April 28, 29, 30, 2017

Sheep shearing this week at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

“What’s Happening”

April 28, 29, 30

28, 29, 30 – Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Events at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston MA - Friday, Healing with Nature: Forest Bathing 9:30-12:30; Family Story time, 11:30-12:00; Arbor Day Tree Walk, 1:00-2:00, Saturday, African Violet Show and Sale, 10:00-5:00; Sunday, African Violet Show and Sale, 10:00-4:00; DIY Herbal Gifts, 1:00-3:30; Sunday Afternoon Tour, 2:00-3:30. Call 508-869-6111 or visit www.towerhillbg.org for more information.

29, Saturday – Craft Brew Race Worcester, The Craft Brew Races return to Worcester for the third year! Over 1,400 craft brew lovers ran with us in 2016! Join us for a 5k road race followed by a local craft beer festival and one unforgettable experience. Runners and walkers are welcome to participate in the timed 5k thru Downtown Worcester. The post-race beer festival will be held outside on the historic Worcester Common in front of City Hall. For more information visit www.craftbrewraces.com

29, Saturday – Shin-Rin Yoku Forest Breathing Guided Sanctuary Walks at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton, MA 10:30-11:30 a.m., Fee: $3.50 Adult Members, $4.50 Adult Nonmembers, $2 Child Members, $3 Child Nonmembers - Learn to connect with natural world in healing, calming, grounding, and replenishing way through a series of gentle guided walks with Dr. Roxanne Daleo, a renowned health educator specializing in relaxation and stress reduction. Look to the wisdom of nature for effective ways to relax and invigorate yourself. Leave with conscious methods to relive the relaxed experience when you are away from nature or feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed. Slow down and breathe in the “medicine” of nature. This program is suitable for children and adults. All are welcome. For more information and to register, call 978-464-2712. Sponsored by Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. www.massaudobon.org

29, Saturday – Sheep Shearing Open House at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Rd., Princeton, MA 1:00-4:00 p.m.  - Sheep grazing led to the development of many meadows on the sanctuary, and our current team of munchers help us maintain open habitat for wildlife. Meet Finch, Monarch, Taggley, and the rest of the flock. Learn how sheep are sheared and how those fleeces eventually become warm hats and mittens. Local vendors and crafters, kid's activities, and more! Call 978-464-2712 or visit massaudobon.org for admission prices and hours. 

29, 30, Friday and Saturday - Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, 10:00-5:00, Nine western Mass potters will open their studios to the public for the 13th Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail. This free springtime event showcases the work and working environments of a group of nationally known makers, along with guest potters from around New England and beyond. Visitors will find tableware of all kinds, sculpture for the garden, and architectural tiles in styles ranging from historical to contemporary, made in work spaces that include restored barns, factory buildings, and small-town storefronts. New guest potters and new work by the host potters make for a tour that changes every year and reflects the vibrancy and diversity of handmade ceramics. All nine studios will have work for sale, and several will offer demonstrations during the weekend. The tour will be open from 10-5 both days, and welcomes families and visitors of all ages. Visit asparagusvalleypotterytrail.com for more information.  

30, Sunday - Frederick Historical Piano Concert Series present pianist, Junghwa Lee playing Debussy, Préludes, Book II; two Fauré Nocturnes; and Albeniz, El Polo, from Iberia, Book III, on the 1877 Erard, Paris. Pianist Junghwa Lee, a native of Korea, performs actively in solo recitals, chamber concerts and lecture recitals, and has frequently appeared in concerto performances as a soloist including those with the Korean Symphony Orchestra, Salina Symphony Orchestra, Hutchinson Symphony Orchestra and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra among others. She has presented solo performances in Korea, Holland, France, Hungary, Romania, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, including appearances at the Arts Center Concert Series at National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, Shenyang Music Cultural Exchange Exhibition Between China and Foreign Countries Festival in China, Beethoven 32 Sonatas Recital Series in Singapore, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series at the Chicago Cultural Center and her New York debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as a winner of Artists International’s Special  Presentation Award. 4:00 p.m., Ashburnham Community Church, 84 Main St., Ashburnham MA – Admission, $10.00 for adults. Students are free. Call 978-827-6232 or visit www.frederickcollection.org for more information.

