What's happening in Franklin, MA: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 ???

Library & Senior Center events 

Tuesday, April 29

11:00am Community Closet (Franklin United Methodist Church)

2:30pm Rainbow Cafe (Franklin Senior Center)

7:00pm Finance Cmte Budget hearing - Public Safety & Public Works (Council Chambers)

7:00pm Musical Bingo (Raillery Public House)

7:00pm Theatre Senior Showcase (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->   

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

**   Town Meetings today   **

 

Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (Medway)

Tuesday, April 29 Time: 1:00 PM

https://ma-franklin.civicplus.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1708 

Finance Committee Meeting (3rd Floor Trng Room)   

YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-Schools 

Tuesday, April 29 Time:7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1699 

Franklin School Committee Meeting (Council Chambers)

YouTube  https://bit.ly/FTV-TownHall

Tuesday, April 29 Time: 7:00 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_04292025-1704 

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What's happening today in Franklin? 

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

FSPA’s Drama Department Presents Café Murder on Friday, May 2

Café Murder on Friday, May 2

FSPA’s Drama Department Presents Café Murder (Youth Play) Friday, May 2nd at 7:00 PM at THE BLACK BOX!

Tickets available at FSPAonline.com or by calling the office at 508-528-8668!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_fj-tx_KI/?

"Little Women" set performances at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

For the final production of our 2024-25 season, FPAC is excited to present the musical adaptation of Little Women June 6-8 at THE BLACK BOX! 

 

Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. 

 

at THE BLACK BOX on June 6 to June 8

Little Women embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears and a lifting of the spirit. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache, and hope – the sounds of a young America finding its voice. 

📚Directed by Ali Funkhouser with Musical Direction by Hallie Wetzell! 

🎟️Tickets on sale NOW at FPAConline.com or by calling the box office at 508-528-3370!  Or directly -> https://theblackboxonline.com/little-women/

FPAC Golf Tournament - June 10

Take a day off work for a charitable cause, and test your skills in 18 holes of golf at the New England Country Club! 

Compete with friends, family, and co-workers for on-course hole contests (50/50 Hole, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive) and raffle prizes!

New England Country Club, 180 Paine St, Bellingham, MA 02019

Single Entry: $125, Foursome: $580

Participants must register online by June 1st.

https://fundraiser.support/FPACGOLF2025

FPAC Golf Tournament - June 10

Lowell Folk Festival starts revealing their performer lineup for 2025

2025 THE LOWELL FOLK FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FIRST GROUP OF PERFORMERS!

Cajun Legend BeauSoleil, Irish Favorites Solas, Blues Rockers Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, and Bhangra Sensation Red Baraat among the artists set to play this free multi-stage festival July 25-27.

The 2025 Lowell Folk Festival has announced the first group of artists scheduled to perform at one of America’s most popular free summer events. With folk music traditions that span the globe, world-class musicians will bring the world to Downtown Lowell July 25-27 on stages throughout the Mill City.

Lowell Folk Festival

“The Lowell Folk Festival has celebrated the extraordinary spectrum of folk music from around the world for nearly 40 years,” said Art Sutcliffe, Chairman of the Lowell Festival Foundation. “Musicians from Louisiana to Ireland, Colombia to Chicago, Spain to Quebec, and more will share traditions on multiple stages throughout downtown Lowell.”

Featured Performers

• BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet – celebrating their 50th anniversary with Louisiana’s irresistible Cajun music
• Cécilia – bringing Québécois and Celtic music from Eastern Canada
• Crooked Road Revival – honoring Virginia’s Crooked Road with bluegrass, old-time, and gospel
• Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials – classic Chicago blues and house-rockin' energy
• LOS RICOS featuring Sonia & Ismael – intimate, graceful, powerful flamenco traditions
• Red Baraat – a huge brass band sound fusing South Asian, Bollywood, jazz, and hip hop
• Solas – a force in the Irish music scene since debuting at the 1994 Lowell Folk Festival
• Yeison Landero – carrying the legacy of Andrés Landero, king of Colombian cumbia

Check out the lineup with more to be announced at https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/192pz63J6k/

2 performances of the Disney Showcase scheduled for Saturday, April 12 at THE BLACK BOX

Disney Showcase scheduled for Sat, Apr 12

 

Join us this Saturday, April 12th at THE BLACK BOX for the annual Disney Showcase! 

 

We’re so excited to cheer on all of FSPA’s performing ensembles and to get a sneak preview of the shows Broadway Light, Broadway Bound, and CenterStage will perform in Walt Disney World this month @disneysprings with @disneyimaginationcampus !  

 

 

Shared from -> https://www.facebook.com/share/1AYqTMD5ZE/

Tickets available online -> https://www.purplepass.com/organizer/82234

 

 

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, April 5, 2025 ???

