Greenfield Notebook: May 14, 2024

Gloria Matlock, pictured at left, recently visited Greenfield City Hall for an unveiling of a plaque with her name on it as the 2023 recipient of the Human Rights Award. Matlock was presented the award in December. Mayor Ginny Desorgher, pictured at right, gave a speech.

Gloria Matlock, pictured at left, recently visited Greenfield City Hall for an unveiling of a plaque with her name on it as the 2023 recipient of the Human Rights Award. Matlock was presented the award in December. Mayor Ginny Desorgher, pictured at right, gave a speech. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

Musica Franklin recently held a student performance and family-friendly concert with the Rev. Floyd L. Williams, a world-renowned jazz pianist and composer, at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield.

Musica Franklin recently held a student performance and family-friendly concert with the Rev. Floyd L. Williams, a world-renowned jazz pianist and composer, at the First United Methodist Church in Greenfield. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL JABLON

From left, volunteer Melinda O’Brien, Western Massachusetts Training Consortium Executive Director Kristel Applebee and retired director of The RECOVER Project Linda Sarage attend The RECOVER Project’s Volunteer Recognition Night on Friday, May 10.

From left, volunteer Melinda O’Brien, Western Massachusetts Training Consortium Executive Director Kristel Applebee and retired director of The RECOVER Project Linda Sarage attend The RECOVER Project’s Volunteer Recognition Night on Friday, May 10. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/KEMAH WILSON

Volunteer Ashlee Bowen is joined by her father at The RECOVER Project’s Volunteer Recognition Night on Friday, May 10.

Volunteer Ashlee Bowen is joined by her father at The RECOVER Project’s Volunteer Recognition Night on Friday, May 10. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/KEMAH WILSON

Published: 05-13-2024 2:19 PM

Route 2 westbound ramp closure continues May 15

GREENFIELD — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s closure of the ramp from Route 2 westbound to Interstate 91 southbound will continue on Wednesday, May 15. The closure, in effect between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., is required for crews to conduct bridge paving on Interstate 91 southbound.

During the closure, a detour will be in effect. All Route 2 westbound traffic will be directed to the Interstate 91 northbound ramp. Traffic intending to travel southbound on Interstate 91 will be detoured to Interchange 50B in Bernardston and continue to Interstate 91 southbound.

The schedule for this work is weather dependent and is subject to change.

May 18: Belly Dance Showcase

GREENFIELD — Local belly dance community members will host a Belly Dance Showcase at The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., on Saturday, May 18, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Belly Dance Showcase will feature dancers from all over New England — Eshta Amar, Nasira, Aralia Pearl, Hadama Seshat, The Crescent Dancers, Amity, Sekhmet and Hayam — representing the art of Middle Eastern folkloric dance and raqs sharqi, also known as belly dance.

The performers featured at this showcase have spent many years studying and learning to present this style of dance, with respect and awareness of its Middle Eastern, Hellenic and North African source cultures.

There will be a $10 suggested donation. For more information, visit thelavacenter.org/events/belly-dance-showcase.

LAVA Center seeks actors for ‘Acacia’

GREENFIELD — The LAVA Center is seeking college-age male-presenting actors of any ethnicity to fill three roles in a table read of “Acacia” by Samuel Rahman, which will be performed on Saturday, June 29, at 7 p.m.

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Actors can receive a modest honorarium. No memorization or advance rehearsals are needed, and experience is welcome but not necessary.

The “Acacia” audition will be held on Monday, May 20, at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Fill out the form at tinyurl.com/LAVA-acadia-auditions to audition or email ashley.goverman@gmail.com with questions.

‘Yellowface’ subject of author talk

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library, in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, invites residents to attend an online conversation with author Rebecca F. Kuang (R.F. Kuang), who will speak about her best-selling novel “Yellowface,” on Tuesday, May 21, at 7 p.m.

Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. In “Yellowface,” authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling and June fails to be recognized. So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I. But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her.

For more information and to register, go to libraryc.org/greenfieldpubliclibrary.

Learn about Collaborative Resolutions Group at library

GREENFIELD — Nina Gordon and Jake Kuhn of the Collaborative Resolutions Group will be at the Greenfield Public Library on Tuesday, May 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to answer questions and offer information about their programs and services.

The Collaborative Resolutions Group aims to increase individuals’ and organizations’ capacity to communicate effectively, manage differences, resolve conflict and work collaboratively. The organization offers customized mediation, training, facilitation, restorative practices processes and conflict coaching services online, over the phone and (when possible) in-person. Services are offered at sliding-scale rates, and no one is turned away for inability to pay.