THE BLACK BOX: Montgomery and Marshall Duo - Aug 28

THE BLACK BOX welcomes the Montgomery and Marshall Duo with two shows on August 28 at 6:30 and 8:15 PM in the theater’s parking lot.  

James Montgomery and Bruce Marshall are celebrating 26 years together as a duo in 2020.  They started in 1994 after Bruce Marshall auditioned for the James Montgomery Band and asked James if he was interested in acoustic work as a duo. Their first gig was opening for the Band at the State Theater in Providence, RI and old friend Rick Danko introduced the pair as “the real deal”. Although Marshall didn’t get the electric gig, he ended up forging an enduring musical and personal relationship with James that continues to flourish.  

Get tickets online or call the box office https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1398&month=08&year=2020

THE BLACK BOX:  Montgomery and Marshall Duo - Aug 28

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Sonya Rae Taylor - Aug 22

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Sonya Rae Taylor on Saturday, August 22 at 8:00 PM! 

Sonya is part of the new breed of blues and soul musicians, always searching for new ways to revitalize the form. A triple threat, Sonya is a fiery guitar slinger, soulful blues belter, and a songwriter of depth and craft beyond her years. 

She is joined by her husband Ryan Taylor to form a powerful guitar duo. The couple has logged many miles in their young careers, from Boston to Austin then Nashville, where Sonya was signed by BMG Chrysalis. The two have worked with or shared stage with artists ranging from Austin queen of soul, Tameca Jones, Gary Clark Jr, John Popper of Blues Traveler, John Medeski, and Derrico Watson of the Victor Wooten Band and have made TV appearances on shows such as the the ABC series "Nashville". 

They are two of the finest young guitar players in the scene today and continue to provide audiences with high energy and soulful performances up and down the east coast and beyond.

Get tickets online or call the box office  https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1394&month=08&year=2020

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Sonya Rae Taylor - Aug 22

FM #331 Senator Becca Rausch 8/14/20 (audio)

FM #331 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 331 in the series. 

This session shares my conversation with Senator Becca Rausch. Our conversation was conducted outdoor, appropriately social distanced, on the Town Common. 

We were slowed in talking by the sound check by the Jesse Liam Band preparing for their set at the last Concerts on The Common. So thanks to Jesse Liam and his band for providing an interlude for our conversation. Actually more than one, as we stopped and started again. Periodically, you will hear some wind noise. Note to self when recording outdoors, even if it doesn’t seem breezy, put the windcap on the microphone.

In this conversation, Senator Rausch and I have a wide ranging conversation covering budget, health, schools, transparency, and some Franklin specific topics. I learned, and you can hear, of Senator Rausch's background as a health attorney which has played a key part in her role in this pandemic period.

The recording runs just about 41 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Senator Rausch. Audio file = https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-331-senator-becca-rausch-8-14-20

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Senator Becca Rausch page   https://www.beccarauschma.com/ 

Election information, Vote by Mail Act  https://www.beccarauschma.com/2020-elections  

Sign up for a spot during one of her virtual ‘office hours’  https://www.beccarauschma.com/office-hours 

COVID-19 updates https://www.beccarauschma.com/coronavirus 

Newsletter archive  https://us20.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=09452b4d597ce95fe20563af4&id=c427233b9b 

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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/

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"

FM #331 Senator Becca Rausch 8/14/20 (audio)

"I think it is important for us to stay engaged with our community” - FPAC "Outside the Box" Aug 20

 From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin: 

"A great arts organization can be like a roaring bonfire, drawing together people entranced by the lively flames and illumination.

But just as a thunderstorm can quickly drench a good bonfire, the pandemic abruptly doused the programming of two local arts organizations.

“In 2019 we had the best year that we have ever had as an organization,” said David Lavalley, the executive director of TCAN, The Center for the Arts in Natick. “We had an all-time high in terms of attendance and program revenue. We paid off our mortgage. We had nothing but blue sky ... In the first four months of this year we had members continuing to renew their memberships, we had families and donors making contributions. We received generous grants from Middlesex Savings Bank and the Foundation for MetroWest. ...We felt protected and supported.”

