Category Archives: Cultural

Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s 2021 grantees’ report

Posted on November 16, 2022 | Comments Off on Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s 2021 grantees’ report

Legacy Fund Grantees Report

Grantees of the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund’s latest 2021 round of grants reported to the Medfield Foundation board and the Legacy Fund founders at a meeting this past Monday evening at the Public Safety Building.

  • Peak House Heritage Society showed a remarkably informative video produced by Medfield TV of the PHHS’s archeological dig that the PHHS’s grant funded in the basement of the Peak House. Rob Gregg reported that the most mysterious findings were three 1912 license plates, mysterious because the last residents in the Peak House left in 1910. The rest of the archeological findings are in the process of being analyzed and cataloged.
  • Friends of the Medfield High School Theatre Society reported on the new cyclorama purchased with its grant which was installed at the back of the stage in the MHS auditorium, allowing for better performances. “The replacement of the MHS auditorium cyclorama allows students to engineer complex lighting scenarios; offers those performing a more complex atmosphere in which to tell their stories; and enhances the visual quality of shows for Community members who attend performances.”
  • Medfield Outreach used its grant to commission a survey of town needs, data designed to focus Outreach’s strategic plan. Outreach Director Kathy MacDonald reported on the survey and its results. “In the winter of 2022, Medfield Outreach began work to complete a community needs survey and create a five-year strategic plan for the department. What you see on these tabs is the result of that almost six month long undertaking.”
  • Sustainable Medfield used its grant to further publicize and share its mission promoting sustainability with town residents – “1. Provide residents a one-stop resource of Medfield-specific ACTIONS to improve our environment and reduce our carbon footprint. and 2. Connect community groups to network and collaborate on sustainability.”

About the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund
The Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund Is a professionally-managed endowment created to support community-driven projects. Volunteer-run and designed to complement the initiatives of Medfield organizations, the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund raises funds from the community and makes grants to established non-profit organizations through a competitive process. For more information or to contribute to the Medfield Foundation Legacy Fund, please visit https://www.medfieldfoundation.org/legacy-fund.

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Posted in Charity, Climate, Cultural, Environmental, Events, Green, History, Information, Medfield Foundation, Medfield High School, MFi Legacy Fund, Peak House Heritage Center, Recreation, Schools, Teens, Uncategorized

CultureFest at Bellforge Arts Center 10/8, 10-3

Posted on September 26, 2022 | Comments Off on CultureFest at Bellforge Arts Center 10/8, 10-3

From Lauren Zembron –

The Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion Dance will feature a dance performance, during which the
lion will “eat” a head of lettuce (representing money) and two oranges (representing gold). The
lettuce and oranges will then be tossed back into the audience to symbolize sharing of good
fortune and luck. There will also be a costume try-on session for children following the
performance.

Next up will be Kurt Jackson, a beloved Medfield teacher, artist, and children’s storyteller, who
will be sharing his energetic and engaging storytelling with the audience.

Following Kurt will be Sista Dee, a Caribbean Steel Pan Artist. Originally from Trinidad and
Tobago, Sista Dee is known for her steel pan playing & vocal style. She performs all around the
world.

After Sista Dee, there will be an African Dance Workshop with Simdaca African Dance
Academy. Simdaca focuses on expression through authentic Authentic Urban, Traditional
Western & Central African Dances, and Afro-Contemporary Dance. Both adults and kids are
welcome to join the dance workshop!

Comelia Latin Jazz Band will be on stage next. This ensemble band features instrumental jazz
standards performed with Latin rhythms.

Given that CultureFest is the Saturday prior to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we are especially
excited about and thankful to be welcoming The Nettukkusqk Singers to the performer lineup.
Comprised of women from both the Wampanoag and Nipmuc Tribes, this group performs
traditional and contemporary songs accompanied by hand drums, rattles, and water drums. In
the Natick dialect of Algonquin, “nettukkusqk” means “my sister”.

