GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 402 Main St., Greenfield: ■ Writers’ Lunch, noon to 2 p.m. The library’s meeting room will be open each Monday through Thursday for Writers’ Lunch. This is a self-directed free writing time. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more details, contact Jane Buchanan at 772-1544.
MONTAGUE CENTER LIBRARY, Montague Center: Music and Movement with Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson. 10 a.m. Thursdays from March through the end of June. For more information call 863-3214.
JERICHO BROWN, award-winning poet will read at Memorial Hall, UMass, Amherst. 8 p.m. Brown’s poems have appeared in The New Republic, The New Yorker and “The Best America Poetry.” 545-5510, visitingwritersseies@hfa.umass.edu
OPEN MIC at the Marina Restaurant, Putney Road, Brattleboro, Vt. 7 to 10 p.m. Kevin Parry hosts. Free. Participating musicians receive 50 percent off their meal. For information and to sign up, call 802-257-7563. www.kevinparrymusic.com
THE SWEETBACK SISTERS perform country, swing, honky-tonk and old-time music. 7:30 p.m. Next Stage, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, Vt. Tickets $20 advance, $22 at the door. 802-387-0102, nextstagearts.org
“THE MUSIC MAN JR.” presented by Academy Youth Production. 6:30 p.m. Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main St., Northampton. The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. Presented by students ages 9 to 15. Tickets $5 plus service fees at www.aomtheatre.com or at the box office, 274 Main St., Northampton, Tuesdays through Fridays 3 to 6 p.m., 584-9032 Ext. 105. Repeats Friday.
GREAT FALLS COFFEEHOUSE, Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. 7 p.m. Becky Tracy on fiddle, and Keith Murphy, guitar, mandolin, piano and foot percussion perform traditional music from Newfoundland, Quebec, Ireland, France and beyond. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Suggested sliding scale donation $6 to $12. 863-3221, greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org
AMHERST INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING: Every Friday night, 7:30 to 10 p.m. Bangs Community Center, Boltwood Walk, Amherst Center. Dances from the Balkans, Middle Eastern Europe. You need not bring a partner. Live music first Fridays of the month. Some teaching. Beginners welcome. Donation. 549-6748. www.amherstfolkdancing.org
POTHOLE PICTURES, Memorial Hall, 51 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls presents “Looney Tunes Cartoon Festival” or The BBPPRRDDEFSFFF: The Bugs Bunny Porky Pig Road Runner Daffy Duck Elmer Fudd Shelburne Falls Film Festival. 7:30 p.m. The A Cappellagos perform a cappella at 7. Repeats Saturday with Whistlestop, fiddle/banjo/guitar at 7. Tickets $6 adults, $4 12 and under 512-0850.
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 402 Main St., Greenfield: ■ “Mother Goose on the Loose,” 10 a.m. Join the happy circle with Kay Lyons at a lap-sit story hour for children ages 3 and under with a grown-up every Friday morning. Rhymes, songs and movement games. In the LeVanway Room. ■ Writers’ Workshop. Noon to 2 p.m. Jane Buchanan and Joannah Whitney lead the program, which includes writing exercises and discussion as well as an opportunity to share what has been written. Participants encouraged to attend the open writing periods during the week. No charge; no registration required. Contact Buchanan at 772-1544 for more information. ■ Open for Business. 2 to 5 p.m. Telecommuters and local business people looking for reliable Wi-Fi and a quiet space to work.
SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 School St., Sunderland: ■ Preschool Story Time begins 11 a.m. Head of Youth Services Kelly Daniels Baker will lead 45 minutes of fun that includes theme-based stories, songs, finger plays and crafts. For children ages 3 to 5 and their families. Free. Through Fall.
HISTORY BITES LUNCHTIME LECTURE SERIES: 12:15 p.m. Simeon String House, 67 Amity St., Amherst. Steve Strimer, Ruggles Center, presents “Prudence Crandall, Lydia Maria Child & the Roots of Utopia in Florence, Massachusetts.” Bring your lunch; coffee, tea and cider provided. Free. www.amhersthistory.org
GCC CHORUS “Music for Chorus, Strings and Piano” preview concert. 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Sloan Theater, Greenfield Community College. Free.
KEVIN PARRY, singer/guitarist, will play at the West Dover Inn, Route 100, West Dover, Vt., on Fridays during ski season. 7 to 10 p.m. Continues March 18 and 25.
YESTERDAY & TODAY: The Interactive Beatles Experience. 7:30 p.m. CityStage, 1 Columbus Center, Springfield. The audience creates the playlist for the night. Through laughter and personal stories, Yesterday & Today connects the audience and performers in a way like no other. Tickets start at $32, $37. www.symphonyhall.com. Repeats Saturday.
“THE MUSIC MAN JR.” concludes. See Thursday’s listing.
MOCHA MAYA’S, 47 Bridge St, Shelburne Falls. 8 p.m. Grant Maloy Smith performs Americana Country. Free; please tip the musicians. 625-6292, info@mochamayas.com
POTHOLE PICTURES: “The Looney Tunes Cartoon Festival” concludes. See Friday’s listing.
SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 School St., Sunderland: ■ Saturday Playgroup. 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. For babies, toddlers and children 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Informal play, interactive literacy activities and conversations with other families. Free. ■ Lego Club. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program allows children to come and explore the wonderful world of Legos with other interested children. A different theme is picked each session, children can put their Lego creations on display until the next club. The program is geared for elementary school children with an adult, but open to children of all ages. Next meeting March 19.
THE SECOND INS AND OUTS of Writing for Children: A panel discussion with young-adult authors and illustrators. 4 p.m. The Odyssey Bookshop, 9 College St., South Hadley. Creating the fantastical, funny and bright characters that reside in the books of local authors: this and several other topics will be discussed by local authors and illustrators Anna Alter, Molly Burnham, David Hyde Costello and Gina Damico. Free. 348-7365, schmidt.maxine@gmail.com
CAMERON’S WINERY, Main Street, Northfield: Live music by Jim McRae. 6 to 8 p.m.
HAYLEY REARDON in concert. 7 p.m. Ashfield Community Hall, 521 Main St., Ashfield. $12.
YESTERDAY & TODAY: The Interactive Beatles Experience concludes. See Friday’s listing.
CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL and Art for Water are creating a “river of words” to draw attention to the federal re-licensing of five major hydroelectric facilities from Turners Falls to north of Hanover, N.H. this public participation, community art project will tell a thousand stories to improve the ecological health and recreational opportunities of the Connecticut River. Come add your voice at Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls. 1 p.m. For more information call 772-2020 Ext. 206.
HAPPIER VALLEY COMEDY SHOW: Monthly comedy show featuring improv comedians. 8 p.m. Arts Block, 289 Main St., Greenfield. The Ha-Ha’s perform The Armando. Doors open at 7. Tickets $13 at the door, $10 in advance. www.theartsblock.com, 774-0150.
PRUNING BLUEBERRY BUSHES: The Leverett Trails Committee invites you to learn pruning techniques from Joe Sincuk while helping get the town owned Gordon King Blueberries ready for summer harvest. 9 a.m. Drive in at the gate just south of 101 Shutesbury Road. Bring gloves and and hand clippers if you have them. If impossible weather, March 19 postpone date.
MEMORIAL HALL, 51 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls, continues its program of live simulcasts from the Metropolitan Opera in New York at 12:55 p.m. with a broadcast of Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut.” Soprano Kristine Opolais and tenor Roberto Alagna join forces in Puccini’s obsessive love story. Tickets $22 adults, $11 for students. Tickets available online and at the door. www.shelburnefallsmemorialhall.org
BRATTLEBORO CONTRADANCE presents music by Dancing Enforcement Agency with caller Dugan Murphy. 7 p.m. 118 Elliot St., Brattleboro, Vt. All dances instructed by the caller. $10 adults, $8 college students with ID, $5 youth, high school age and younger. 802-258-1723, www.brattcontra.org
THE ARTS BLOCK, 289 Main St., Greenfield: Cellist Rebecca Hartka presents “Bach to Brazil.’ 3 p.m. She will be joined by Jose Lezcano, twice Grammy nominated Cuban American guitarist. Music from Cuba, Brazil and the first Bach cello Suite. Tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors, $5 children. Tickets at the door or online at theartsblock.com
BANISH MISFORTUNE performs traditional Irish hornpipes, reels, jigs, waltzes, airs, polkas, songs and craic. 3 to 6 p.m. Northampton Brewery, 11 Brewster Court, Northampton. 584-9903. Free. Every Sunday.
THE BRICK CHURCH MUSIC SERIES presents Dr. Jooyoung Kim, pianist, a native of South Korea, performing music by J. S. Bach, Frederic Chopin and Franz Liszt. This is a fund raiser for the church with a suggested donation of $10 at the door. Reception follows at Caswell Library at Deerfield Academy.
THE PARLOR SESSIONS, 32 Masonic St., Northampton presents Jayme Stone, The Lomax Project. 923-2800.
CAMERON’S WINERY, Main Street, Northfield: Wine and St. Patrick’s floral arrangements workshop with Kathryn’s Florist Winchester.
