What is Franklin's Cultural District? Franklin's Cultural District is a specific, walkable area in downtown Franklin beginning around Ruggles Street and traveling through the center of town to Franklin High School. It is the area where most of Franklin's arts and culture events happen and where most arts and culture businesses and organizations are located.

There is a lot happening in the Cultural District this week and into the early fall. Happy Reading!

Celebrate Community ... Celebrate Franklin!

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, Roberta Trahan

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Cultural Wednesdays is a partnership with Franklin Matters/Franklin.news that shares information about arts and culture events in Franklin's Cultural District and Beyond.

Summer holidays are ending for some but Franklin continues to be a vibrant and engaging location for arts and culture ...

• The Farmers Market and Concerts on the Common make Fridays come alive on the Town Common. On Friday, August 19, the Farmers Market vendors will be selling their wares from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Box Groove performs at 3:00 pm followed by Jesse Liam Band at 5:30 pm. At 3:30 pm the Franklin Public Library sponsors Farmers Market Fun, which includes Make Your Own Compass. Enjoy some BBQ while listening to music. Gotta Q Smokehouse BBQ will be at the Common at 4:00 pm. Movie nights on the Common continue with "Spider-Man" at 7:50 pm. 

Elsewhere in the Cultural District and Beyond this week ...

• Franklin Public Library, Wednesday, August 17, Bollywood Dance Party at 6:30 pm. and Flying High Dogs! with Mike Piazza and His Amazing K9 Friends on Thursday, August 18, at 2:00 pm.
• La Cantina Winery has three opportunities to enjoy live music: Charlie Rock on Thursday, August 18 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm; Steve Doglio on Friday, August 19 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm; and David Rak Saturday, August 20 at 4:00 pm.
• 67 Degrees Brewing hosts Mike & Missy Music on Friday, August 19, at 6:00 pm and Kendo Music on Saturday, August 20, at 6:00 pm.
• THE BLACK BOX features John Logan - Magic with The Beatles, at 8:00 pm on Saturday, August 20 (ticketed event).
• Escape into Fiction recognizes Bookstore Romance Day, Saturday, August 20 ... celebrating romance reads for all!

Select the Cultural Wednesdays link for information about these and other events/performances during the upcoming week: Cultural Wednesdays Arts Happen Here!

Note: Events subject to change

As August draws to a close and September is around the corner, many events are planned for the Cultural District and Beyond. Here is a look ahead at a few of the many arts & culture opportunities.

End of August Happenings ...

• Thursday, August 25, Kendo, live music at La Cantina Winery
• Friday, August 26,  David Penza Music at 67 Degrees Brewing, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. and Raina's Plate Food Truck will be at the Brewery at 4:30 pm.
• Friday, August 26, Patrick Durkin, live music, at La Cantina Winery
• Saturday, August 27,  BobKat Music at 67 Degrees Brewing, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
• Saturday, August 27, South Street Six, live music, at La Cantina Winery
• Tuesday, August 30, Escape into Fiction hosts Author Susan K, Hamilton and her book launch for "Stone Heart", 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
• Wednesday, August 31, “The Peoples Poetry” at Escape into Fiction. A poetry open mic night that will gather the last Wednesday of the month at Escape into Fiction. All are welcome. Coordinators, April Rock and Jamele Adams, will help guide the evening.

      A peak at September/October happenings ...

• Thursday, September 1, Escape into Fiction is "celebrating our amazing education system" with a special Educators Night from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Educators will receive 20% off their purchases!
• Saturday, September 24, Circle of Friends Coffeehouse will be welcoming the greater Franklin community to a free concert made possible with grants from the Mass Cultural Council. Pamela Means will present "Power of the Protest Song: Our Shared History and Present Day". Select this link for ticket information, Circlefolk.
• October 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 - The Sound of Music will be the fall musical at THE BLACK BOX.  Select TBB for information about this production and the 2022 - 2023 season.

Don't forget... two festivals will be happening in Franklin's Cultural District: FCC Cultural Festival on September 10, 12 noon to 6:00 pm on the Town Common.

FDP Harvest Festival on October 1, 12 noon to 5:00 pm on Main Street. 

Note: Events subject to change.

April Rock, Escape into Fiction, is participating in "Women in Business" event in Ashland at the Corner Spot on August 27. According to the website, thecornerspotashland.com, Shop on the Spot is an annual event that takes place on the last Saturday of August. The theme is women-owned businesses. April Rock will be representing her business, Escape into Fiction. Wishing April every success at Corner Spot on August 27!

We are pleased to see the return of Circle of Friends Coffeehouse after a long hiatus. Located on Chestnut Street in Franklin, the Coffeehouse has a history of bringing wonderful music to the greater Franklin community. Welcome back!

Circle of Friends.

The Franklin Cultural District partners with the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council, and the Town of Franklin to promote arts and culture in Franklin.

Franklin's Cultural District Committee supports culture, the arts and the humanities in Franklin's Cultural District and beyond. It engages, promotes, and collaborates with Franklin's arts and culture artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions and businesses.

Franklin Cultural District Committee:

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John Lo Presti, and Roberta Trahan.