Thursday 5/26
I’d Rather Be Reading: Monthly book discussion. This month: Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff. 7 p.m. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org.
International Food Festival: Formerly known as the Kielbasa Festival. Hosting over 30 nations representing their culture, food, music, crafts, faiths, clothing, beer, wine, cheeses, pickles, and more. Includes nightly fireworks, nationally touring acts and local artists, parades, and carnival rides and games. Thursday, Friday, and Monday noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. $5-$10; 5-day pass $35; children 12 and under free with paid adult. Eastern States Exposition, 1305 Memorial Ave., West Springfield. (413) 737-2443, thebige.com.
Knitting: Beginners, muddlers and experienced knitters are invited to drop by to knit, chat, exchange helpful hints, and share ideas. Kathy O’Shea facilitates. 6 p.m. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Springtime at Skinner Birding Walk: 8 a.m. Free. Skinner State Park, Rte. 47, Hadley. (413) 586-0350.
Friday 5/27
Amherst Shredding Event: 9 a.m. The Newman Center, 37 E. Pleasant St., Amherst.
Hadley Dungeons and Dragons: 10 a.m. Goodwin Memorial Library, 50 Middle St., Hadley.
International Food Festival: See Thursday’s listing.
Mount Holyoke Geology Hike: 9:30 a.m. Free. Skinner State Park, Rte. 47, Hadley. (413) 586-0350.
Saturday 5/28
4-H Plant Sale: 8 a.m. Amherst Farmers Supply, 320 S. Pleasant St., Amherst.
AEIOUkes: Community ukulele club of all levels of playing experience, including beginners. New members always welcome to play, sing, or just watch and listen. 10 a.m. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. forbeslibrary.libcal.com.
Amherst Plant Sale: 9 a.m. Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst.
Chess Club: Informal drop in chess for all ages. Boards provided at the reference desk, or bring your own. 1 p.m. Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., northampton.lillylibrary.org.
Dungeons and Dragons: New players welcome. Join in at any session. Pre-made characters and dice provided. Hosted by Neal Robinson. 12:30 p.m. Free. Comics N’ More, 31 Union St., Easthampton. (413) 529-0800, comicsnmoreeast@gmail.com.
Food Pantry: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Greening Greenfield Late Spring Bird Walk: With naturalists Pat Serrentino and Ted Watt. Identifying birds using both sight and sound, and looking for early breeding birds and late migrants. The walk is easy to moderate and geared to adults and children over 10 years. Dress for walking among prickles and ticks. Bring binoculars. Heavy rain cancels. 7:30 a.m. Free. Poet’s Seat at Rocky Mountain Park, 70 Mountain Road, Greenfield. (773) 465-1646, ediesh82346@gmail.com.
Ham and Asparagus Supper: 5 p.m. Free. North Hadley Congregational Church, 243 River Dr., North Hadley.
Harry Potter — The Gathering: Dress in your Harry Potter best. Chat, compare costuming tips, talk about upcoming Harry Potter events, purchase a wand, practice spells, and take part in Harry Potter re-enactments that focus on the books, the movies and fanfic. Forest wand dueling encouraged. Attendance limited to 300. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5. Buttery Brook Park, 123 Willimansett St., Route 33, South Hadley.
International Food Festival: See Thursday’s listing.
Leverett Plant Sale: 9 a.m. Leverett Town Hall, Leverett. (413) 367-9562.
Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Discover the meaning of “scraping the bottom of the barrel” and learn why people of the past eagerly awaited the first fresh foods of the season like asparagus, eggs, and milk. 10 a.m. Historic Deerfield, 80 Old Main St., Deerfield. (413) 775-7214, historic-deerfield.org.
Opening to the World of Birds: 7 a.m. Book & Plow Farm, 425 S. East St., Amherst. (413) 256-6006.
Paradise City Arts Festival: About 260 artists from every corner of the country show work in ceramics, painting, decorative fiber, art glass, furniture, jewelry, metal, mixed media, photography, large-scale sculpture, wearable art, and woodworking. Free parking. Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $8-$13, children under 12 free, three-day pass $16. Three County Fairgrounds, Rte. 9, Northampton. (800) 511-9725, paradisecityarts.com.
The Scoop on Poop — The Science of What Animals Leave Behind: Listen in on a bear’s digestive system, learn the language of poop in countries around the world, examine fecal samples in a veterinarian’s lab, compete in dung beetle races, track wild animals by clues left in scat, improve your No. IQ in Stool School, and meet a dinosaur dung detective. 10 a.m. $14.50-$23. Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. (413) 263-6800, springfieldmuseums.org.
