Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Thursday, June 20, 2024
BalletFranklin Announces New Director - Russell Clarke
Sunday, June 2, 2024
FSPA Senior Showcase scheduled for June 11 at 6 PM
"Join us on June 11 at 6:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX to celebrate the Franklin School for the Performing Arts Class of 2024!
All are welcome!"
Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ZB4TMtFjcKArqXuw/
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FSPA Senior Showcase scheduled for June 11 at 6 PM |
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Children's Museum of Franklin mobilizes to visit FSPA Sunday, June 2
"We can’t wait to open full time in the downtown, but, in anticipation, join us for a family-friendly day in Franklin! We’re “popping-up” at @fspaonline on June 2.
You’re not going to want to miss this one - complimentary FSPA trial classes are available during the Mobile Museum event!"
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Talking about the FPAC Golf Tournament and other fundraising with Arielle & Alan (audio)
FM #1212 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1212 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Alan Mercer, Operations Director of THE BLACK BOX, and Arielle Hardy, Director of Development for FPAC. We met to record this conversation in the Franklin TV Studios on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
We talk about
FPAC golf event June 10
Importance of fundraising to augment income
Expansion of FPAC from a regional theater to include equity performers
The conversation runs about 20 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Arielle and Alan. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1212-fpac-golf-outing-fundraising-05-16-24
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FPAC Golf outing June 10 -> https://www.fpaconline.com/events.php?id=1747
FPAC support options -> https://www.fpaconline.com/pages.php?pname=fpac_support_us
THE BLACK BOX page -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/
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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 www.franklin.news/ or www.Franklinmatters.org/
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"
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
FSPA: Don’t miss the 2024 Disney Showcase - 2 performances on April 6
"Don’t miss the 2024 Disney Showcase on April 6th at 2 PM and 7 PM in @theblackboxfranklin!
Featuring:
- CenterStage
- Broadway Light
- Broadway Bound
- Starstruck
Tickets are available at https://www.fspaonline.com/events.php?id=1665!
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FSPA: Don’t miss the 2024 Disney Showcase on April 6 |
Friday, October 6, 2023
Did you hear Talk Talk Boom's episode with Clay Rice Thompson? (video)
In this episode, Raye Lynn Mercer, the founder and director of Franklin School for the Performing Arts and Franklin Performing Arts Company, chats with Broadway star Clay Rice Thomson, who's currently starring in Moulin Rouge on Broadway.
He has performed in shows such as Newsies, Matilda, King Kong, and Moulin Rouge. They talk about Clay’s experience from his Broadway debut in Newsies, his experience working with different directors and choreographers, his advice for aspiring performers, and his involvement with the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.Recorded at FPAC’s THE BLACK BOX theater in Franklin, MA.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Escape Into Fiction coordinates with FSPA for a Mermaid Story Time - Oct 7
"Coming Soon!!!Mark your calendars for this fun collaboration with @fspaonline for a Mermaid Story Time.... as they prepare for their big production, we want to show our community support!Feel free to let your little ones dress up in their favorite Mermaid character costume!"
Monday, September 11, 2023
Talking about the fun pathways at FSPA with Raye Lynn and Susana (audio)
FM #1058 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1058 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Raye Lynn Mercer, founder and Director of the Franklin School for Performing Arts, and special guest FSPA alum Susana Cordon. We recorded this in the Franklin Public Radio Studio on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Yes, this sat in the archives for a while due to some unforeseen events that held up the publication. Aside from the future view, now in the past, the pathways talked of still apply.
Susana tells her amazing story following her path through FSPA to Carnegie-Mellon and is looking forward to an exciting year with a performance in Violet (with FPAC), an alumni show with the Electric Youth European tour this summer, fall semester in Wales, followed by final semester and graduation in 2024. Definitely a commencement of whatever her future holds for her.
We cover a lot of ground in about 34 minutes with Raye Lynn and Susana.
