Music festival benefit concert
Acclaimed Boston-based cellist Rhonda Rider and pianist Judith Gordon will perform Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St. Featuring works by Maurice Ravel and Arthur Berger as well as pieces drawn from Spanish and Hindustani folk songs, the concert will benefit the Harvard Music Festival held annually in June. Suggested donation: adults $25, teens and seniors $15, cash at the door. For information and reservations, visit fivesparks.org/event/harvard-music-festival-fall-fundraising-concert.
At the library
The library is at 4 Pond Road. For a full calendar of events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events. Register for all children’s programs at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=Harvard.
Story times
- Ages 2 and younger, Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Story time for ages 2 and 3, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Art and stories for ages 4, 5, and older, Mondays, 1:30 p.m.
Children’s programs
- Circle of songs with Hugh Hanley, ages 6 and younger, Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m.
- Fourth grade book group, Monday, Oct. 21, 4 p.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Oct. 23. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Twisted critters, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Oct. 24, 3:45 p.m. Create pipe cleaner animals.
- Book gobblers, book discussion group for grades 1 and 2. Monday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m.
- Bagels and books for sixth graders, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 3 p.m.
- Family movie night, Friday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. Animated film from 2024 about imaginary friends, rated PG.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m.
Teen programs
- Teen Halloween treats, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 3 p.m. Decorate cookies shaped like fall leaves, pumpkins, and squirrels.
Adult programs
- “WW II: Letters from a Young Soldier,” Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m. Genealogist Seema Kenney uses family letters to tell stories of life during wartime.
- Virtual mindfulness and meditation class (held remotely), Wednesday, Oct. 23, from noon to 12:30 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion for grownups, Thursday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. Book is “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule and more information.
- New exhibit: “Over, Under and Through the Warp: The Art of Tapestry Weaving” presented by Tapestry Weavers in New England (TWINE). On view through Nov. 9. Public reception Sunday, Oct. 20, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Teens: Write what you see (and touch, taste, smell). Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to noon.
- “From Trail to Page, An Author’s Journey.” Book event with former Harvard resident Kathy Elkind, Saturday, Oct. 19, 4 p.m.
- Nurture your creative practice class series, Mondays, Oct. 28 to Nov. 18, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Taiwan mahjong, fall session 2, Wednesdays, Oct. 30 to Nov. 20, 6 to 8 p.m.
- “The Means of Keeping.” Book event with author Rich Marcello, Sunday, Nov. 3, 4 p.m.
- Pastel landscape painting with Ann Gillespie, Wednesdays, Nov. 6 through Dec. 11, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jim Sullivan recounts 45 years of classic rock
The Warner Free lecture series will present “Backstage and Beyond: 45 Years of Classic Rock, Chats and Rants” Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at Volunteers Hall at the library at 4 Pond Road. Jim Sullivan, a veteran Boston-based writer who covered music and pop culture for the Boston Globe, will read from his recent books telling of specific artists and bands and stories culled from past encounters. A Q&A period will follow the presentation. Learn more at warnerfreelecture.org.
Moonlight hike
Step into the magic of the forest under a full moon with Harvard Conservation Trust biologist Bob Douglas Friday, Oct. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. Discover the sights and sounds of owls, bats, and other nocturnal creatures, and gather afterwards around a campfire for refreshments and conversation. Meet at the Burgess-Brown trailhead, at the end of Murray Lane.
For information and to sign up, visit harvardconservationtrust.org, and scroll down to Events.
Get out the vote rally
The League of Women Voters of Harvard will hold a Get Out the Vote rally Sunday, Oct. 20, 2 to 3 p.m., on the Common. Meet state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, Governor’s Council district candidate Mara Dolan, Town Administrator Dan Nason, Town Clerk Rose Miranda, Select Board members, and members of the town Republican and Democratic committees. Voter information will be available, along with materials for making friendship bracelets, and cake to celebrate LWV of Harvard’s 75th birthday.
Pickleball tournament
The Harvard PTO will host its second annual pickleball tournament Sunday, Oct. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bromfield tennis courts. Grab a partner and register now for this double elimination tournament open to all ages and skill levels. Victors will be awarded pickleball gear, and advanced bracket winners will receive memberships to the Marcus Lewis Tennis Center. Spots are limited. Get more information and sign up today at harvardpto.org.
‘Presidential Pops’ at historical society
The Harvard Historical Society will celebrate the presidential election year with a reprise of its 2016 musical, “Presidential Pops,” Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at the meetinghouse, 215 Still River Road.
Last Fruitlands fall concert
Fruitlands Museum presents the final artist in its fall concert series, Seth Glier, Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Visit thetrustees.org/fruitlandsconcerts for information and tickets. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
Halloween parade, party
The Harvard Family Association will hold its annual Halloween costume party and parade Saturday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Common and at Fivesparks. Enjoy a morning full of fun with activities that will captivate everyone in the family. Dress up in Halloween costumes and be on the lookout for a spooky scavenger hunt. The costume parade begins at 10:45 a.m., followed by Amazing Animal Ambassadors, Music with Mister Vic, and Storytime with Miss Abby. Free and open to all, register at harvardfamilyassociation.com; click on Event Calendar.
‘Play On!’
The Cannon Theatre, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, announces their upcoming production of the Rick Abbot comedy “Play On!” running Oct. 25 through Nov. 9. A hilarious love letter to community theater, “Play On!” is the story of an amateur company, an inexperienced playwright, and an inept cast trying to stage a murder mystery without a murder. For tickets and information visit thecannontheatre.org.
‘Run for the Hills’
The Harvard Conservation Trust’s “Run for the Hills” will take place Sunday, Oct. 27, with a 5K race at 10 a.m. and a kids’ 1-mile fun run at 10:50 a.m., at the Community Harvest Project barn, 115 Prospect Hill Road. The 5K course loops through an orchard and adjacent woods and fields, while the fun run stays on trails inside the orchard. All proceeds benefit HCT’s efforts to preserve the character and natural resources of rural Harvard. Learn more and register at runsignup.com/Race/MA/Harvard/RunfortheHills2021.
Save the date
- Saturday, Nov. 2, Fruitlands bonfire
- Friday, Nov. 15, Townwide book discussion of “Defiant Dreams”
- Sunday, Nov. 17, PTO 5K and fun run.
OUT OF TOWN
Quilt show
The Concord Piecemakers Quilt Guild will hold its 2024 quilt show Friday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central Street, Acton. See a spectacular display of quilts and wearables made by members of the guild, and visit the members’ craft boutique with unique and beautiful gifts. Admission $10, children under 12 free.
Become a certified weed warrior
The Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Bolton Conservation Commission will conduct weed warrior training Wednesday, Oct. 30, starting at 1 p.m. at the Bowers Springs conservation area off Flanagan Road in Bolton. Learn to identify and, using simple tools, remove non-native invasive plants such as glossy buckthorn, Asian bittersweet, burning bush, and Japanese barberry.
For more about the program visit svtweb.org/stewardship/weed%20warrior%20program. To register, email concom@townofbolton.com or call 978-779-3304.
Davis Farmland corn maze
The mega maze at Davis Farmland is open Saturdays 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 27 at 142 Redstone Hill, Sterling. This year’s maze encompasses 8 acres of corn and almost 3 miles of puzzling pathways, with games inside the maze for adventure seekers. Visit davismegamaze.com for tickets and information.
