Greenfield Public Library hosts local author talk with Adam Sarlan
On Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m., the Greenfield Public Library will host a local author talk in the community meeting room with Adam Sarlan on his book “The Red-Tail.”
“The Red-Tail” collects 17 different birds important to the poet’s life, including blue jays, cormorants, geese, egrets and gulls. The poems find a certain wisdom and friendship in these birds while studying their everyday habits and listening to their teachings, and challenges readers to sit with the birds, listen to them and learn from their lessons.
This debut chapbook also explores the idea of living while mourning lost loved ones. The poet finds comfort and solace in nature amidst grief, and finds that a strong connection to nature helps one begin to live a life of happiness and self-acceptance again after tragedy.
Sarlan’s poems and essays have also appeared in Wilderness House Literary Review, Portrait of New England, The Literary Hatchet and Laurel Moon.
In other library-related news, on May 16 at 9:30 a.m., Latin Grammy Award-winning artist and Children’s author MISTER G will read from his latest book “Baby Ballena.” The event is geared for children ages 3 to 8.
The reading will be followed by a meet and greet, book sale and signing. For more information, contact Ellen Lavoie at ellen.lavoie@greenfield-ma.gov or call 413-772-1544, ext. 5104.
Leverett Crafts & Arts will present two exhibits this month
Leverett Crafts & Arts will present two exhibits for the month of May. At the Barnes Gallery, the work of artist and former blacksmith Marty Klein will be on display as part of the “Time Traveler” exhibition. The Hall Gallery will present “Pieced Together,” an exhibition by artists Susan Boss and Mark Brown.
Klein served as resident blacksmith at LCA from 1975 to 1981, creating reproduction ironwork and teaching classes through his shop, Vulcan’s Forge. Since 2006, he has focused on scanograph art, producing digital photographic images inspired by nature, including flowers, mushrooms and vegetables. The exhibit will feature both Klein’s ironwork and his contemporary prints.
The Hall Gallery exhibit features works created from both old and new materials, reflecting the artists’ decades-long careers in making, teaching and selling art. Much of the work is assembled from individual pieces, highlighting a self-taught approach that emphasizes experimentation and personal expression.
A reception for both exhibits will be held Sunday, May 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Sunderland library to host Book, Plant and Bake Sale
The Friends of the Sunderland Public Library will host their annual Book, Plant and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, located at 20 School St.
The event features a wide selection of books, garden-ready plants and homemade treats, with all proceeds directly benefiting library programs and services. Admission to the sale is free.
For more information, contact Barbara Morrell at 413-665-2642 or morrell38@gmail.com.
Bob Jordan to perform at Orange Farmers Market
Winchendon-based musician Bob Jordan, self-proclaimed “marquis of local farmers markets,” returns in 2026 with more than 40 free performances across North Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Performances run from May through October. Jordan will open the Orange Farmers Market on Thursday, May 14 at Butterfield Park, and will return to play once a month, June 25, July 30 Aug. 20 and Sept. 10. Music at the Orange Market is supported by the Orange Cultural Council.
For more information, contact Jordan at magundi@live.com.
La Mimosa Collective to present chamber music
La Mimosa Collective presents To the Roses, a chamber music program featuring mezzo-soprano Caitlin Felsman, flutist Sarah Swersey and pianist Yu-mei Wei. The repertoire includes works by Lili Boulanger, Jennifer Higdon, Francis Poulenc,and Albert Roussel. Performances take place Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. at a Greenfield house concert and Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. at Ashfield First Congregational Church. Tickets are available at tickettailor.com/events/lamimosacollective for $25 general admission or $15 for students and low-income attendees.
Artist Daniel Hales to lead collage workshop
Artist Daniel Hales will lead a collage workshop at the Greenfield Public Library on Saturday, May 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hales will give a brief craft talk about the collage techniques he used in his current exhibit on display at the library’s Conference Room, “Portals & Portmanteaux.” Afterward, participants are invited to create their own collages. The last half hour will be set aside to share what was made and to clean up. All materials provided.
Registration is encouraged at greenfieldpl.libcal.com/event/16728521. This program, which is supported by the Friends of Greenfield Public Library, is free and intended for teens and adults, ages 13 and up. No experience is necessary. For more information, email francesca.passiglia@greenfield-ma.gov or cal 413-772-1544, ext. 5120.
The LAVA Center presents The PeaceBirds Exhibit with ‘We, the Poets, Grant you Refuge’
The PeaceBirds Project begins its exhibition on Friday, May 15 at 6 p.m. with a sister event called “We, the Poets, Grant You Refuge: How Palestinian Poetry Inspires Activism.” It combines original poetry, readings of Palestinian poets and stories of The PeaceBirds genesis. Presented by Mona Shiber, JuPong Lin, Rachel Teferet and Carolyn Cushing, the first iteration occurred at the 2025 Mass Poetry Festival in Salem and recently at Easthampton Media. The May 15 event at The LAVA Center is part of the Theatre of Ideas series inviting community folks to join in hearing poetry, stories and experiencing paperfolding. This event is partially funded by a Greenfield Cultural Council grant, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
For more information, email clara@thelavacenter.org or call or text 413-376-8118.