At the library
The library is located at 4 Pond Road.
Registration is required for all story times. Register at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=HARVARD. Masks are required for indoor story time attendees ages 2 and up. Story times are subject to change.
Register for outdoor story times by filling out the form at forms.gle/31ncCNkwpt BUT1VH8. In case of inclement weather, outdoor story time will be canceled. Registrants will be notified by email.
- Story time for ages 0-2 and up:
Indoor, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.
Outdoor, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
No story time Monday, April 18, and Thursday, April 21. - Story time for ages 2 and 3:
Indoor, Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m.
Outdoor, Wednesdays, 11 a.m.
No story time Wednesday, April 20. - Stories for ages 4, 5, and up: Mondays, 1:30 p.m. No story time Monday, April 18.
- Children’s Literature Book Discussion Group for Grownups: Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m. May’s book is “From the Desk of Zoe Washington,” by Janae Marks. Email childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org to be added to the email list for this group. The group meets in a hybrid model: attend in person in Volunteers Hall (masks required), or virtually via Zoom.
- Teen Book Group for grades 7-9: Tuesday, April 26, 4 p.m. Meets virtually once a month. To join the email list, email the teen librarian at jhayes@cwmars.org or call 978-456-4114.
- Chinese acrobat Li Liu, all ages: Wednesday, May 11, 2 p.m. This 45-minute show includes hand balancing, plate spinning, trick cycling, foot juggling, ribbon dancing, and Chinese water bowl manipulation: Outdoors on the library lawn; bring a blanket or chairs. Registration required at forms.gle/tDufj3aJRdkEzVU96.
Exhibits, classes, activities at Fivesparks
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street. Get more information and register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- New exhibit: ‘‘Preservation,” a collection of nature-inspired artwork by local monotype print artist Pam Lawson and woodcut relief print artist Annie Catterson of Concord. Through Friday, May 13. Artists’ reception, open to the public, Sunday, May 1, 3 to 5 p.m.
- New session: water color painting for beginners, Fridays, April 15-May 20, 9 a.m.
- New session: water color painting for intermediates, Fridays, April 15-May 20, 1 p.m.
- School vacation: Design Your Own Creature Day with Rachel Benson, Monday, April 18, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Vinyasa flow yoga, Tuesdays 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. through Tuesday, April 26.
- Yoga, Pilates, dance fusion, Tuesdays or Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., through April.
- Ongoing: Drop in to work on a community puzzle on the indoor porch.
- New class: Group strength, stability, and balance training, six Wednesdays, May 4 through June 8, 9:30 a.m.
- In Partnership with Arm in Arm: “World Cultures Month: Japan!”, a month celebrating this Asian culture, full of Japan-themed programs and events. Go to Fivesparks.org/japan-month for more information.
- Bonsai basics workshop: Saturday, April 30, 1 p.m.
- Learn Origami: Saturday, April 30, 2 p.m.
The book sale returns
The annual book sale at the library, 4 Pond Road, will return this year starting Friday, May 6. Book collection dates are Saturday, April 23, and Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at the main entrance. All proceeds go to support the library’s children’s programs, Friends of the Arts performances, and free museum passes, among other services. Please donate only books in good condition. Please do not bring encyclopedias, magazines, broken or moldy books, Readers’ Digest books, or VHS tapes. Sale dates are:
- Friday, May 6: Preview sale for Friends of the Library only (Harvard residents may join the Friends at the door) 2 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 7: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, May 8: 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
Play ball!
The Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball Association, along with the Harvard Family Association, will host “Have a Ball,” Saturday, April 23, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Ryan Land Field on Depot Road. This free event will feature friendly games that teach basic baseball/softball skills. To attend, RSVP at forms.gle/j5i9xhDYUk8Zzgaf7.
Row your boat
On Sunday, April 24, the Bare Hill Rowing Association hosts the sixth annual Harvard Henley Regatta, which mirrors the Henley Royal Regatta in England. A round-robin of dual racing among four teams starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 4:30 p.m. Spectators are welcome. Learn more at barehillrowing.com/harvardhenley.
Launch into scouting
The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts invite Harvard girls and their guardians to a free “Launch Into Girl Scouts” event, Tuesday, April 26, 6 to 7 p.m. This event, at Camp Green Eyrie, 69 Still River Road, is for girls currently in pre-K and kindergarten who are not yet Scouts. RSVP and register by April 22 at https://bit.ly/GSharvard. For more information contact Monica at mbaldyga@gscwm.org or 413-727-5741.
Earth Day events
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee and Harvard Energy Advisory Committee will present an “Earth Day Show and Tell Around Town” on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Sunday, May 1). The event will include a tour of open houses showcasing efficient heating and cooling systems and regenerative and organic farming; an electric vehicle petting zoo; a General Store demonstration of an induction cooktop as an alternative cooking method; and a walking tour of an American chestnut tree restoration project. To take part, register at harvardsclimateinitiative.org/. A week before the event, registrants will receive a map of the home and native garden locations with a description of what is available at each site.
Folk music soiree
notloB Parlour Concerts presents folk singer-songwriter, guitar- and Appalachian dulcimer player David Massengill at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, Friday, May 6, 7:30 p.m. Massengill has written songs recorded by The Roches and by Joan Baez as well as children’s books, and has performed and recorded children’s music. Admission is by free-will offering, with donations of $10 to $20 suggested. Make reservations through notlobmusic.eventbrite.com.
PTO spring soirėe
The Harvard Schools Parent Teacher Organization will host a spring soirėe, Friday, May 13, 6 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. The theme is “Prohibition,” with live music, an open bar, a silent auction to benefit the Harvard schools, and food from Gibbet Hill. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2p92nx2v.
OUT OF TOWN
Victory Dance
The Fort Devens Museum and the Greater Boston Vintage Society will host a World War II Victory Dance Saturday, April 30, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Shirley War Memorial Building, 8 Church Street, Shirley. The event will include big band music by Dan Gabel and the Abletones, a free dance lesson, and a dance contest. Food is included in the price of admission; cash bar. Tickets are $35 for military personnel and veterans, $40 for individual tickets, and $75 per pair. Period dress and uniforms are strongly encouraged. For more information and tickets, go to fortdevensmuseum.org/events/.
Chamber music and jazz harp
Indian Hill Music, 36 King Street, Littleton, will present flutist Jessica Lizak and harpist Franziska Huhn in a program of chamber music including Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun,” Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/vxe7fh6k.
On Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m., jazz harpist Charles Overton and his group will be in concert. For tickets and more information, visit tinyurl.com/3fb8cvc6.
Choir and strings
The Nashoba Valley Chorale is presenting “My Soul Is Satisfied,” a concert of music for choir and string orchestra, featuring the winner of the chorale’s annual emerging artist contest soloing in the Schubert Mass in G. Also featured will be the Easter cantata, “Christ lag in Todes Banden,” by J.S. Bach. Performances are Saturday, April 30, 7:30 p.m.at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton and Sunday, May 1, 3 p.m. at the Union Congregational Church, 220 Main Street, Groton. Purchase tickets at nashobavalleychorale.org.
5K fun run
The Loaves & Fishes 5K “Spring Into Action” fun run/walk Sunday, May 1, will raise funds for the food pantry. The event starts at Rogers Field, Buena Vista Street, Devens, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a Children’s Fun Run at 1 p.m. Virtual participation is also available between Sunday, April 24, and Sunday, May 1. For more information and to register, visit loavesfishespantry.org.
‘Images of Atheism’
Starting Thursday, May 5, the Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Street, Clinton, will present “Images of Atheism: The Soviet Assault on Religion,” an exhibition exploring the role of visual propaganda in the Communist Party’s seven-decade war against religion. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit museumofrussianicons.org.
