Middle School Drama Society Presents ‘Will and Whimsy’
The Bromfield Middle School Drama Society will present Alan Haehnel’s “Will and Whimsy,” a collection of modern scenes based on Shakespearian sonnets. Performances will be Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Cronin Auditorium. Tickets, available at the door, are $8 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.
Warner Free Lecture presents
‘Mind of the Producer’
The Warner Free Lecture Society will host a talk by producer Michael Ambrosino Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Volunteers Hall in the Harvard Public Library. The producer of many well-known WGBH public television series, including “Nova” and “Eyes on the Prize,” Ambrosino will talk about his experiences at WGBH in Boston. The event is free and open to the public.
American Gypsy Music at the General Store
Gypsy jazz trio Ameranouche will play Friday, April 10, upstairs at the Harvard General Store at 7:30 p.m. The kitchen will open at 6:30 p.m. The group (uh-mare-uh-noosh) plays a passionate style of music they call “Gypsy flamenco swing.” The trio’s name is derived from two words: American and Manouche, the Gypsy tribe of guitarist Django Reinhardt. They are veterans of the Newport Jazz Festival and DjangoFest Northwest.
Pilates Open House and Free Classes
Bodylines Pilates will host an open house Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Harvard studio at 325 Ayer Road. Visitors may register for a free week of unlimited classes during the month of April. For more information go to bodylinespilates.com.
Beer Festival at General Store
The Harvard General Store will host a Brew-haha Saturday, April 11, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the store. The event will include beer tastings by popular commercial microbrewers, an unsanctioned competition among 12 local home brewers, and information sessions with sample equipment for home brewers. Cover charge is $10 at the door. For more information, go to www.harvardgeneralstore.com.
Collection starts Saturday for
book sale
Starting Saturday, April 11, the Friends of the Harvard Public Library will begin collecting books for its annual book sale, which will be held in May at the library. Bring books in good condition to the library at 4 Pond Road from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Please do not bring VHS tapes, encyclopedias, magazines, or broken or moldy books. Do not leave books at the old library on Fairbank Street. All proceeds from this fundraiser support services and programs at the library, including museum passes, children’s programs, and Friends of the Arts events. Tax receipts are available for donors.
Fruitlands Opening Day
Fruitlands Museum will re-open its historic buildings and cafe for the season Wednesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. Two new exhibitions—photojournalist Ben Brody’s “Afghanistan Endgame” and environmental photographer Edward Burtynsky’s “The Industrial Sublime”—open on Friday, April 17.
Middle School Chorus and Band
The Bromfield School Music Department will present a concert by middle school groups Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at the Cronin Auditorium. The Grade 6 Chorus, the Grades 6, 7, and 8 Select Chorus, the Grades 7 and 8 Mixed Chorus, the Grade 6 Concert Band, and the Grades 7 and 8 Symphonic Band will perform. The concert is free and open to the public.
Brown Bag Book Club
The Brown Bag Book Club will meet Wednesday, April 15, at noon at the library to discuss “The Good Daughters” by Joyce Maynard. Drop-ins are welcome.
Growing Up in Harvard
The Harvard Historical Society will present “Growing Up in Harvard: The Diary of Ellery Eaton Royal, 1906–1912” Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at 215 Still River Road. Royal was born in Harvard in 1894 and graduated from the Bromfield School in 1912. His diary has been described as a Huckleberry Finn adventure, Harvard-style.
Pursuit of Sustainable Living
The Community and Campus Sustainability Conference will be held Thursday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens. The keynote address will be delivered by Devens Enterprise Commissioner Peter Lowitt at 8:45 a.m. The conference will include a walking tour of Devens, numerous speakers, and exhibits. Registration is $75 at www.masustainablecommunities.com. Some walk-in slots may be available for $90.
Pillow-making Project
Bromfield senior Lara Schmoyer will hold pillow-making sessions Thursday, April 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Volunteers Hall at the public library. Pillows will be donated to the UMass Memorial Medical Center for the benefit of cancer patients.
High School Chorus and Band
The Bromfield School Music Department will present a concert by high school choral and band groups Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Cronin Auditorium. The High School Concert Choir, the High School Wind Ensemble, and the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Workshop will perform. Both the middle school (April 15) and high school concerts will be conducted by Rebecca Ufema and Tom Reynolds, with accompaniment by Nikolaus Hunt. Free and open to all.
Explore Vernal Pools
The Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will host an exploration of vernal pools, led by Rona Balco, Saturday, April 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the refuge. Participants will learn what makes the pools unique, why they are important for many creatures, and what their place is in the web of life. Meet in the parking lot at the end of Still River Depot Road. For information call Rona at 978-779-2259.
Observe American Woodcocks
The Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will gather to watch the courtship flight of the American woodcock, where males spiral high in the air and dive back to the grassy field to attract females. Participants will meet Saturday, April 18, and Saturday, April 25, at 6:45 p.m. partway down Still River Depot Road, near the NWR sign. Some walking on muddy trails might be necessary, depending upon the location of the birds. (Rain dates are Sundays, April 19 and 26.) For information call Don MacFarlane at 978-897-7567.
