September 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 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 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. Sept. 7, Dozynki-Polish Harvest Festival. St. Joseph's Polish National Catholic Church in Westfield will hold its annual Dozynki-Polish Harvest Festival Sept. 7 from noon-5 p.m. at the parish social center and parish grounds, Main Street and Clinton Avenue. The Harvest Wreath, which will be blessed during the 8 a.m. Mass that morning will be brought to the festival with the procession starting at 2 p.m. The Dozynki program, highlighted by members of the parish dressed in Polish costumes and singing beautiful folk songs, will follow. The St. Joseph's Dozynki Dancers will perform traditional Polish folk dances as well. The Leo Murawski Orchestra will accompany the fun-filled hour as well as provide music for your dancing pleasure from 1-2 p.m. as well as from 3-5 p.m. Our 2008 program will also include games for children and youth as well as the adults. New games and other surprises will be added to this year's format. The Dozynki Kitchen will be open from noon until closing. The Polish favorites pierogi (both cheese and cabbage), golabki, kapusta, kielbasa, etc. as well as American foods. There is no admission charge and the public is invited. Sept. 10, Gregory Caputo Swing Concert. The Foxes and Belles of the Springfield Jewish Community Center is sponsoring a special program to follow Sept. 10 general meeting. The Greg Caputo Quartet will perform a Swing Concert, with a dance area available at the Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served. The general meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. Everyone should be seated by 1:30 p.m. Sept. 13, All You Can Eat Country Breakfast. At the Sunderland Congregational Church, 7-10 a.m. Pancakes, Maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, beverage. Adults: $8, Children $4. Sept. 14, The Robert Floyd Photo Gallery's Fourth "Nature in the Pioneer Valley" Photo Contest Award Ceremony, 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Southampton, old school room (across Rt. 10 from The Gallery). The winning entries will be framed by their photographers and exhibited at The Galley through Sept. 30. All images will be for sale to the general public. Sept. 14 "Thou Swell Thou Witty," featuring the music of Porter, Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, the Gershwins and more, at the Academy of Music 274 Main St., Northampton. Performance at 2 p.m. With guest artists Allen Bonde and Jennifer Sheehan and the fabulous BMT Jazz Trio: Dan Loschen, Rich Appleman, and Bertram Lehmann. Tickets $40/$30. Buy online or at NBO, 760 Main St., Northampton; 586-8686; 800-THE-TICK. Sept 14, A Concert of Traditional Yiddish Music. The National Yiddish Book Center located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst will present Rebecca Kaplan and Pete Rushefsky in concert at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. Reservations are suggested. Kaplan and Rushefsky have thrilled audiences throughout the northeast with performances of their rarely heard Yiddish folksongs. Their repertoire includes original compositions along with a variety of old klezmer tunes and rare Yiddish songs. For more info call 256-4900, email yiddish@bikher.org or visit the web site at www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Sept. 20, Chicken Pot Pie Dinner, 6 p.m., at Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St. Includes salad bar, breads, coffee, beverages, and dessert. Free-will offering accepted. For reservations call 584-1325 (9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tues.-Thurs. Sept. 20, Fine Arts Show and Sale. The Tobacco Valley Artists Association is sponsoring its sixth annual Fine Arts Show and Sale from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on the grounds of the King House Museum, 232 South Man St. (Rt. 75), Suffield, Conn. (Rain date is Oct. 4). Members of the Association and other area artists will be exhibiting their artwork for display and/or sale. Various artists will be demonstrating throughout the day. The King House Museum, a historic home built in 1764, will be open during show hours on Sat. It contains period furniture, collections from the Suffield Historical Society and has many architectural features. Sept. 21, The Disappearance. The National Yiddish Book Center, located on the campus of Hampshire College, 1021 West St., Amherst, will present Double Edge Theatre performing the Disappearance on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18. Reservations suggested. Double Edge Theatre's newest work the Disappearance, is based on the novella by Amherst College professor and award-winning author Ilan Stavans, and is directed and created by the Double Edge Ensemble and founder Stacy Klein. The Disappearance is based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor and theater star in Belgium, who is inexplicably kidnapped after his protests of anti-Semitism. Contrasting realities confront issues of identity, community, and awareness. A play-within-a-play blends Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice with the narrative, providing a dramatic counterpoint to the kidnapping. A multi-media work, the Disappearance uses live music, puppetry, film and visual art. The National Yiddish Book Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching and learning about the riches of Yiddish and modern Jewish culture. Programming at the National Yiddish Book Center is a project of the Jack and Ruthe B. Cowl Center for Jewish Culture. For more info call 256-4900, email yiddish@bikher.org or visit www.yiddishbookcenter.org. Sept. 27 Agricultural Exhibition at OSV An old-fashioned agricultural fair complete with a display of heirloom vegetables and other agricultural accomplishments in the Meetinghouse. Visitors can meet the Village oxen, ride in an oxcart, as well as try their hand at plowing. A day of early American farm fun. Old Sturbridge Village is open daily 9:30 a.m. 5 p.m. seven days a week. Admission: $20; seniors $18; children 3-17, $7; children under 3, free. For details: www.osv.org or call 1-800-SEE-1830.