Activist in Art: An Afternoon with Sonia Sanchez: 1 to 2:45 p.m. Poet Sonia Sanchez presents the keynote for Smith College’s 2016 Otelia Cromwell Day celebration in honor of Smith’s first African-American graduate. Free. John M. Greene Hall, 60 Elm St., Northampton. 413-585-2190. mhobbes@smith.edu
Kevin Parry Open Mic: 7 to 10 p.m. The Marina Restaurant, Putney Road, Brattleboro. 802-257-7563. www.kevinparrymusic.com
Unconscious Disturbance/Behold True Believers: 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. All rock at the Wheelhouse, down the back alley of The Arts Block, 289 Main Street, Greenfield
Starmites: 7 p.m. UMass Theatre Guild performs sci-fi musical comedy to kick off a celebration of its 110th anniversary. $12 general; $8 children, students, and seniors. Bartlett Hall, UMass Amhers. cbmiller@umass.edu
POTPOURRI
Tour of the Hitchcock Center’s Net Zero Water System: 7 p.m. Tour with civil engineer Chris Chamberland. Free. Hitchcock Center, 845 West St., Amherst. hitchcockcenter.org to register.
“Campaign”: 7 p.m. Film by Kazuhiro Soda. A man plucked from obscurity by the ruling political party in Japan runs for a critical city council seat. Part of the Fast Forward Film Series. Free. Historic Northampton, 46 Bridge St, Northampton. 413-584-6011.
“Power Struggle”: 7 p.m. A documentary about the political battle to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. $20 to $25. Latchis Theater, 50 Main Street, Brattleboro. 978-544-8313. robbie@turningtide.com
“Those Who Feel the Fire Burning”: 7 p.m. Film by Morgan Knibbe about refugees stuck in Europe. Discussion with filmmaker. Regular admission. Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity St, Amherst. amherstcinema.org
Trivia Night at Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Free. Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom, 36 Main St., Florence. 413-584-2444. Tanzi@brewpractitioners.com
Jazz Ambassadors of the U.S. Army Field Band: 7:30 p.m. The Army Field Band continues its long tradition of presenting free public concerts. Tickets required, though. Redfern Arts Center, 90 Wyman Way, Keene. 603-358-2168.
Joel Pitchon, Violin, Joanne Polk, Piano: 8 p.m. Duo recital of works by Bach, Hindemith, Prokofiev and others. Free. Helen Hills Hills Chapel, Elm Street, Amherst. smith.edu/smitharts
Michael Sheridan Quartet in Concert: 7 p.m. $10 suggested donation to benefit NCMC Scholarship Fund. Northampton Community Music Center, 139 South St., Northampton. 413-585-0001. adriana@ncmc.ne
The Petrified Cello at the Beneski: 1:30 p.m. Cellist Rhonda Rider performs selections from newly commissioned works. Free. Beneski Museum, Amherst College, Amherst.
THEATER
“Boy”: 7 p.m. Play by Anna Ziegler about male infant raised as a girl. $3 to $7. Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School, 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley. pvpa.org.
“Starmites”: 7 p.m. UMass Theatre Guild performs sci-fi musical comedy to kick off a celebration of its 110th anniversary. $8 to $12. Bartlett Hall, UMass Amherst, Amherst. cbmiller@umass.edu
“Trump Card” with Seth Lepore: 8 p.m. Humorist/performing artist brings his timely and provocative new solo show to the Shea. $15. The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls.
Four Seasons of the Quabbin Reservoir: 7 p.m. Slide presentation by Dale Monette. $8. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Easthampton. 584-3009, massaudubon.org to register.
Franklin County CiderDays: 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The original craft cider festival in western Massachusetts. Friday through Sunday. Salons, dinners, pairings, cooking demos, workshops and more. Free. Some events are ticketed, but most are free. Visit www.ciderdays.org for the schedule.
Welcome Home Veterans Dinner Dance: 5:30 p.m. Event to honor Vietnam veterans. Live entertainment with Joe Pereira and the Western Mass All-Stars playing Vietnam era music. The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. eventbrite.com
2016 Pioneer Valley Transition Towns Film Festival: 7 p.m. Locally-made films that show what Valley folks are doing to become more resilient communities. Free. Greenfield Community College’s Cohn Dining Common, 1 College Drive, Greenfield. PVTTFF@gmail.com.
The Joy of Sox: Weird Science and the Power of Intention: 7:30 p.m. A documentary about sports, science and spirituality, featuring the Boston Red Sox and produced by Valley resident Rick Leskowitz. Live music before at 7 p.m. $6 general; $4 kids. Shelburne Falls Memorial Hall, 51 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls.
