July 2008 in the Valley

Ongoing : Springfield, SeniorNet. Computer Club meets the first and third Friday of each month at Good Life Center, 1600 East Columbus Ave., Springfield, at 9 a.m. Discuss computing, hardware/software, Internet or just ask questions. All are welcome, no membership is required. Ongoing : National Yiddish Book Center presents schoolroom exhibit. The National Yiddish Book Center located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst, will display a new exhibit about the traditional Jewish schools of Eastern European, "In the beginning was the kheyder." The exhibit will run through August and features text, literature, images, and music. Many modern Yiddish writers acquired their literary language, rich in moral teaching and symbolism, in kheyder. Special features of the exhibit are original Yiddish primers from the Book Center's collection, ranging from turn-of-the-century America to the 1980s. For more info call 256-4900, email yiddish@bikher.org or visit www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Ongoing : Bryant Homestead Open for Summer Season. The William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington, MA, a National Historic Landmark, will offer seasonal house tours and family-friendly events throughout the summer. This property of The Trustees of Reservations is the Victorian country estate of William Cullen Bryant, the famous 19th century poet, newspaper editor, and conservationist. This year the featured exhibit is Hale and Hearty: William Cullen Bryant and 19th Century Health and Fitness. Homestead hikes, fitness and diet were a lifetime commitment for Bryant. This free exhibit in the home's visitor center displays his 19th century exercise equipment, health journals, medications and daily regimen. Grounds are open free year round. Tours 1-5 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., Mon. holidays. Free for Trustees members or $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. Info: www.thetrustees.org, call 634-2244 or email bryanthomestead@ttor.org. Through July 26, "Hercules" at the Berkshire Museum. The Berkshire Museum and the Berkshire Theatre Festival present Family Performance Hercules at 11 a.m. every Wed.-Sat. There will be no show July 4. Tickets, which include admission to the Berkshire Museum, are $11 for adults, $7 for children ages three to 18 ($5/$3 for Berkshire Museum members). Tickets are available by calling 443-7171, X10. The Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South St. on Route 7 in downtown Pittsfield. For more info call 443-7171, X10, or visit berkshiremuseum.org. Through Aug. 22, Storrowton Village Open House Tours Storrowton Village, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com. Through Sept., Riverboat Cruises Aboard The Lady Bea. Daily cruises at Brunelle's Marina and Dockside Restaurant, South Hadley. Info. 315-6342. Through Sept. 28, Lunchtime Concerts and Farmer's Markets. Every Friday: market 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; lunchtime concert, noon-1:30 p.m., Tower Square Park, Springfield. Info: 781-1591, X14. July 4, Boston Pops "Pops" Goes the 4th! Concert and Fireworks. Join conductor Keith Lockhart and special guests; annual outdoor concert and fireworks. Hatch Memorial Shell, Charles River Esplanade, Boston; 617-266-1492; bostonsymphonyhall.org. Handicapped accessible. Free. July 4-6, Berkshires Arts Festival. More than 200 artists; live demonstrations, music and gourmet food. Great Barrington; 298-0175; americancraftmarketing.com. Handicapped accessible. July 7-Aug.10, Ko Festival of Performance serves up a season on the theme of "Food: appetites, attitudes and politics," on the Amherst College campus in Amherst, MA. Each performance is accompanied by lobby displays that contextualize the work, and by facilitated, post-performance discussion that are a springboard for inter-audience/artist exchange and civic dialogue. For further info visit www.kofest.com. July 10, Summer Concert Series "Dan Kane and Friends," Storrowton Village Gazebo, 7-8:30 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com. July 17, Summer Concert Series "The Moon Ridge Band," Storrowton Village Gazebo, 7-8:30 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com. July 17, 18, 19, The Musical "Grease" presented by High Wire Acts at 7 p.m. at South Hadley High School, 153 Newton St. Tickets: Adults: $10 advance/$12 door; children, Seniors, students: $8 advance/$10 door. For advanced tickets call Darrell: 413-297-6768 or HighWireActs@gmail.com July 20, Laura Wetzler and Worldbeat of Jewish Music at 2 p.m. at National Yiddish Book Center on the campus of Amherst College, 1012 West St., Amherst. Tickets: $10. Reservations: 413-256-4900 or yiddish@bikher.org. July 20, Storrowton's Ice Cream Sunday, Storrowton Village Green, noon-4 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com. July 21, Curious Creatures, 10-11 a.m. at the Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road, Framingham. Learn particular adaptations and secrets of survival, including those of an albino Burmese python, a blue and gold macaw, African pygmy hedgehog and rain forest tree frogs. Programs: $4 members; $5 non-members, free for children under three. Pay at door. July 21, Annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival. Celebrate Scottish/Celtic heritage, customs, and culture; live entertainment; athletic contests; bag-pipe competitions. Northampton; 848-2816; glasgowlands.org. Handicapped accessible. Free. July 26, Hampden County 4-H Fair, Mallary Complex, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com. July 31-Aug. 2, Connecticut Summer Classic Horse Show, Coliseum, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. on the Eastern States Exposition grounds, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. Info: www.thebige.com.