Irish music concert
2010 Bromfield graduate Sarah Collins and Baltimore native Jonathan Vocke will play a program of Irish music Sunday, Jan. 18, 3 p.m., at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank St. Drawing from Celtic traditions and the old-time and folk scene, the pair explores the intersection of these musical styles, and plays with a balance of lightness, sensitivity, and grounding. The program will include Irish, Scottish, and old-time tunes and songs, with fiddle, guitar, and banjo. $20, tickets at the door via cash, Venmo or PayPal.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpublic library.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features the Italian pre-Lent festival of Carnival. On view through January in the children’s room.
- Lego club, grades K-6, Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:30 p.m.
- Capsters art, ages 7 and older, Thursday, Jan. 22, 3:45 p.m. Make art from bottle caps.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Jan. 28. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Challenge trivia duels, families, ages 7 and older. Saturday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m.
Teen programs
- Teen readers club, grades 7-12, Thursday, Jan. 22, 3 p.m.
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2:45 p.m.
Adult programs
- Brown Bag Book Club, Wednesday, Jan. 21, noon.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m. Book is “At Last She Stood” by Erin Entrada Kelly.
- Arabic classes with Nadia Saleh, Saturdays, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to noon.
Shade gardening presentation
The Garden Club of Harvard will host a presentation on shade gardening Monday, Jan. 26, 9:30 a.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Master gardener Kathy Gariepy will discuss the unique problems and opportunities of shade gardening, and how to select shade plants so your garden is in bloom spring through fall. Find more information at harvardgardenclub.org/calendar.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Artists in residence, beginning Saturday, Jan. 17. Visit working artists informally during regular hours.
- Artists in residence opening reception, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Theater auditions for “Talley’s Folly,” Sunday, Jan. 18, 7 p.m.
Fermented drinks class
The Goose and Hen farm will offer a class on making natural “sodas” Saturday, Jan. 17, 2 to 3:30 p.m., at 85 Old Littleton Road. Learn about fermented beverages including kombucha, water kefir, milk kefir, ginger bug, fruit shrub, and raw apple cider vinegar. Sample the various drinks, and return home with starters. $35 per person. Email kerry.thegooseandhen@gmail.com if interested.
‘Nashobah Praying Indians: A Living People, A Living Landscape’
The Warner Free Lecture series will present an evening of local Native American history Friday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m., at the library’s Volunteers Hall, 4 Pond Road. In 1654, the Nashoba Valley area was the Praying Indian Village of Nashobah, a place of spirit and vision. Join Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians and local historian Daniel V. Boudillion as they present and discuss the Nashobah people, their journey of suffering and survival, and the sacred Native landscape of Harvard. For more information visit warnerfreelecture.org and see article.
Save the date
- Saturday, Jan. 31: Pianist Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome at Harvard Unitarian Church
- Thursday, Feb. 5: PTO game night at HES
- Sunday, March 1: Lions Winterfest
- Friday, March 6: Bromfield science fair.
Out of town
Gospel concert to celebrate MLK Jr. Day
The Gospel Connection with Suzanne Buell will present a concert Saturday, Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m., at the Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln St., Westford. Explore the roots of traditional spiritual and historic gospel music that defined the civil rights movement, and the musical connections that inspire contemporary artists. Tickets are $20 for members, $22 for nonmembers, and $25 at the door if available. Bring your own food and drink. For tickets and information visit pcawestford.org.
Winter wildlife tracking for families
The Massachusetts Audubon Society will host an afternoon of wildlife tracking Sunday, Jan. 18, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton. Search for tracks of mammals and birds and for signs of their feeding and resting spots. Intended for families with children aged 10 to 17. Register in advance at massaudubon.org/programs/wachusett-meadow/99049-winter-wildlife-tracking-for-families.
Ice skating in downtown Worcester
Central Massachusetts residents and visitors are invited to skate for free at the Oval Ice Skating Rink, 455 Main St., Worcester, on selected dates in January:
- Monday, Jan. 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 1 to 6 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 23, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 1 to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 to 6 p.m.
Free skate rentals are available for children aged 12 and under. For more information and for weather-related closures, visit facebook.com/worcestercommonoval.
‘Miss Holmes’ on stage in Acton
Theatre III, 250 Central St., Acton, will present “Miss Holmes,” playing Jan. 24, 30, and 31 at 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson work to uncover the secrets surrounding a corrupt police inspector whose wives keep turning up dead. In an era of rigidly defined gender roles, the show explores what added obstacles might be faced by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson if they were women.
Directed by Harvard resident Liz Ruark. For tickets and more information visit theatre3.org/upcoming/MissHolmes2026.