Pioneer Valley Raise the Roots Dance: 7 p.m. A dance hall night: Li’l BeeDee’s rockabilly and R&B complement the new fashion in Americana exemplified by the Hoolios’ original backbeat music. $12. Florence VFW Hall, 18 Meadow St., Florence. 413-695-2141. twangchick@gmail.com
Book Reading and Signing: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Christopher Williangham. “Always Already: Selected Poems 1991-2007.” Free. World Eye Bookshop, 156 Main St., Greenfield. 413-772-2186.
Forbes Library Mural Unveiling: 10 a.m. Unveiling and celebration of a Northampton-inspired mural by best-selling and award winning author Jarrett Krosoczka. Books for sale. Snacks. Free. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. 413-587-1010. kjaneczek@forbeslibrary.org
Local Author John Sheirer Presents “Making Common Sense Common Again”: 2 to 3 p.m. Local author John Sheirer reads from his new book, “Making Common Sense Common Again: Exploring Current Events in the Age of Mass Confusion.” Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. 413-665-2642. director@sunderlandpubliclibrary.org
Anna & Elizabeth: 7:30 p.m. Folk duo. $9 to $20. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. Ashfield Congregational Church, Ashfield. Maudesmusic@gmail.com
Ashfield Cider Sing: 8:30 p.m. Songs of cider and the harvest. $10 at the door. Ashfield Community Hall, 521 Main St., Ashfield. alancsax@gmail.com
Autumn Serenade: Celebrating Poets: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. “Celebrating Poets” features poems by Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson and others, set to music by seven different composers. Free. Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College, Northampton. 413-585-3222. artsinfo@smith.edu
Concert: UMass Chamber Choir: 7:30 p.m. UMass Chamber Choir’s beloved retired Professor E. Wayne Abercrombie returns as guest conductor. Free. University of Massachusetts Amherst, 300 Massachusetts Ave., Amherst. 413-577-2154. eroth@music.umass.edu
National Geographic Live: Ocean Soul: 7:30 p.m. Skerry is one of the leading underwater photographers in the world. $15. Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main St., Northampton. 413-584-9032.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams:
Tony Bird — African Folk Rock: 7 p.m. The Malawi-born songster is a complete original, unique in voice, vision and guitar style. Concert starts at 7:45 in an intimate setting; pre-concert schmooze at 7. Limited seating, reservations please. $15 in advance, $20 at door. House Concert, Central Street, Turners Falls. 413-834-8800. nalerossi@gmail.com
UMass Chamber Choir: 7:30 p.m. E. Wayne Abercrombie conducts. Free. Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst.
Violinist Joanna Kurkowicz and pianist Doris Stevenson: 8 p.m. “Mystical Voices of Eastern Europe.” A program inspired by ranges of emotion. Free. Williams College, Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall, Williamstown.
“Boy”: 7 p.m. Play by Anna Ziegler about male infant raised as a girl. $3 to $7. Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School, 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley. pvpa.org.
Paintbox Theatre Presents: “Grace for President”: 11 a.m. Paintbox Theatre performs. $8. The Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst. 413-559-06300.
“Starmites”: 12 and 7 p.m. UMass Theatre Guild performs sci-fi musical comedy to kick off a celebration of their 110th anniversary. $8 to $12. Bartlett Hall, UMass Amherst, Amherst. cbmiller@umass.edu
Franklin County CiderDays: 10 a.m. and on. The original craft cider festival in Western Massachusetts. Friday through Sunday. Salons, dinners, pairings, cooking demos, workshops, and more. Free. Some events are ticketed, but most are free. Visit www.ciderdays.org for the schedule.
Conway Red Sleigh Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local crafts, theme baskets, homemade food, chowder lunch. Conway Congregational Church, 44 Whately Road, Conway. 369-4350.
Smith College Chrysanthemum Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Runs through Nov. 20. Opening lecture 7:30 p.m. Seelye 106. $5 suggested donation. Botanic Garden, Smith College, Northampton. smith.edu/garden
Open Studios at Eastowrks: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dozens of artists and entrepreneurs are opening their doors during Eastworks’ Open Studios to offer five floors of art, music, and community. Free. Eastworks Building, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. mizlizalex@gmail.com.
Sunderland Book and Bake Sale: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Annual sale. Sunderland Congregational Church, Sunderland.
Tilton Library 100th Anniversary Open House and Rededication Ceremony: 1 p.m. Speakers, songs and cake. Tilton Library, 75 North Main St, South Deerfield. 665-4683.
