Arts Happen throughout the Cultural District!

This is Week #3 of the Art Gift-Away. The clues for this week's Gift-Away are included in the newsletter. Enjoy the art-infused adventure!

Cultural Wednesdays shared through a partnership with FranklinMatters/FranklinNews 

Franklin Senior Center

All Things Franklin Trivia

Wednesday, December 7, Franklin Trivia Event at Franklin Senior Center, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Join Joe Landry and test your knowledge on all things Franklin. Select Senior Center for information.

Franklin Art Association

Show & Tell and Show & Sell

Wednesday, December 7, The Franklin Art Association will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 pm. at the Franklin Senior Center. Members and friends are asked to bring samples of their current artwork to talk about their techniques, inspiration and mediums. Beverages and snacks will be served, and holiday music will create a festive atmosphere. The public is invited to learn about the creative process and see what association members have been working on. Select FAA for more information.

Franklin Public Schools Music Students

Two Evenings of Music Performances

Wednesday, December 7, Horace Mann Middle School Concert at HMMS, 6:00 pm,  (snow date 12). Horace Mann Middle School, 224 Oak Street.

Thursday, December 8, Franklin High School Band Concert, FHS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. (snow date 12/9). Franklin High School, 218 Oak Street.

Franklin Downtown Partnership

Holiday Happenings and Gift Guide

December, The Franklin Downtown Partnership continues to support businesses, organizations, and institutions in downtown Franklin and beyond. The FDP recently posted its Holiday Happenings and Gift Guide with lots of opportunities to participate, support and shop local. Select FDP for the Guide.

Birchwood Bakery and Kitchen

Shopping, Food, and Beverages ...

Thursday, December 8, Holiday Vendors at Birchwood Bakery and Kitchen. 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Come join a small group of local artisans and vendors for our holiday event.Vvendors: a selection of flowers, floral arrangements, handmade ceramics, and jewelry. Food and drinks will be available for purchase!

* Claymark Studio Ceramics *PT Color Market

* Paper Blume * Zuzu's Petals and Plants

Select Birchwood to visit their FB page for more information. 17 East Central Street.

Franklin Public Library

Community Conversations

Thursday December 8, An Evening with Mystery Writers Sulari Gentill, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and Eva Jurczyk ... A Virtual Event. Enjoy an evening with Mystery Writers. 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_smBSt3ejTD2saBpyVXY6Og Select Library fro visit the Library Calendar or more information.

La Cantina Winery

Entertainment and Wine!

Thursday, December 8, David Penza, Live Music, 6:00 to 8:30 pm. 357 Union Street. To learn more about La Cantina Winery, visit their website.

Intermission Cafe

Wine Barre 02038

Thursday, December 8, Join us for Wine Barre 02038 from 7:00-9:30 pm!  Adults are invited to stop by Intermission for wine and charcuterie boards by Kim Rezendes! (21+ welcome). 36 Main Street (rear). Select Cafe for information.

Creative Corner Art Studio

Located downtown in Franklin's Cultural District

Thursday, December 8. Adult Arts and Crafts Class. This is a 3-week session. Class begins at 7:00 pm. Our talented instructors will teach a different art form based around a “theme”. Students will be able to create in different mediums and materials over the three weeks. Select Creative to learn about and register for classes offered at the studio. 15 Main Street, Unit 6A, Franklin, MA • 508-944-8298.

Pour Richard's Wine & Spirits

Wine and Chocolate Pairing

Thursday, December 8, Wine. Chocolate. Pairing. Happening at Pour Richards. And not just any wine and chocolate… OUR wines paired with artisanal chocolates from Wright Old School Chocolates. Peter Carlson crafts single-origin chocolate bars, highlighting the nuance and complexity of each region. As for the wine, we’re thinking Cabernet. Zinfandel. Maybe some Ripassa. Something Rhone-ish. Port. Come and taste for yourself! 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (ish). Select Pour to visit their FB page for additional information. 835 West Central Street.

Franklin Public Library

Monthly Book Sale

Friday, December 9 , 1:00-5:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. All books are just one dollar!