The last performance of the day will be the Turkish string ensemble, Bengisu Gokce Trio, joined
by the Boston Music Project. The Boston Music Project is comprised of teaching artists and
Boston Public School students. It is of interesting note that composer, Lowell Mason, was born
in Medfield and is widely considered to be the “father of public music education in America”. The
addition of music into the standard school curriculum was largely due to efforts Mason made in
Boston in the mid-19th century. Thus, it is fitting to have Boston Public School students
performing in the birthplace of Lowell Mason.

All are welcome to attend this fun day out and join in celebrating and learning about the
customs, traditions, artwork, music, and food of diverse people within and around Medfield. In
addition to the musical and dance performances, there will be kids’ activities, arts & crafts
vendors, and food purveyors. CultureFest runs from 10 am to 3 pm on October 8th at Bellforge
Arts Center, located at 45 Hospital Road (https://bellforge.org/getting-here/). Rain date is
October 9th. There is plenty of free parking and visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or
lawn chairs to enjoy the festival.

We hope to see you there!

CultureFest Performers


(Medfield, MA): Medfield Together and Bellforge Arts Center are excited to share the performer
lineup and schedule for CultureFest, a multicultural festival held on October 8th at Bellforge Arts
Center. The performance schedule will be as follows:

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Events, Medfield State Hospital

Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

Posted on August 26, 2022 | Comments Off on Dance Festival at Bellforge Arts Center 9/11

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES FALL DANCE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center announced today the schedule for their fall Dance Festival on Sunday, Sept. 11, from noon to 5:00 pm. This free event will showcase performances by professional companies, plus interactive workshops in a variety of dance forms and booths hosted by area studios, companies, and dancewear suppliers with information on classes, performances, and more. The family-friendly event is open to all. The schedule includes:

12:00-12:45: BoSoma Dance Company performance (contemporary)

12:45-1:00: Irish step workshop with BoSoma

1:00-1:45: African fusion workshop with Simdaca

1:45-2:15: Festival Ballet Providence performance (classical ballet)

2:15-3:00: Choreographer and dancer Dr. Shriya Srinivasan, founder of of Anubhava Dance Company, and Triveni School of Dance performances (Indian classical dance)

3:00-3:30: Ballroom dance workshop with 2x U.S. National Ballroom Showdance Champion Mariko Cantley

3:30-4:00: Hawaiian hula workshop with Etnia Fusion

4:00-4:30: Pantos Project Dance performance (contemporary)

4:30-5:00: Hip hop workshop with Mass Motion Dance

The Bellforge Dance Festival is sponsored in part by Pantos Project.

A variety of food options will be available for purchase during the afternoon. For more information, or to apply for booth space if you are a dance studio, company, or dance-related retail shop, visit bit.ly/BellforgeDance. The festival’s rain date is Sept. 10. For directions and parking information, please visit bellforge.org/getting-here.

The Bellforge Dance Festival is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this outdoor event. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Medfield State Hospital

Bellforge presents 100 Thousand Poets for Change – 12-3PM on 8/6

Posted on July 28, 2022 | Comments Off on Bellforge presents 100 Thousand Poets for Change – 12-3PM on 8/6

From Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center –

 
 
BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE EVENT
 
(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center announces “Change to Heal, Heal to Change” on Aug. 6, from noon to 3:00 pm, an afternoon of storytelling and poetry on the ways change affects us: personal change, social change, climate change, change for growth, living in change, awakening through change. This spoken word event is one of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change (100TPC) worldwide events promoting peace, sustainability, and justice and calling for social, political, and environmental change. Award-winning slam poets, storytellers, and spoken word artists will share their commitment to environmental and social justice issues, including:
Jackson Gillman, a talented mime, actor, songsmith and storyteller, and the recipient of the Oracle Award at the National Storytelling Network. He has featured at the National Storytelling Festival multiple times, and has been Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center.
Thea Iberall has been called “a shimmering bridge between heart and mind.” An inductee into the International Educators Hall of Fame, she writes stories and poetry that springboard from the personal into emotional truths around climate change, racism, and discrimination. Thea is a member of Northeast Storytellers and is on the leadership team of the Jewish Climate Action Network.
Jamele “Harlem 125” Adams is a celebrated and high-energy slam poet whose TEDx Talk on “Race. Love. Freedom.” electrified audiences. He believes that with “love – inclusion – trust” no one will be left out, and our ability to come together amongst different beliefs is limitless.
Betsy Johnson, local poet and storyteller, will share poems on journey, transformation, lessons we teach our children, Alzheimer’s, and grounding.
Teddy Lytle is a performance artist and poet who co-founded Spectrum Theatre Ensemble, a neurodiverse theatre company. He has produced a number of solo shows focused on destigmatizing mental health and addiction and exploring how people and communities can change for the better.
Deana Tavares will share poems about moving through adversity towards healing oneself and the world, weaving in the topic of hope. She is a creatively fluid exhibiting visual artist, published poet, singer/songwriter, and actor. She is an Arts Connect International 2021 Ripple Grant recipient. 
Change to Heal, Heal to Change is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. Attendees are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy this outdoor event. People are encouraged to register as well, for event updates, at https://bit.ly/BellforgePoets. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule  of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.
 
# # #
 
About 100 Thousand Poets for Change: 100 Thousand Poets for Change (100 TPC) has organized over 5,000 poetry, art and music gatherings for the cause of Peace, Justice, and Sustainability across the globe in the last 10 years. Poets have come together year after year to lead and promote poetry readings, without any preconditions or censorship, where participants speak out for causes nearest their hearts. In the process, oppressions, exploitative practices, biases, and abuses of many kinds have been highlighted—whether based on gender, race, class, or religious affiliation, color, territory, language and cultural tradition, or any form of differentiation whatsoever. For more information, visit 100tpc.org.
 
About the Bellforge Arts Center: The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Entertainment, Environmental, Medfield State Hospital

Culturefest at Bellforge 10-3, 10/8/22

Posted on July 24, 2022 | Comments Off on Culturefest at Bellforge 10-3, 10/8/22

From Lauren Zembron –

Medfield Together and Bellforge Arts Center Present: CultureFest


(Medfield, MA): In partnership with Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield Together invites you to join us
on Oct. 8, 2022 for CultureFest. This FREE family-friendly festival aims to bring our community
together in celebration of and learning about the customs, traditions, artwork, music, and food of
diverse people within and around our town.

“The incentive for CultureFest was twofold: to celebrate diversity by centering the cultural
traditions of an array of people and to learn about multiculturalism in a fun and engaging
atmosphere,” says Medfield Together Steering Committee member Lauren Zembron.
Everyone is welcome to attend this fun day out that will include performers, kids’ activities, and
ethnic food trucks. CultureFest runs from 10 am to 3 pm at Bellforge Arts Center, located at 45
Hospital Road (https://bellforge.org/getting-here/). There is plenty of free parking and visitors are
encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the festival.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Medfield Together for CultureFest and to provide the
opportunity to celebrate so many cultures through art, dance, music and food,” says Jean
Mineo, Bellforge Arts Center’s Executive Director.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Entertainment, Events

Summer Sounds at Bellforge – 12-7 on 7/30

Posted on July 22, 2022 | Comments Off on Summer Sounds at Bellforge – 12-7 on 7/30

From Stacy David, Director of Marketing & Communications, Bellforge Arts Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 21, 2022

Contact: Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications, sdavid@bellforge.org

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER ANNOUNCES “SUMMER SOUNDS” MUSIC FESTIVAL

(Medfield, MA): The Bellforge Arts Center’s second concert in their three-date outdoor music festival series called Summer Sounds is July 30, from 12:00-7:00pm in Medfield, MA. July’s free concert will feature Van Buren Records, Latrell James, Red Shaydez, Najee Janey, Greg Roy, and DJ WhySham.

