Greenfield Community College
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesFor over a decade Greenfield Community College has been celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. This year’s 25th annual event features a program appropriate for all ages with dance, arts and crafts, education, music and free lunch—plus keynote speaker La Wanza Lett-Brewington on “Embracing Our Responsibility to the Legacy” and recognizing the extraordinary actions of Dr. King through his words. Lett-Brewington is a nationally known speaker on leadership, Title IX, equity and social justice and was recently recognized as one 50 distinguished alumni of GCC, where she currently serves as Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer. RSVP strongly recommended!
The Great Disconnect
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesJoin us for a screening of the documentary The Great Disconnect. We are living in a time that has been described as the age of loneliness. Despite Western advances in technology, living conditions, education and healthcare we—as a society—are isolating ourselves from one another, and because of this, facing a health crisis that affects all ages, genders, races and cultures. But how have we become so disconnected? And what can we do to change the status quo and fulfill our potential for health and well-being? Follow wellness expert Tamer Soliman as he journeys through North American cities to meet with local citizens, community activists, and leading authorities on social, economic, and urban planning to discover the true factors that have profound and lasting impacts, not only on our health, but the health of the communities in which we live. This timely documentary invites us to reflect on the relationships we have with those around us and raises the question: is it possible to overcome our modern culture of disconnectedness and rediscover how truly essential we are to one other? Documentary to be followed by a discussion. This is not a hybrid event—however, individuals can register to watch the documentary online…
Bookends: An Intergenerational Book Club
Greenfield Public Library 412 Main St, Greenfield, MA, United StatesBookends, a collaboration between Greenfield Community College and Greenfield Public Library, is an intergenerational book group with a focus on discussions that are based on different backgrounds and perspectives as a means to bring our community closer together. Open to the general public and intended for ages 13–130! Our winter read is The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: “Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices… Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?” Copies of the book can be borrowed from the Greenfield Public Library and the Nahman-Watson Library at GCC (large print and audiobooks are also available). Join us for book discussion and appetizers! Please RSVP.
Beyond the Brain: Soul Exhaustion & Soul Care
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesThroughout the history of humanity and within every known culture has been the concept of the soul—and yet over the last century or so, its value has lost much ground. For many people the idea of the soul, the essence of “who” they are resonates deeply and yet has been significantly diminished by the medical model of mental health and addiction. This presentation will bring the concept of the soul back to the forefront of discussion in how we conceptualize ourselves and others as well as the concept of soul exhaustion. Soul exhaustion takes a deeper exploration of life circumstances such as poverty, adverse childhood experiences, racism, trauma, loss and burnout and the holistic impact it has on “who” we are. When looking through the lens of soul exhaustion, we also must shift our thoughts on solutions to address the soul, spirit or essence of “who” we are. Soul care, which has emphasis on non-clinical resources, goes deeper into understanding the ways in which we care for the “who.” This presentation also explores how the concept of Soul Exhaustion and Soul Care can work in harmony with the medical model of mental health, substance use disorders and suicide prevention. Presented…
Democracy & Women’s Rights: Abortion, Political Representation & the 2024 Elections
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesOver 60 percent of Americans support abortion access, but last year constitutional abortion rights were overturned and many states now ban abortion in most circumstances. States with high levels of gerrymandering and voter suppression are the same states that have banned abortion and in other ways limit women’s rights—these states also have highly male-dominated legislatures. In this talk, Smith College Professor Carrie Baker will argue that democracy and women’s rights are intimately intertwined, that women’s rights and representation are a barometer of democracy, and the erosion of women’s rights is a canary in the coal mine of a dying democracy. Free and open to the public.
Priceless National Heritage: The Taking of Fazendeville
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesGCC professor of history Alyssa Arnell presents this year's Dovi Afesi Lecture. In 1865, Pierre Fazende parceled off seven acres of land situated downriver of New Orleans in neighboring St. Bernard Parish. He sold plots to newly freed and other people of color. For a century, the community of Fazendeville thrived. In its heyday, Fazendeville boasted over 100 families, two grocery stores, and a school that doubled as a dance hall where Fats Dominos was known to play. “The Village,” as Fazendeville was fondly nicknamed, was a community known for its collective political and economic action. But Fazendeville was situated on a parcel of land coveted by heritage and memorialization associations for its connection to the War of 1812. In 1815, Andrew Jackson led a diverse army to victory against invading British forces that marched across this field. “The Battle of New Orleans” victory was the last engagement of the war, and the victory propelled Jackson onto the national political scene. In 1962, Congress was persuaded to pass legislation creating a national military park in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle. This law gave the Secretary of the Interior authority to demolish Fazendeville, reasoning that the military park…
The Paradise Paradox
Greenfield Community College One College Drive, Greenfield, MA, United StatesJoin us for a free screening of the The Paradise Paradox. Executive produced by Olympic ski racer Bode Miller and Emmy Award-winning impact sports filmmaker Brett Rapkin, the documentary explores the mental health crisis affecting America’s mountain towns and the innovative solutions being developed in response. By opening up the conversation, the stigmas can start to melt away and real progress can be made for the citizens of these towns and beyond. Free refreshments! Free and open to the public; RSVP requested.
