Tuesday, February 13, 2024

February 29 ~ "Tight Pants" Theater Reading at Holyoke Media ~ 2024 West Springfield Arts Council Grant Recipient

February 15, 2024


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Tight Pants: A Theater Thursday Reading on February 29 





Silverthorne Theater Company presents the first in its 2024 Theater Thursdays Play Reading Series:
Tight Pants, by Betel Arnold, directed by Pedro Eiras, on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at Holyoke Media, 1 Court Plaza, Holyoke, MA.


Tight Pants is a fierce and funny play set in the Dominican Republic. It's a story inspired by the playwright’s mother's journey from the DR to America. In the play, we follow the lives of two women, Kamila and Griselda, who are friends and neighbors in the barrio. These amigas struggle to maintain their homes in a patriarchal society, but their bond proves powerful enough to change the course of their lives and affect the attitudes they hold about themselves and the men that come in and out of their lives.


The reading is offered free (donations welcome!) and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged due to limited seating and may be made at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tight-pants-tickets-837680112767


Following the reading, audience members are invited to engage in facilitated conversation with the playwright to help support the continuing development of the script.


This reading is made possible by the generous support of the Holyoke Cultural Council and the West Springfield Arts Council, local agencies that are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.


More Information at: Silverthorne Theater Company, Office: 14 Highland Ave, Greenfield, MA 01301, https://silverthornetheater.org/


Monday, February 12, 2024

Arts Council Open Meeting ~ Tuesday, February 20, 2024

 West Springfield Arts Council OPEN MEETING

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

West Springfield Public Library,  Rotary Room, 2nd Floor


AGENDA:

1. Call To Order


2. Acceptance of Agenda

3. Comments From The Public

4  February 2024 Meeting with Carly Camossi

  • West Springfield Celebrate250

  • Promotion of 2024 grant funded programs

  • Recruitment of new Arts Council members

5. Recommended Goals for 2024 MCC/West Springfield Arts Council (WSAC)

  1. Promote 2024 WSAC grant funded programs and events

    1. Tony Di Giore Scholarship

    2. Majestic Playbill

    3. Quarterly Ads in West Springfield Record

    4. Quarterly Ads in Reminder

    5. Arts Council Signage

  2. Recruit New Members

  3. Continually Review and Evaluate 2024 Grant Funded Programs and Events

  4. Plan for 2025 WSAC Program and/or Event

  5. Review and Update the WSAC Grant Description for 2025 ~ Review information posted on MCC/WSAC webpage - https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/west-springfield/

6. Correspondence

7. Secretary’s Report

  • December 18 minutes

8. Interim Treasurer’s Report

  • December 2023 and January 2024 Financial Statements

9. Old Business

10. New Business

  • Press Releases: 2024 January - March Grant Recipients

  • 2025 Chair Elect

11. Adjourn


2024 West Springfield Arts Council Members : Joanne Burke | Anthony Cignoli | Diane Doe | Janet Eckert | Donna Laconti | Patricia Murphy

Town Liaison: Eileen Chapman, Director, West Springfield Public Library


Hilltown Families Suggest ~ 2024 West Springfield Arts Council Grant Recipient

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



Hilltown Families: Strengthening Community Connections Through Shared Resources and Events


[Western MA] — Hilltown Families, a renowned community-based education network, is proud to announce the continuation of its celebrated list of Weekly Suggested Events, generously supported in part by grants from various local Cultural Councils across western Massachusetts. This initiative underscores Hilltown Families' ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and learning through a comprehensive array of events and resources designed for families and community members.


Founded with the vision to connect, collaborate, and create community-based education opportunities, Hilltown Families serves as a vital link between local residents and the rich cultural heritage of the Massachusetts region. By curating an extensive list of suggested events, Hilltown Families brings to the forefront the importance of community involvement, encouraging families to explore, learn, and grow together.


Hilltown Families' list of Weekly Suggested Events, a cornerstone of Hilltown Families' offerings, has recently been bolstered by grants from the cultural councils of Buckland, Erving, Goshen, Hadley, Heath, Lee, Leyden, Mount Washington, Northern Berkshire, Orange, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Tolland, Washington, Worthington, and West Springfield Arts Council. These grants, supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, enable the continuation and expansion of Hilltown Families' efforts to provide a diverse and enriching slate of cultural and educational events.


Hilltown Families invites residents and families throughout Massachusetts to engage with their community by visiting www.HilltownFamilies.org. The website is a treasure trove of resources, including the list of Weekly Suggested Events, which offers a wide range of activities designed to appeal to diverse interests and ages. 


About Hilltown Families: Hilltown Families promotes community-based education to support the common good. It identifies and connects community events and resources throughout western Massachusetts, fostering a culture of intentional learning. By revealing intersections of learning, it empowers community members of all ages to take control of their education through community engagement. This strengthens their connection to the community and makes learning relevant and accessible. Hilltown Families has been recognized for promoting positive parenting through community social connectedness.


More information at https://hilltownfamilies.org/about-us.




Monday, January 22, 2024

Taylor Rose Mickens ~ Recorded Concert at The Artist Cafe


Taylor Rose Mickens’ live concert performance at The Artist Cafe on December 15 is now available on YouTube.  Taylor is an indie jazz folk singer, composer, and actor. 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the West Springfield Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.  

Access the Taylor Rose Mickens Recorded Concert 2023 at http://tinyurl.com/3ve6txjm