Documentary screening to showcase Combatants for Peace

GREENFIELD — “There is Another Way,” a documentary about Combatants for Peace, will be screened on Thursday, July 24, at 6 p.m. at the Garden Cinemas.

The film tells the story of Combatants for Peace, which is composed of Israeli veterans and Palestinians who have been imprisoned for protest participation and armed conflict. The screening will be followed by a facilitated conversation with Rabbi Andrea Cohen-Kiener.

A previous documentary, “Disturbing the Peace,” explains how these ex-combatants found each other and began their slow openings to trust-building, non-violence, and equity and justice. This new film introduces viewers to some of the original combatants and then transitions to the events of Oct. 7 and its impact on both Israelis and Palestinians. The combatants speak about their reactions to the Hamas attack.

Cohen-Kiener will facilitate the post-screening discussion. She has been in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza many times as a delegation leader for the Compassionate Listening Project (2000-2016). She served as rabbi of Temple Israel in Greenfield from 2015 to 2023. Cohen-Kiener said in a statement that she is particularly interested in this binational group because “who can have more credibility about the need to put down arms than former combatants?”

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will support Combatants for Peace.

Jan Maher casting for ‘Ismene’

GREENFIELD — Auditions will be held on Sunday, July 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, July 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. for Jan Maher’s play “Ismene,” funded in part by the Greenfield Cultural Council.

Ismene is the forgotten sister of Antigone of Greek tragedy fame. For millennia, she has wandered the Earth wondering why, unlike everyone else in her family, she persists, restless and unresolved. Set in a park in the present, Ismene is still looking for her own resolution. Enter Martha, a shy woman with a journal and an ear for listening.

The play was originally produced and performed in Seattle. This revival production will bring three performances to The LAVA Center in September.

“I’ve wanted to do a full production of ‘Ismene’ ever since we opened The LAVA Center,” Maher said in a statement. “Because the set is simple — a park bench — and the cast just two, we can actually fit it into our stage area at LAVA. … And because I’ve seen so many talented actresses perform in staged readings at LAVA over the past several years, I’m excited to be able to think about casting it from western Mass.”

For more information or to sign up to audition, go to bit.ly/4lBph1h.

Aug. 10: Deadline to submit entries to film festival

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. is accepting submissions for the fifth annual LAVA Film Festival, a showcase of Massachusetts filmmaking talent, from students to professionals. The festival will take place from Oct. 10 to Oct. 12.

The deadline to submit a film is Sunday, Aug. 10. The entry fee is $10, though youth under 18 and Pioneer Valley residents will be able to enter for free. To get a promo code to waive the entry fee, email info@thelavacenter.org and mention where you live.

Films must be made by current residents of Massachusetts. The LAVA Center will accept films and videos of any length, any subject and any style. However, films must be creative projects in their own right, as opposed to live events or performances that were filmed for documentation purposes.

Filmmakers may be asked to rate their accepted submissions using Motion Picture Association (MPAA) guidelines so organizers can include suggested age ranges in publicity and program introductions.

Submissions will be accepted at filmfreeway.com/LAVAFilmFestival.

Indrekar, Demme featured filmmakers in August

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will host filmmakers Abhi Indrekar and Brooklyn Demme on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 6:30 p.m.

Indrekar is an independent documentary filmmaker and editor raised in the traditions of street theater activism and community-based art in India. He has more than a decade of experience in documentary editing with sociopolitical filmmakers in India. Since coming to the U.S., Indrekar’s credits have included Trevor Noah’s “The Turning Point” series and Netflix’s “Untold: The Fall of Favre.”

Indrekar will screen his new experimental documentary film, “I am grass.” The trailer can be viewed at vimeo.com/1042559729.

Demme is a new resident of Shutesbury, having moved from his hometown of Nyack, New York. In 2020, he co-founded Truth 2 Power Media to bring people together at the intersection of community, education and film. The team’s first fictional film, “Mountain Lion,” produced in association with the Sand Hill Band of Lenape and Cherokee Indians of Scheyichbi, was screened at the 2024 LAVA Film Festival.

There is a $1 to $5 suggested donation. For more details, visit thelavacenter.org/events/lava-film-night-2025-08-14.

Workshop participants to create natural sodas, vinegar

GREENFIELD — Just Roots community farm at 34 Glenbrook Drive will host a hands-on workshop on making natural sodas and vinegar on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Participants will learn how to make fizzy sodas and wild-crafted vinegars from garden-grown and foraged plants and berries. Workshop attendees are advised to bring a pint-size mason jar and a quart-size mason jar, as they can bring their creations home.

The fee is $50, though there are two spots available at a reduced price. Participants must register in advance and the program is limited to 20 sign-ups. To sign up, visit justroots.org/event/taste-your-terroir-natural-soda-vinegar-making-workshop/?utm_source.

Additional workshops are planned in the fall, covering salves, toners, teas and syrups on Saturday, Sept. 6, and wild food dishes that can be made from fall foraging on Wednesday, Oct. 8.