GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a reception for Alfonso Neal’s new exhibit, “The UK Farm Belt: Looking out from lockdown,” on Thursday, Aug. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The exhibit, which will be on display through August, is a collection of observational stories and photographs of daily life, work and politics in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 lockdown and after health safety restrictions began to lift. Neal, an award-winning writer, visual artist and occasional stage actor, is executive co-director of the Northampton-based Pioneer Valley Workers Center.
For more information, visit localaccess.org/art/alfonso-neal-uk-farm-belt.
Frost heaves and hales to perform Saturday
GREENFIELD — The frost heaves and hales will perform an acoustic set at The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
GREENFIELD — Youth in middle and high school are invited to the Greenfield Public Library’s front lawn on Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. to make their own buttons using the library’s three button machines and to taste test a variety of Oreo flavors.
GREENFIELD — The Secretary of State’s Office has mailed official 2022 vote by mail applications.
Vote by mail applications and absentee ballot applications must be received by the City Clerk’s Office by 4 p.m. on Aug. 29 for a ballot to be mailed to the voter in time for the Sept. 6 state primary election. Applications must be received before 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 for a ballot to be mailed to the voter in time for the Nov. 8 general election.
Applications include return postage, according to a city press release. Voters are advised to be on the lookout for these applications. Any registered voter is allowed to vote by mail by fully completing the application and returning it to the Greenfield City Clerk’s Office, 14 Court Square, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Additionally, early voting for the primary election will be held at City Hall during the following hours:
■Saturday, Aug. 27 — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (This is also the last day to register to vote or change voter information. The City Clerk’s Office will be open until 5 p.m. for this purpose.)
■Monday, Aug. 29 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
■Tuesday, Aug. 30 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
■Wednesday, Aug. 31 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
■Thursday, Sept. 1 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
■Friday, Sept. 2 — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on how to apply for a ballot to be mailed, voters can contact the City Clerk’s Office at 413-772-1555, ext. 6162.
Five play readings planned for
August, September
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. is presenting a series of play readings by local playwrights in August and September. The schedule is as follows:
■Thursday, Aug. 11, 5:30 p.m. — Rex McGregor.
■Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. — Patricia Crosby.
■Saturday, Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m. — Cheryl Dukes.
■Thursday, Aug. 25, 5:30 p.m. — Christine Benvenuto.
■Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m. — Alfonso Neal.
For many of these readings, actors are invited to perform in an unpaid cold reading of the play in a casual atmosphere. Actors can jump in on cold readings on Thursday, Aug. 11; Saturday, Aug. 20; and Thursday, Sept. 8.