November 2009

Greetings!

Massachusetts is rich in arts and culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 13 regions all year long. Find out more below and visit us now!

PLAY TIME

Like your theater dramatic? Comedic? Profound? You’ll find all that and more as Massachusetts’ theater marquees light up for the season. The Donkey Show at the ART in Cambridge serves up a riot of 70s music, feathered divas, and disco balls! Playing through January 2, 2010. Heroes at the Merrimac Repertory Theatre in Lowell, November 19-December 13, follows three WWI French veterans as they battle old age and war injuries. For young theater-goers, Shakespeare and Company in Lenox presents Cindy Bella, a contemporary spin on the Cinderella folk tale. December 10-20. More great shows at www.massvacation.com and www.artsboston.org.

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SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS | GREATER BOSTON | NANTUCKET ISLAND | MOHAWK TRAIL REGION

FEATURED REGION: GREATER SPRINGFIELD

The Spirit of Springfield is gearing up for a busy season of holiday offerings! First up is the opening of its Bright Nights at Forest Park, the renowned holiday lighting display in Springfield’s Forest Park, which runs November 25, 2009–January 2, 2010. Celebrating its 15th year, Bright Nights will expand its already dazzling displays with a new exhibit called "Winter Garden." Bright Nights has been designated a top national holiday attraction by People magazine, and one of North America’s "Top 100 Events" by the American Bus Association. Another Spirit of Springfield event is the Parade of the Big Balloons, which takes place on November 27th and features a collection of giant balloons on parade in downtown Springfield the day after Thanksgiving. Perennial favorite The Cat in the Hat (at 75 feet high) will be among the highlights. For more information, visit www.spiritofspringfield.org or call 413-733-3800.

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PLYMOUTH COUNTY

America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration will be held November 20-22, 2009 on the Plymouth waterfront! On Friday at 7 p.m., enjoy a free Patriotic Concert at Memorial Hall with Tops in Blue, U.S. Air Force’s premier entertainment showcase. The parade commences at 11 a.m. on Saturday, beginning in North Plymouth and continuing south along Route 3A. After the parade, festivities continue with the Crafter's Pavilions, the New England Food Festival, and the Senior Drum & Bugle Corp Reunion Concert that evening at Memorial Hall.

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NORTH OF BOSTON

Come learn the art of jewelry making North of Boston, just in time for the holiday season! Two shops, Beadworks in Salem and The Riverwalk Bead Shop in Amesbury, offer a variety of inspiring classes that will teach you the techniques for making that perfect gift for others or to keep for yourself. For more creative things to do and see throughout the North of Boston region, visit www.escapesnorth.com.

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THE BERKSHIRES

The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield invites you to reserve your place at the table for a Shaker-inspired candlelight dinner in the 1830 Brick Dwelling. The evening begins with a private guided tour highlighting the Shakers’ unique life and work. Traditional seasonal fare followed by a Shaker music program makes this a perfect evening for family and friends to share. Dinners are planned for November 7th and 28th. Visit www.hancockshakervillage.org to reserve your place at the table.

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CAPE COD

The beautifully restored Historic Highfield Hall in Falmouth has launched season three of "Music at the Mansion," a series of concerts featuring exceptional musical artists from across New England. The 23rd Annual Harvest Craft Fair, a juried show of talented artisans and crafters, will be held Saturday, November 14th at the HT Wing School in Sandwich. And don’t miss the Annual Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument in Provincetown on Wednesday, November 25th from 5 to 7 pm. A holiday tradition!

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GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY

The Concord Festival of Authors will be held October 22-November 8, 2009. Once home to the likes of Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson, the festival celebrates the town’s rich literary heritage. Venues in Concord and Lowell will host over 40 authors offering lectures and programs, including an opening day talk by former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (at left). Events include a Chef Fest at Verrill Farm and a screening of Robert Altman’s film The Player. Most events are free.

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MARTHA'S VINEYARD

The annual Vineyard Artisans Holiday Festival will be held November 27-28, 2009 at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. The festival features many of the Island’s top craftspeople, working in fiber arts, leather crafts, glass, home furnishings, painting, ceramics, paper, botanicals, mixed media, sculpture and photography. Highlights also include hay rides, food, weaving and craft demonstrations Held from 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. Free admission. For more information, call 508-693-8989 or visit www.vineyardartisans.com.

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CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS

‘Tis the Season: On November 28-29, 2009, Vaillancourt Folk Art (Sutton) welcomes Charles Dickens’ great-great grandson, Gerald Charles Dickens, for a one-man performance of the classic "A Christmas Carol." Coming from London, Dickens adopts voices and expressions in his one-man show to portray 26 characters from this unforgettable tale. Known as “the man with a top hat and a legacy,” this is one act you don’t want to miss! Tickets are $25.00 - order online here.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY

The 15th Annual Franklin County CiderDays, a community event celebrating all things apples, will be held November 7-8, 2009 in Franklin County. Enjoy two days of orchard tours, cidermaking & tastings, workshops and more. There is a charge for some of the activities but there is no admission for the self-guided tour of the orchards or the Marketplace at the Shelburne Buckland Community Center in Shelburne. Click here for more information and a full event schedule.

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SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS

ARTWORKS! Holiday Exhibition & Sale will be held November 7, 2009-January 3, 2010 at the community arts center on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford. This retail exhibition showcases some of the region's most productive artists, and is just in time for holiday shopping! Browse the gallery for jewelry, hats and scarves, handmade toys, original prints and paintings, and ceramics.

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GREATER BOSTON

Get into the holiday spirit on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 11 am to 6:30 pm with the 25th Annual Lighting Ceremony at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston. A gigantic 65' Christmas tree and thousands of lights spanning all of Quincy Market will be switched on at 5:30 pm by Mayor Thomas Menino. All-day entertainment and special guest performers. Free and open to the public. Call 617-523-1300 for more information.

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NANTUCKET ISLAND

Nantucket’s holiday season kicks off November 27, 2009 with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Community Caroling on Main Street, led by Nantucket’s Town Crier and High School Chorus. The Nantucket Historical Association’s Festival of Wreaths, on November 25–29 (closed Thanksgiving Day) showcases the remarkable talent of local artists, artisans, schoolchildren, merchants and nonprofits that decorate and donate the wreaths, which are displayed as part of the silent auction. Nantucket’s perennial Christmas Stroll follows on December 4-6.

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MOHAWK TRAIL REGION

The Williams College Museum of Art in Williamstown presents two complementary exhibitions that contrast historical and contemporary views of Niagara Falls as sublime landscape, tourist destination, and romantic cliché – Alec Soth: NIAGARA (on view through January 10, 2010) and A Strong Impression: William Morris Hunt’s Niagara (on view through January 31, 2010). The museum is located on Main Street (Route 2), in Williamstown. Open Tuesday–Saturday 10 am–5 pm and Sunday 1–5 pm. Admission is free.

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