Harvard Henley Regatta
The Bare Hill Rowing Association will host the Harvard Henley Regatta Sunday, April 19, starting with the varsity team competition at 8 a.m. at Bare Hill Pond. Events will break for lunch at noon and resume at 1 p.m. for the novice competition. The racing format will be based on the Henley Royal Regatta, a rowing event that has been held on the River Thames since 1839. The association will bring three other schools to town for a day of fun for both spectators and rowers. A reception will be held the evening before at the Harvard General Store.
Indian Hill Chamber Ensemble
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will host a concert of classical music by the Indian Hill Chamber Ensemble Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at 145 Bolton Road. The ensemble includes pianist Miriam Zarchan, violinist Marcy Wanzer, cellist Laura Dickey, and flutist Karen Umbrell and is directed by Cynthia Forbes. The nonprofit Healing Garden offers support, educational and therapeutic services to those affected by cancer. Tickets are available at the door: $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Go to www.healinggarden.net for updates or cancellations.
John Hanson Mitchell presents
‘An Eden of Sorts’ at Fruitlands
Author John Hanson Mitchell will present “An Eden of Sorts: The Natural History of My Feral Garden” Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum. Twenty-five years ago, author and naturalist Mitchell cut down a 1½-acre stand of 75-year-old white pines and planted a garden in their place. “An Eden of Sorts” is a history of the plants and animals that lived on the tract over the following decades. This is a paradoxical yet hopeful narrative of what can happen to a plot of land when it is properly managed and returned to a wild state. Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Registration is required at programming@fruitlands.org or 978-456-3924, ext. 239.
In-Town Save the Date
- April 19: Free admission at Fruitlands for Earth Day
- May 1, 2, 3: Book Sale at the Harvard Public Library.
In-Town Classes
Through Harvard Community Education. Register at 978-456-4118 or jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
- April Staycation. Grades K to 5. April 21, 22, 23 at Hildreth Elementary School. $55 per day.
Out-of-Town Events
‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’
The River’s Edge Players’ production of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” from the novel by Ken Kesey will take place Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. at 155 Apsley St., Hudson.
Billiards Night to Benefit Habitat for Humanity
A night of music, billiards, and raffles to benefit North Central Massachusetts Habitat for Humanity will take place Saturday, April 11, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Billiards Cafe, 39 Main St., Ayer. For more information go to ncmhabitat.org.
Open House at Applewild School
Applewild School will hold an Open House for information about fall 2015 admission (grades kindergarten through 8) Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. at the school, 120 Prospect St., Fitchburg. The school provides financial assistance, merit scholarships, and transportation. For more information go to www.applewild.org or call the admission office at 978-342-6053, ext. 110.
Author Conversation: Walden Pond
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Association will present a talk by Professor Robert M. Thorson Sunday, April 12, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Walden Pond State Reservation, 915 Walden St., Concord. Thorson will explore the themes of his book “Walden’s Shore” and will discuss the origin of a lake called Walden Pond and its influence on the work of Henry David Thoreau. Register at www.freedomsway.org. Free.
Harlem Wizards at Monty Tech
The Harlem Wizards will put on a benefit performance at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Monday, April 13, at 7 p.m. in the school gym. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $10 for children or available online at www.Harlemwizards.com.
Frog Identification Training
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will host a training session on habitat and frog call identification Wednesday, April 15, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Wolbach Farm in Sudbury. The workshop will include instruction on frog and wetland identification and a field session where participants will apply knowledge through observation. The program is followed by an optional certification assessment to qualify as a FrogWatch volunteer. Free. Registration required at www.svtweb.org/programs or 978-443-5588, ext. 123.
Freedom’s Way Association Hosts
Talk on Antislavery Movement
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Association will present a talk by Mark C. Bodanza Wednesday, April 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lunenburg Public Library, 1023 Mass. Ave., Lunenburg. Bodanza will discuss his book “Resolve and Rescue: The True Story of Frances Drake and the Antislavery Movement.” Register at www.freedomsway.org. Free.
Concerts at the Bull Run
- April 10: Darren Bessette Band
- April 11: Pure Prairie League
- April 16: Bob Marley comedy
- April 17: Albert Cummings
- April 17: Town Meeting
- April 18: Allman Neville Pitchell Band
- April 19: Joan Osborne
- April 24: James Hunter Six
Tickets are available at tickets.bullrunrestau rant.com.
Out-of-Town Classes
Summer children’s programs at Nashua River Watershed Association, Groton. Register at 978-448-0299 or StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershed.org:
- Wilderness Summer Survival Week. Ages 11 to 14, June 23–26, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wild World of Water Week. Ages 6 to 8, July 13–16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- All Things Animal. Incredible Insects, Secretive Salamanders and Outrageous Otters. Ages 9 to 11, July 20–23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
