Open Mic Night
The Center on the Common’s monthly Open Mic Night will be held Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. This popular event is open to performers of all ages and abilities. Performer signup begins at 7 pm. Suggested donation is $5. BYOB.
‘Honk! Jr.’
Superstar Productions will present a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Ugly Duckling” at Hildreth Elementary School Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m.Tickets are available at the door
Ron Della Chiesa at Warner Free Lecture
The Warner Free Lecture series will host a talk—“Radio My Way”— by Boston area radio personality Ron Della Chiesa Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall at the library. Della Chiesa was host of “Music America,” an afternoon program that featured music from the American Songbook, with a focus on jazz and musical theater. Admission is free.
Art and Reading with Ariel
Bromfield senior Ariel Dwyer will lead a program for children in grades 2, 3, and 4 integrating art and literacy Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. at the library. The book “Minnie and Moo and the Musk of Zorro” by Denys Cazet will be used as inspiration for a project making a mask. Enrollment is limited; register at 978-456-2381.
Shaker Film Festival
The Boston Area Shaker Study Group will host a film festival Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1:15 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. After a 30-minute meeting, short videos and the film “Fruitlands 1843” will be shown. This film is loosely based on the experiences of the small group of transcendentalists who followed Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane to experiment with utopian communal living at the Fruitlands farmhouse. Reservations are required. RSVP to Merry.B.Post@gmail.com.
Thanksgiving Wine and Food Tasting
On Saturday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. taste six wines and a champagne selected especially for Thanksgiving dinner by Ideal Wines’ Charles Oliver. Try samples of four delicious Thanksgiving side dishes from the General’s Chef Mike Megna and enjoy the music of Claire Rindenello and David Kassel. Upstairs at the General.
Fair Trade Faire
The Social Action Committee and Women’s Alliance of the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host a Fair Trade Faire Sunday, Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St. The event will feature local nonprofit businesses dedicated to supporting cooperatives from around the world and will offer quality artisan crafts and home wares. Festivities also include a vendor-sponsored raffle and a bake sale by the Harvard Unitarian Church youth group.
Curator’s Tour at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will host a curatorial tour of its exhibition “100 Objects, 100 Stories, 100 Years at Fruitlands Museum” Sunday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. The tour is free for museum members, $5 for nonmembers. Registration is required at 978-456-3924, ext. 291 or at programming@fruitlands.org.
The Plant Doctor is In
The Garden Club of Harvard invites the public to its monthly meeting Monday, Nov. 24, at Holy Trinity Parish. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by a brief business meeting, and a presentation by Paul Steen, the “Plant Doctor,” who is an indoor plant expert. As a proponent for indoor plants, he encourages and supports houseplant horticulture. Participants are encouraged to bring their “sick” plants for the doctor to diagnose.
Cabaret Night
Fundraiser
The Harvard Performing Arts Scholarship organizers will hold a fundraiser, “Cabaret Night,” featuring past and present Harvard students Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. upstairs at the General Store. Featured performers will include Ashley Jordan, Danny Hayward, Caleb Green, Emma Sullivan, Alex Magan, Emma Delaney, Abby Zajac, Caroline Hentz, Maddie Drummey, special guest “Normandy,” and many others. Food and drink will be available downstairs to bring up to tables during the show or to be enjoyed downstairs during intermission. Admission is $15 at the door and all proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund. For more information, contact scott@harvardgeneralstore.com. To learn about this new scholarship, go to www.harvardgeneralstore.com. See article.
Pub Night
Pub Night on Friday, Nov. 28, will be a fun-filled evening Upstairs at the General with headliner Ashley Jordan, followed by the “Three Ways Til Sunday” improv troupe and special guest star “Karaoke.” Cover charge is $5. Pub fare will be available from the kitchen.
Autumn Ramble
at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will host a guided one-hour trail walk Saturday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at the museum. Museum interpreters will lead participants in a walk along Fruitlands’ glacial beach, archaeological sites, forest, and scenic vistas of the Nashua River. Trail shoes, walking sticks, and hats recommended. Free with admission.
