Community Calendar

The Norman Rockwell Museum is honored to present a rare series of early twentieth century lighting advertisements by Norman Rockwell and fellow Golden Age illustrators Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell, Stanley Arthurs, Worth Brehm, and Charles Chambers created for Edison Mazda Lamps, a division of the General Electric Company. These luminous, richly painted works were widely circulated in published advertisements through the 1920s and are on loan to the Museum for the first time through the generosity of GE Aerospace.

Join us for a launch celebration for THANK YOU, OLD OAK, by local author, scientist, and professor Britt Crow-Miller!

We’ll have a reading, crafts, and signing. All are welcome and participation is FREE.

CALLING ALL IMAGINATIVE KIDS! PVB is now casting various roles for ages 4-11 in this year's production of The Nutcracker ✨🎄🩰

Casting Day is September 19th for ages 6-7 or September 20th for ages 8-11. Ages 4-5 do not need to attend, but will be notified of their role via email. All who register will be cast in a role for one or more performances. Previous experience is not required. Learn more and pre-register at www.pioneervalleyballet.rog/season/auditions/. Hope to see your talented kiddos shining on stage!

A video installation that examines the convergence of personal and environmental transformation through the dual lens of queer identity and the impacts of Hurricane Helene in the Central Savannah River Area. Opening Reception Friday, September 19 at 5 pm.

Artists: Marianne Connolly and Rebecca Muller
Start Date: September 4, 2025
End Date: September 27, 2025
Reception Date: Thursday, September 4, 5–7:00 pm
Art Forum Online: September 18, 7:30 pm
Location name: Gallery A3
Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 2–7:00 pm
Address: 28 Amity St. 1D, Amherst, MA
City/Town: Amherst
Website: www.gallerya3.com
Description/info:
In Counterspells, Marianne Connolly works with intimately-scaled photography and hand-cut, hand-pasted collage, exploring familiar themes of nests, light, and winged beings while experimenting with new materials and methods. In Concatenations, Rebecca Muller exhibits several series of large-format photopolymer etchings and small groupings of mixed media assemblages composed of disparate matter and debris.

Take a guided walking tour of downtown Stockbridge and discover how the town and its inhabitants both inspired Norman Rockwell and appeared in some of his most iconic works of art. Explore the history of this 1734 village–including its Mohican origins.

Stops will include Norman Rockwell’s home on South Street, his first studio on Main Street, the Old Corner House (site of the original Norman Rockwell Museum), Chief John Konkapot’s property, the Red Lion Inn, the former site of Alice’s Restaurant, and more! 

These tours do not take place at the Museum. Tour groups will meet in front of The Old Corner House, 48 Main Street. Transportation to Main Street from the Museum is not provided. Event is rain or shine.

Meet in front of The Old Corner House, 48 Main Street; public on street parking, or designated spaces at Town Hall. Tour route is mostly flat, and on sidewalks.  

PLAY IT FORWARD!

Registration is open for the 2nd annual Friends of the Jones Libraries Pickleball Tournament, scheduled for November 9, 2025. The tournament, played round robin style, will be held indoors at the Bay Road Tennis Club and Multi-Sport Center on the Hampshire College campus. It offers competition for players intermediate through advanced, ages 18 and older.

Kelly Erwin, Board member of the Friends commented, “We like to spoil the players who support our libraries! There will be refreshments throughout the day, free raffle prizes and gifts, as well as prizes for first and second prize winners in each division.”

Pickleball’s popularity is growing in leaps and bounds throughout the country. It’s a game for all ages and can be played indoors or out. The Friends of the Jones Libraries hopes to channel this pickleball passion for a good cause. In partnership with BankESB and Fitness Together, as well as 25 additional sponsors, the Friends will provide support for the programming and services of the Jones Library and its branches.

Martin Miller, the Tournament organizer said, “It’s a winning strategy: play pickleball, raise funds, and feel good. This is a tournament where every point makes an impact and your paddle has the power to improve lives.”

What kinds of programs and services does the fundraising of the Friends support? The Jones Library, open to all, offers free computer usage and access to a myriad of digital resources, as well as thousands of online courses, and of course, books. Programs provided to patrons are as diverse as Sing with Your Baby, 50+ Jobseekers Networking Group, Art Studio for Adults, Teen Writers Group, Juneteenth celebration, Summer Reading Program, ESL tutoring, Reading the Classics, Community Gaming Group, and lectures on topics ranging from financial literacy to quaking bogs. There are musical instruments to be borrowed, deliveries of books to the homebound, and even free museum passes.

REGISTRATION FOR THE TOURNAMENT ENDS OCTOBER 11. For more information and to register: www.joneslibrary.org/pickleball

There's something for everyone at this family-fun event, from midway rides and games for all ages and tasty carnival eats to Victoria Circus thrill shows featuring high-wire, aerial and The Globe of Death motorcycle acts.

Event admission, circus shows and parking are free.

Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36" & taller) are $37 on site ($35 cash price) or online before 5 pm Sept. 17 for $20 each or 4/$75.

Ride tickets are also available on the midway. Online pre-sale special: $45/50 tickets + 1 free ride. (Rides take multiple tickets each.) Visit the website for coupon savings on rides and food.

Daily hours: 5-10 pm Wednesday - Thursday, 5-11 pm Friday, noon-11 pm Saturday, noon-10 pm Sunday

Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult age 21+. Please check the website for event updates before attending.

More information: 866-666-3247 or www.DreamlandAmusements.com
https://dreamlandamusements.com/upcoming-events-amusement-carnival/crystal-mall-carnival/

Created by folk singers Steve Suffet and Pat Lamanna, Pete & Woody: an Unlikely Friendship is a one-hour multimedia presentation that explores the relationship between Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.

Comprising 15 songs performed live, 21 slides, and a 3,800-word narration, Pete & Woody recounts how, when they first met in 1940, Woody Guthrie became Pete Seeger’s mentor, inspiration, and guide who set him on a journey that continued until Pete passed away in 2014. Over time, however, their relationship changed, and Pete became Woody’s champion, helping to promote Woody’s songs and story as Woody’s mental and physical health began to deteriorate. Pete continued to play this role after Woody passed away in 1967, and much of Woody’s worldwide popularity today is a direct or indirect result of Pete’s efforts.

Pat and Steve originally developed Pete & Woody for the Walthamstow Folk Club in London, England, where it was enthusiastically received in October 2019. The have presented it several times since, and they now look forward to presenting it anew for Mount Toby Concerts, with Richard Mattocks delivering the narration.

Suggested donation: $15 to $25
For reservations: diacrowe@yahoo.com or call 413-835-1695

Listen at: https://youtu.be/ZCxKYluH-t4Suggested donation: $15 to $25

Part concert, part puppet show, part ghost story. This 50-minute multimedia performance reimagines classic literary monsters through queer, musical shadow theater and features a world premiere video. Join ensemble Shadow, Sound, Spectacle for a fresh perspective on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Emily Dickinson, Anne Rice, and others, told through live music, shadow puppetry, video, and narrative. All are welcome, but recommended for adults and teens. Q&A to follow. This program is funded in part by a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.