Bach’s Lunch concert set for March 11
GREENFIELD — The next Bach’s Lunch concert at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, 8 Church St., will take place on Wednesday, March 11, at 12:15 p.m.
The program will be performed by soprano Jamie-Rose Guarrine, pianist Steven Beck and hornist Josh Michal, and will feature works by Paul Dukas (1865-1935) and contemporary composers Carrie Magin (Between Us Now) and Gina Gillie (To the Seasons).
The concert is free. Attendees can bring their own lunch to eat during the concert.
Guarrine, who serves as associate professor of voice at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is often seen in concert, as a collaborator at chamber music festivals and in recital. Her diverse performance repertoire ranges from the masterworks of Bach, Handel and Mozart to modern works such as the roles of Xanthe/Aphrodite in Mark Adamo’s “Lysistrata” and Maria Celeste in Philip Glass’ “Galileo Galilei.” Guarrine’s debut album, “Transparent Boundaries: Songs Set to the Words of Dickinson, Whitman & Emerson,” with newly commissioned works by Lori Laitman, Daron Hagen and Scott Gendel, debuted in 2020 and was featured in numerous publications, including Gramophone Magazine.
Beck, a graduate of The Juilliard School, is a Steinway Artist who is on the faculty at UMass Amherst and the Sewanee Music Center. He also teaches orchestral piano at Juilliard. Beck is an experienced performer of new music who premiered works by Charles Wuorinen and Fred Lerdahl, and made a complete recording of George Walker’s piano sonatas. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician at Alice Tully Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress, and as an orchestral musician, he has appeared with the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet Orchestra and Orpheus.
Michal is associate professor of horn at UMass Amherst, a founding member of the UMass faculty ensemble called Bandwidth, and a member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra. He has also served on the faculties of the Interlochen Arts Camp and Greenwood Music Camp. An advocate for new music, Michal has commissioned and recorded numerous works for horn. Forthcoming albums feature new solo and chamber works, including a recording of “Four Poems of Devotion” by Joseph Summer.
March 9: ‘Cultivating Connections’
GREENFIELD — The Interfaith Council of Franklin County invites residents to a March 9 “Cultivating Connections” program to build community around values and faiths.
The event will start with a potluck at 6 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, followed by singing and sharing at 6:30 p.m. Eveline MacDougall and the Fiery Hope singers will lead some songs.
The next Cultivating Connections program will be held on April 27. All are welcome. With questions, email katelagrezemason@gmail.com.
Nisse Greenberg to lead Comedy Project workshop
GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host a Comedy Project workshop on Thursday, March 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. with Nisse Greenberg.
Greenberg has been teaching storytelling for the past 15 years for organizations like The Moth and The Story Collider. During the workshop, Greenberg will lead participants through a framework and process for taking the funny things that happen in life and transforming them into a great contribution to an open mic or story slam.
There is a $10 to $20 fee, though no one will be turned away. Reserve a seat by emailing andrea@thelavacenter.org.
‘Connections’ group to meet March 19
GREENFIELD — Social worker Irene Woods will lead “Connections,” a group exploring ways to be proactive about making connections with others, at the Greenfield Senior Center on Thursday, March 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Advance registration is required. Space is limited to 11. Call 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or stop by the center’s front desk to sign up. Seniors from all towns are welcome.
Make paper stars at the Senior Center
GREENFIELD — Marsha Leavitt will lead a crafting session on making paper stars at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, March 20, from 10 a.m. to noon.
There are several different paper stars that participants can make. The session will start with the easiest and attendees will make as many as time allows. Most are a form of modular origami. Participants will cut, fold, assemble and sometimes glue to create stars that can be used as hanging decorations or to enhance gift wrapping.
All materials will be provided. There is a $5 materials fee due at the time of the class.
The class size will be limited to 10.
Senior Center membership (free) is necessary, and advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the center’s front desk.
Ellie Harris to teach pour painting
GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Senior Center will host pour painting with Ellie Harris on Wednesday, March 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Pour painting is an abstract art technique where thinned acrylic paint is poured onto a surface to create flowing patterns. Rather than using brushes, artists tilt the canvas and use unique items to create a design.
There is a $5 materials fee. Space is limited to six. Participants are advised to register in advance by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.
Orthopedic surgeon to present ‘Living with Hip and Knee Arthritis’
GREENFIELD — Dr. Ben Snyder, an orthopedic surgeon who practices in Springfield, will present “Living with Hip and Knee Arthritis” at the Greenfield Senior Center on Friday, March 27, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Snyder will discuss strategies to better live with arthritis and keep arthritis from getting worse. He will review the background on arthritis, simple activities to do at home and treatment recommendations, as well as answer questions from attendees.
A free pizza lunch will be provided before the program. Registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the center’s front desk.