Summer Sounds will offer not only a great line up of hip hop and reggae artists, but also a variety of food options from Ribpublic BBQ, and a full bar featuring Patrón Tequila, all at the site of the new Bellforge Arts Center on the former Medfield State Hospital campus. Free tickets and more information, including musical clips from each of the artists, can be found online at https://bit.ly/SummerSoundsJuly. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the outdoor concert.

The Summer Sounds Festival will be returning on Aug 27 with a concert featuring Valleyheart, The Q-Tip Bandits, 5ever, and more. Summer Sounds is one of many free concerts, festivals, and events organized by Bellforge for the summer. For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule  of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

# # #

The Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex being built on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Bellforge currently offers outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events, along with over 200 miles of nature trails and outdoor recreation space. Once fully renovated, the center will also offer visual and performing arts studios, arts education, a 300-seat performance venue, and more.

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Posted in Bellforge Arts Center, Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Music

Bellforge’s Launch Party, 11:00 am Saturday

Posted on June 10, 2022 | Comments Off on Bellforge’s Launch Party, 11:00 am Saturday

From Bellforge Arts Center’s Stacey David, Director of Marketing & Communications –

CULTURAL ALLIANCE CHANGES NAME AND LAUNCHES

BELLFORGE ARTS CENTER

(Medfield, MA): The Cultural Alliance of Medfield (CAM), a non-profit organization in Medfield, MA, is pleased to announce the naming of the multi-arts center planned at the former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) campus. Both the CAM organization and the cultural destination will now be branded the Bellforge Arts Center, serving Boston’s MetroWest region with a flexible-use performance venue, rehearsal studios and classrooms, outdoor stages, and green space for community events and activities.

The name celebrates the bell tower, an architectural feature of the historic chapel building located at the heart of the 87-acre property. Leading the project’s development, the Chapel will be restored as a 300-seat concert hall, while the site’s former Infirmary will be re-envisioned as an arts education center. A connecting breezeway will join the two buildings, creating a 24,000 square-foot cultural home for the performing and visual arts. With the word “forge,” the new name also honors the project’s mission, to develop an inclusive gathering place and experiential arts hub in which to make and create.

“With Bellforge, we’re emphasizing a place for making, whether that’s art or friendships,” says Bellforge’s Executive Director Jean Mineo.

With a 99-year lease on the two signature buildings, Bellforge has a transformational vision for the Arts Center: to strengthen access to the arts and arts education in the MetroWest region, to encourage health and wellness through creative exploration, and to foster collaboration and community through multicultural and intergenerational programs and partnerships.

Bellforge recently received a $10,000 Arts & Culture grant from the Foundation for MetroWest and a $45,000 award from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) to present a series of 25 concerts and festivals running from April through October on their new outdoor stage. June 11 will be Bellforge’s Launch Party, which begins at 11:00 am with a panel discussion by music industry experts, including Ralph Jaccodine, Livingston Taylor’s Manager; Carl Lavin, Owner/Booking Agent for Great Scott; Cliff Notez, Founder and CEO of HipStory; and Jean Mineo, Executive Director of the Bellforge Arts Center. This discussion on the value of venues like Bellforge for performers, audiences, and the vitality of the arts in the MetroWest region will be followed at noon with a concert on the Center’s outdoor stage with Dutch Tulips and Will Dailey. The public is invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair, settle back and enjoy. The event is free, though attendees are asked to register at bit.ly/BellforgeLaunch

For more information about the Bellforge Arts Center, including a schedule  of upcoming programs and events, please visit www.bellforge.org.

