April 12, 2014, BY CORI URBAN, The RepublicanA variety of performances, demonstrations and art exhibitions focusing on the theme of trolls, mythology and folklore will celebrate the completed renovation of the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge.
Troll Fest is a Third Thursday event produced by Turners Falls RiverCulture; it will take place Thursday, April 17, from 5-9 p.m. in downtown Turners Falls, a village of the Town of Montague.
Trolls are supernatural beings in Norse mythology and Scandinavian folklore. “They live under and around bridges” so are a perfect tie-in to the recent reopening of the bridge that for about three years has been open only to one-way traffic, said Suzanne K. LoManto, director of Turners Falls RiverCulture.
RiverCulture works to make a vibrant and connected Turners Falls community through innovative partnerships and cultural programming. Its mission is to strengthen the creative and cultural industries in the Turners Falls area and to provide opportunities to experience arts and culture to enhance the quality of life in the community.
The Troll Fest is part of the “T3F series” that complements the annual events and festivals in the village and encourages people to get in the habit of going downtown during the week.
“We want to attract people to Turners Falls to look at it as a place they might want to come back to and visit or live or start a business,” LoManto said. “We want people to see Turners Falls as a creative arts destination.”
The Troll Rest will feature a variety of activities including:
* The Great Falls Discovery Center (2 Avenue A) will host an art opening and talk by Ed Gregory. Using his collection of historic photographs, he will present “The Evolution of the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge” at 7 p.m.
* Third Street Studios (36 Third St.) will host the work of painter Patrick MacNab. He examines the subconscious realm through the theme of trolls and other creatures.
* TROMP!, an international collection of 20 funny, thoughtful, exciting and imaginative troll videos will loop at The Shea Theater (71 Avenue A).
* “Basement Suite,” an installation created by LoManto, is a collaborative project that brings together local artists, lighting designers, puppeteers, musicians and filmmakers. The project will be projected (from the storefront at 406 Avenue A) to an outdoor audience and feature a song performed by The Ambiguities.
* Live music at The Rendezvous (78 Third St.) will feature The Ambiguities and Bourquensweeno beginning at 8:30 p.m. followed by a screening of the classic movie, “Troll 2.” The event is free.