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 *
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Street Survivors come to Franklin to perform at THE BLACK BOX, Saturday, Oct 28 at 8 PM
Monday, October 9, 2023
Broadway Star Takes FPAC “Under the Sea” with Disney’s The Little Mermaid
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.
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
FPAC’s The Little Mermaid brings Broadway to MetroWest Region
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Volunteer Fair not interrupted by tornado warning, folks did find volunteer opportunities
- Department of Children & Families [DCF]
- Franklin Public Radio
- Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council [SEPAC]
- SAFE Coalition
- Franklin Lions Club
- Metacomet Land Trust
- One Franklin
- Franklin Democratic Town Committee [FDTC]
- Franklin Senior Center
- Franklin Neighbor Brigade
- Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
- Franklin Food Pantry
- Franklin LGBTQ Alliance
- Franklin Downtown Partnership
- New Hope, Inc.
- Foster Care Essentials
- Franklin Performing Arts Company [FPAC]
Love Dogs return to THE BLACK BOX to perform on Sep 23 at 8 PM
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Want to figure out who to volunteer for? Stop by THE BLACK BOX and check out at least 16 options
- Department of Children & Families [DCF]
- Franklin Public Radio
- Franklin Special Education Parents Advisory Council [SEPAC]
- SAFE Coalition
- Franklin Lions Club
- Metacomet Land Trust
- One Franklin
- Franklin Democratic Town Committee [FDTC]
- Franklin Senior Center
- Franklin Neighbor Brigade
- Franklin & Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
- Franklin Food Pantry
- Franklin LGBTQ Alliance
- Franklin Downtown Partnership
- New Hope, Inc.
- Foster Care Essentials
- Franklin Performing Arts Company [FPAC]
Franklin Volunteer Fair - Weds, Sep 13 at THE BLACK BOX |
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
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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 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"
Susana in the FPAC production of Tartuffe at THE BLACK BOX |
Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Cmte: Monthly Meeting = Sep 12 & Volunteer Fair = Sep 13
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Sunday, September 3, 2023
Franklin Volunteer Fair - Weds, Sep 13 at THE BLACK BOX
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Auditions Scheduled for FPAC Production of Disney's The Little Mermaid - Aug 26 & 27
- 10am Student Apprentices ages 8-13
- 11am Student Apprentices 14-18
- Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show. There will also be a brief dance/movement combination
- Sign in begins at 12:30pm
- Auditions begin at 1pm
- Please prepare a 16-32 bar cut of a song in the style of the show.
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Franklin Performing Arts Company Announces Performances for the 2023-24 Season
FPAC is an Actors’ Equity Small Professional Theater company based at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin. Each season, FPAC produces musicals, plays, ballets, and more featuring Broadway stars, professional actors, local artists, and students of the arts. Tickets for the 2023-24 season will be on sale soon. Follow Franklin Performing Arts Company and THE BLACK BOX on Facebook and Instagram for updates on programming. https://www.fpaconline.com/
Monday, August 14, 2023
2023-24 Franklin Performing Arts Company Season Announced
FPAC 2023 - 2024 season |
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Franklin Cultural District: Farmers Market, Concerts on the Common, thrift shop, and plenty of music options
Wednesday, August 9
1:00pm - Senior Scribblers (writing group) (Franklin Senior Center)
Thursday, August 10
6:00pm - Dave Penza (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
Friday, August 11
Franklin Farmers Market |
2:00pm - Franklin Farmers Market (Franklin Town Common)
2:00pm - Thrift Threads thrift shop (Franklin Federated Church)
3:00pm - Thee Taco Dude (food truck) (Franklin Town Common)
3:30pm - Matt Zajac (live music) (Franklin Town Common)
6:00pm - AK Cody (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
6:00pm - Pub Kings (live music) (Franklin Town Common)
6:00pm - Elastic Five (67 Degrees Brewery)
8:00pm - Playing Dead (live music - ticketed event) (THE BLACK BOX)
Saturday, August 12
9:00am - Being Good Stewards to the End (Grace Episcopal Church)
10:00am - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
4:00pm - Emily & Nick (live music) (La Cantina Winery)
5:00pm - Patrick Durkin (live music) (Birchwood Bakery)
6:00pm - ZeroDrift (live music) (67 Degrees Brewery)
Sunday, August 13
10:00am - FUSF Service "Respect for all Living Things" (First Universalist Society of Franklin)
1:00pm - Franklin Historical Museum (always free)
1:15pm - Second Sunday Speaker (Franklin Historical Museum)
Monday, August 14
6:00pm - Scream VI (movie night) (Franklin Public Library)
Tuesday, August 15
11:00am - Books to Go
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If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication: https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
The Town meeting calendar is found https://www.franklinma.gov/calendar
The School district calendar is found https://www.franklinps.net/calendar-by-event-type/26
Franklin Cultural District: Arts are happening here! |