1-16-2024 11:08pm

THE BIG TO DO: Happenings on Stage, Screen, Table, and Tap

Alan Earls Editor

FREE Movie Night – January 27th 6pm – 8pm in Wrentham

“Murder at Blackthorne Manor” returns! Filmed exclusively at Proctor Mansion Inn 16 months ago. If you’ve never seen the movie, or even if you’ve seen it a few times, join us for a free night out and see the unedited version! Free snacks, including real movie popcorn, and a cash bar will be provided. A house tour will be available at the end of the movie for anyone who desires to see the rest of the mansion and gain some valuable historical information. The movie will be shown in the L’Enfant Ballroom, where space is limited, so register for your seats early! To reserve, call 877-384-1861.

Ben Franklin Book Week Events Continue!

Weds. 1/17 Ben Franklin Autobiography* LIVE Readathon
at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central Street, 9:30 AM on Ben's Birthday, Jan 17 2023. Come and participate! Contact Alan Earls with any questions (alan.r.earls@gmail.com). FREE. Note, the 'kick off ' speaker will be Franklin's Congressman, Jake Auchincloss followed by State Senator Becca Rausch and State Rep. Jeff Roy. Volunteer readers typically participate for 10-15 minutes in sharing this classic work of American literature. Completion times vary but the event will likely end around 5 pm. Sign up for a reading slot here
or just come by to listen.

Weds. 1/17 SPECIAL Trivia Night
at Teddy Gallagher's on Main Street. The BEST TRIVIA NIGHT South of Boston happens on Tuesday Nights at Teddy Gallagher's Irish pub in Franklin. In honor of Book Week, there will be an ADDITIONAL Trivia night on Wednesday, focusing on 'bookish" topics -- Come for the fun, bring your friends and a smartphone. 6:30 PM at 30 Main Street. See you there!

Thurs. 1/18 World PREMIERE, “The Boatbuilders” Pre-release Screening & Discussion Thursday January 18th. 6.30 p,m. Franklin Public Library. Join Director Gregg Seibert and Producer & Dean College Historian R. A. Lawson for a Pre-release screening of the first episode and Discussion of their new Documentary Series, “The Boatbuilders”! The docuseries uncovers the historical legacy and present-day impact of the boat building community, showcasing boatbuilders, sailors, and owners who speak to the realities of boat building today. FREE

Fri. 1/19 Get to know 'Ben's Books' -- Meet Reference Librarian Vicki Earls on the second floor of the Franklin Public Library, at the display case, at 2pm for the story of the books Franklin donated to our town -- what are they and how did they end up in Franklin! Attendees will receive a newly published, illustrated mini-book all about THE books! FREE

Fri. 1/19 BIG Library Book Sale. Friday, January 19th, 1:00-5:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 20th, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. All books are just one dollar!

Sat. 1/20 Children's Ben Franklin Story Time. 10:30 AM at Escape Into Fiction Bookstore, 12 Main Street FREE

Sat. 1/20 Ben Franklin, America's First Scientist -- a talk and demonstration by engineer-entrepreneur John Berg, on Saturday, Jan 20, 2023 from 10 to 1 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. FREE

Sat. 1/20 Bag Sale Finale of Library Book Sale. $5 per bag!

1/20 Vera Meyer and Ben Franklin's Glass Armonica. Among Ben Franklin's most amazing inventions is the glass armonica (or harmonica) , a series of concentric, rotating crystal glass bowls that can be played (think of the sound of wine glass rims being rubbed). Mozart and others composed music for it. And Boston area musician and expert Vera Meyer will return to Franklin for a performance featuring many styles of music [LISTEN TO SAMPLE HERE]. Don't miss the haunting, ethereal, and beautiful sounds of the armonica at the Franklin Public Library 6:30-8 pm. FREE (School St entrance) (NOTE: The library closes at 5 and reopens for this special event just before 6:30 pm)

1/21 Ben Franklin Considered and Reconsidered -- an authorized showing of PBS interviews with modern leaders discussing the many facets of Ben Franklin. Sunday Jan 21, 2023 from 1-4 at the Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St. Audience members will be encouraged to continue the discussion! FREE

Valentine’s High Tea – February 17th 1pm – 3pm

Love is in the air! Celebrate that special someone in your life at the annual English style High Tea at Proctor Mansion. Menu created and catered by Chef Paul Streichert of Gatherings by Chef Paul. Dress up or come casual, the choice is yours. Either way, you’ll have a wonderful time! Space is limited so reserve your seats early. Call 877-384-1861 to book.

ICE CREAM (And Scoopables)

Ice Cream Machine, Cumberland RI

Applause
Gelato and Unique Finds, Main St. Franklin

ON STAGE

At the Black Box --Electric Youth 2024 Debut Concert Friday, Jan. 12, 7:30 PM

At the Black Box – Tarzan --Mar 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, starring Broadway’s original Tarzan Josh Strickland

Dean College – She Loves Me, February 28 - March 3, 2024.

Franklin High School – Our Town presented by Theatre Arts 2, January 18th, 7pm in the FHS Auditorium (donations only) and The Rehearsal $10 admission.