“VOICES FROM FUKUSHIMA,” a reader’s play will be performed at 2 p.m. First Church Lyman Hall, Northampton. To commemorate the 5th anniversary of the nuclear power tragedy at Fukushima Daiichi in northeast Japan. For more information contact Jeff Napolitano, AFSC, 584-8975 or Pat Hynes, Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, justicia@traprockorg
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 402 Main St., Greenfield: ■ Writers Lunch, noon to 2 p.m. In the LeVanway meeting room. Monday through Thursday. Self-directed free writing time open to any writer who is looking for a place to work through lunch. Bring your own lunch and beverage. For more details, contact Jane Buchanan at 772-1544. ■ Open for Business. 2 to 5 p.m. Telecommuters and local business people looking for reliable Wi-Fi and a quiet workspace are invited to the library’s LeVanway Meeting Room. ■ Afterschool Read-Aloud. 4 to 5 p.m. Children’s Librarian Kay or guest reader will read picture books, folk tales or passages from favorite chapter books in a theme each week, with sing-along songs and some puppetry to go along with the theme. Every Monday. greenfieldpubliclibrary.org
SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 School St., Sunderland: ■ The Knitting Circle, a free knitting club, meets every Monday from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lane Reading Room. This group is open to people of all ages and skill levels. Each week members meet to receive free knitting lessons, get help with difficult patterns, share ideas for projects, learn new skills and chat while they work. The group often works on charity projects, including knitting and donating hats for babies to Cooley Dickinson Hospital. For more information, call 665-2642.
WHEELER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 49 East Main St., Orange. ■ Mother Goose on the Loose, Storytime Mondays 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For children birth to age 4 and their families. Make music, learn rhymes and sing songs.
CARNEGIE LIBRARY, Avenue A, Turners Falls: ■ 10 to 11 a.m. Morning Play Group. Drop in for some informal play and connect with other adults/families. ■ 3:30 p.m., Craft Time on Tuesdays. Stories, crafts and snacks for children of all ages with Angela. 863-3214.
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 402 Main St. Greenfield: ■ Mother Goose on the Loose. 10 a.m. Join the happy circle with Kay Lyons at a lap sit story hour for children ages 3 and under with a grown-up. Kay reads books, leads the group in hand rhymes and uses puppets to teach animal sounds and other concepts new to very young children. Each session is 45 minutes, with half an hour of structured activity and about 15 minutes of visiting time. No sign-up required. Free. ■ The library’s meeting room will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. for a Writers’ Lunch. Contact Jane Buchanan at 772-1544 for details.
SUNDERLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, 20 School St., Sunderland: ■ All ages Chess Club. 6 to 7 p.m. This all ages club starts from square one, so beginners and more advanced players are all welcome. Club leader Andy Morris-Friedman will guide you as you learn how to play the game, different techniques and strategies and how to use all of your pieces to your best advantage. The club will study famous games and will help you discover new ways to improve your play. Children in Grade 3 and below must be accompanied by an adult. ■ 6 p.m. Zine Making Event. Zines are little magazines or fanzines that tell stories about a particular subject using mixture of writing and art. Zines an tell any story you want, and can be created in any creative format. Geared towards tens ages 11 to 18. Sign up in advance by calling or visiting the library. 665-2642.
WHEELER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 49 East Main St., Orange. Rise and Romp Storytime. 11 to 11:45 a.m. For children at birth through preschool and their families. Listen to stories, learn fingerplays and make a craft. Program ends with informal playtime. 978-544-2495. orangelib.org
THIRD TUESDAY GREENFIELD WORD, 9 Mill St., Greenfield. Doors open at 7 p.m. Open mic at 7:30. Five minute open mic slots, two featured readers. $1 to $5 donations.
CAMERON’S WINERY, Main Street, Northfield: 8 Week Belly Dance and Wine Class. 6 to 7:15 p.m.
LINE DANCE LESSONS every Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, School Street, Greenfield. Beginner to intermediate. $5 per session. Ring the doorbell for admission. Beginner lessons at 7 p.m.; intermediate at 8. Call Pat at 665-4260 or email jokellogg@aol.com for more information.
Libraries
CARNEGIE LIBRARY, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls: ■ Story Time, which includes thematic stories, projects and snacks. Every Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. For young children and their parents and caregivers. ■ Homeschool Science at 1:15 p.m. Weekly hands-on
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities and experiments for children of all ages with their families with Angela. 863-3214.
GREENFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY, 402 Main St., Greenfield: ■ Writers’ Lunch. Noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. Self-directed free writing time. Contact Jane Buchanan at 772-1544 for details. ■ Chess Club. 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. Meet up with other chess players in the main library. The last Wednesday of the month will feature a speed chess tournament.
NEW SALEM LIBRARY, New Salem: ■ Teen and Tween News. Wednesdays 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Try out the new 3D pen. Come make something new or take something apart such as a camera or radio. For more information call 978-544-6334.
WHEELER MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 49 East Main St., Orange. Rise and Romp Storytime. 11 to 11:45 a.m. For children at birth through preschool and their families. Listen to stories, learn fingerplays and make a craft. Program ends with informal playtime. 978-544-2495. www.orangelib.org
BERKSHIRE PIZZERIA, 72 Main St., Charlemont: Weekly open mic from 7 to 9 p.m. Musicians, poets, entertainers of all kinds welcome. Interested performers should contact 337-5501 or ben@berkshirepizzeria.com for details. Walk-ins welcome.
THE CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL open house and celebration of World Water Day. 4 to 6 p.m. 15 Bank Row, Greenfield. Latest information on river restoration, hydro re-licensing, rock carving demos and historic journal and sketches on display. 772-2020.