Ale Aboard: Western Mass Brewery Tour: 2 to 6 p.m. Discover three amazing craft breweries. Meet the brewers themselves. $30. Brew Practitioners Brewery, New City Brewery, Abandoned Building Brewery, 36 Main St., Florence. 618-889-4831. shira@brewpractitioners.com
Animal ABCs: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Hands-on activities, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration and animal artifacts. Geared towards families with children ages 10 and younger, although all ages are welcome. $5 per child. Northfield Recreation and Environmental Center, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield. 800-859-2960 to register. beth.pelton@firstlightpower.com
Dove of Peace Christmas Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch free. Our Lady of Peace Church, 90 7th St., Turners Falls.
“Gravity”: 7:30 p.m. A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after a catastrophe destroys their shuttle. Free. Wendell Free. Library, 7 Wendell Depot Road, Wendell.
Holiday Craft Fair — St Paul’s Lutheran Church: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus, gifts, German sausages, baked goods, raffles, homemade soup, Kid’s Corner. Gifts $1 to $3. Free. St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 23 Long Ave, Greenfield. yozomamma@gmail.com
The Joy of Sox: Weird Science and the Power of Intention: 7:30 p.m. A documentary about sports, science and spirituality, featuring the Boston Red Sox and produced by Valley resident Rick Leskowitz. $4 to $6. Memorial Hall, 51 Bridge St., Shelburne Falls.
NECCA’s Fall Showcase of Circus: 7:30 p.m. An evening of acrobatic and aerial circus acts by NECCA students, followed by “The Canary’s Silence,” a freshman production by Open Ring Circus. $10 to $25. Austine Gym, 209 Austine Road, Brattleboro. 802-254-9780. communications@necenterforcircusarts.com
Smith College Museum of Art Family Day: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free admission all day. Hands-on activities. Smith College Museum of Art, Elm St at Bedford Terrace, Northampton.
Fall Frolic Contra Dance: 2 to 10 p.m. Bands and callers: Fleeting Moments, Guiding Star Ramblers, Cardinal Direction, Sue Rosen, Bob Issacs, Adina Gordon. Food for sale. No partner needed. $20. Guiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield. events@friendsofgreenfielddance.org
27th Annual Children’s Illustration Celebration: 4 to 6 p.m. Opening reception. Meet your favorite illustrators and authors. Free. R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St., Northampton. 413-586-3964. events@rmichelson.com
Balkan Café: 4 to7 p.m. International music, traditional dance, food. Live music. $12 suggested donation. 118 Elliot St. space, Brattleboro, Vt.. 802-257-9513.
Banish Misfortune: 3 to 6 p.m. Traditional Irish hornpipes, reels, jigs, waltzes, polkas, airs, songs. Free. Northampton Brewery, 11 Brewster Court, Northampton. 413-586-4997. davemeuser@msn.com
Mak’hela: The Jewish Chorus of Western Massachusetts: 3 to 4:30 p.m. Concert to benefit MANNA Soup Kitchen. Free ice cream from Herrell’s. Donation. Congregation B’nai Israel, 253 Prospect St., Northampton. steinbergpeter1@gmail.com
The Nate Wooley Quintet: 7:30 p.m. Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares presents concert. $15. The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls. jazzshares.org
Piano Lecture/Demonstration/Masterclass: 1 to 4 p.m. Event with pianist Alan Fraser for piano teachers and performers. Free. Bezanson Recital Hall, UMass, Amherst.
Young @ Heart Chorus 4th Annual Mash-Up Concert: 3 p.m. Young@Heart welcomes groups from Pioneer Valley Performing Arts and the Amherst College Zumbyes (a capella) on-stage in an intergenerational musical mash-up. Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main St., Northampton. 413-584-9032, aomtheatre.com.
Paintbox Theatre Presents: “Grace for President”: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $8. The Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Rd, Amherst. 413-559-06300. sandys@carlemuseum.org
Franklin County CiderDays: 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. The original craft cider festival in Western Massachusetts. Salons, dinners, pairings, cooking demos, workshops, & more. Free. Some events are ticketed and most are free. 413-773-5463. Visit: ww.ciderdays.org
Open Studios at Eastowrks: 12 to 5 p.m. Dozens of artists and entrepreneurs are opening their doors during Eastworks Open Studios to offer five floors of art, music, and community. Free. Eastworks Building, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. 413-374-9175. mizlizalex@gmail.com
William Cullen Bryant House Tours: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m. $5. William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington. 628-4485.
“Balka’s Lower East Side”: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Yiddish Book Center Curator Laura Kruger talks about a new exhibit that focuses on the experiences of Eastern European Jewish immigrants on New York’s Lower East Side. 1021 West St., Amherst. 413-256-4900.