But a state of emergency was declared in Massachusetts on March 10 due to the coronavirus pandemic, and everything changed. On March 13, TCAN suspended all programs at its 14 Summer St. location, a red brick building that was once a firehouse. All live performances were rescheduled or canceled."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/entertainmentlife/20200818/fire-still-burns-local-arts-organizations-innovate-during-pandemic?rssfeed=true

"A parking lot celebration featuring a reunion of past and present FPAC performers accompanied by the ACME Rhythm Section! Sponsored by 1776 Financial.

Masks and social distancing are required in the lobby; our typical gathering in the lobby is currently not allowed. Two people will be allowed at a time in the rest rooms; please wait six feet apart if there is a line. Table groupings will be limited to six.  Please purchase tickets for your table group in one transaction.  You will only be seated with family or those with whom you are comfortable socializing. Advance ticketing and payment encouraged. The Bar will be table service only."

Tickets for OUTSIDE THE BOX  = https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1395&month=08&year=2020 

"I think it is important for us to stay engaged with our community”  - FPAC "Outside the Box" Aug 20

Franklin's weekend entertainment options - Aug 14-15

Friday, August 14 

Concerts on the Common (will be restricting to 50 per recent change)

• Jamie Barrett 5:00-6:00 pm, 
• Jesse Liam Band 6:00-8:00 pm, 
• Movie Night 8:00 - 10:00 pm: Aladdin

Saturday, August 15

Ayla Brown outdoor at THE BLACK BOX

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/news.php?id=1343

Franklin's weekend entertainment options - Aug 14-15

Franklin's weekend entertainment options

Concerts on the Common - after the Farmers Market on the Town Common  (Friday)

• Purple Heart Recognition at 5:45 pm, 
• Matt Zajac Duo 6:00 - 8:00 pm, 
• FSPA lmprov (on High Street) 8:00 - 9:15 pm

THE BLACK BOX presents Diane Blue in outdoor seating (Saturday)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/the-black-box-summer-concert-series_6.html

Circle of Friends Coffeehouse presents Peter Yarrow in a virtual concert to benefit the Franklin Food Pantry (Saturday)

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/circle-of-friends-coffeehouse-peter.html

Franklin's weekend entertainment options

THE BLACK BOX - Ayla Brown - August 15

Ayla Brown - August 15

THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premiere concert, theater, and event venue, will present country singer Ayla Brown as part of their outdoor concert series in the theater’s parking lot on Saturday, August 15 at 8:00 PM. 

The concert is sponsored by the Franklin Cultural District Committee and the Franklin Downtown Partnership. THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Dean Bank.


Visit the box office online for ticket information
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/news.php?id=1343


What does the outdoor seating look like? Check out this aerial view

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/the-black-box-outdoor-concert-setting.html

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Diane Blue - Aug 8

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Diane Blue as an outdoor concert in the theater's parking lot. Sponsored by Dean Bank.

Boston's DIANE BLUE is a “multi-talented performer who’s equally at home belting out a blues standard or cutting loose with a ferocious harmonica solo.” (Bill Van Siclen, Providence Journal). Her performances are captivating, charismatic and heartfelt, whether fronting her own world-class band or singing alongside master Bluesman Ronnie Earl. Ms. Blue is the first female member of Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, prominently featured on the band’s most recent six celebrated records, including co-writing credits. When Diane is not performing with Ronnie Earl, she leads her own all-star band of extraordinary musicians.

Diane’s reputation as a sensational entertainer has led her all over the United States and tours of Europe where audiences enjoy her traditional and original songs alike. A multi-nominated and award-winning artist, she competed at the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Diane has shared the stage with many greats including Muddy Waters’ guitarist Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson, Irma Thomas, Toni Lynn Washington and the late Big Jack Johnson of Clarksdale, Mississippi who called Diane a “monster on the harp.”

Diane Blue’s latest solo record, Look for the Light (Released 12 October 2019 on Regina Royale Records), made its debut at #10 on the Living Blues Radio Chart and climbed to #8. The album also charted on the international Roots Music Report Top 50 Contemporary Blues Albums of the Year 2019. Produced by Lorne Entress, the album includes six original songs and four cover songs, and features special guest guitarist Ronnie Earl (courtesy of Stony Plain Records), backed by some of Boston’s top musicians (Dave Limina, Chris Vitarello, Brooks Millgate, Jesse Williams, Lorne Entress, Kevin Barry).

Saturday August 8, 2020 - 8:00 PM

• For more info and tickets, visit THE BLACK BOX online

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1392&month=08&year=2020

• What does the outdoor seating look like? Check out this aerial view

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/the-black-box-outdoor-concert-setting.html

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Diane Blue - Aug 8

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Britt Connors and Bourbon Renewal - Aug 6

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Britt Connors and Bourbon Renewal, as an outdoor weekend concert in the theater’s parking lot. Sponsored by Dean Bank.

Singer/Songwriter Britt Connors was born and raised singing in small-town West Boylston, MA before taking her studies to Ithaca College in NY. But, the lure of the talented Boston singer/songwriter scene and the thought that she may someday try her hand at songwriting brought her to Boston in 2001. Her acclaimed 2010 debut “The Bad Side of Good" was released under her maiden name of Britt Sawdon and blended blues, folk, and country with jazz voicings and pop sensibilities. 

By the time she released her second album, "Warmer Season" in 2014, she had met and formed her backing band, "Bourbon Renewal," and had written the songs with that sound in mind, with tunes that are alternately rockin', country, sweet, rootsy, and New-Orleans-street-parade. The record needed its own category, so they started calling it "Y'all-Ternative" music. Britt continued to expand into the band's sound, calling on even more of some of Boston's talented musicians for her 2020 album, "Longitude." On this third record, she slips nimbly and authentically between soulful ballads, pop-rock, and gospel-infused Americana, reminiscent of recent feminist-inspired albums by Sara Bareilles and The Highwomen.


Thursday, August 6, 2020 - 8:00 PM

• For more info and tickets, visit THE BLACK BOX online

https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1391&month=08&year=2020

• What does the outdoor seating look like? Check out this aerial view

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/08/the-black-box-outdoor-concert-setting.html

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series: Britt Connors and Bourbon Renewal - Aug 6

THE BLACK BOX - Outdoor Concert Setting (YouTube)

"Drone footage of THE BLACK BOX outdoor concert series courtesy of John Fitzgerald at Peek Aerials. 

THE BLACK BOX's Summer Concert Series is sponsored by Dean Bank."

Video link = https://youtu.be/VMFanDJy76w

Dream Come True: A Magical Night of Disney Classics with Christopher Rice & Clay Thomson

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Christopher Rice and Clay Thomson in Dream Come True: A Magical Night of Disney Classics on Saturday, July 25! Sponsored by Dean Bank

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students/Seniors.

Tickets are no longer available online for this show. Tickets must be reserved in table groupings. Please call 508-528-3370 for tickets.
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1388&month=07&year=2020

 A Magical Night of Disney Classics with Christopher Rice & Clay Thomson

THE BLACK BOX: Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh - July 23

THE BLACK BOX Summer Concert Series presents Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh sponsored by Dean Bank on Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 pm!

Join Ali Funkhouser, pianist Raye Lynn Mercer & violinist Irina Fainkichen for an evening of musical shenanigans with music from Sondheim to Whitney Houston!

Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Students/Alumni/Seniors.

Get tickets online
https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1375&month=07&year=2020

THE BLACK BOX: Ali Funkhouser: I Only Wanna Laugh - July 23

St John's Episcopal Church - Outdoor Worship - now scheduled for July 19

St John's Episcopal Church to re-gather for Outdoor Worship Sunday, July 19

St John's Outdoor worship postponed till July 19

We need a little more time to pull together the details. Bring your chair and mask NEXT Sunday (7/19/20) at 10 AM

Bring your own chair and mask for worship on our front lawn.
See you Sunday (7/19/20) at 10 AM. We'll still be live streaming on Facebook, as well.

St John's Episcopal Church - Outdoor Service - July 19

THE BLACK BOX Outdoor Concerts to Begin THURSDAY

The shows will take place in the venue's parking lot. 

Masks and social distancing are required in the lobby; typical gathering in the lobby is currently not allowed. 

Two people will be allowed at a time in the rest rooms; please wait six feet apart if there is a line. 

Table groupings will be limited to six. 
Patrons are asked to purchase tickets for their table group in one transaction. 

Patrons will only be seated with family or those with whom they are comfortable socializing. 

Advance ticketing and payment encouraged. 
The Bar will be table service only. 
Shows are one hour.

THE BLACK BOX Outdoor Concerts to Begin THURSDAY

St John's Episcopal Church - Outdoor Service - July 19

St John's Episcopal Church to re-gather for Outdoor Worship THIS Sunday, July 12th

St John's Outdoor worship postponed till July 19

We need a little more time to pull together the details. Bring your chair and mask NEXT Sunday (7/19/20) at 10 AM

Bring your own chair and mask for worship on our front lawn.

See you Sunday at 10 AM. We'll still be live streaming on Facebook, as well.

St John's Episcopal Church - Outdoor Service - July 12

67 Degrees Reopening With Outdoor Seating - Friday - June 19

Hello everyone!!

We are beyond thrilled to announce that we will resume operations in our taproom starting this Friday 19 June at 4:30 pm via outdoor seating only.

First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for keeping us afloat during these unforeseen and difficult times.  Your support for local breweries like ours has been a lifeline over the past 3 months. 

As you can imagine, our way of doing business will be different than before the pandemic.  We have put some sensible sanitary and precautionary measures in place to keep our patrons and staff safe.  

Specifically:

- All tables in our outdoor seating area will be spaced 6 feet apart
- There are hand sanitizer stations throughout our facility
- We urge our guests to wear a face mask if at any point they are inside the tasting room or facility (i.e. ordering drinks, transiting to restrooms, etc.)
- You are welcome to take off your mask while in the outdoor seating area to enjoy your pint and interact with your party :-) (i.e. friends, family, etc.)
- All alcoholic drinks must be consumed within the outdoor seating area
- Our staff will have a face mask on regularly, especially while serving or interacting with our guests
- There will be no packaged beer sales (i.e. 4-pack/Crowler/Growler) for the next two weeks

We ask that you bear with us as we do our absolutely best to ensure everyone of our guests have a wonderful experience at our venue.  We miss you all and look forward to seeing you again. 

Cheers!!

67 Degrees Reopening With Outdoor Seating - Friday - June 19

Ayla Brown to feature at THE BLACK BOX Outdoor Concert

THE BLACK BOX, the region’s premiere concert, theater, and event venue, has announced outdoor weekend concerts throughout the month of July in the theater’s parking lot. The shows will be presented in a 1 hour format with two seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 PM. Tables will be socially distanced and masks will be required when patrons enter THE BLACK BOX building to access the box office, restrooms, and bar. Table groupings will be limited to six.

The concert series will open on July 2nd with a weekend of Patriotic-inspired entertainment. Country singer Ayla Brown will headline on the Fourth of July. From parachuting with the Army Golden Knights jump team, lighting up the scoreboard for Boston College Basketball, or acting as a main correspondent for national news programs, Ayla Brown is no stranger to the spotlight. Most recently, she has been named as the Morning Show Co-host at Country 102.5 in Boston. Jonathan Wier and Ayla Brown can be heard weekdays from 5:30 to 9am on WKLB-FM (https://country1025.com/shows/jonathan-wier-ayla-brown/). 

Musically, Ayla has released two full length albums Heroes & Hometowns and Let Love In both to critical acclaim and her new single, “Label,” is available on all digital platforms. Brown, an alumna of the Franklin School for the Performing Arts, was also a finalist on nationally renowned television program American Idol, and she continues to utilize her vast repertoire of talents while advancing her already successful and illustrious career. Other July performers will be announced soon.

Tickets will be available at www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or by calling 508-528-3370. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in downtown Franklin. 

Ayla Brown to feature at THE BLACK BOX Outdoor Concert