Hello October ... Theatrical performances at Dean College and THE BLACK BOX. Music performances at La Cantina Winery and 67 Degree Brewing. Learning opportunities at the Franklin Public Library and Lifelong Learning. Farmers, Artisans, Musicians and more at Franklin Farmers Market  ... Arts & Culture are Happening in Franklin!

Cultural Wednesdays newsletter is shared in partnership with Franklin Matters/Franklin.news,, and features arts and culture in Franklin. Note: Events subject to change.

Franklin Art Association October Meeting

Featuring artist, Kendra Tidwell Ferriera

Wednesday October 5 at 6:30 pm, Franklin Art Association monthly meeting at the Franklin Senior Center. The program will feature a discussion and demonstration of Methods and Techniques by Kendra Bidwell Ferreira. Kendra’s work is mainly contemporary colored pencil using ordinary subjects and compositions to portray them in an extraordinary way.

All meetings are free and open to the public. The Art Association is supported in part by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Franklin Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural District.

Select Art for more information about the Franklin Art Association.

American Sign Language

Lifelong Learning Institute/FPS

October. Learn the fundamentals of American Sign Language in this stress-free online program! Students may log in to unlimited classes any/every week at NO additional cost. The 6-week classes begin in mid-October for just $95. For more information visit them at FranklinLifelongLearning.com or select Lifelong

La Cantina - Weekend at the Winery

La Cantina Winery offers music performances, as well as delicious wines.

• Thursday, October 6, Ken Barney, Music, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• Friday, October 7, AK Cody, Music, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
• Saturday, October 8, Mike Santucci Music, 4:00 to 7:00 pm

Select La Cantina for more information. La Cantina Winery, 357 Union Street.

Farmers Market - on the Town Common

Friday, October 7, Franklin Farmers Market  will be on the Town Common (2:00 pm to 6:00 pm) providing an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy music in an outdoor setting. Select Market for more information.

 Jennifer Trefft, musician, performs between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Her performance is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Franklin Cultural Council. Enjoy!

67 Degrees Brewing - in the Taproom

• Friday, October 7, BJ Knights, acoustic guitarist, 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
• Saturday, October 8,  Screen Door, Acoustic Duo Marc Tarelia & Bridget Nault, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Select 67 Degrees for more information. 67 Degrees Brewing, 158 Grove Street.

October at Escape into Fiction

Franklin Public Schools Middle School happenings at Escape into Fiction Bookstore:

• Monday through Thursday, October 3 to 6, "Leslie Connor Book Fair" for  Franklin Middle Schools, "Stop, Drop and Read Day" on October 7.
• Wednesday, October 26, Hosting Author Leslie Connor for Franklin Middle Schools, Everyone welcome! 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Also at the Bookstore ...

• Monday, October 10,  Celebrating Indigenous People's Day 
• Wednesday, October 19, Poetry Night at 6:00 pm, hosted by Jamele Adams
• Tuesday, October 25,  Book of the Month Club discusses, "A Well Behaved Woman" by Theresa Anne Fowler at 6:00 pm.

Select Bookstore for more information. Escape into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main Street.

Dancing and Mime

at the Franklin Public Library

Saturday, October 8, Bollywood Dance Party! with Deepa Bhaskar at the Franklin Library at 11:00 am.

Later in the day, 1:00 to 2:00 pm, enjoy Halloween Tricks and Treats with Robert Rivest: Comic Mime! 

Select Library for more information about this and other Library events. Franklin Public Library, 118 Main Street.

Second Sunday Speaker Series

at the Museum

Sunday, October 9, Ted Reinstein will read from his book, Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball's Color Barrier, at the Historical Museum.  Doors open at 1:00 pm and the book presentation will begin at 1:15 pm. Free event. Select Museum for additional information. Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street.

Do Re Mi ... and more!

The Sound of Music opens the FPAC Season 

October 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, Franklin Performing Arts Company presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music at THE BLACK musical features many cherished songs, including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Sixteen Going on Seventeen," and the title number, "The Sound of Music". Select FPAC for ticket and performance information. THE BLACK BOX, 15 West Central Street.

The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

on the Main Stage

Dean College

October 20 - 23, Dean College Theater presents, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People on the Main Stage. Originally produced in 1895, this play by Oscar Wilde includes clever dialogue, wry wit, and elaborate plot twists. 

Select box office for dates, times, and ticket information. The Main Stage is located in the Dr. Paula M. Rooney Student Center on the Dean College campus.

Franklin Cultural Council Grants

Don't forget, FY23 Grant Applications are open and have an application deadline of October 15.

To learn more about this grant opportunity select FCC Grant.

Mass Cultural Council

Grant Opportunity

Massachusetts Cultural Council has a grant designed to help arts and culture creatives and gig workers in their recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic. Cultural Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals, select here. 

Cultural District Committee

Welcomes MCC Program Officers

The Franklin Cultural District Committee is honored to welcome Carolyn Cole and Guelmi Espinal, Program Officers for the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the afternoon of Thursday, October 20. They will tour the Cultural District and gather at THE BLACK BOX around 3:00 pm for a meeting of the Franklin Cultural District Partners.

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