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HAPPENINGS

The Weston Town Crier - 11/24/2017

'The Nutcracker' performance at Regis

WESTON - Commonwealth Ballet Company (commonwealthballet.org) is again proud to announce a sensory-friendly production of its annual "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Casey Theatre at Regis College in Weston.

Sensory-friendly performances are designed especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities.

Families with sensory issues are welcome to attend this show in which the theater lights will be left on to minimize darkness, sound volume will be turned down, and some of the action on stage will be less intense. There will also be a "quiet zone" for those needing to leave the theater to relax and escape the action.

Families will have access to storybook resource materials on Commonwealth Ballet's website to help prepare for the experience.

"My granddaughter is 3 and has autism and not only did she get to enjoy her first 'Nutcracker' experience, her mother also enjoyed it without feeling like people were judging and watching," said one viewer. "To be able to enjoy what she loves without having to be quiet or disturbing others around her was an experience we have never had before. The dancers were amazing and everyone in attendance was understanding. I look forward to making this a tradition for my family and can't wait for next year!"

With a special price of $20 per ticket for this performance only, this will be a fun and affordable way for the entire family to enjoy a night out. Audience members requiring a wheelchair accessible space should contact the box office at 978-263-7794.

Go online (www.ticketstage.com/T/CBC) to purchase tickets to any of the eight performances or contact the Commonwealth Ballet box office with ticket questions at 978-263-7794 or email tickets@commonwealthballet.org. Tickets start at $20 for children, seniors and students. Special group discounts are available.

Fall College A Cappella Concert

WAYLAND - Three talented college a cappella groups are coming to the Wayland High School Theater to perform at the Fall College A Cappella Concert on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. They will be joined by Wayland High's own T-Tones, Muses and Madrigals for a night of great entertainment!

Each year, the College A Cappella concerts are a musical highlight for Wayland. A cappella music features fresh arrangements of classic and contemporary songs performed by unaccompanied singers, though vocalists sometimes emulate instruments. Having experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years, a cappella attracts the most talented singers on college campuses nationwide!

Featured college groups this fall are the award-winning co-ed Northeastern Nor'easters, the all-female UMass Amherst S#arp Attitude, and the all-male Hamilton Buffers with Wayland's own Calvin Neumeyer.

The Nor'easters will also lead a special master class for the Wayland a cappella groups before the concert.

The Nor'easters are Northeastern University's premiere co-ed a cappella group. They were named champions at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2013 and 2017, and performed for the Obamas at the White House Christmas Gala. The Nor'easters were also the feature group on PopTV's docu-series "Sing It On" and have performed with John Legend on "The View."

S#arp Attitude is the only all-female a cappella group at UMass Amherst. Their goals are to push the boundaries of all-female a cappella and have fun doing it. They recently released their first studio album, "Déjà Vu," which won a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for 2017 Best Female Collegiate Album.

The Buffers are Hamilton College's oldest and only all-male group. Off campus, The Buffers enjoy touring other colleges and local high schools, and are very excited to watch Wayland's groups perform, too.

What better way to mark the holiday season than to come to see these exuberant groups sing and entertain! Priced at $18, tickets are available at Donelan's, Russell's Garden Center, and online (whsarts.org). You can also find pictures, videos and additional information on the concert's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/collegeacappella.

Seats are general admission and doors open at about 7 p.m. The concert will have one intermission with complimentary refreshments.

The a cappella concerts are major fundraisers for the Creative Arts Parents Association (CAPA), the organization that supports all Wayland High School arts, music and theater programs. For more information, to join the mailing list, or to make a donation go online (whsarts.org).

Don't miss Wayland Center Holiday Open House

WAYLAND - The Wayland Center Holiday Open House will be held Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2 to 5 p.m.The Wayland Museum and Historical Society, the Wayland Library, First Parish in Wayland, and the Wayland Depot will be open.

The public is invited to participate in music, activities for children, caroling, and refreshments, and to view decorations by the Wayland Garden Club.

The Wayland Museum and Historical Society will have festive decorations appropriate to the period of each of the Grout-Heard House Museum's rooms, fashioned by the Wayland Garden Club. Many Garden Club members participate in decorating the house under the guidance of Gretchen Schuler and Lois Toombs.

Girl Scout troops from all over town will be creating handmade decorations for the alcove of the Stone Room. Each troop will craft decorations illustrating this year's theme, "How Does Your Garden Grow?" Elisa Scola is organizing the Wayland Girl Scout efforts.

Come and enjoy the museum decorated in holiday finery, and stay for refreshments and musical entertainment. Aida Gennis and Kathy Heckscher, assisted by Sally Lamprey, will chair the Wayland Museum and Historical Society Open House and will be busy with many bakers and servers who will provide home-baked cookies, tea and punch.

The Wayland Depot will be open from noon to 5 p.m., offering an array of handcrafted gifts and holiday items for sale along with Wayland Boosters apparel. Refreshments and sweets will be served by members of the Wayland Depot.

There will be two happenings at the Wayland Library. Participate in the merriment of a Family Sing-along with David Polansky from 3 to 3:45 p.m. in the rotunda upstairs, and view an Arts Wayland Holiday Small Works Show and Sale in the foyer and in the Raytheon Room downstairs.

At 4:30 p.m., join in caroling on the steps of First Parish in Wayland, with lively music provided by the Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band. After the caroling, say hello to Santa in the church vestry, and enjoy cocoa and cookies provided by the youth of the church. Lynne Lipcon and Jaime Dingus are coordinating activities at First Parish.

Enjoy opening the holiday season with your friends and neighbors in Wayland Center!

Workshops on 'Wise Aging'

SUDBURY - Sociologists predict that in the next few decades, the "elderly" will substantially outnumber every other population cohort in American society. This phenomenon has come about because of modern medical and technological advances that are prolonging people's lives and the generation of baby boomers who are moving along the aging spectrum in great numbers.

Given the reality that most of us will be living longer lives than our parents and grandparents, we must also be thinking about the quality of our lives. That is, how will we make the best and most productive use of the years that are ahead? How do we navigate chronic illnesses? How does an aging population with issues and concerns of its own care for their own elderly parents? How do we plan for what may be decades of living and loving as "elderly" men and women?

"Wise Aging" is a revolutionary concept based on a book by the same title by Reform Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Linda Thal. They lay out a philosophy that urges us to look at our aging with a sense of adventure rather than dread. They believe that with some adjustments in our attitudes and perspectives, we can begin to see new opportunities for living that will not only occupy our time, but also fill our days with meaning, excitement, adventure and new opportunities.

Rabbi Lisa Eiduson will lead a workshop titled "Wise Aging: Living with Resilience, Joy and Spirit" on Monday, Dec. 4 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Congregation B'nai Torah, 225 Boston Post Road, Sudbury.

This is the first of a three-part series. The second and third parts will follow in 2018. Sessions may be taken independently of one another.

During the first session we will take a spiritual "selfie," discover tools we can use to support what is known as "mindful aging," and explore the changing mind-body connection. Reading the book ahead of time will enhance your experience but is not necessary.

Free for Congregation B'nai Torah members, $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is not necessary.

To learn more about the congregation go online (bnaitorah.com) or call 978-443-2082.