Best Ukulele Songs
The Harvard Woman’s Club will hold its meeting and a special program Monday, Dec. 1, at 11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish. After lunch Harvard resident and local ukulele virtuoso Danno Sullivan will be back by popular demand to share his musical knowledge in song. He will give examples of melodic words to live by punctuated with musical demonstrations. He might even compose a song at the meeting! Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. For membership information call Carol at 978-456-9645.
Bubbleology
The Harvard Public Library will host “The Secret Life of Bubbles” with Keith Michael Johnson Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 12:30 p.m. at the library. Bubbleology explores the secret world of bubbles with state-of-the-art soap bubble sculptures—some bigger than bathtubs, others fog-filled, spinning geometric shapes. Discover how bubbles work (science), what bubbles can do (art), and how to continue the experiments on your own at home (fun). Keith has wrangled bubbles for National Geographic TV, the Discovery Channel, commercials, movies, and audiences across America. For all ages. Register at 978-456-2381.
In-Town Save the Date
- Dec. 6: Harvard Pro Musica concert at Unitarian Church
- Dec. 6: Lunch with Santa at Congregational Church
- Dec. 6, 7: Documentary “Following the Ninth” at library
- Dec. 13: Homespun craft workshop at Fruitlands
- Dec. 13: Open house at Fruitlands Museum Store
- Dec. 14: Ecumenical Christmas pageant at Unitarian Church
OUT OF TOWN
Concerts at the Bull Run
- Nov. 21: Johnette Napolitano
- Nov. 22: James Montgomery Band with Charlie Farren
- Nov. 26: Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
- Nov. 28: Paula Poundstone
- Nov. 29: The Stompers
- Dec. 6: Tom Rush
Tickets are available at www.bull-runrestaurant.com.
Symphony Volunteers Wanted
The Thayer Symphony Orchestra will host an open house for prospective volunteers Friday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Woodblock Building, 14 Monument Square, Leominster. The symphony is a fully volunteer organization, and assistance is needed in all areas, including ticket sales and promotions, fundraising, concert logistics, and ushering. Music Director Roderick MacDonald will address the group.
Every Time a Bell Rings …
The Nashoba Drama Society will present the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” Friday, Nov. 21, and Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. A 2 p.m. performance will be held Sunday, Nov. 23. The 1946 film, adapted to the stage in 1993, will be presented by the students of the Nashoba Drama Society under the direction of Bill Grady. Tickets at the door are $10 for seniors and students, $14 for adults. For advance tickets: NashobaTickets@gmail.com (www.NashobaDrama.com)
Hike at Snake Hill
The Nashua River Watershed Association will host a family adventure hike Sunday, Nov. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Snake Hill in Groton. This naturalist-led hike will explore the trails on Snake Hill, home to an unusual collection of flora and fauna because of its unique soils and rocky terrain. Hiking boots or shoes and water bottles recommended; no dogs allowed. Free and open to all. Registration is required; exact meeting location and directions will be provided upon registration. 978-448-0299, or StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Euphonium Soloist in Concert
The Thayer Performing Arts Center Community Music School will present euphonium virtuoso Adam Frey in a concert to benefit the music school Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2:30 p.m. at the Thayer Performing Arts Center, Atlantic Union College, 438 Main St., South Lancaster. Tickets are $15, $10 for students. Information at 978-368-2100.
Orchestra of Indian Hill
The Orchestra of Indian Hill will present “Toward a New Life” with music by Dvorak, Brahms, and Suk Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, 56 King St., Littleton. The guest violinist for the Dvorak Violin Concerto will be Haldan Martinson, Principal Second Violin of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Buy tickets by phone at 978-486-9524, ext. 116 or go to www.indianhillmusic.org.
Auditions for ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
Theatre at the Mount will hold auditions for their upcoming production of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” Monday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at Mount Wachusett Community College, Room 182, 444 Green St., Gardner. Director Rob Houle is looking for a cast of three adult men, three adult women; and a large ensemble of smaller characters. For detailed character descriptions, go to http://mwcc.edu/tam/ For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at 978-630-9162 or g_steele@mwcc.mass.edu.
Out-of-Town Save the Date
- Dec. 6: Atlantic Wind Symphony Christmas Pops in Lancaster
- Dec. 11: Grief management seminar at Shirley’s public library
- Dec. 12, 13: Harvard Pro Musica performs with Concord Band in Concord
