What's happening in Franklin, MA: Sunday, February 22, 2026 ???

Sunday, February 22

9:00am Fallen Heroes: James P. Murray (Veterans Walkway, Town Common)

12:30pm Screening of "Common Ground" (First Universalist Society Franklin)

1:00pm Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

2:00pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

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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-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Saturday, February 21, 2026 ???

Saturday, February 21

8:00am St. Mary Men's Faith Formation Group (St. Mary's Parish)

9:00am Thrifty Threads (Franklin Federated Church)

9:00am      Library Book Sale (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am    Volunteer Income Tax Preparation with VITA  (Franklin Public Library)

10:00am    Rise Up (Franklin United Methodist Church)

10:00am Winter Farmers Market (Fairmount Fruit Farm)

10:00am    Girl Scout Cookie sale (Stop & Shop)

10:00am Franklin Historical Museum (always free)

10:30am 7th Annual Valentine's Brunch (Canceled Again due to weather) (Central Park Terrace)

1:00pm      Library Books by the Bag Sale (Franklin Public Library)

2:00pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

8:00pm Karaoke at The Raillery (Raillery Public House)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

*** NO Town Meetings today   ***

-----------

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-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Thursday, February 19, 2026 ???

Thursday, February 19

5:00pm Ken Barney (live music) (Red Rooster Bar and Grill)

7:00pm BEN 4 Franklin Mtg (Franklin TV and Radio Studio)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

Library & Senior Center events

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  Town Meetings today   ***

Town Council Monthly Office Hours

Thursday, February 19 Time: 8:30 AM

No agenda for this informal discussion

ZBA Meeting

Thursday, February 19 Time: 7:30 PM

https://www.franklinma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02192026-2113 

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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-calendar

What's happening in Franklin, MA: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 ???

Wednesday, February 18

9:00am Fallen Heroes: Alan W. Willard (Veterans Walkway, Town Common) 

11:00am Franklin Conversation; Q&A (Franklin Senior Center) 

12:00noon    Joe Landry Recording Session (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

3:00pm Stop The Bleed (free training) (Franklin Fire Department)

5:00pm Free NARCAN Training (Franklin Public Library)

6:30pm Queer Book Club (Franklin TV and Radio 102.9 FM)

7:00pm Smarty Pants Trivia  (Raillery Public House)

7:30pm Much Ado About Nothing (Dean College Main Stage Theater)

For additional details on Library events -> 

https://www.franklinma.gov/942/Calendar-of-Events

For additional details on Senior Center events ->   

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

Note: Senior Center checking on why their events are suddenly being shown as "All Day". You can use the monthly newsletter for specific program/event times

***  NO Town Meetings today   ***

-----------

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-calendar

2025-26 Dean College Theatre and Dance Single ticket sales start on September 1st

Good evening all,

Regular Single Ticket sales start on September 1^st for all of the 2025-2026 Theatre and Dance Season shows at Dean College via online sales at www.dean.edu/boxoffice.  Single ticket types include Adult, Senior Citizen, Non-Dean Student, Dean Faculty/Staff, and Dean Students.

Here is a breakdown of the eight (four theatre and four dance) mainstage 25-26 season shows:

2025-2026 Performing Arts Season at Dean

The Wolves
Written by Sarah DeLappe
     October 15-19, 2025 - Main Stage

A contemporary play that follows the experiences of a high school girls' indoor soccer team. The drama unfolds entirely during their pre-game warm-ups as nine teenage girls navigate complex issues of adolescence, identity, and social dynamics. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.  (www.concordtheatricals.com).

Fall Dance Concert
     October 31-November 1, 2025 - Guidrey Center

This performance showcases student choreography, celebrating the creative voices of Dean's dance majors and demonstrating a range of choreographic perspectives

Cabaret
Book by Joe Masteroff; Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood; Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb
     November 12-16, 2025 - Main Stage
Daring, provocative, and exuberantly entertaining, this musical explores the dark and heady life of Bohemian Berlin as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.  Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark (www.concordtheatricals.com).

Faculty Dance Works
     December 5-6, 2025 - Main Stage

Two energetic and exciting evenings of dance, featuring outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance faculty and guest artists.

Much Ado About Nothing
Written by William Shakespeare
     February 18-22, 2026 - Main Stage
One of Shakespeare's last comedies, Much Ado About Nothing was first presented in 1598 and feels as contemporary as if it were written yesterday. The classic play is chock-full of surprises, laughs, relationships that feel familiar, and unforgettable characters navigating their way through impossible circumstances.

Choreographers' Concert
     February 27-28, 2026 - Main Stage

Dean student choreographers will have selected works showcased and adjudicated by renowned industry professionals in this two-night concert. Join us to enjoy the creative talents of emerging choreographers in a full production setting.  Friday evening's presentation will feature live commentary from guest artists following each work, while the program will be reprised as a regular concert on Saturday evening.