Of Seasons and Singing
The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew 8 Church Street, GreenfieldGCC Community Chorus presents a full performance "Of Seasons and Singing" with Margery Heins, Conductor and Meg Reilly, Accompanist. Free with donations welcome—GCC community and the general public are encouraged to attend! The program includes madrigals and rounds about the pleasures of singing as well as other music on the subject: "Cantate Domino" by Giuseppe Pitoni, the traditional spiritual "I'm Gonna Sing," and "How Can I Keep from Singing" arranged by Gwyneth Walker. The four seasons are represented by "Sing to Me" (spring) by Andrea Ramsey; William Billings: "I am the Rose of Sharon" (spring, summer); Samuel Barber: "Sure on this shining Night" (summer), performed by Nancy Blickenstaff, soprano soloist; "The Long Day Closes" (autumn), by Sir Arthur Sullivan; and "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind" (winter), by John Rutter. Come relax and enjoy the music!
Celebrating National Poetry Month: GCC Poets at the GPL
Greenfield Public Library 412 Main St, Greenfield, MA, United StatesThe Greenfield Public Library welcomes Greenfield Community College Poets on Wednesday, April 17, from 6 - 7:30 pm for an evening of poetry in the GPL Community Meeting Room. Poets Gray Davidson Carroll, L. Gibson, La Wanza Lett-Brewington, Adrie Rose, and Cindy Snow will read selected poems from their collections. Copies of their books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information, visit us at https://greenfieldpubliclibrary.org/, or contact Pamela McBride at librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org. This program, generously sponsored by Greenfield Community College and the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and open to everyone in our community.
Angels in America
Sloan Theater at GCC One College Drive, GreenfieldJoin us for GCC's spring theater performance of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, a complex, often metaphorical and at times symbolic examination of AIDS and homosexuality in the United States in the 1980s. Directed by Tom Geha with a cast and crew of students, staff and community members. While Part 1: Millennium Approaches was staged in the fall, this spring offers performances of both Part 1 and Part 2: Perestroika on select days, including a double feature and dinner package on Saturdays! Please note the schedule and runtime of shows. Seating is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance online; $15/$5 (general/students) or $40/$25 (general/student dinner package): https://www.gcc.mass.edu/angels Thursday April 18 - 5pm - Arts Night - Selected scenes, free performance, no reservation required Friday April 19 - 6-10pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday April 20 - Dinner & Shows - 1-10pm - (Part 1 1-4pm, dinner 4-6pm, Part 2 6-10pm) Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Thursday April 25 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Friday April 26 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 27 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday…
Angels in America
Sloan Theater at GCC One College Drive, GreenfieldJoin us for GCC's spring theater performance of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, a complex, often metaphorical and at times symbolic examination of AIDS and homosexuality in the United States in the 1980s. Directed by Tom Geha with a cast and crew of students, staff and community members. While Part 1: Millennium Approaches was staged in the fall, this spring offers performances of both Part 1 and Part 2: Perestroika on select days, including a double feature and dinner package on Saturdays! Please note the schedule and runtime of shows. Seating is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance online; $15/$5 (general/students) or $40/$25 (general/student dinner package): https://www.gcc.mass.edu/angels Thursday April 18 - 5pm - Arts Night - Selected scenes, free performance, no reservation required Friday April 19 - 6-10pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday April 20 - Dinner & Shows - 1-10pm - (Part 1 1-4pm, dinner 4-6pm, Part 2 6-10pm) Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Thursday April 25 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Friday April 26 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 27 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday…
Angels in America
Sloan Theater at GCC One College Drive, GreenfieldJoin us for GCC's spring theater performance of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, a complex, often metaphorical and at times symbolic examination of AIDS and homosexuality in the United States in the 1980s. Directed by Tom Geha with a cast and crew of students, staff and community members. While Part 1: Millennium Approaches was staged in the fall, this spring offers performances of both Part 1 and Part 2: Perestroika on select days, including a double feature and dinner package on Saturdays! Please note the schedule and runtime of shows. Seating is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance online; $15/$5 (general/students) or $40/$25 (general/student dinner package): https://www.gcc.mass.edu/angels Thursday April 18 - 5pm - Arts Night - Selected scenes, free performance, no reservation required Friday April 19 - 6-10pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday April 20 - Dinner & Shows - 1-10pm - (Part 1 1-4pm, dinner 4-6pm, Part 2 6-10pm) Saturday April 20 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Thursday April 25 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Friday April 26 - 6pm - Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 27 - 1-4pm - Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday…