Ashland Community Theater By appointment only. Email Ashlandcommunitytheater@gmail.com Callbacks April 23rd. At Marconi's Event Center 311 Pleasant Street, Ashland

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

Learn about the history of Victory Gardens while we plant peas and other vegetables at our very own McAuliffe Gardens! Then browse our Seed Library to start your own Victory Garden at home. All Ages

Sailboats, power boats, boat owner or crew! Whether you own a boat, are thinking of getting a boat, or just like to float around the water in your friends' boat - this course will prepare you for life on the water. Learn the basics of boating safety, including boat terminology and ...

The Gateway Camera Club season begins September 5, 2023. We invite you to join at St. Andrews Church in Framingham, MASS, 3 Maple Street, at 7pm. Church website: https://www.standrewsframma.org/ We will be kicking off our year filled with educational programs, photo critiques, competitions, field trips, just a great opportunity to ...

This event will be held at the Framingham History Center Village Hall on the Common. Join us for a captivating journey back in time as the Framingham History Center presents "Through Their Eyes: Artifacts & Stories of Framingham’s Role in World War II." Explore the multifaceted narratives of World War II, ...

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange We have a number of upcoming events. All new members can join free for 30 days. To obtain more information please email us at: Info.GatewayCC@gmail.com  Here is a list of upcoming events, we look forward to hearing ...

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

The filing date for Federal and Massachusetts tax returns is moved from April 15th to April 17th due to the Patriots' Day holiday.

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Join this free exercise class to maintain body flexibility, improve balance, and reduce stress. This weekly class takes place virtually on Zoom. If you have NEVER attended this class, please register at this link: http://bit.ly/FPL-Exercise-Classes. If you HAVE attended any of our online exercise classes in the past, we already have ...

On December 29,1940 President Roosevelt addresses the nation with one of his famous fireside chats, “Great Arsenal of Democracy,”. Almost a year later Pearl Harbor is attacked, and the United States enters World War 2. President Roosevelt even at that time is addressing the concerns of the Nazis and Imperial ...

Ashland Community Theater By appointment only. Email Ashlandcommunitytheater@gmail.com Callbacks April 23rd. At Marconi's Event Center 311 Pleasant Street, Ashland

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

Join Leslie Gabriele of With Love and Gratitude on the third Thursday of each month at 11am for a half hour of online guided meditation and other opportunities for carefree relaxation. Register at http://bit.ly/FPL-Events for the Zoom link. Leslie teaches valuable techniques to help you learn to release, relax, and reinvigorate ...

Join us as we discuss the Yalta Conference and address some fundamental questions about the meeting of the “Big Three” (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin). We will cover why the Yalta Conference was called, the goals the three leaders hoped to achieve and the Conference, and an evaluation of whether ...

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

Join us and your local, fellow veterans on the 3rd Friday of each month for free coffee and light refreshments. This program is a collaboration between the Framingham Public Library and the City of Framingham Veterans Services.

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

Come learn about what the city of Framingham, local non-profits, grassroots groups and eco-minded businesses are doing to help make our community, and the earth, a more sustainable place…. and learn what YOU can do, too! Live music, great kids activities, and other inspiration galore!! Save the date… and tell your friends! Check ...

www.masshort.org Buy early spring annuals, houseplants, veggies, and perennial plugs for your garden! Featuring MHS and other local plant and gardening vendors!

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024.  The LIHEAP program is administered by ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

Every Saturday 9am-1pm. Open year-round. Natick Common May-October and Common Street Spirituality Center November-April

Support First Parish of Sudbury’s Earth Day Rummage Sale! Entry is free! Just buy a bag* and shop! 10 am – 11 am $10/bag 11 am – 1 pm/ $5/bag Shop for clothes (men, women, children), books, housewares, games, jewelry, and many other items. (This year includes an excellent supply of men’s clothing.) Refresh ...

Join us and the rest of Framingham for a talk with The Daughters of Yalta author Catherine Grace Katz! Don’t miss this Framingham Reads Together event at the Barbieri Elementary School at 100 Dudley Road. Refreshments available!

Children's Room @ Westborough Public Library Ska! A blast of energy and excitement in this family-friendly show featuring upbeat ska tunes in an interactive environment. Bonnie Cochran (flute) joins Rich Graiko (trumpet) and The Attractors Join Chamber Music MetroWest for a fun interactive reggae/ska concert featuring a flute, trumpet and rhythm ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Children's Concert in Meeting Room AB @ Shrewsbury Public Library Ska! A blast of energy and excitement in this family-friendly show featuring upbeat ska tunes in an interactive environment. Bonnie Cochran (flute) joins Rich Graiko (trumpet) and The Attractors Join Chamber Music MetroWest for a fun interactive reggae/ska concert featuring a flute, ...

www.masshort.org Buy early spring annuals, houseplants, veggies, and perennial plugs for your garden! Featuring MHS and other local plant and gardening vendors!

The Keep Framingham Beautiful (KFB) Steering Committee is excited to announce our 4th annual Great Framingham Cleanup to be held from Friday 4/5 to Sunday 4/21. Join hundreds of Framingham’s finest for this CITY-WIDE CLEANUP BONANZA! You can do cleanups on your own, organize a small group or join one of ...

