The Gift of the Arts in Northampton
Musical, Ballet, Puppets & Chinese Acrobatics
5 Performances at the Academy of Music Theatre
For February we’re continuing our five year celebration with another fabulous 5 giveaway… this time we’re partnering with the Academy of Music Theatre (Northampton, MA) and offering 5 family 4-packs of tickets to 5 different performances this late winter/early spring!
Let’s recap our five year celebration to date: We started off the festivities in November with 5 Gifts Locally Handmade by Hilltown Mompreneurs, and in December we partnered with 5 Western MA Museums offering 5 Annual Family Memberships. We began the new year with 5 Gift Baskets from 5 Local Food Businesses in Western MA, which we did a drawing for at the debut opening celebration of Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit Featuring Life and Landscape in Western MA (see photos).
Now, for the shortest month of the year, we have a long list of five family performances you can enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see in Northampton, MA at the historic Academy of Music Theatre. Read about these terrific family performances and enter to win below. Deadline to enter to win: February 28th, 2011 by 7pm (EST).
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Friday, March 4th @ 7pm
It sounds so simple, just a quick trip to the laundromat with Daddy, Trixie, and her beloved Knuffle Bunny. But, before you know it, things go horribly… hilariously wrong. Chock-full of adventure, song, and gigantic dancing laundry, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical tells a tale of family, best friends, baby steps, and memories that last a lifetime. Based on his beloved Caldecott Honor–winning picture book, six-time Emmy Award winner Mo Willems joins Grammy Award–winning composer Michael Silversher to lovingly celebrate the heart and heartache that can only come from a family visit to the local laundromat. A Kennedy Center production. Mo Willems will be available to answer questions following this one hour Kennedy Center production. The Kennedy Center has a video that takes a look behind the scenes of the making of this musical. (Ticket Value: $44)
New Shanghai Circus
Sunday, March 13th @ 2pm
In 1999, the New Shanghai Circus realized the dream of all acrobatic troupes from China: they were the first Chinese acrobatic company to be invited to perform on Broadway in New York City. The record-breaking 28 sold-out shows at the New Victory Theater won them the title “Best Foreign Production on Broadway” that year. Today, the New Shanghai Circus is in residence at its own theater in Branson, Missouri where it is among the five most popular events in this mid-west theater mecca. – The Chinese acrobatic tradition dates back to 700 B.C.; The art of Chinese acrobatics developed out of Lunar New Year harvest celebrations, where a village’s peasants and craftsmen would hold a kind of Chinese Thanksgiving. Acrobats used household tools and common items found around the farm and workshop as part of their exciting feats. Performers passed their skills down from generation to generation and great acrobatic families of China entertained everyone from city rulers to village people, performing at ceremonial carnivals and public theaters across the country. Get a sneak preview of their performance in this video. (Ticket Value: $74)
Sleeping Beauty and The Firebird
Saturday, April 2nd @ 1pm
Pioneer Valley Ballet presents a ballet double feature: Sleeping Beauty and The Firebird. Set to Tchaikovsky’s lush score, Sleeping Beauty is an action packed one-hour production that has a fresh take on a classic ballet. Audiences of all ages will be enchanted by the story of a bewitched princess asleep for 100 years, the spiteful Carabosse, and the prince who battles dragons and evil forces to awaken the kingdom. – The full version of the exotic ballet, The Firebird, is a 40 minute performance that celebrates the centennial anniversary of Stravinsky’s musical composition. Based on a Russian folk tale of the magical glowing bird that is both a blessing and a curse to its captor, audiences will be thrilled as Prince Ivan and the Firebird battle “Kaschei the Immortal” for the freedom of the lovely Princess. Come be transported by Stravinsky’s incomparable score and the high quality dancing you have come to expect from the Pioneer Valley Ballet! (Ticket Value: $90)
The Woman Who Outshone the Sun
Monday, April 18th @ 10am
As part of the Puppet Festival at the Academy of Music Theatre during the school vacation week, Behind the Mask Studio performs The Woman Who Outshone the Sun. In this story, a beautiful and mysterious woman with magical powers is exiled from a mountain village and she takes away its water source, a vital river. Through their suffering for what they have lost, the villagers learn important lessons of tolerance, forgiveness, and the frailty of the ecosystem. The show is performed as a bilingual story ( Spanish & English), and based on a poem by Alejandro Cruz Martinez. (Ticket Value: $20)
Pinocchio
Thursday, April 21st @ 10am
The Puppet Festival continues with a production of Pinocchio by David Syrotiak’s National Marionette Theatre. Carlo Collodi’s epic about a puppet who wants to become a real boy is a classic example of storytelling at its best. This adaptation is a faithful re-telling of a childhood classic. Follow Pinocchio as he goes on a series of adventures and realizes that only by being truthful, selfless and kind to others will he realize his dream of becoming a real live boy. (Ticket Value: $20)
HOW TO WIN:
Your chance to win a free family 4-pack of tickets to one of these fabulous family productions at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton, MA is super easy. To enter to win simply:
1.) Check the dates of the shows and tell us WHICH SHOWS YOU COULD ATTEND. Select all that apply then continue below.
