Non-stop Entertainment at THE BLACK BOX

THE BLACK BOX, an exciting theater, concert, and event venue provides Franklin and surrounding towns with non-stop entertainment. In the next few weeks alone, audiences can experience everything from fantastic local bands to Broadway stars.

September 21-23, THE BLACK BOX will house the Franklin Performing Arts Company’s production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This classic play stars local actors Nick Paone, Hallie Wetzell, and Amanda Dubois as well as New York City-based Equity actor Craig Hanson who got his start locally at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts.

THE BLACK BOX closes out September with the venue’s first Oktoberfest on Sunday, September 30. From 12:30-5:00, enjoy a variety of German, as well as local craft beers with a menu of Bavarian foods, festive live music, and outdoor games. THE game will also be on during the Oktoberfest event. Families are welcome.

THE BLACK BOX will host the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC) annual Gala on October 6. Join the fun in an evening of great food and crafted cocktails, live and silent auctions, fantastic entertainment and dancing. The event will be hosted by Broadway’s Ben Cameron (Wicked, Footloose, Aida).

Disney’s Newsies runs October 13, 14 and 19-21 at THE BLACK BOX. FPAC’s production stars Broadway’s Christopher Rice (The Book of Mormon) and is choreographed by Chaz Wolcott (Newsies, So You Think You Can Dance, Cats). Disney’s Newsies brings Broadway right to the suburbs with reasonable ticket prices and free parking in downtown Franklin.

On October 26, THE BLACK BOX will present “Yacht Rock Night in Port Franklin.” Join the party crew for a West Coast celebration of light rock from the late 70s and early 80s. Musical tributes the likes of Michael McDonald, Toto, Starbuck, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins and more, combine with three local powerhouse supergroups - Captain and The Stubings, Nantucket Sound Machine and Sal Mon Pink and The Champagnes.

THE BLACK BOX New England Artists Series continues on October 27 with The Racky Thomas Band. This dynamic and truly entertaining band is a must see for not only blues enthusiasts, but for anyone who likes an uplifting, toe tapping, and booty shaking good time.

Tickets for all shows and events are available at www.theblackboxonline.com or by calling the Box Office at 508-528-3370. You can follow THE BLACK BOX on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 W. Central St. in Franklin, MA.

Non-stop Entertainment at THE BLACK BOX

Franklin Newcomers and Friends: "Franklin's past involving crimes and witchery" - Oct 10

Not just for Newcomers . . . the Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club is excited to welcome you to our October gathering. On Wednesday, October 10 please join us at "3" Restaurant at 7:30 pm. Join us upstairs for complimentary appetizers and beverages.

Local historian Alan Earls will present a seasonal picture of Franklin's past involving crimes and witchery. This is your perfect opportunity to have fun while you make some connections in your community. 

We are a multi-generational club with an emphasis on fun and camaraderie. As a member driven organization . . . your ideas count and we want to hear them! We offer a wide range of activities for all ages and interests.

We invite any resident of Franklin, or a surrounding town that doesn't have a Newcomers Club, to join us the 2nd Wednesday of the month (occasionally we switch Wednesdays to accommodate holidays or speakers). We run our meetings September through May.

Additionally, we hold many fun and varied events to stay connected throughout the year. Look for us on our website www.franklinnewcomers.com, or on our Facebook page or on Meetup.com, Franklin Newcomers and Friends Club

"Franklin's past involving crimes and witchery" - Oct 10

Massachusetts Cultural District Initiative Site Visit - Sep 20

Franklin Cultural District Committee Meeting 

Massachusetts Cultural District Initiative Site Visit 

Franklin Cultural District, Franklin, MA

Thursday, September 20, 2018

10:30 AM to 3:30 PM

10:30 - 11:20 a.m. Round table with Municipal Leaders
Ben Franklin Meeting Room, Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street

11:20 a.m. - 2:20 p.m. Tour of District

Tour Route:

1. Franklin Public Library
Felicia Oti, Director; Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian
2. Main Street, North. 
Jeffrey Nutting
Town of Franklin Revitalization Initiatives 
National Register Historic Districts
3. Franklin Town Common, Main and High
Farmers Market
Concerts on the Common
4. Main and Pleasant
Ben Franklin Classical Charter School 
Veterans Monuments
5. Main and Church
Brick School House 
Church Street
O'Reagan Early Childhood Center 
Oak Street Elementary School 
Horace Mann Middle School
6. Franklin High School
Dr. Sara Ahern; Dr. Joyce Edwards 
7. Franklin Senior Center
Karen Alves, Director 
8. Franklin Town Common
9. Union and West Central
Davis Thayer School
Dean College
CCMC Property
Hayward Mills
Ray Memorial Cemetery
10. West Central and Emmons 
Horace Mann Statue 
New Development
Franklin United Methodist Church
11. Dean College. Campus Center: The Main Stage and Guidrey Center.
Dr. Paula Rooney, President; Paul Resten, Dean of School of Continuing Studies, Assoc. VP of Business Development; Tracy Lane, Assistant to the Dean, Palladino School of Dance and School of the Arts; John Rooke, Director, Center for Business, Entertainment & Sport Management

Break For Lunch, Dean College Campus Center 1:00 to 1:45 p.m.

