Annual Mutts and Mayhem set for Sunday

GREENFIELD — Dogs and their human companions will unite on Sunday, May 18, at 11 a.m. for the annual Mutts and Mayhem obstacle course at the Green River Swimming and Recreation Area. All proceeds benefit Paws Park on Petty Plain Road.

Mutts and Mayhem is divided into two divisions: small dogs (up to 40 pounds) and large dogs (40 pounds or larger). The course features 20 obstacle stations along an approximately 1.5-mile route, with participants running or walking, jumping or hopping, swimming or splashing their way through.

All dogs must be leashed during the race. The small dog race starts at 11 a.m., while the large dog race will begin immediately after the small dog race is completed.

After the races are done, an awards ceremony will crown the champions of each division. Racers can also celebrate their success by enjoying snacks with their furry friends, checking out vendors or taking photos.

Advance registration costs $35 and registration the day of the event costs $45. To register and read the rules for Mutts and Mayhem, visit greenfieldrecreation.com/muttsandmayhem.html.

Fiery Hope chorus seeks new members

GREENFIELD — Fiery Hope, a Greenfield-based chorus made up of members from western Massachusetts, southern Vermont and southern New Hampshire, seeks several additional members, especially tenors and basses.

In advance of its 38th season, which begins in September, the chorus will hold an open rehearsal on Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the space Fiery Hope rents for rehearsals at Stoneleigh-Burnham School. Local singers of all ages are invited to experience the group’s unique approach and repertoire under the direction of founder and Director Eveline MacDougall.

The chorus, formerly called the Amandla Chorus, began in 1988 and brings songs of celebration, community and compassion in many languages to schools, prisons, homeless shelters, elder communities and concert halls. In smaller groups, Fiery Hope provides music of comfort to people in hospice care.

For more information, visit fieryhope.org or contact MacDougall at eveline@amandlachorus.org.

May 20: Garden rock painting

GREENFIELD — Garden rock painting will be offered to children ages 2 to 12 at the Greenfield Public Library Children’s Room on Tuesday, May 20, between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Children can bring a rock of their own or use ones that will be available at the library.

Blue Cross Blue Shield rep to speak on Medicare

GREENFIELD — Join Heather Herd, a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts representative, on Wednesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. for “Planning for Medicare.” This program is tailored for individuals approaching Medicare eligibility.

Topics include an explanation of Medicare, the Medicare enrollment timeline, Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans, and programs available to early retirees. This session is ideal for individuals who may still be working and looking to transition to Medicare.

For more information, contact Lisa Prolman at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org or call 413-772-1544.

Recital Chorus to perform 29th annual spring concert

GREENFIELD — The 29th annual spring concert of vocal and choral music will be presented by the Recital Chorus, directed by Margery Heins, on Thursday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sloan Theater at Greenfield Community College.

The chorus is made up of community singers ranging from high schoolers to senior citizens, who will present madrigals and folk songs for the season, as well as other works from the Renaissance through the 20th century. Composers include Henry Purcell, George Frideric Handel, Johannes Brahms, George Gershwin, Randall Thompson, John Leavitt and John Lennon/Paul McCartney. Music will be sung in several languages. Soloists and small groups will perform.

The singers in the Recital Chorus are private voice students of Margery Heins. They study with her at her studio in Shelburne Falls. Voice students learn solos in their lessons, and also focus on the importance of small ensemble singing as they become members of the Recital Chorus. Featured soloists in the May 22 concert include Nancy Blickenstaff and Jenny Kilgore performing the famous duet “Sound the Trumpet” from “Come Ye Sons of Art” by Henry Purcell.

Heins will conduct the ensembles. Henry Gaida, organist at Our Lady of Czestochowa in Turners Falls, will accompany at the piano.

Due to ongoing construction at GCC, attendees are advised to park in Lot E, then walk through Lot F and enter the Main Building at the Sloan Theater (South) entrance, ground level. Lot E can be reached by taking the second exit off the small, on-campus rotary, then proceeding on the perimeter road to Lot E.

This is the second of two Recital Chorus concerts in 2024-2025. The group held its annual holiday concert in Shelburne Falls in December.

Donations (cash or check) are welcome at the door to benefit the GCC Food Pantry.

Kids ages 5 to 12 invited to make paper flowers

GREENFIELD — Children ages 5 to 12 are encouraged to stop by the Greenfield Public Library Children’s Room on Thursday, May 22, from 3 to 4:30 p.m to make paper flowers using scrap paper.

May 23 event to mark release of ‘No Such Thing As Fiction’

GREENFIELD — Vanessa Brewster will celebrate the release of her first book of short stories from Looky Here Press, titled “No Such Thing As Fiction,” during a launch party at Four Phantoms Brewing Co., 301 Wells St., on Friday, May 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The launch party will also feature musical performances by Shea Mowat and AT, and food from Cocina Lupita.