(↑↑↑ be sure to hit the “submit” button) Must continue below ↓↓↓ to be eligible to win:
2.) Next, SHARE THIS PAGE ON FACEBOOK BY SELECTING “LIKE” BELOW
3.) TELL US HOW HILLTOWN FAMILIES HAS CONNECTED YOUR FAMILY WITH THE ARTS IN WESTERN MA THESE PAST FIVE YEARS in the comment box below, and be sure to tell us your
4.) FULL NAME (again) and where you
5.) LIVE (TOWN/STATE) Must include your town and state to be eligible. We’ll randomly draw a winner from those who participate and contact the winner via email. So be sure to leave an
6.) ACCURATE EMAIL in the email field of the comment box (we never share your email address).
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline to enter to win: February 28th, 2011 by 7pm (EST). If you have any questions, please contact us before entering to win at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.
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Read about these terrific family performances above. Visit Academy of Music Theatre for more information on current and future performances.
Hilltown Families is a wonderful resource for us! With two small, active girls, it’s important to find activities we can all enjoy. Thanks for all you do!
-Jennifer Martin
Shelburne Falls, MA
My family and I check with Hilltown Families every week. We have done numerous activities thanks to HF over the years…big thanks!
Rebecca Lauterbach
Springfield, MA
The updates about all the local happenings are amazing. I find out about so many events, festivals, concerts, activities through Hilltown Families. It is such a tremendous resource for the Valley.
Rachel Griffiths
Belchertown, MA
The best place to find a listing of many local options to do and see each weekend. Thank you!
Karin Perlman,
Northampton MA
We love Hilltown Families…I follow on Facebook to find many events and happenings that we love to attend! Such a great resource..Thank you!
Stephanie Gale
Easthampton, MA
(But I can’t follow directions that well! I should have signed my post
Jessica, in Leeds, MA
Hilltown Families has enriched my parenting experience by helping me find cultural, artistic and FUN events for me to do with my kids. It is an amazing community resource. I love having you on Facebook, especially!
Hilltown Families has made our family aware of all of the magnificent things that happen in the area!! Half of the activities we would never know about! We are so grateful for this resource!
I’ve only recently discovered Hilltown Families on FB, but we’ve already checked out the Northampton First Night, lots of “school vacation” events, the winter farm markets, puppet shows, the birds of prey last summer…so much fun! And I’m learning that there is so much more to the page. Gotta take some time to explore it. :) Thanks for being a great resource. I like that you have some events in Springfield/surrounding areas as well. I love the Northampton area, but live closer to Springfield. :)
Hilltown in my first stop for planning our weekend activities…
Rory Dexter, Greenfield, MA
Hilltown Families is the first place I look when I want to do something with my daughter during the week and when our family is looking for an outing on the weekend. We really don’t need to look anywhere else!
Sandra Dias
Holyoke, MA
The contests are great on Hilltown Families!
B. Curtis, South Hadley, MA
I have just recently came into the good luck of finding Hilltown Families but will definately be keeping a watchful eye on it for the next five years for all its great at hand helpful info. Thank you for the ease of finding activities and the knowledge of cost before we get there.
Heather Houghton-Smith East Longmeadow, Ma
This is the number one site I go to to find out what to do in the area. We love that posts are done by other families and the broad spectrum of listings to choose from.
Jaimee Roncone, Westhampton, MA
Love your listings and giveaways…not sure if correctly submitted info for giveaway though-couldn’t figure out how to enter address…
anyhow great to know some family friendly quality cultural activities -esp. the Academy of Music events-look wonderful and I wouldn’t have known about them otherwise.
so helpful to make sure we know all the stuff going on!