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024.  The LIHEAP program is administered by ...

Do you want to learn, do you want to grow, do you want to expand on what you know? Take a look at the Gateway Camera Club, https://www.gatewaycameraclub.org, and click on Newsletters on the menu for "The Click" -- it is now online. It's an excellent read on what our ...

The A Cappella Singers, an accompanied chorus for treble voices, invites you to our 60th Anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Concert. The program includes some of our greatest hits, new selections, and our sing-a-long. The performances are Sunday, April 21, at 4:00 pm at First Congregational Church, 100 Winter Street, ...

Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by Earthday.org including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries. The official theme for 2024 is "Planet ...

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Passover lasts for eight days. In addition to the biblical prohibition of owning leavened foods for the duration of the holiday, the Passover ...

MetroWest Legal Services is the premier provider of free civil legal services for low-income residents of MetroWest. Check the website for contact information and fundraising events.

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024.  The LIHEAP program is administered by ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

The full moon is the lunar phase when the Moon appears fully illuminated from Earth's perspective. This occurs when Earth is located between the Sun and the Moon (when the ecliptic longitudes of the Sun and Moon differ by 180°). This means that the lunar hemisphere facing Earth—the near side—is ...

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024.  The LIHEAP program is administered by ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

Sailboats, power boats, boat owner or crew! Whether you own a boat, are thinking of getting a boat, or just like to float around the water in your friends' boat - this course will prepare you for life on the water. Learn the basics of boating safety, including boat terminology and ...

The Gateway Camera Club season begins September 5, 2023. We invite you to join at St. Andrews Church in Framingham, MASS, 3 Maple Street, at 7pm. Church website: https://www.standrewsframma.org/ We will be kicking off our year filled with educational programs, photo critiques, competitions, field trips, just a great opportunity to ...

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange We have a number of upcoming events. All new members can join free for 30 days. To obtain more information please email us at: Info.GatewayCC@gmail.com  Here is a list of upcoming events, we look forward to hearing ...

The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which pays a portion of heating costs for eligible households, is now accepting applications. LIHEAP is a free, statewide resource that helps eligible households by paying a portion of their winter heating bill from November 1 through April 30, 2024.  The LIHEAP program is administered by ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

Join this free exercise class to maintain body flexibility, improve balance, and reduce stress. This weekly class takes place virtually on Zoom. If you have NEVER attended this class, please register at this link: http://bit.ly/FPL-Exercise-Classes. If you HAVE attended any of our online exercise classes in the past, we already have ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

Help Create a Safe New Home for Survivors of Abuse Spring is a time of renewal and new growth, a time for starting over, and planting seeds for the future. It is also the time for the Shower for Shelters. The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable cordially invites you to participate in its ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Spirits of Maynard Hosts Complimentary Wine and Beer Tasting for the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable’s Shower for Shelters The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable cordially invites the public to a free wine and beer tasting to support its annual Shower for Shelters. The wine and beer tasting will be held at Spirits ...

A performance to benefit ACT/Marconi's Theater At Marconi's Event Center 311 Pleasant Street Link to purchase tickets: https://app.promotix.com/events/details/Ashland---Jack---Tim-w-Special-Guest-tickets?referrer=organizer-page&organizer_id=On-3-Events

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

Every Saturday 9am-1pm. Open year-round. Natick Common May-October and Common Street Spirituality Center November-April

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY WITH A PLANETARIUM SHOW: LIGHT POLLUTION and the ENVIRONMENT -- FREE We are offering free, public viewings of "LOSING THE DARK" at New England Sci-Tech in the planetarium in celebration of Earth Day and the Earth Day All Around Natick event. See Event Schedule. Visit New England Sci-Tech's booth ...

Framingham Public Schools, in collaboration with the Cooler Communities Program and the City of Framingham, is inviting all residents to Framingham’s 3rd Cooler Communities Fair. Students will showcase projects, exhibits, and solutions relating to climate change! More information https://coolercommunities.org/framingham/

Save the date to join us for our annual Science Festival! Science on State Street is Framingham State University’s annual science festival, a community-wide event organized by the Christa McAuliffe Center in collaboration with MetroWest STEM Education Network. Science on State Street has a particular focus on themes relating to planet Earth. ...

Come jam with us for an unforgettable and lively session of learning, coaching, and performing bluegrass all in one whirlwind afternoon! It's time to join a band at the CCM Bluegrass Band Scramble. Reserve your spot with two easy steps: Please pay in advance ($35). Yeah, we know you’ll understand that we have ...

Join us in the community garden at the McAuliffe Branch library Saturday April 27 at 2 PM for our first vegetable planting of the season. Our early cold crops will be peas, radishes, beets, carrots and lettuce. In the event of rain the program will be canceled.

Spirited and Progressive Bluegrass by The Ruta Beggars at Concord Conservatory! Immerse yourself in music that is inspired by bluegrass legends but with a modern twist on Saturday, April 27th. The Concord Conservatory of Music is set to host an extraordinary evening of traditional bluegrass music with a twist on April 27th, ...