April 7-12, 2017

River Rat Race, Athol to Orange

“What’s Happening”

April 7-13, 2017

7, Friday – Golden Dragon Acrobats at the Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester - "Powerful music, simple themes and explosive choreography that transcends culture, an absolute joy in exploring the full potential of the human body." - NYTheartre.com The Golden Dragon Acrobats represent the best of a time honored tradition that began more than twenty-five centuries ago. World-renowned impresario, Danny Chang, and choreographer, Angela Chang, combine award-winning acrobatics, traditional dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and contemporary music, and theatrical techniques to present a show of breathtaking skill and spellbinding beauty. The troupe returned to Broadway's New Victory Theater in 2014, the ONLY acrobatic troupe from China chosen to perform twice at this prestigious venue! 7:30 p.m., For information and tickets call 508-799-4406 or visit www.thehanovertheatre.org

7, Friday – Puglia: A Dinner with Fred Plotkin, Presented by Center Stage at Fitchburg State University - Fred Plotkin returns to campus to enlighten us about the history, culture and, perhaps most importantly, cuisine of Puglia. An authentic menu of specialty dishes will set the stage for the renowned author and gourmand’s verbal tour of the region. Come experience the traditions of Puglia through this delightful culinary and cultural adventure. Plotkin’s talk is sponsored by the Sandro and Lillian Clementi Lecture Fund and Center for Italian Culture. 6:30 p.m, For information and tickets visit fitchburgstate.edu

8, Saturday - 54th Annual River Rat Race, Athol to Orange- 1:00-2:00 p.m. Open to all, no canoes over 18 ft. in length. Entry fee $42.00 per canoe. Sign up at the Athol Daily News beginning March 1 at 225 Exchange St., Athol. For more information visit www.riverratrace.com. 

9, Sunday – Bolshoi Ballet on Screen, A Hero of Our Time, presented by Peterborough Players, Arts on Screen, 1:00 p.m. "Give me everything, it is still not enough." The story based on the larger-than-life hero Pechorin is adapted from Mikhail Lermontov's literary masterpiece in three separate stories recounting his heartbreaking betrayals. Is Pechorin a real hero? Or is he a man like any other? This brand new production by choreographer Yuri Possokhov is a tragic poetic journey that can only be seen at the Bolshoi. For more information and tickets visit www.peterboroughplayers.org.

9, Sunday – Tower Hill Botanic Garden, all day events, 10-3, Taking Better Pictures with your Digital Camera; 1-3, Spring Table Garden; 2-3:30, Sunday Afternoon Tour; 3-4, Spring Concert Series, Duo Orfeo. For more information and tickets visit towerhillbg.org

9-13, Sunday-Wed., Theatre at the Mount presents, James and the Giant Peach - Roald Dahl’s beloved classic introduces us to one boy, two awful aunts, five larger-than-life insects, and a giant peach! What happens when magic crystals cause a withered old tree to create the largest and most magnificent peach ever seen? Luckily, a boy named James and a handful of bugs just happen to be nearby. When the peach finally snaps free of its stem, it sweeps them, and the audience, along a marvelous adventure from the White Cliffs of Dover all the way to the Empire State Building. This “Masterpeach” of a musical will delight the entire family! Performances: April 9 at 2:00 p.m. (for the general public)April 10 at 9:30 a.m, April 11, 12, and 13 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon (for school groups) - All seats $6.00. For more information visit www.mwcc.edu.

11, Tuesday – Celtic Woman: Voices of Angels at the Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester - Multi-platinum international music sensation Celtic Woman presents Voices of Angels a captivating new show for 2017. Voices of Angels showcases the angelic voices of Susan McFadden, Máiréad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and introduces the breathtaking new Celtic violinist Tara McNeill, accompanied by a group of equally talented musicians and dancers whose exceptional skill and high energy bring a fresh fusion to centuries of musical and cultural tradition. Featuring many songs from the forthcoming Voices of Angels album, this inspiring live concert experience features all new stage designs, stunning wardrobes, superb choreography and magnificent arrangements of timeless Irish traditional and contemporary standards in the group’s award-winning signature style. This is a true celebration of an incredible journey that has captivated millions. Don’t miss Celtic Woman live in concert! 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $45, $75 and $105. Please contact the box office at 877.571.SHOW (7469) or visit thehanovertheatre.org for more information.