Saturday, December 10, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. Bag Sale - $5 A Bag. Come fill a brown bag with all the books you can! Select Library for information.

Dean College, Joan Palladino School of Dance

presents Faculty Dance Works

Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, Dean College, Joan Palladino School of Dance presents Faculty Dance Works. Join us for an energetic and exciting weekend of dance, featuring outstanding works conceived by the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance faculty and renowned guest artists. Dean College Dance students will perform in a diverse variety of dance styles, from modern dance to ballet to tap and more. Select Dance for additional information.

67 Degrees Brewing

in the Taproom this weekend

• Friday, December 9, Heath Nesbitt, Solo Guitarist, 5:30 to 8:30 pm and

Joey D's Wingz & Thingz, Food, 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

• Saturday, December 10, Mike Malone, Live Music, 5:30 to 8:30 pm. and Papalias, food truck.

On December 15 at 6:30 pm, Flowergirl Traci Shop will hold a Holiday Wreath Workshop at 67 Degrees Brewing. Select 67 Degrees Brewing for additional information.158 Grove Street.

Franklin Fire Department Movie Night

Touch a Truck, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and a Movie!

Friday, December 9, Franklin Fire Movie Night: The Polar Express at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St.

• 5:30 pm - Doors open with Touch a Truck;
• 6:00 pm - Mr. and Mrs Claus arrive on a Fire Truck; and
• 6:30 pm - Polar Express Movie.

Please bring 1 canned good per person for donation to the Food Pantry. Select FDP for the Fire Department FB page and more information.

The Rescignos: Frankincense

at THE BLACK BOX

Saturday, December 10, The Rescignos: Frankincense with Ali Funkhouser opening! Take a walk in a twin-ter wonderland! For over a decade the Rescigno brothers have performed a brand new holiday show in NYC, and this year they are bringing it to Franklin! The show, The Rescignos: Frankincense, is at 7:30 pm, at THE BLACK BOX. Cabaret Scenes' Rob Lester says, "The Rescigno twins raise sibling squabbling to an art form." Paul and Robbie add, "We also look pretty good in our sweater vests." So join The Rescigno boys for the latest installment of their annual holiday show--it'll sugar your plums!



Opener: Ali Funkhouser with Raye Lynn Mercer (piano) and Irina Fainkichen (violin). An actress and singer with a love for all things silly, Ali's solo cabaret shows combining musical theatre, comedy, and jazz have been described as, "still going on."Select TBB for ticket information.

Fairmount Fruit Farm

Orchard SL-Hay Ride

Saturday, December 10, An untraditional winter tradition! We've decked our orchard and tractor hay ride in Christmas cheer. We provide warm blankets, hot cocoa, donuts, and our take on a sleigh ride. We hope to see you for a hay, nee sl-hay ride through our orchard! 3:00 to 6:00 pm $10/person, reservation required.Select Fairmount for ticket information, times and dates.

Finding the Light

Weekly Search for Art Work

Sunday, December 11, the Art Gift-Away will happen on Sunday morning A photo of the location will go up the morning of the drop off on the FB page.

The Clues for Week 3

I am a structure of MANY STORIES

I can show you 300 years of MEMORIES

Without me, it would be difficult to KEEP up with TIME

Some may know me as the ORIGINAL Franklin Town Hall

Find me, and your gift will be waiting at the WOODEN DOORS

Select Painting Venus for additional information.

Franklin Police Department

Toy Drive and Picture with Santa

Sunday, December 11, Franklin Police Department Toy Drive and have a picture with Santa. Join us at the station, 911 Panther Way, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and get your picture taken with Santa! Pictures are free but we’re asking for donations of new and unwrapped toys to benefit our annual toy drive and the Santa Foundation. We hope to see you there! Select Police for the Franklin Police FB page with more info.

Franklin Historical Museum

Music, Mrs. Claus and Shopping

Sunday, December 11, Note Able Blend, a women’s barbershop chorus, presents a festive holiday musical at 1:15 pm.

