a compact, walkable area. 

Franklin’s vibrant cultural atmosphere is already home to the nation’s first public library, the Franklin Historical Museum, Dean College School of the Arts, over 25 other performing and visual arts and dance studios, and a variety of restaurants and cafes. Establishment of the FCD will likely attract additional arts and cultural organizations in the future, driving economic development.

Cultural District status will make the FCD eligible for a variety of state grant programs, state economic development opportunities and monies, strategic planning and historic preservation assistance, and marketing through the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism.

"Arts and Culture have become an extremely important and vibrant economic engine for the Town of Franklin," says Deputy Town Administrator Jamie Hellen. "Designating the Town as an official Cultural District will only enhance those opportunities and establish Franklin as the premier arts and cultural hub in the southern MetroWest region.”

https://twitter.com/franklinculture

This effort has been years in the planning, beginning with the Franklin Cultural District Steering Committee, who were tasked with gauging interest in the project and starting the organizational efforts necessary to begin the application process. The Steering Committee met with potential partners, the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), and Town of Franklin administrators to determine the needs, geographic area and types of businesses to be included, and the roles and responsibilities of the District itself. 

That Committee went on to create the Franklin Cultural Festival, which ran for three years and created a strong basis amongst the partners and evidence for the State of the vigor of the arts and culture community in Franklin. A preliminary site visit with the MCC and the Town resulted in a decision to move forward with the formal cultural district application.

On June 28, 2017, the Franklin Town Council passed Resolution 17-45, which endorsed the FCD’s cultural district goals, namely to “attract artists and cultural enterprises; encourage business and job development; establish the district as a tourist destination; preserve and reuse historic buildings; enhance property values; and foster local cultural development.”

In November 2017, seven Franklin residents were appointed to the Franklin Cultural District Committee, an official Town committee which took over for the initial Steering Committee, to make the formal application to the State and then oversee the new district. Part of the application included letters of endorsement and intent from the many cultural assets in town, establishing them as official partners of the District, including the Franklin Public Schools, Dean College, Franklin Downtown Partnership, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Franklin Performing Arts Company/THE BLACK BOX, the Franklin Historical Museum, the Franklin Art Association, the Franklin Cultural Council, and many more. Some of the partners were involved in the FCD initiative from the very beginning, others, such as Drummer’s Studio, Encore Music Academy and Feet in Motion School of Dance, have signed on more recently as the momentum for establishment of the District increased.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Franklin Cultural District’s Goals were refined during Cultural District Committee public meetings. These Goals combine the aims for the State's cultural districts, existing planning initiatives (including Franklin’s 2013 Master Plan cultural resources goals and objectives), and input from Committee partners. The FCD partners will meet with the Committee quarterly, starting June 19, to discuss marketing, cross-promotional events between the partners, and ways to enhance the District. An FCD website, complete with a local arts calendar, is being established to provide a single source of arts and cultural information for town residents and visitors.

The application filed on June 8, 2018, included narrative on the FCD's goals, marketing plans, partners, cultural assets, and State-required metrics to measure the FCD's impact, as well as the official FCD map. In addition, hundreds of pages of supplemental materials were submitted showing examples of arts and cultural events and programming within the proposed District.Once the MCC has reviewed the application, a site visit will be scheduled with the Town, the FCD committee and the FCD partners. Only then will the State render a verdict on the application.

To learn more about the Franklin Cultural District, their partners, and upcoming activities and events, visit their website at www.franklinculturaldistrict.org, or follow them on Facebook(www.facebook.com/FranklinCultureMA), Twitter (@FranklinCulture), and Instagram(@franklinculture).

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