Jessica Morris Northampton MA
love these opportunities offered by Hilltown-keep expanding the minds of our youth for a better world!!! Knowledge is power and the opportunity to expand that is so very valuable
I check the site every week for family events, concerts, festivals, classes! I have found out about countless things I would never have known about (I just don’t read the paper). Thanks so much for all that you do to connect us to community!!
Kyra Anderson, Northampton
My girls and I recently enjoyed the fantastic photographs at the debut of the Traveling Photography Exhibit at the Cup and Top!
Holyoke, MA
I can’t believe I didn’t know about Hilltown Families before. I thought it was just for families who lived in the Hilltowns, not for Valley families like us in Hatfield. After looking through the site (which is also great looking), I see that there are tons of events that my family would like to know about and attend, from Northampton, to Amherst to Pittsfield. Thanks!
–Kathie
Hatfield, Mass.
Hilltown Families keeps us on board with Kid Culture in the Valley, without it our experience of community would be warped! Often encourages me to attend an event which stretches outside of my comfort zone, as a result my comfort zone has grown!
Tony(a) Ashfield
My sister turned me on to Hilltown Families. It’s such a great resource for things to do with kids in the Valley — I can’t believe I hadn’t known about it until recently.
We have gone to many very cool event and have explored out side our area because of Hill Town Families.
Sebastian Chandler, Turners Falls
Hilltown Families is a great resource to learn about great things happening in the area!
South Hadley, MA
I am always looking for interesting things to do not only with my kids but for families I work with who are foster parents. This is a great resource!!!
Thanks!
Martha Blair-Leeds
Hilltown Families has helped us stay connected and tuned in to the events in the hills and valley and once allowed us to attend a great Mr G show!! Thanks it was a lot of fun!
Piet Slaghekke
Easthampton, MA
I am always amazed at how many opportunities there are in the Valley for family friendly cultural enrichment. I wouldn’t find out about most of them without Hilltown Families!
Jackie
Holyoke, MA
Whoops! Forgot our town: Florence, MA
Hilltown Families has sent us to a bunch of great events – the Haiti benefit last year and school vacation shows at the Academy are two that come to mind. I’m relying on Hilltown Families to help me plan for school vacation weeks!
It’s nearly impossible to triage all the cool stuff going on in our area without a source like Hilltown Families to compile it and spread the word–and it benefits artists and patrons alike.
Another great listing I didn’t know about, thanks Hilltown Families!!
Sarah Schatz
Hatfield, MA
Hilltown Families is a great place to get info about local, community based family events.
I began following Hilltown Families about 3.5 years ago — several months BEFORE my husband and 3 kids and I moved to Buckland from out of state. It has bee a tremendous resource as it beautifully portrays and reflects this wonderful community! Thank you to all those involved in growing it.
I’m new to Hilltown Families and I’m excited to hear about the events happening in my neighborhood that I otherwise wouldn’t know about!
Chesterfield
I regularly check the Hilltown Families blog for ideas for family events. We have attended numerous events that we found out about here. Thanks!
Sunderland, MA
Great source of information about unique events going on.
Since joining the Hilltown Families list serve I hear about a lot of events I’d otherwise miss.
Hilltown Families helps me get the word out about community events we host at BArT Charter Public School in Adams.
– M. Nottke
Adams, MA
Through Hilitown Families we are the first to know the Art events that happen in our area.
Maria Nikolaou
Northampton, MA
Whenever we’re looking for something to do with our daughter, we turn to Hilltown Families first!
oops! greenfield, ma!
hilltown families keeps our family up to date on all the best events, any weekend we don’t have plans I know I can just log on and find something fun to do with our day.
Hilltown Families seems like the only place to find out about child-friendly arts activities! With the exception of some musicals down in Amherst, I’m pretty sure that we heard about every musical/theatrical event in the area to which we’ve taken our kids through Hilltown Families. You even led us to Music Together classes!
Libby Maxey
Conway, MA
Hilltown Families has made it oh so easy to in a few minutes find fun outings and events for our family. It’s also a wealth of information about this wonderful place that we live in. Thanks for making it so accessible.
Amy Cullen
Williamsburg, MA
Florence, MA
Through Hilltown Families we have learned about many local events that we would not have been able to track otherwise. And once we were able to attend a show thanks to free tickets, which was an amazing experience!
We love Hilltown Families because we love free events in our lovely community!
xo abbe laine schiowitz in Shutesbury, MA