FSPA Ensembles To Perform At Walt Disney World

Thirty-nine local students from the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) will travel to Walt Disney World during the April school break to perform for Disney audiences and to take master classes with Disney performers, choreographers, and directors. This is FSPA’s 23rd year of Disney performances as part of the Disney Performing Arts program.

FSPA musical theater troupes Broadway Ladies, Broadway Light, and Broadway Bound, as well as FSPA’s senior dance company, CenterStage, will entertain at the Disney Springs Marketplace Stage. Show times on Sunday evening, April 15, are 6:00 (CenterStage), 7:30 (Broadway Bound), 9:00 (Broadway Ladies), and 10:30 (Broadway Light). On Monday night, April 16, performances are at 5:15 (CenterStage), 6:45 (Broadway Bound), 8:15 (Broadway Ladies), and 9:45 (Broadway Light). The FSPA students also will participate in Disney’s Broadway Magic, Disney Dancin’ Jazz Technique, and Acting 101 workshops with Disney performers, directors, and choreographers.

Franklin School for the
Performing Arts (FSPA)

FSPA performing troupe and dance company members are selected by audition at the beginning of each academic year. The Disney-bound FSPA students are Brian Barrett of Foxboro; Caroline Mack of Framingham; Jason Barney, Lily Barney, Julia Buccella, Hayley Driscoll, Mia Fleischer, Anna Grasso, Collin Hancock, Kelly Irwin, Sydney Leach, Kelly McCormick, Emma Nicholson, Michaela Olah, Hannah Rezendes, Maddie Rezendes, Emily Reilly, Deanna Rivera, Sarah Schiavo, Abby Settle, Caitlin Woodcock, Amanda Wylie, Lindsey Wyner, and Delaney Zolnowski of Franklin; Abby Roth of Holliston; Caroline Merten of Hopedale; Cassidy Baratta and Kelsey Breslin of Hopkinton; Sam Evans of Medfield; Ally Lynch of Medway; Nick Steiner of Millis; Juliette Welter of North Attleboro; Naomi Fitzgerald, Samantha Goldman, Mairead Nee, Caroline Wilkins, and Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Madeleine Cron and Susuana Wickstrom of Wrentham.

The musical theater ensembles will be accompanied by FSPA Director Raye Lynn Mercer on piano, FSPA faculty member Kenny Hadley on drums, and bassist Mark Poniatowski and guitarist Mark White, both of the Berklee College of Music. Hallie Wetzell is Vocal Director for the FSPA musical theater troupes. Ensemble choreographers are Kellie Stamp, Casey Harkness Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone, Amanda Dubois, and Raye Lynn Mercer.

Founded in 1985 by Raye Lynn Mercer, the Franklin School for the Performing Arts offers year-round music, dance, and drama programs for students of all ages and ability levels. FSPA serves more than 500 students annually from 40 communities in the MetroWest region. For more information about FSPA, including catalogue, class schedule, or summer brochure, call (508) 528-8668 or visit www.FSPAonline.com

April vacation destination in our backyard: The Brown Sisters photos

As we enter April, a school vacation is coming up and perhaps you're looking for something to do. If you have ever been caught by the Brown Sisters photos, you can see them at the ICA in Boston through Apr 22. 

Nicholas Nixon is the photographer for the 40+ year series of the photos of his wife and her three sisters. More about Nicholas and his work follows:

"As an exhibition title, “Nicholas Nixon: Persistence of Vision” is almost self-explanatory. The show runs at the Institute of Contemporary Art through April 22. 

Nixon needs no introduction around here. For many years, he’s been one of the starriest names in what has long been a very starry photography faculty at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. And since his inclusion in the ground-breaking 1975 exhibition “New Topographics: Photographs of a Man-Altered Landscape,” Nixon has had a national, and eventually international, reputation for decades. 

So the Nicholas Nixon part of the title is clear enough. Ditto “persistence.” Nixon turned 70 in October, and the show’s 112 black-and-white images start in 1974 and extend to this year. In fact, there are two or three photographs for each year. The sole exception is 2017, which has just one image: the latest iteration of Nixon’s most famous body of work, “The Brown Sisters.” The series consists of an annual group portrait of Nixon’s wife and three sisters-in-law."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/art/2017/12/20/ica-the-brown-sisters-and-much-more-from-nicholas-nixon/F0iwbZKPYarh3X2mPPkb2H/story.html

April vacation destination in our backyard: The Brown Sisters photos

The ICA Exhibit   https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/nicholas-nixon-persistence-vision

MOMA online contains 190+ of Nixon's photos
https://www.moma.org/artists/4315?locale=en

New Yorker link to Brown Sisters Photos
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/looking-at-nicholas-nixons-forty-third-portrait-of-the-brown-sisters

Vacation Week Skating Schedule at Pirelli Veterans Arena

"February school vacation is here! And what better way to spend the week than by going to public skating. Day-time public skating hours will be held every day this week. Head down to the rink for some school vacation fun!"

February school vacation is here! And what better way to spend the week than by going to public skating. Day-time public skating hours will be held every day this week. Head down to the rink for some school vacation fun! #fmcicesports pic.twitter.com/zpUuv8aEab

— PirelliVeteransArena (@PirelliArena) February 16, 2018

Vacation Week Skating Schedule at Pirelli Veterans Arena

The Pirelli Veteran's Arena is a full service DCR skating facility, managed by FMC Ice Sports, and offers a variety of skating programs for all ages and abilities
https://fmcicesports.com/rink/franklin-veterans-skating-arena/

Franklin Public Library: Alchemy Laboratory and Lifesize Board Game

Alchemy Laboratory! Thursday, April 20th, 10:00 a.m.

In this exciting performance that blends science and magic, kids will help perform vanishes, transfigurations, and other amazing feats using everyday objects!

Lifesize Board Game! Thursday, April 20th, 3:30 p.m.

We’re turning the program room into a GIANT board game for the afternoon! Bring the whole family to play our board game, and get comfortable with the Dewey decimal system at the same time!

Temporary location of Franklin Public Library - 25 Kenwood Circle

Franklin Public Library: Vacation Activities - Wednesday, April 19

Wally the Green Monster Visit! Wednesday, April 19th, 9:30 a.m. 

We’re pleased to welcome back our friend Wally the Green Monster for a storytime and meet and greet! Wear your favorite Red Sox gear and bring your camera and your biggest smile!

Slime Time! Wednesday, April 19th, 3:30 p.m.

Make your very own slime to take home!

Pageturners” Tween Book Club, Third Wednesday of the Month, April 19th, 5:00 p.m.

Calling all readers! If you’re reading at a 4th-6th grade level and love talking about books, this book club is for you! Join us on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:00pm for a discussion, craft, and snacks all centered around an age- appropriate book!

Doggie Tales. Third Wednesday of the Month. Wednesday, April 19th, 6:30 p.m.

Improve your reading skills and make a new friend by reading aloud to a therapy dog! Bring your favorite book or pick out one of ours to read. The dogs and their handlers are from Pawsitive Touch and are trained for one-on-one sessions. For students in grades 2 and up. Call to Register!

Temporary location of Franklin Public Library - 25 Kenwood Circle