Spring Craft Fair Event: With food, raffles and children’s activities. All proceeds go to the Bernardston Elementary School Library. 9 a.m. $20. 37 School St., Bernardston.
Stop ‘n’ Craft: Stop in and make a fun craft with Angela. 9:30 a.m. Emily Williston Memorial Library, 9 Park St., Easthampton. ewmlibrary.org.
Sunday 5/29
Brattleboro Memorial Day Dawn Dance 2016: Afternoon English Dance, 2:30-5:30 p.m.; Contra dancing, 8 p.m. to midnight; Couples dancing , 12:10-12:30 a.m.; Contra dancing, 12:30-7:00 a.m. Gibson-Aiken Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro.
Insight Meditation: 7 p.m. Karuna Yoga Studio, 25 Main St., Northampton. (413) 584-2515.
International Food Festival: See Thursday’s listing.
Paradise City Arts Festival: See Saturday’s listing.
The Poet and the Bard: Exploring Emily Dickinson’s lifelong relationship with William Shakespeare’s works and his impact on her own writing. Part of a series surrounding the traveling exhibition First Folio, the book which gave us Shakespeare, from the Folger Shakespeare Library. 10 a.m. $5-$15. The Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main St., Amherst. emilydickinsonmuseum.org.
Monday 5/30
Celebration of Heroes Motorcycle Ride: Honor, remember, and celebrate. A 50-60 mile ride through the Quabbin Reservoir area at 9 a.m. returns to Smith & Wesson to participate in the 3rd Annual Celebration of Heroes. Free and open to the public. Proceeds from food sales and donations go to GySgt. Thomas Sullivan Scholarship Fund, Friends of Ward 8, and the Springfield Vets Center. 2100 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield.
Free Culinary Arts and Hospitality Classes: Held at Holyoke Community College and in Northampton, Springfield, and Ware. Classes start in April and end in June. Space is limited. (413) 552-2027, hcc.edu/freetraining.
Greenfield Memorial Day Parade: Forming in the Middle School parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and stepping off at 10 a.m.; ending at Main Street Veteran’s Memorial, Greenfield.
International Food Festival: See Thursday’s listing.
Knitting Circle: All levels welcome; no experience needed. 10 a.m. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.
Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast: 7 a.m. Southampton Congregational Church, 210 College Hwy., Southampton.
Paradise City Arts Festival: See Saturday’s listing.
Qigong: Led by Dvora Eisenstein, who has been a student of Master Yang Jwing-Ming for 30 years and has been teaching Qigong for 15 years. Suitable for all levels of ability and age. Participants welcome to drop in at any time. 10 a.m. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.
Thich Nhat Hanh Sangha: 6 p.m. Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton. (207) 841-5419.
Tuesday 5/31
Book Club: 1 p.m. Edwards Library, 30 East St., Southampton.
Book Reading: Brian Adams reads from his new novel KABOOM!, a young adult romantic comedy about two girls fighting to save their mountain from the coal company. 7 p.m. Free. Amherst Books, 8 Main St., Amherst.
Chair Yoga: 10:30 a.m. Montague Senior Center, 62 5th St., Turners Falls. (413) 863-4500.
Cycling for Seniors: 60-plus. 9:30 a.m. Look Park, 300 N. Main St., Florence. (413) 584-2052, alloutadventures.org.
Dumpster Days: 6 p.m. Easthampton Congregational Church, 112 Main St., Easthampton. (413) 527-4790.
First Folio — The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare: Published in 1623, the First Folio is the first collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays, and only 233 copies are known today. On tour from the Folger Shakespeare Library to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Free. Mead Art Museum, 41 Quadrangle Dr., Amherst.
Grown in Westhampton — Pollinator Gardens: Learn how to support pollinators by establishing gardens for their benefit. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Westhampton Public Library, 1 North Road, Westhampton. growninwesthampton@gmail.com.
Poetry Open Mic: 8 p.m. World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton. northamptonpoetry.com.
Wednesday 6/1
Dharma Gentle Yoga: Highly beneficial for those who are ready to return to physical activity after an illness or injury, or for those who have not moved much in a long time. Instructor is a Registered Nurse with over 35 years of nursing experience. No yoga experience required, but participants must be able to get up and down from the floor independently. Drop-ins welcome. Come at least 15 minutes early if dropping in, to complete registration forms. 10 a.m. Free. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton.forbeslibrary.libcal.com, vickie@vickiehealyrn.com.
