June 24: Penny whistle workshop GREENFIELD — Musician Dane Donato will lead a free penny whistle workshop at The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. on Saturday, June 24, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Of ancient origins, the penny or tin whistle, as it is know today, was mass produced in England as far back as 1840, and was a cheap, easily obtained musical instrument that was popular not only in Ireland, England and Continental Europe, but in the early United States, where it remains an easily played folk instrument.
Donato has played the penny whistle since the 1980s. A trained oboist, he is an alumnus of Berklee College of Music in Boston and is penny whistler and instrumental accompanist for the Old Sturbridge Village Singers.
It is not a requirement to have a whistle to participate in the workshop. Donato will bring a limited number of Irish-made, Walton brass whistles in the key of D, available on a first-come, first-served basis, for $10. Workshop participants can also buy a whistle locally (Downtown Sounds or Replay) or online.
Topics covered in the workshop will include: a brief history of the whistle; discussion of whistle keys (D, C, G, E flat, A, F); modern instruments, costs, materials (brass, nickel, plastic, aluminum, wood) and availability, from beginner to professional models; appropriate tunes from American, English and Irish traditions as well as Kwela music of South Africa; techniques to enhance performance, including rolls, taps, cuts, slides, trills and vibrato; playing by ear vs. reading music, and simple tablature; and recommended tutorials, method books and online resources for further study.
This workshop is open to the public and is free of charge, although donations will be accepted. Register in advance by contacting Donato at danemitchell@comcast.net, 413-773-9032 (home) or 413-522-5969 (cell).
LAVA Center begins Puppetry Percolator GREENFIELD — Beginning Thursday, June 22, The LAVA Center at 324 Main St. will offer Puppetry Percolator, an informal exploration of the worldwide art of puppetry, on the fourth Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m.
Drop in to examine puppetry’s history and evolution as an art, play with different forms, and workshop simple puppets and performance with facilitator Jovonna Van Pelt, former director of Puppet Showplace Theatre.
This event series is appropriate for teens and adults. Donations are welcome.
Library Friends group holding annual meeting GREENFIELD — The Friends of the Greenfield Public Library’s annual meeting will be held Wednesday, June 28, from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center, 35 Pleasant St.
This short business meeting will include a vote on the board of directors, officers and new members. In addition, the bylaws will be amended to reflect the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library’s new address, effective in July. All Friends members (people who have made an annual contribution) can attend and vote.
Committee seeks art for downtown light pole banners GREENFIELD — The city’s Crossroads Cultural District Committee is seeking artists to provide art for 40 to 50 downtown light pole banners.
All artists will receive a $50 stipend and will keep their original art. Art, which should be submitted digitally, does not have to be created specifically for the banners; existing art can be submitted. Depending on the number of submissions, one artist’s work may be on one or multiple banners.
The submission deadline is June 23. For details, including a sample of the main banner design and/or to apply, go to tinyurl.com/mp8fbb6e. For more information, contact Crossroads Cultural District Committee Chair Caitlin von Schmidt at 413-772-1560 or caitlin.vonschmidt@greenfield-ma.gov.
Senior Center talk focusing on cannabis as medicine GREENFIELD — Alternative Wellness Centers and Patriot Care will discuss the Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Program and the use of cannabis as medicine during a talk at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St., on Friday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to noon,
Participants will learn how cannabis works in the body, the different methods of consumption available, cannabis interactions with other medications, how to read a cannabis product label, the benefits and long-term effects of cannabis use, and what to expect when visiting a medical dispensary for the first time.
The program is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required by calling 413-772-1517, ext. 0 or by stopping by the Senior Center’s front desk.
Six-week bereavement support group starts June 28 GREENFIELD — Starting June 28, Hospice of the Fisher Home will offer a free six-week Grief and Loss Reading Support Group on Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Greenfield Senior Center, 35 Pleasant St.
Book group participants will find connections and support from other bereaved individuals who understand what the grieving experience is like, while learning tips and tools to navigate the grief process. Attendance at each session is required. All materials are provided at no cost.
To register or for more information, contact Joshua Velez, Hospice of the Fisher Home bereavement coordinator, at 413-992-2536 or jvelez@fisherhome.org by June 21.