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1058-fspa-fun-pathways-06-01-23--------------
Tickets for Violet are available -> https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1597
Susana was quoted in a article about Carnegie-Mellon https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/carnegie-mellon-university-school-of-drama-star-factory-patrick-wilson-susan-tsu-john-wells-myhala-herrold-purnell-center/
FPSA post about Susan’s acceptance at Carnegie-Mellon
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/05/fspa-senior-accepted-to-prestigious.html
Original conversation with Raye Lynn as we spend 38 minutes talking about 38 Main St and the evolution of FSPA to FPAC, THE BLACK BOX, et al …
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/09/raye-lynn-mercer-shares-some-stories-of.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"
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Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX |
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
FSPA auditions scheduled for September
Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) has scheduled several AUDITIONS!
Give us a call at 508.528.8668 for specific requirements and more info - we hope to see you there!
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FSPA auditions scheduled for September |
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FSPA auditions scheduled for September - dance ensambles |
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FSPA auditions scheduled for September - glee club |
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FSPA auditions scheduled for September - musical theater |
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Little Music School open house - Weds, Aug 23, 2023
Thursday, August 3, 2023
FSPA Senior Voice Recital scheduled for Sunday, Aug 6 at 4 PM
"You are cordially invited to the Senior Voice Recital of
- Tzintli Cerda @tzintli.cerda,
- Tatiana McAlpine @tatianamcalpine_, and
- Audrey Miningham @audrey.miningham!"
Monday, July 17, 2023
FSPA Open House schedule for July, August & September
- July 24, 10 AM - 7 PM
- August 8, 10 AM - 7 PM
- August 23, 10 AM - 7 PM
- September 9, 10 AM - 4 PM
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) schedules Open House dates for July, Aug, Sep 2023
Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will hold Open House in summer and early fall 2023 for prospective students and families at 38 Main Street.
The community is invited to tour the facilities, observe classes, speak with faculty and staff, and learn more about FSPA programs in music, dance, and drama, whether for recreational enjoyment or serious study.
The upcoming 2023 Open House dates
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Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) schedules Open House dates for July, Aug, Sep 2023 |
Monday, June 12, 2023
This Town Council Quarterbacking session condenses the 06/07/23 meeting to about 35 minutes (audio)
FM #1008 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1008 in the series.
This shares my conversation with Town Council Chair Tom Mercer in our Town Council Quarterbacking session. This is one of the series of conversations meant to provide a recap of the prior night’s Town Council meeting.
Akin to one of the many sports post-game analysis broadcasts we are familiar with in New England, this would be a discussion focused on the Franklin Town Council meeting of June 7, 2023:
ok, what just happened?
What does it mean for Franklin residents and taxpayers?
We cover the following key topics
PROCLAMATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Recognition: Electric Youth
APPOINTMENTS
- Annual Reappointments of Boards and Committees - a few positions still open
- Davis-Thayer Building Reuse Advisory Committee - recommendations by year end
Public hearings
- License corporate formalities
- Zoning Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling units
FY 2024 Budget - Additional $736K for school budget
- Resolution 23-39: FY2024 Budget Adjustments
- Resolution 23-40: MECC Stabilization Account Transfer to MECC Appropriation FY24
Links to the meeting agenda and associated documents released for this meeting are included in the show notes.
Our conversation runs about 35 minutes. Let’s listen to the Town Council Quarterbacking session recorded June 8, 2023
Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1008-town-council-quarterbacking-06-08-23
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The agenda doc can also be found on the Town of Franklin page ->
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif10036/f/agendas/town_council_agenda_-_june_7_2023.pdf
FY 2024 budget documents https://www.franklinma.gov/town-budget/webforms/fy-24-budget-materials
My notes in one PDF file ->
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hc2egjV3zKOqJmIziMKApdR4z24gNMya/view?usp=drive_link
Franklin TV meeting video -> https://www.youtube.com/live/eejInS90WgM?feature=share
--------------
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 your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"