Prime Happenings- August

A selection of events happening in the Valley this month Aug. 2-Sept. 1 "Hot Stuff" an exhibit of exciting small works by the artists at Gallery A3 at 28 Amity St. in the Amherst Cinema Building. Hours are Wed.-Sun., 1-7 p.m. Info: 256-4250; www.gallerya3.com. Aug 7 "La Perfecta" in concert from 7-9 p.m. at Blunt Park, Roosevelt Ave., Springfield. The up and coming local favorite, La Perfecta, will perform Latin, salsa, and rumba music in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The indoor rain site is Central High school. Picnickers are welcome. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Parking is free. The concerts are sponsored by Citizens Bank and the Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management. For complete details check the website at www.springfieldparks.com; http://www.springfieldparks.com/, or 787-6435. Aug. 9-Sept. 2 "Happy Days" at goodspeed Opera House This exciting new musical comedy will be the latest production at The Norma Terris in Chester, CT. Performances:Wed. 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Thurs.8 p.m.; Sat. 3 and 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $45-$54 through the Goodspeed Box Office (860.873.8668) or on-line at www.goodspeed.org. Aug. 10 Annual Polish-American Picnic. The annual Polish-American Picnic will be held on the grounds of St. Michael's Cathedral, 260 State St., Springfield on Aug. 10, rain or shine. The grounds will open at 5 p.m. and food service will begin at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge for parking or admission. Tickets for Polish and American foods will be sold. A beer, wine and soda bar will be available. A multi-item raffle will be held including a TV, nine-piece matched luggage set, a home sound surround systems, items from Poland and many more. The Eddie Forman Orchestra will play for dancing. Guests are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. Aug 10-12 East Coast Gem, Mineral & fossil Show At the Better Living Center, Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield. Over 200 dealers! Guest speakers Bob Jones, Nancy Muillard and Richard Hauck. Hours: Aug. 10-11 10 a.m.-7 p.m, Aug. 12 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $6, children under 12 free. Parking $5. Aug. 12 Molly Picon in Mamele." The National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst, will present the film "Mamele" (Yiddish w/new English subtitles), Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6; 100 minutes. "Maleme," produced in 1938, was Poland's last Jewish film before the Nazi takeover. The film takes on particular significance as it tries to depict the dying shtetl life just before World War II. For more info, call 256-4900; email: yiddish@bikher.org or visit our website at www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Aug. 14, "Rout 66" in Concert. The final free concert in the "Sounds of Summer - Concerts in the Parks" series will take place from 7-9 p.m. at Blunt Park, Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield. The seven-member group with female vocalist will perform the music of the legends of the 1950s from Buddy Holly to Elvis. The indoor rain site is Central High School. Picnickers are welcome. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For complete details check the website at www.springfieldparks.com; http://www.springfieldparks.com/, or 787-6435. Aug, 18 America's Camp Exhibit Opening at the Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Glendale Road, Route 183, Stockbridge. Be inspired by the work of young artists who have been profoundly affected by the events of September 11, 2001. Hours: 1-4 p.m. Info: www.nrm.org. Aug, 18 Embroidery Class at Parsons House Museum Learn several "families" of stitches at this four-hour workshop at the Martha Parson Museum, 1387 Enfield St., Enfield. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cost: $30. Bring a lunch, materials and beverage provided. Registration required; send check to address listed . Info: email yarnmeg@cox.net. Aug. 19, "Toots" The National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst, will present the documentary film "Toots" on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $6. Bernard "Toots" Shor was the proprietor of the legendary restaurant, Toots Shor Restaurant in Manhattan during the 1940s and 50s. "Toots" is a portrait of Toots Shor as told through the people who knew him: legends such as Yogi Berra, Frank Gifford and Whitey Ford. For more info call 256-4900, email yiddish@bikher.org or visit our website at www.yiddishbookcenter.org. √ Aug. 24 - Nature Event: Migrating Nighthawks and Ice Cream at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary, Northampton. 7-8:30 p.m. $7/member, $9/nonmember. Bring binoculars. Info: 1-800710-4550. Aug 25-26 Papermaina Plus Antiques Paper Show At the Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Ct.. Hours: Aug. 25 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Aug. 26 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets: $7/person. Info: www.papermaniaplus.com. Aug. 26 "Your No Good Buddies" at Stanley Park. Sunday Night concert featuring an eclectic mix of alternative country, roots rock and Americana. At the Beveridge Pavillion, 6 .m. Free. Chairs provided. Upcoming Events: Sept. 14-16 Second Annual Foxwoods Food & Wine Festival at the Foxwood Resort Casino,Mashantucket, CT. Sponsored by food & Wine Magazine, the event includes two grand tasting events, cooking demonstrations, wine and spirit seminars , celebrity chefs and a celebrity chef poker tournament. gala dinners and book signings. Ticket prices range from $65 for the Gospel Brunch to $125 for a day of tastings. A portion of the proceeds will provide scholarships at the College of Culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University, RI. Info: www.foodandwinefestival.com or 1-800-200-2882.