At 2:00 pm, Mrs. Claus joins the fun for Storytime and Photo Ops for young and old. The Museum Gift Shop will feature for sale this year’s Ladybug Ornament plus mugs, pillows, maps, etc. for the person on your list who just loves Franklin. Select Museum for more information. 80 West Central Street.

St. Mary Parish

Eighth Annual Lessons and Carols

Sunday, December 11, Eighth Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent and Christmas, 3:00 pm. at St. Mary Parish. Lessons and Carols is a service of scripture readings and carols of the Advent and Christmas seasons. Select Carols for additional information. 1 Church Square.

Temple Etz Chaim

A Conversation of Hope:

Black and Jewish Voices in Harmony

Sunday, December 11, 7:00 pm, A Conversation of Hope: Black and Jewish Voices in Harmony. Come attend this special presentation with Rabbi Tom Alpert, Rabbi Elyse Wince, and Jamele Adams. Temple Etz Chaim, 900 Washington St. Select Conversation for the TEC Instagram page and additional information.

Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Yankee Quilters meeting

Tuesday, December 13, Yankee Quilters Monthly Meeting at Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Select Quilters for more information about this group. Select Emma's for information about materials, classes and events. 319 East Central Street.

Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee

Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, December 13, Franklin Bellingham Rail Trail Committee monthly meeting at 67 Degrees Brewing, 158 Grove Street. Select FBRTC for more information about this organization.

Franklin Newcomers & Friends

meeting at Escape into Fiction Bookstore

Wednesday, December 14, Franklin Newcomers and Friends will meet at Escape into Fiction Bookstore at 7:00 pm. The meeting will feature a Yankee Swap and Holiday Party. Bring a wrapped gift ($20 limit) and get one in return during the swap. Light refreshments served.Visit their Meet up page for more information. Escape into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main Street.

La Cantina Winery

Featuring a performance by FOURTET

Friday, December 16, La Cantina proudly welcomes FOURTET: Kelsey Breslin, Caroline Wilkins, Hannah Rezendes, and Maddie Rezendes, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Celebrate the end of our outdoor season with a repeat performance by FOURTET. Enjoy the heated tent, delicious La Cantina wine and beer, and spread some holiday cheer! La Cantina Winery, 357 Union St.

Franklin Performing Arts Company

'Tis the Season!

December 17 & 18,'Tis the Season ... An original large cast musical first presented by FPAC Holiday Productions in 1995, ’Tis is an upbeat, jazzy extravaganza featuring members of the Kenny Hadley Big Band, with contemporary arrangements of favorite holiday classics in musical styles ranging from R&B, gospel, and Motown to Rock, Pop, and Broadway. FPAC Holiday Productions are presented at the Franklin High School Auditorium. Select FPAC for ticketing and performance information.

Lifelong Music Academy

Winter Concerts 

The Academy's after-school music education classes will showcase pieces from the first 3 months of their school-year programs. All concerts take place at 6:00 PM in the Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. Everyone is welcome.

Monday, December 19...The String School of Franklin (grades 3-12)

Tuesday, December 20...The Band School of Franklin (grades 4-9)

Thursday, December 22...The Chorus School of Franklin (grades 3-5)

The Lifelong Music Academy is part of the Franklin Public Schools. Select Lifelong for information about courses and events.

Mass Cultural Council Grants

Grant Opportunities

Grant opportunities continue to be available through the Mass Cultural Council. Here are two grants to explore. 

•  Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) - 

CFF Provides Capital Grants, Feasibility & Technical Assistance Grants and Systems Replacement Grants to nonprofit cultural organizations, in recognition of their profound economic impact on communities across Massachusetts. Select Facilities Fund for more information.

• Festivals and Projects - These funds help with public programming efforts. Select Festivals to learn about eligibility and the application process. 

Franklin's Cultural District Committee (FCDC) engages, promotes, celebrates, and collaborates with Franklin's artists and creatives, as well as organizations, institutions, and businesses. 

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

Franklin Cultural District Committee

Amy Adams, Katherine Botelho,

Pandora Carlucci, John LoPresti, 

Roberta Trahan