District Tour (Continued)
12. Main Street
Roberta Trahan and Lisa Piana
Downtown Streetscape Improvements
13. Franklin School for the Performing Arts 
Raye Lynn Mercer, Founder and Director; Kim Rezendes, Asst. Dir.; Hallie Wetzell, Asst. Dir.
14. Teddy Gallagher's Irish Pub
15. Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center
16. The Little Shop of Olive Oils
Culinary Arts and Franklin Center Restaurants
MBTA Commuter Rail Station
East Central Street New Development
17. Franklin Downtown Partnership
Roberta Trahan; Lisa Piana
18. THE BLACK BOX
Alan Mercer, Director of Advancement; Raye Lynn Mercer, Executive Director
19. Franklin Historical Museum
Mary Olsson

2:40 - 3:25 p.m. Round table with Partnering Organizations and Stakeholders
Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street


The full agenda document can be found online
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0wjbnXDBhczcENSdjhHMGZEbm8tU3BFaTlPTElDMzA5TmVR/view?usp=sharing

Massachusetts Cultural District Initiative Site Visit - Sep 20

“This is really the beginning of the operation”

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

"Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee (FBRTC) members and avid trail riders Bob Amrich and his wife Linda proudly pedaled past the new entrance to the Grove Street trail on Monday afternoon. 

The most recent landscape makeover at the SNETT (Southern New England Trunk Trail) entrance on Grove Street includes new signs, a cobblestone entrance, and a crushed stone pathway surrounded by shrubs and flowers. 

“It’s important for families in the area to have access to something that’s healthy,” Linda Amrich said. “It’s nice to have this family activity away from computers.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180919/franklins-snett-trail-entrance-gets-makeover

enhanced entrance to the SNETT trail on Grove St

enhanced entrance to the SNETT trail on Grove St - another view

FSPA to hold “How to Audition” Workshop - Sep 29

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) Director Raye Lynn Mercer will present a "How To Audition" Workshop on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the school's Recital Hall at 38 Main Street. 

Students and parents are invited to learn about the audition process in an entertaining, interactive format with demonstrations and time for questions from attendees. Included in the workshop are what to expect, how to prepare, and how to conduct oneself at any audition. 

Director Raye Lynn Mercer

The workshop is appropriate for those getting ready for a first audition experience as well as those who are ready to raise the level of their audition presentation. “This workshop takes the mystery out of the process and demonstrates what happens before, during and after the audition. The right preparation and appropriate expectations help make auditioning a positive experience,” says Mercer.

In addition to preparing students for local auditions, Mercer and her staff successfully prepare high school students to audition for college performing arts programs. FSPA alumni are attending top colleges and conservatories including NYU Tisch, Penn State, Oberlin, Oklahoma City University, Hartt School of Music, Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, and Syracuse University, while FSPA's college graduates are enjoying active careers on Broadway, in national tours, regional theater, film and television. Current FSPA musical theater students have the opportunity to audition for New York City agents and casting directors as well as professional theater.

Registration for the "How To Audition" Workshop can be done in advance at the FSPA Office or by calling 508-528-8668. The workshop is open to anyone and recommended for beginner and intermediate performers and highly recommended for parents. 

The workshop is $20 per student, $30 for student and parent, and $5 per additional family member.

Scarecrow Contest - Oct 13

At the Franklin Historical Museum during the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct 13

• Open to all ages!
• Prize awarded in youth and adult categories
• Positive, creative, nonviolent entries accepted
• Contestants to provide all material to decorate and display their scarecrows
• Entries to be secured in a standing or sitting position
• Scarecrows delivered to Historical Museum between 10 AM-11 AM, to be displayed on the museum front lawn during the Harvest Festival.
• Judging and prizes at 3:00 PM
• All scarecrows to be removed by 5:00 PM
• No fee to enter the contest

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SL3ei2xFoGc9o0MwDHY9ItMbKbq8IF1p/view?usp=sharing

Scarecrow Contest - Oct 13

"we’ll score the goals to be competitive with everybody”

Josh Perry, Managing Editor of HockomockSports.com, provides the game recap for the FHS girls soccer match vs. Mansfield on Monday.

"In a game where chances are at a premium, with physical battles being waged all over the pitch, and with defenses largely coming out on top, finishing is the difference between taking home the points or leaving with none. 

Mansfield had one great chance in the box and put it away. Franklin had two chances in the box and both went narrowly off target. So, on Monday night at Pisini Field, the Hornets walked away with a hard-fought 1-0 win and stayed unbeaten, while, for the second time in a week, the Panthers lost a close game with one of the two defending Kelley-Rex division champions. 

“It’s such a tough opponent, such a tough place, a great coaching staff, so it’s a good win,” said Mansfield coach Kevin Smith."

Continue reading the recap
https://hockomocksports.com/mcmahon-goal-gives-mansfield-girls-soccer-win-in-battle-at-franklin/

the photo gallery from HockomockSports for the game
https://hockomocksports.smugmug.com/2018-2019/Fall-2018/Franklin-Mansfield-Girls-Soccer-9-17-18/

Mansfield senior defender Mikaela Maughn (9) battles with Franklin forward Sydney St. Marie
during Monday’s divisional battle at Pisini Field. (Josh Perry/HockomockSports.com)