Please note: The performances may differ each night, so please ensure you attend the appropriate performance if you hope to see specific students.

The Prom
Book and lyrics by Chad Beguelin; Book by Bob Martin; Music by Matthew Sklar; Based on an original concept by Jack Viertel; Original Broadway Production directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
     April 8-12, 2026 - Main Stage
In this comedic and heartwarming musical, four Broadway stars come together to support a high school girl in a small town who faces backlash from the school's PTA for wanting to attend prom with her girlfriend. Winner of the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, The Prom expertly captures all the humor and heart of a classic musical comedy with a message that resonates with audiences now more than ever.  Presented through special arrangement with, and all authorized performance materials are supplied by, Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036 (www.theatricalrights.com).

Dance Company
     April 23-26, 2026 - Main Stage

Faculty and guest choreographers will showcase the impressive talent of Dean's dance majors through a variety of new and restaged dance works, featuring a diverse program of dance genres.

If there are any questions, please email Anna Proulx at aproulx@dean.edu.  Thank you.

	David Rowell (he/his/him)
	Associate Professor /      Program Coordinator – Arts Leadership
	508-541-1638 (office) | drowell@dean.edu | 850-443-5736 (cell)
		dean.edu

Dean College presents a night of songs, scenes, and Shakespeare - Oct 23

Dean College presents

 

"Join the Dean College Vocal Ensemble for a night of songs, scenes, and Shakespeare! 

We can’t wait to see you there Wednesday, Oct 23 at 7 PM"

Download a copy of the flyer as a reminder or to share -> 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-vUyvv9mlJJMHOuyoeTEf4RDQiM6o5J5/view?usp=drive_link

Providence, Lowell & Boston offering free outdoor performances

Providence, July 28, 2022

Summertime is a good time for outdoor performing arts. And when the location is the Waterplace Park in Providence for a performance by Trinity Rep, put it on the calendar! 

"Meet the cast of "La Mancha!" This Spanish/English bilingual adaptation of "Don Quixote" is part of Teatro en el Verano, produced by @rilatinoarts in association with Trinity Rep. It features local Latinx artists, and is completely free to attend.

"Don Quixote" ... closes with a special performance on the Waterplace Park  in Providence on July 28. 

For more information, visit trinityrep.com/lamancha."

Spanish/English bilingual adaptation of "Don Quixote"

Lowell Folk Festival Returns July 29-31, 2022

The 35th Anniversary Lowell Folk Festival, a staple cultural event of the region since its inception in 1987, will take place in person on July 29, 30, and 31. The 2022 festival will feature close to 20 performing groups sharing their unique musical traditions on stages throughout downtown Lowell. The Lowell Folk Festival attracts more than 150,000 people for three days of music, food, and art.

Ethnic food vendors will serve traditional dishes representing over a dozen different cultures. In the Folk Craft Area, the theme is Crafting Sound: Making & Restoring Musical Instruments, which will feature demonstrations playing and building the instruments. The Foodways Area will explore comfort foods from an array of communities. Art In The Courtyard will offer the opportunity for visitors to view and purchase some of the finest art and craftwork. The Family Fun area is back on Shattuck Street.

Check this site to stay up to date on all Lowell Folk Festival updates.

The Lowell Folk Festival is produced by the Lowell Festival Foundation, the City of Lowell, Lowell National Historical Park, the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Merrimack Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau.

For more information visit -> https://lowellfolkfestival.org/

35th Anniversary Lowell Folk Festival

Boston, through August 7, 2022

Shakespeare on the Boston Common -  Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) and Artistic Director Steven Maler are pleased to announce the return of Free Shakespeare on the Common in the summer of 2022 – William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian. Performances will begin on The Boston Common on Wednesday, July 20 at 8PM (with press opening on Wednesday, July 27 at 8PM) and end on Sunday, August 7.

Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and frequently performed plays. The plot revolves around two couples — witty Beatrice and Benedick, who publicly proclaim their disdain for each other but fall madly in love; and naïve Hero and Claudio, who fall quickly in love only to be thwarted and then reunited (in both cases, with a bit of help from their friends). But it’s more than just a comedic romp. The play tackles serious themes too: trust and betrayal, power and privilege, gendered expectations around chastity and violence. This is a comedy entangled with a tragedy, where love and justice nevertheless manage to prevail with vigorous joy — a perfect play for our uncertain times.

