Hilarious, weird, and occasionally heartbreaking
Due to popular demand and a lack of complaints “Dear Mister Ward” will return for a second performance at 8pm on Friday December 2. Local performers will bring to life letters sent to the complaints department of the Montgomery Ward catalog by customers living in the Midwestern states between 1932 and 1942. Providing a window into rural American from the peak of the depression to the beginning of World War II, the letters were saved by Verna Gregg and published in the book “Dear Mister Ward” by her grandson, local author Evan Gregg. This new version of the show includes music by Zara Bode of the Sweetback Sisters. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 day of the show. Co-sponsored by RiverCulture and Greenfield Savings Bank. www.dearmisterward.com
A panoply of performances in a wintry spectacle
On Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm Eggtooth Productions will present The Valley Vaudeville Variety Show. Tickets are sliding scale $5- $15 with special deals for families. Created by artists K Adler, Ashley Kramer and Rebecca Schrader, this holiday event will feature short performances including comedy, dance, vaudeville, and music that’s fun for all. “We are delighted to offer an array of talents and tales from around the Valley. As the holidays begin this is the perfect chance to grab a cider and bring the kids for wholesome fun and frolic… a little bit of magic for everyone!”- Katherine Alder. www.eggtooth.org
World Class Musicianship
On Sunday, December 4 at 3pm Música Franklin will host a benefit concert featuring some of the Valley’s most accomplished musicians. The Holiday Cheer Benefit Concert includes performances by Metropolitan Opera tenor Irwin Reese accompanied by pianist Julia Bady, violinist and composer Michi Wiancko, jazz musicians and composers Matan Rubinstein and Wes Brown, and Música Franklin director Orice Jenkins. Suggested donation is $20. All proceeds benefit the free after-school music program in Greenfield and Turners Falls. www.musicafranklin.org