Facing End of Life Decisions Together — Caring Decisions for Ourselves and Our Loved Ones: 3 p.m. 50 Village Hill Road, Northampton.
Free Cooking Classes: Make four great dinners over four weeks. All ingredients and materials provided. Co-sponsored by Quabbin Harvest Market and the Farm School. 5:30 p.m. Free. First Universalist Church, 31 North Main St., Orange.
LVISS — Lower Valley Irish Slow Session: For beginning and intermediate Irish musicians who want to play at sessions but are not yet ready to play up to speed. Emphasis on melody, learning tunes by ear and playing slowly. Musicians are welcome who play traditional Irish melody instruments: fiddle, flute, concertina, mandolin, banjo, whistle, accordion, uilleann pipes. Sessions every other Wednesday. 6:30 p.m. Free. DeCice Hall at the Marian Center, 1365 Northampton St., Holyoke. lvirishslowsession.wordpress.com.
Readers Choice Book Discussion Group: 10 a.m. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group: 7 p.m. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. (413) 587-1011.
Sci-Fi and Fantasy Discussion: The novel Diaspora Diaspora by Greg Egan. Although focus is on this month’s selection, discussion is open to any topics related to science fiction or fantasy, books or movies. Copies of the discussion book available to check out. 7 p.m. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. forbeslibrary.libcal.com.
Tong Ren Energy Healing Class: Come prepared to relax your mind and calm your emotions. Noon. Free. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. (413) 570-3367, kahadden@aol.com.
Parent-Friendly Events for Kids
THURSDAY: Children’s Renaissance Summer Program: 4 p.m. Renaissance Center, 650 E. Pleasant St., Amherst. umass.edu/renaissance.
Laser Tag in the Library: Grades 5-8. Sign up in advance if possible. 6 p.m. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.
Music and Movement: With Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson. All ages. 10 a.m. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. montaguepubliclibraries.org/calendar.
Playgroup: Children five and under with a parent/caregiver. 9:30 a.m. Trinity Church, 17 Severance St., Shelburne.
Story Hour: Join Ms. Lynne for a craft, story, and snacks. For children five and under. 10:30 a.m. Emily Williston Memorial Library, 9 Park St., Easthampton. ewmlibrary.org.
FRIDAY: Eric Carle Toddler and Preschooler Play Series: 10 a.m. The Eric Carle Museum, 125 W. Bay Road, Amherst.
Mother Goose on the Loose: Tuesday and Friday mornings 10-10:45 a.m. Hands-on early learning with songs, rhymes, and activities geared for children three and under. No sign-up needed. Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St., Greenfield. greenfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Preschool Story/Craft Time: Ages three to five. 11 a.m. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland.
Toddler and Preschooler Play Series: Experiment with materials selected especially for young explorers in the Art Studio. Sometimes messy or outside, so dress accordingly. Free with museum admission. 10-10:30 a.m. The Eric Carle Museum, 125 W. Bay Road, Amherst. carlemuseum.org.
SATURDAY: Face Painting Day: 10:30 a.m. Free. Goodwin Memorial Library, 50 Middle St., Hadley.
Lego Club: Come build and play. Legos provided. 11 a.m. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. montaguepubliclibraries.org.
TUESDAY: Craft Time: Activities and snacks for children of all ages, with Angela. 3:30 p.m. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. montaguepubliclibraries.org.
Mother Goose on the Loose: See Friday’s listing.
Play Group: Hands-on activities to develop social and early literacy skills. 10 a.m. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. montaguepubliclibraries.org.
WEDNESDAY: Little Roots Early Childhood Music Classes: Styles include American folk and old-time, West African, Native American, gospel, Irish traditional, rock, jazz and blues. Fun and accessible, with elements of storytelling and group singing. For children three months to five years. 9:30 a.m. Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Suite 111, Easthampton. (336) 407-9074, littlerootsmusic.com.
Support Services
Misfits — Young Adult Asperger’s and Autism Support Group: Make friends and share experiences in a safe space. This month: discussion of John Robison’s “Look me in the Eye.” Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Free. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. (413)-561-8452, smith.terrencej@gmail.com, facebook.com/HolyokeAspergers.
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