For more info please visit -> https://commshakes.org/2022/01/28/free-shakespeare-on-the-common-2022-much-ado-about-nothing/

Shakespeare on the Boston Common

FPAC performs "Hamlet" on the Town Common - Aug 2 and 3

"Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) a production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet on Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 at 8 PM. The production will be staged outside on Franklin Town Common. Performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

One of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, the play is set in Denmark where the ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet's uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. His uncle, fearing for his life, also devises plots to kill Hamlet. FPAC presents a 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tale, featuring puppetry by Nick Paone."

FPAC performs "Hamlet" on the Town Common - Aug 2 and 3

This was shared from https://www.fpaconline.com/events.php?id=1283

Reminder: FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 11th annual Whatever Theater Festival, featuring a production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth on Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3 at 8 p.m. 

The production will be staged outdoors on Franklin Town Common. Performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Macbeth is a psychological thriller about unchecked ambition, ruthless murder and revenge. Fueled by witches’ prophecy and a lust for power, tyrannical madman Macbeth carries out a murderous plot to take Scotland’s crown. 

With wife Lady Macbeth, the pair’s dark corruption erodes human compassion and causes devastating destruction. FPAC presents a 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic morality tale, as “Something wicked this way comes.” 

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, the summertime Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience. 

For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.

An overview of Macbeth can be found online https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth

FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) presents the 11th annual Whatever Theater Festival, featuring a production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth on Thursday, August 2 and Friday, August 3 at 8 p.m. 

The production will be staged outdoors on Franklin Town Common. Performances are free of charge, with donations to FPAC gratefully accepted.

One of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, Macbeth is a psychological thriller about unchecked ambition, ruthless murder and revenge. Fueled by witches’ prophecy and a lust for power, tyrannical madman Macbeth carries out a murderous plot to take Scotland’s crown. 

With wife Lady Macbeth, the pair’s dark corruption erodes human compassion and causes devastating destruction. FPAC presents a 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic morality tale, as “Something wicked this way comes.”

Conceived and directed by Nick Paone, the summertime Whatever Theater Festival brings together professional artists, FPAC alumni, students and community performers in a collaborative theatrical experience. 

For more information, call (508) 528-3370 or visit www.FPAConline.com.

An overview of Macbeth can be found online https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macbeth

FPAC Presents 11th Annual Whatever Theater Festival - Aug 2-3

Dean College performs Twelfth Night

The Dean College School of the Arts is now playing its first theatre production of the semester, Twelfth Night. The show opens TONIGHT and will run through this Sunday, February 25th, 2018.

Twelfth Night is a comedy set in the Hotel de Illyria on the French Riviera. The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola, disguised as a boy, falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Throw into this mix a cast of characters, which includes Sir Tobey Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Feste the Fool, the lusty Maria, and taciturn Malvolio, and you have a riotous tale of mistaken gender and love triumphant on the Cote d'Azur of the Roaring 20'

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets!
http://www.dean.edu/boxoffice

Dean College performs Twelfth Night

Thursday, Friday, Saturday at 7:30 PM
Saturday, Sunday at 2:00 PM
Performing Arts Studios Stage Franklin, MA

Dean College Presents: "Twelfth Night" - February 21-25, 2018

The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform Twelfth Night, beginning Wednesday, February 21 through Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Twelfth Night, or What You Will is a comedy set at the Hotel de Illyria on the French Riviera. The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola, disguised as a boy, falls in love with Duke Orsino, who in turn is in love with the Countess Olivia. Throw into this mix a cast of characters, which include Sir Toby Belch, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Feste the Fool, the lusty Maria, and taciturn Malvolio, and you have a riotous tale of mistaken gender and love triumphant on the Côte d’Azur of the Roaring 20’s.

The Dean College production of Twelfth Night will take place in the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission is $22, Seniors $12 and Children $7.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.dean.edu/boxoffice.

Dean College Presents: "Twelfth Night" - February 21-25, 2018

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity for academic and personal success. A uniquely supportive community for more than 150 years, Dean has woven together extensive student support and engagement with exceptional teaching and innovative campus activities. Our graduates are lifetime learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership. This is The Dean Difference.

Dean College performs "A Midsummer Night's Dream" February 22 - 26, 2017

The School of the Arts at Dean College will perform A Midsummer Night's Dream, beginning Wednesday, February 22, 2017 through Sunday, February 26, 2017.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is perhaps the best loved of Shakespeare's plays. It brings together the realms of the mortal and immortal, colliding in a wood outside Athens, and from there the enchantment begins. Simple and engaging on the surface, it is none the less a highly original and sophisticated work, where love is capricious as the wind, and where a mischievous imp named Puck plays with fate as merrily as a baby with a toy.

You won't want to miss our talented students perform in this well-loved play!

The Dean College production of A Midsummer Night's Dream will take place in the Main Stage in the Campus Center at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Franklin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

General admission is $22, Seniors $12 and Children $7.

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.dean.edu/boxoffice.

Dean College, Main St Franklin