Community Calendar

JooYoung Choi is an astro-futurist artist whose expansive practice blends autobiography and invention. For over a decade, Choi's work has centered on developing narratives within a highly structured imaginary realm known as the Cosmic Womb.

Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer brings together early and recent paintings, a sculptural installation, and video works that chronicle one character's journey of self-discovery. Long known as Nina Blue, the Quantum Soup Surfer first appeared in the Cosmic Womb as a professional imaginary friend, contributing to the journeys of several legendary heroes of the Cosmic Womb.

The exhibition follows Nina Blue's passage from supporting character to protagonist. She emerges as the Quantum Soup Surfer--a celestial superhero and thoughtful navigator who channels the spiritual energy of water to brave uncharted territories and share her story of resilience.

Inspired by the Cosmic Womb's motto--"Have Faith for You have Always Been Loved"--this exhibition foregrounds imagination, curiosity, and art as tools for resilience that have been significant for Nina Blue's transformation into the Quantum Soup Surfer and the hero of this story.

Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer is made possible by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.

William Baczek Fine Arts, in Northampton, Massachusetts is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of new oil paintings by Robert Sweeney. The exhibition will be on display from Wednesday, March 18 through Saturday, April 25, 2026. The public is invited to an opening reception with the artist on Saturday, March 21 from 4 – 6 pm.

The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is seeking donations of gently used adult and children’s books, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles for their upcoming book sale. Donations will only be accepted by curbside drop-off at the back door of the First United Methodist Church, 16 Court St., Westfield, during the weeks of April 6-11 and April 13-18 as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-1; Tuesday and Thursday from 4-7, and Saturday from 9-12.
Please note that we cannot accept musty or damaged books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, textbooks, Reader’s Digest books, or outdated manuals, travel books, or self-help books.
The book sale will be held at the Church on Thursday, April 23, 10-7; Friday, April 24, 10-5; and Saturday, April 25, 10-2. On Thursday only, we are offering a $5.00 discount for educators (bring your ID!) and new Friends members joining at the door.
The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is an all-volunteer 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization that supports the programs and services of the Westfield Athenaeum.

Each service includes an uplifting talk that touches on real-life experiences—like relationships, resilience, and personal growth—offering down-to-earth reflections to help you navigate life with clarity, compassion, and a sense of connection.

The healing portion of the service begins with a peaceful, guided meditation accompanied by live harp music, creating a calm and supportive space. Those who wish may then receive gentle, hands-on energy healing from certified Spiritualist healers while seated.

The service concludes with a demonstration of mediumship from the podium, where the medium shares messages from loved ones in spirit. These brief, heartfelt messages are intended to provide evidence of the continuity of life and offer comfort, healing, and connection.

This mixed-media watercolor workshop invites breath awareness and playful mark-making using unexpected tools rather than traditional brushes. With watercolor, ink, liquid charcoal, salt, oil pastel, and other materials, participants build layered abstract pieces, emphasizing curiosity and process over perfection. Observe pigments bloom and interact, respond intuitively, and embrace experimentation, suitable for all levels. Inspired by April’s unfolding, it invites patient trust and wonder.

Call for artwork
Science, technology, engineering, art, math, an exhibit inspired by and incorporating the sciences.
Exhibit runs April 3 - May 17, 2026
With special events, demos, and fun activities during the course of the exhibit.
Contact margedvaa@gmail.com by March 20 with your interest.

Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Yiddish Book Center
In his entertaining, thought-provoking detective graphic novel set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a fictional Ilan Stavans seeks to solve a murder and locate a lost manuscript by a prominent 16th-century Crypto-Jew burned at the stake by the Spanish Inquisition. The graphic novel, El Iluminado, tells the story of a secret history of religion in the Americas, showing how thousands of European refugees have left a trail of ghostly footprints—and troves of mysteries—across the American Southwest. Author and cultural critic Ilan Stavans will talk about the book and the newly released paperback edition, which includes a new afterword recounting the amazing events that occurred after the original publication, including the real-life discovery of the long-lost memoir of Luis de Carvajal and its restoration to Mexico.
Ilan Stavans is the Lewis-Sebring Professor of Humanities and Latin American and Latino Culture at Amherst College, the cofounder and publisher of Restless Books, and the academic director of the Great Books Summer Program. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, his work, translated into twenty languages, has been adapted into film, theater, television, and radio.

Female mariachi singer, musician, and Latin American folkloric dancer and choreographer Veronica Robles has become a cultural icon for Boston’s Latino community. Through her powerful use of music, dance, and cultural traditions, she brings people together while celebrating the richness and importance of diversity.

In remembrance of Boston’s original Liberty Tree – and those found throughout the colonies in the years leading up to, and during, the war for independence – and in recognition of the UNITED STATES SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL, the Agawam Historical Association will dedicate an American Elm on the grounds of the Thomas Smith House, so that it may inspire future generations of patriots as we endeavor toward a MORE PERFECT UNION.

dedication | house tours | refreshments

• National anthem sung by Chelsea Casamento, AHS Chamber Choir member
• 25th Continental Regiment Color Guard & musket salute

The c. 1757 Thomas Smith House and 1920 Delmore Hawthorne Garage will be open for tours.

Agawam’s Liberty Tree was generously donated and planted by Agawam‘s Cascio Company.

This event is free and open to the public.

“It’s The Wildest!” Is an exciting, tune-filled tribute to the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, performed by Mark Gionfriddo and Nikki Gorts. The name of the show references the title of an iconic 1956 album by Prima and Smith.

In the 1950s, Prima and Smith turned a tiny Las Vegas lounge into the most swinging after hours party, with a mix of jazz, swing, novelty music, and rock ‘n roll.

Mark Gionfriddo, Nikki Gorts and a five-piece band pay homage to this renowned duo featuring gems from the American Popular Songbook, including “Jump, Jive ‘N Wail”, “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home,” “Embraceable You,” “I Wish You Love,” and “That Old Black Magic,” featuring arrangements by Mark Gionfriddo.