Amahl and the Night Visitors - Nov 22

The Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) Music Department presents the beloved holiday classic, Amahl and the Night Visitors, a one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti with an original English libretto by the composer. Featuring students from FSPA’s voice program, the performance will be staged at THE BLACK BOX, located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin, on Sunday, November 22 at 2 p.m.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA)

The inspiring story is of a crippled shepherd boy, Amahl, who offers his crutch as a present to the Christ child, is healed, and joins the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. With a compassionate message about faith, love and charity, this enchanting and family-friendly story perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

Featured roles will be performed by Franklin’s Amanda Wylie (Amahl), Jason Barney (King Kaspar) and Tatiana McAlpine (The Page), as well as Nicholas Steiner (King Melchior) of Millis and Joey Soares (King Balthazar) of Hopedale. The ensemble cast includes Lily Barney, Dora Ebbeling, Anya Fox, Kelly Irwin, Catherine LeClair, Ria Mathur, Grace Olah, Michaela Olah, Daniel Vaccarezza, Katharine Waples, Caitlin Woodcock, Katie Wylie, Jaiden Wyner, Lyndsey Wyner, Melissa Wyner and Delaney Zolnowski of Franklin; Ellie Skalaski of Medway; Elina Tavarez of Millis; Abby McDonough of Norfolk; Griffin Wilkins of Walpole; and Susauna Wickstrom of Wrentham.

Mariko Matsumura directs the production. Soprano Shauna Martin, of FSPA’s voice faculty, performs the role of Mother. Pianist Synthia Sture accompanies the vocalists.

THE BLACK BOX Theater, 15 West Central St

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. To purchase tickets, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-8668. Visit www.FSPAonline.com for more information about FSPA, including class schedule and course catalog.

BLACK BOX features, Cabaret, Jamie Barrett, and Electric Youth!

On Friday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m., BLACK BOX Cabaret debuts the inaugural performance of Rising Stars Cabaret. Presented by the Franklin Performing Arts Company, this special cabaret revue spotlights the vocal talents of promising young area performers. Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank, Rising Stars Cabaret is presented in an intimate night-club atmosphere with professional accompaniment. 

Jamie Barrett

THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series kicks off its second season at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 21. Franklin’s Jamie Barrett, singer-songwriter, guitarist and music teacher, is back by popular demand with an engaging mix of family-favorite songs. The afternoon delivers a fun and interactive program for audiences of all ages. THE BLACK BOX Children’s Series concert is sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank.

On Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m., Electric Youth members past and present rock THE BLACK BOX for the venue’s first-ever EY reunion show. Relive the group’s hits from the last decade and more. Enjoy performances by popular Electric Youth alumni and hear fan-favorite songs from EY’s extensive repertoire of high-energy contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

Electric Youth posed before their trip to Europe in the Summer of 2015

Laughter Yoga - Monday, November 23rd

Laughter Yoga

Trade in your stress for laughter on Monday, November 23rd (and every fourth Monday) from 7:30pm to 8:30pm at the Meetinghouse of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, 262 Chestnut Street, Franklin.  

Laughter Yoga is a unique and playful practice that does not rely on humor, jokes or comedy. Laughter Yoga will have you smiling frequently and laughing heartily. Any age and any level of physical ability can participate in this uplifting experience! 

New laughers are always welcomed! $5 donation to the church, $10 maximum per family.   

Please bring your water bottle because laughing is dehydrating. 

Led by Certified Laughter Yoga Teachers, Linda and Bill Hamaker. If you have any questions, just call them at 508-660-2223 or e-mail  billandlinda@letslaughtoday.com.  

See other opportunities to laugh at www.letslaughtoday.com.

www.letslaughtoday.com

Big Band Brunch - Kenny Hadley Big Band - Sunday, November 15

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s new theater, music, and event venue, presents a Big Band Brunch, featuring the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band, on Sunday, November 15. The critically-acclaimed 16-piece juggernaut, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more.  

Kenny Hadley Big Band

The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson. Brunch selections feature Belgian waffles, cheddar scrambled eggs, red bliss home-fried potatoes, bacon, muffins, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee. 

A cash bar is also available, serving brunch cocktails including Bloody Marys and Mimosas. Enjoy this memorable pairing of Big Band music and delicious fare. Brunch begins at 11:30 a.m., with entertainment starting at noon. 

Combination tickets for the brunch and performance are $45; tickets for the Big Band only are $20. THE BLACK BOX, home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.

“Tea for Two” on Saturday, November 7 at 4 p.m

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin’s new theater, music and event venue, presents a wide-ranging lineup of live music entertainment this November. Events are slated to feature concerts in genres ranging from classical, jazz and pop to Southern rock, cabaret and children’s programming. The broad-based calendar of entertainment offers something for everyone.  THE BLACK BOX, the home of the Franklin Performing Arts Company (FPAC), is located at 15 West Central Street.

Violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar present “Tea for Two” on Saturday, November 7 at 4 p.m., featuring classical arrangements of popular North and South American music. Tea service will be available in THE BLACK BOX lobby.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Irina Fainkichen received degrees from Rachmaninoff Music College, St. Petersburg State Conservatory, and Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, Israel. She is a busy freelance violinist in the Greater Boston area. Irina was concertmaster of San Francisco’s Russian Chamber Orchestra for many years, appearing as soloist numerous times.

Currently, she is a member of Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of Brockton Symphony Orchestra and co-founder of “Flying Hearts” duo, which performs in a number of musical genres including jazz, Klezmer and classic American tunes. Irina Kotlyar, born in Kharkov, Ukraine, earned her degrees from Rubin Academy of Music.

THE BLACK BOX Classical Series presents violinist Irina Fainkichen and pianist Irina Kotlyar in “Tea for Two” on November 7

 For tickets and more information, visit www.THEBLACKBOXonline.com or call (508) 528-3370.