The A Cappella Singers, an accompanied chorus for treble voices, invites you to our 60th Anniversary with a Diamond Jubilee Concert. The program includes some of our greatest hits, new selections, and our sing-a-long. The performances are Sunday, April 21, at 4:00 pm at First Congregational Church, 100 Winter Street, ...

Welcome to the luxurious Plaza Hotel where Neil Simon’s classic comedy “Plaza Suite”, directed by jon Baril (Framingham), comes to life, captivating audiences with its wit charm, and hilarity. Set in the iconic New York City landmark “Plaza Suite” takes visitors on a delightful journey through three different acts each ...

Help Create a Safe New Home for Survivors of Abuse Spring is a time of renewal and new growth, a time for starting over, and planting seeds for the future. It is also the time for the Shower for Shelters. The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable cordially invites you to participate in its ...

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

Showings at 10am, 11am, 12pm and 1pm. Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in ...

The Gateway Camera Club, https://www.gatewaycameraclub.org is introducing 'Photography Online' https://www.youtube.com/@Photo - a 60 minute monthly photo magazine show hosted on YouTube. We will be relaunching our show from Jan 7th and includes a photo challenge around the UK, winter macro photography, a photo tour around Namibia and a ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

Join First Parish of Sudbury for Gaia, Mother Earth, & the Oneness of Everything with Music Sunday with musician Jim Scott and the First Parish Choir. We will celebrate the earth with Jim’s original songs, readings, and personal reflections on Mother Earth or “Gaia” being one living organism. Our “spiritual ...

Greater Worcester Opera presents a concert of beautiful, meaningful, and sometimes a bit silly - music from the 1940's. Springing from the joys and sorrows of wartime, this music expressed the heart and soul of those who found themselves in difficult times, doing their duty and longing for peace. ...

Welcome to the luxurious Plaza Hotel where Neil Simon’s classic comedy “Plaza Suite”, directed by jon Baril (Framingham), comes to life, captivating audiences with its wit charm, and hilarity. Set in the iconic New York City landmark “Plaza Suite” takes visitors on a delightful journey through three different acts each ...

See keefeatnight.org for in-person, hybrid, and virtual classes

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

Sponsored by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Savor the best of the region. Tickets $40 metrowest.org/taste-of-metrowest All ticket sales are final. Proceeds benefits programs of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.

Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, that celebrates the Biblical story of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt. Passover lasts for eight days. In addition to the biblical prohibition of owning leavened foods for the duration of the holiday, the Passover ...

“To the complaint, there are no people in these photographs, I respond, there are always two people: the photographer and the viewer” – Ansel Adams Gateway Camera Club will be having a showing at Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, which will display photographs of Nature and Landscapes from many ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

The Gateway Camera Club season begins September 5, 2023. We invite you to join at St. Andrews Church in Framingham, MASS, 3 Maple Street, at 7pm. Church website: https://www.standrewsframma.org/ We will be kicking off our year filled with educational programs, photo critiques, competitions, field trips, just a great opportunity to ...

“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” – Dorothea Lange We have a number of upcoming events. All new members can join free for 30 days. To obtain more information please email us at: Info.GatewayCC@gmail.com  Here is a list of upcoming events, we look forward to hearing ...

Help Create a Safe New Home for Survivors of Abuse Spring is a time of renewal and new growth, a time for starting over, and planting seeds for the future. It is also the time for the Shower for Shelters. The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable cordially invites you to participate in its ...

Check the website for date and full information www.natickfarm.org

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Join this free exercise class to maintain body flexibility, improve balance, and reduce stress. This weekly class takes place virtually on Zoom. If you have NEVER attended this class, please register at this link: http://bit.ly/FPL-Exercise-Classes. If you HAVE attended any of our online exercise classes in the past, we already have ...

Watch "LOSING THE DARK," free for the public, a multimedia show followed by a live star show in our inflatable planetarium. Learn about constellations and the Milky Way. Examine and hold several large meteorites – real rocks from outer space. Best for students in grades 4 and up. The show is ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Welcome to the luxurious Plaza Hotel where Neil Simon’s classic comedy “Plaza Suite”, directed by jon Baril (Framingham), comes to life, captivating audiences with its wit charm, and hilarity. Set in the iconic New York City landmark “Plaza Suite” takes visitors on a delightful journey through three different acts each ...

To benefit Family Promise MetroWest Last year, thanks to you, our Walk volunteers, sponsors, partners, and walkers, Family Promise Metrowest raised more than $150,000 to support families in our community. Those funds were invested into the families helping positively impact their futures. If you are interested in sponsoring, helping plan the walk, ...

Welcome to the luxurious Plaza Hotel where Neil Simon’s classic comedy “Plaza Suite”, directed by jon Baril (Framingham), comes to life, captivating audiences with its wit charm, and hilarity. Set in the iconic New York City landmark “Plaza Suite” takes visitors on a delightful journey through three different acts each ...

Join us for a night of music and fun at HCA's First Friday Open Mic Night! Whether you're a seasoned performer or love listening to live music, this event is perfect. Singers, musicians, and poets can showcase their talent in front of a supportive and lively crowd while also learning ...