Happenings February 2009

Feb. 1, Collectibles Show. Coins, sports and non-sports cards, wax boxes, vintage cards, card supplies, autographs, Nascar, Webkins, more, in the Nativity Church hall, 780 Chicopee St., Chicopee. Admission $1; under 10 free. Proceeds benefit Nativity B.V.M. Church. Feb. 1-28, Juried Student Art Show. The Holyoke Creative Arts Center is sponsoring its students annual juried art show at Wistariahurst Museum located at 238 Cabot St., Holyoke, during the entire month of February. There will be an artists reception on Feb. 5 from 5-6:30 p.m. The juried art show is the proud multimedia presentation of the culmination of student work from the Holyoke Creative Arts Center. The public is invited to join in the celebration. For info contact Holyoke Creative Arts Center at 532-0465 or visit their website at holyokecac.org. Feb. 5-7, Hampshire College Winter Dance concert. Performances at 8 p.m daily. A variety of new works presented by 12 student choreographers and 32 dance students. Tickets$10/$5 students. Reservations recommended. Call 413-559-5889. Feb. 5-7 , Lowell Winterfest 2009. The Greater Merrimack Valley's favorite winter carnival featuring the Human Dog Sled Race, live music, arts, crafts, children's activities and soup bowl competition. The event will be capped off with a fireworks display on the 9th. Info: 978-970-4257 or www.lowellwinterfest.org Feb. 6-8, Bay State Winter Games. Massachusetts' own Olympic-style Winter Sports Festival featuring athletic competitions and special events. Sports include figure skating in Williamstown, Alpine skiing at Jiminy Peak in Hancock and ice hockey in North Adams. The Bay State Figure Skating show features regional and national performers. Info: (781) 932-6555 or www.baystategames.org. Feb. 6-14, 7th annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Fest. Downtown Salem. Come downtown to enjoy beautifully crafted ice sculptures, chocolate sampling, shopping events and promotions, as well as Salem's finest restaurants offering inventive desserts and cocktails. Info: 978-744-0009 or www.salemmainstreets.org Feb. 6, Beginners Ballroom Dance Lessons, 10 a.m., at Greenleaf Community Center, 1187 1/2 Parker St., Springfield. The class will be taught by Dick and Doris Provost of Springfield, who have 30 years of ballroom dancing experience. Class will be only $3 per person. Call Kerri at 750-2873 to register now. Feb. 9, Talk: From Ancient Greek to Modernist Russian: A Life of Jane Harrison (1850-1928). 4 p.m. at the Five college Women's Studies Research Center, 83 College St, on the campus of Mount Holyoke college. Presented by Marilyn Smith. Free and open to the public. Handicapped accessible. √ Feb. 9, Diabetes Support Group. Meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Chicopee Senior Center, 7 Valley View court, Chicopee. Info: call Jared at 534-3698. Feb. 10-15, The Male Intelect: An Oxymoron?, At CityStage. Performances at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 12, 8 p.m. Feb. 13, 14, 15. You will laugh non-stop for ninety minutes as gifted actor/writer, Robert Dubac, ransacks his brain to answer the age old question, "What do women want?" His hit one-man show is a multi-character comedy with him playing all the roles. Tickets: www.symphonyhall.com. Feb. 10, "Living Again" Grief Support Group. 1 p.m. at the Chicopee Council on Aging, 7 Valley View Court. Info: call Jared at 534-3698. Feb. 13-16, Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show, Better Living Center, Young Building and Mallary Complex at the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Fri., 4-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Mon., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Info: call Jared at 534-3698. Feb. 14, American Heritage Chocolate Celebration. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Hall Tavern Visitors Center, Historic Deerfield. A day devoted to chocolate, including a rare tasting of American Heritage Chocolate Sticks and Finely Grated Chocolate Drink courtesy of the Historic Division of Mars Inc. America Heritage Chocolate. Tours, lectures, make-your-own Valentine family actiivities, more. Admission $14, youths 6-21 $5, museum members and those under 6 years old, free. Info. www.historic-deerfiield.com. Feb. 14, Mass. Twisters Indoor Soccer, Coliseum vs. Baltimore Blast, 7:30 p.m., at the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Feb. 14, Doll Making Workshop. The Holyoke Creative Arts Center located at 400 South Elm St., Holyoke, offers a doll making workshop Feb. 14, 21 and 28; jewelry making Feb. 21; and applique Feb. 19. Call 532-0465 for additional info. Feb. 18 and 19, "A Day Away in the Past" Children's Vacation Program, Storrowton Village Museum on the grounds of the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 19-22, Springfield Sportsmen's and Fishing Boat Show, Better Living Center, Young and Stroh Buildings, Thurs., 3-9 p.m., Fri., noon-9 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Feb 21., Mass Twisters Indoor Soccer, Coliseum vs. Baltimore Blast, 7:30 p.m. at the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield. Feb. 27-March 1, Speedway Expo, Mallary Complex, at the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield, Fri., 5-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1, Kids Fun Fair/Traveling Zoo, Better Living Center on the grounds of the Big E, Memorial Ave., West Springfield, Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 28, Peter Serkin Plays Bach and Beethoven, 8 p.m., at Symphony Hall, Springfield. Beethoven's classically romantic Piano Concerto No. 2 and the Baroque splendor of J. S. Bach's Harpsichord Concerto adapted for piano are featured by the pre-eminent pianist of our time, Peter Serkin. Respighi's The Birds, adds a delightful 20th century twist to this program. Info: 733-2291or www.springfieldsymphony.org.