Do It Now trio offering workshops, Nov. 14 performance

The Wendell Meetinghouse will host the Do It Now trio for an afternoon of workshops and an evening performance of “Chucky the Rooster’s Lucky Day” on Saturday, Nov. 14.

Do It Now is known for its improvisational concerts, with three artists listening, responding and doing what they each do: Paul Richmond (words/stories), John Sheldon (guitars/song atmospheres) and Tony Vacca (percussion/vibrational patterns). Together, they combine poetry, storytelling, political commentary and musical improvisation.

The 7 p.m. performance is the Pioneer Valley premier of “Chucky the Rooster’s Lucky Day,” a story created by Richmond and brought to life by Do It Now. Chucky, a rooster on a large country farm distressed about encountering fences everywhere he goes and noting what the farmer does to roosters, decides he’d be safer as a hen.

As Richmond notes, “The audience watches Chucky believing in his delusion that he has fooled everyone that he is a hen. One day, there is an unexpected event that changes Chucky’s life and many other characters on the farm. He believes it is his lucky day.  The audience will decide for themselves whether or not it is indeed a lucky day for all the characters who believe it to be so. The ending belongs to the audience.”

In the afternoon, each of the group’s members will offer an hourlong workshop:

  • 1 to 2 p.m. — “Patterns and Vibrations, Rhythm and Magic” with Tony Vacca.
  • 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. — “The Importance of Writing” with Paul Richmond.
  • 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — “What is the Effortless?” with John Sheldon.

For more information, visit wendellmeetinghouse.org/events.

Artspace hosting open house on Nov. 15

Artspace Community Arts Center in Greenfield invites the community to learn more about its classes and programs, as well as try out some artistic endeavors during an open house on Sunday, Nov. 15. 

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the studio and gallery at 15 Mill St. will be open for people to meet Artspace staff and volunteers; peruse a makers market featuring textiles, ceramics and visual art; paint their own ceramic holiday ornaments made at Artspace; and explore the clay studio, which is celebrating its first anniversary this fall.

“We are super excited because we are celebrating our first full year with the clay studio,” Director Madeline Miller said. “It should be a really fun and festive day.”

The event is free to attend; however, there is a $10 suggested donation for each ceramic ornament participants paint. Ornaments will be fired and returned to participants in time for the holidays. Donations go to Artspace’s financial aid program, which Miller said supports 60% of students participating in Artspace classes.

For more information, visit artspacegreenfield.org.

Crafting sessions scheduled ahead of Trans Day of Remembrance

The Greenfield Public Library will offer two creative crafting sessions to decorate and write cards in an effort to spread joy to and voice solidary with the transgender community in advance of the Nov. 20 Trans Day of Remembrance.

The drop-in sessions will be held Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Makerspace. Cards will then be distributed locally on the Trans Day of Remembrance, as well as internationally through Point of Pride. 

Sample phrases and templates will be provided, along with all the paper, markers and stickers needed.

Authors bring book tour to Greenfield

The Traprock Center for Peace and Justice, and its Apartheid-Free Western Mass. project, have announced that Franklin County will be a stop on a book tour organized by the Northampton-based Interlink publishing company for “Wired to Steal: Zionism and the Shaping of the Western Mind” by authors Yoav Litvin and Ilan Pappé.

The Greenfield event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at All Souls Church, located at 399 Main St.

“Wired to Steal: Zionism and the Shaping of the Western Mind” uses history, behavioral neuroscience and investigative narrative to examine how ruling classes in settler colonial projects exploit humans’ vulnerability to fear and social belonging to turn communities against others, justify mass violence and conceal theft as self-defense.

Litvin is a doctor of neuroscience, an award-winning photographer, and author of scientific research articles and reviews on the neuroscience of emotion. Pappé is a historian on Israel/Palestine and author of more than 20 books. A history professor, he is director of the European Centre for Palestinian Studies at the University of Exeter.

Those who are interested can register for a free ticket at givebutter.com/wired-to-steal-oqu7xu, with donations welcome to help cover tour expenses. For book orders, visit interlinkbooks.com/product/wired-to-steal. Copies will also be sold at the event and available for signing by the authors.