Saturday, April 5

** Franklin Art Association Art Show and Sale Exhibit (Norfolk Public Library)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)
9:30am Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (Franklin Public Library)
10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)
10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
10:00am Brunch with Non-Scene Friends (Maks Roast Beef and Breakfast)
4:00pm "Winged Feet" art exhibition (Hopkinton Town Common)
7:00pm Rowboat (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
7:00pm Freaky Friday (Dean College Main Stage Theater)
7:30pm Franklin Underground (live music) (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)
7:30pm The Kennedy's (live music) Circle of Friends Coffeehouse)
7:30pm Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter (chamber opera) (Apple Tree Arts, Grafton)

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

 

For additional details on Library & Senior Center events ->  

https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37,24&showPastEvents=false

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars

“Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter” features the Dean College Vocal Ensemble Saturday, April 5

Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter

Join us THIS SATURDAY!!

Vocal Ensemble has graciously been asked to perform in the chorus of “Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter” a Chamber Opera by Jon Ceander Mitchell, in accordance with Claflin Hill Apple Tree Arts’ Chamber Music Series.

Tickets are $22.

This performance will be conducted by Luis Viquez. Other featured artists include Aurora Martin, Emily Bieber-Harris, Elizabeth Ayres-Kerr, Timothy Ayres-Kerr, Mark Schiappucci, and Frank Walker.

You won’t want to miss this! We hope to see you there!

Shared from -> https://www.instagram.com/p/DIAF54kx_CH/?

Listen to our conversation with Composer Jon Mitchell, Dean's Vocal Emsemble Director Timothy Ayres-Kerr on the slight changes to this performance of the chamber opera ->  https://www.franklinmatters.org/2025/03/claflin-hill-apple-tree-arts-chamber.html

Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1410-mary-anning-fossil-hunter-03-11-25/

FHS Theatre Co to perform "Urinetown (The Musical)" in June

Via FHS Theatre Co 

"Urinetown (The Musical)" on June 13 & 14

"Urine good company in FHSTC’s audience, and our next production is no exception! On June 13th and 14th, FHSTC will be performing URINETOWN (The Musical) for our final production of the 2024-2025 season!

Looking to get more involved? Auditions are this wednesday at 2:15 in the FHS auditorium! for more information look at or join our google classroom (Code: LFPDOST)! We hope to see you there!

For more updates on this production, keep an eye out on all of our social media! We hope to see you in the audience in June!"

Shared from ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DH4NLL-PIez/

Listen to how the FHSTC performance of the Yellow Boat got to sail to the State Finals (audio)

FM #1413 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1413 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with key members of the Franklin High School Theatre Co’s production of The Yellow Boat.

• Virginia Bernstein (Ginny)

• Eden Donovan

• Aiden Sheppard

We had our discussion in person in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, March 24, 2025. 

 

We do a round of introductions so they can provide some info about themselves then we get into talking about

• Theater and what it means to them

• The impact of the budget cuts and the recovery with “Yellow Boat”

• The production process (auditions, casting, rehearsals, etc.)

• Competition (on the road vs. hosted)

• Learning and sharing key aspects of life with the performance

The recording runs about 38 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1413-fhs-theatre-co-yellowboat-03-24-25/

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Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) schedule for finals

https://metg.org/high-school-festival/2025-finals.html 

The finals will be announced Saturday, March 29 beginning at 8 PM

Origin Theatrical link to The Yellow Boat

https://origintheatrical.com.au/work/8527 

Follow the FHS Theatre Co on Instagram -> https://www.instagram.com/fhstc/

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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

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

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!

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

Listen to how the FHSTC performance of the Yellow Boat got to sail to the State Finals (audio)

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, March 23, 2025 ???

Sunday, March 23

** "Look Up" Gallery (Franklin Public Library during open hours)

11:00am Sunday Brunch (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Children's Museum Fundraiser (Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub)

2:00pm (sold out) FPAC: Mel Brooks "The Producers" (THE BLACK BOX)

2:00pm An Evening of Short Plays (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:00pm Rehearsal for Distinguished Young Women (Patti Eisenhauer Dance Center)

** NO Town Meetings today   **

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

Why are there multiple calendars?

What's happening today in Franklin? 

Respectfully, the Library and Senior Center calendars are too full of events to include all their events so we tend to focus on the major events. Town and School meetings are also kept separate. Links for all the calendars are shared here:

Find the full Community event calendar  https://bit.ly/FranklinCommunityCalendar

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://bit.ly/Submit2Calendar

The Library calendar of events ->    calendar link

The Senior Center calendar of events ->   https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar.aspx?CID=37&showPastEvents=false

The Town meeting calendar is found  https://www.franklinma.gov/Calendar.aspx
The School district calendar is found  https://franklinpublicschooldistrictma.sites.thrillshare.com/o/fpsd/page/school-calendars