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Posted in Art, Cultural, Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital

Fun at the Forge – 5/14

Posted on May 3, 2022 | Comments Off on Fun at the Forge – 5/14

From Stacey David of Bellforge Arts Center –

BELLFORGE PRESENTS FREE “FUN AT THE ‘FORGE” FESTIVAL ON MAY 14

Medfield, MA (May 3, 2022): The Bellforge Arts Center is pleased to present Fun at the ‘Forge, a free family festival on the grounds of the former Medfield State Hospital (MSH) on Saturday, May 14, 2022, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Bellforge’s third event in their summer series includes musical performances by Stacey Peasley and Wayne Potash; a puppet show by Rotem Goldenberg; arts and crafts with Kurt Jackson; science fun with The Inventor Mentor; and face painting and more with Raddo. In addition, attendees can help create a colorful on-site art installation with the PopUpCycler. The festival is free with registration at http://www.bellforge.org. A rain date has been scheduled for Sunday, May 15.

“Stacey Peasley’s cheerful, folksy, sing-along tunes have made her the Pied Piper of the under-10 crowd for years,” says Jean Mineo, the Executive Director of the Cultural Alliance of Medfield, who are currently working to build the Bellforge Arts Center at MSH. “She has quite the following in MetroWest, and we are thrilled to be able to have both Stacey and Wayne Potash perform at this event. Wayne has similar appeal, with his quirky, fast-paced and downright funny songs. I think the kids are going to be up and dancing all afternoon.”

In addition to the musical performances, Rotem Goldenberg will be delighting the audience with her tiny puppet theater. Goldenberg is a Community Creative Fellow, an initiative powered by the Jewish Arts Collaborative (JArts) and Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP). Her art is for audiences of all ages and exists between the spaces of visual theater, performance, storytelling, and clowning.

In between the performances, festival-goers can explore a variety of fun science projects with The Inventor Mentor, including bubbles, foam stations, rockets, parachutes, and more, or have children’s entertainer Raddo twist up a balloon hat, paint their face or airbrush a tattoo. Kurt Jackson from the Zullo Gallery will also be engaging the kids in a simple watercolor art project using a masking technique to create a beautiful landscape for them to make and take home. With Kim Bernard, from the PopUpCycler, attendees can use recycled plastic to create colorful disks to decorate the exterior of the Bellforge’s chapel in a unique crowd-sourced art installation.  

Food, drink, and Magic Tree Henna, who will have a booth providing beautiful henna designs, are the only fee-based activities at the festival.

Bellforge will host a variety of concerts, festivals, and fun family days on most Saturdays from May through October. The majority of events are free; schedules and registration information can be found at the Bellforge website at www.bellforge.org or by registering for their newsletter at https://bit.ly/newsletterBellforge.

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Posted in Art, Children, Cultural, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital

CAM’s “Fairy Walk & Daffodil Days” postponed to Sunday, due to rain

Posted on April 8, 2022 | Comments Off on CAM’s “Fairy Walk & Daffodil Days” postponed to Sunday, due to rain

From Jean Mineo –

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Posted in Art, Charity, Children, Cultural, Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital, Music, Recreation

Fairy House Walk and Live Music April 9

Posted on March 30, 2022 | 1 comment

From Jean Mineo –

The Cultural Alliance invites the public to kick off a season of live music outdoors at Bellforge, the newly named arts center planned at the former Medfield State Hospital. The inaugural free family-friendly event is Saturday, April 9 from 10 am – 3 pm (raindate is Sunday, April 10).

Visitors are invited to walk the grounds of the campus and the Chapel will be open for tours starting at 10 am. More than two dozen community groups have created fairy houses on display for the day, complete with photo opportunities and crafts for kids. Students from Pointe Premiere School of Dance take the stage at noon, and artists will be on site to sell their handcrafted pottery, jewelry and photography all day. Musicians Olivia Wendel and Ghost Grl perform live on the outdoor stage starting at 12:45 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, and enjoy treats from ThankQue Catering or Clarke’s Cakes and Cookies food trucks.

Additional live music events are planned most Saturdays through October. The schedule will be updated on Bellforge.org.

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Posted in Art, Children, Cultural, Cultural Alliance of Medfield, Entertainment, Events, Medfield State Hospital