Art Exhibit Reception: Overheard in the Orchard
2025-10-12 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Fivesparks
Please join your friends, neighbors and fellow art lovers at Fivesparks to celebrate Overheard in the Orchard, the book and art by Linda Hoffman and Ellen Harasimowicz with guest Ariel Matisse.
Open to all. Refreshments provided.
Sunday October 12, 3-5pm.
An informal artist talk will occur at 4pm.

Pastel Painting with Ann Gillespie - Fall Session
2025-10-15 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-10-22 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-05 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-12 10:00 - 12:30, 2025-11-19 10:00 - 12:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
This class is now full. If you would like to receive information about the next session, please contact the instructor, Ann Gillespie at agillespieart@gmail.com.
Pastel painting with a focus on local landscape.
Ann will cover the basics of her process along with exploring composition, values, color and mark-making. She will have a combination of weekly demos and exercises at the beginning of class, followed by plenty of one-on-one feedback at your easel.
All pastel levels are welcome but some previous drawing or painting experience is necessary.
Contact agillespieart@gmail.com with questions, to register and for list of supplies. This class is appropriate for adults. $330/participant.

Felt a Cat
2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:15 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson to learn the art of needle felting!
Open to Adults and teens (kids 9-12 are welcome with an adult)
Join for one, two or all three classes!
October 15th, 4:15-6:00pm – Felt a Pumpkin Face
October 15th, 6:30-8:15pm – Felt a Cat
November 20th 6:30-8:15pm – Felt a Fall Scene
For more info and to register, please click HERE.

RD King plus Lindsay Straw & Andy Cambria (Fall Concert Series)
2025-10-16 19:30 - 21:30 | MA
Join Fivesparks and Fugitive Productions in an intimate setting for a four-event concert series in Harvard’s beautiful town center.
Come to the whole series:
Thursday, September 11: 440 Gypsy Jazz
Thursday, October 16: RD King plus Lindsay Straw & Andy Cambria
Thursday, November 13: Cassandre McKinley
Thursday, December 4: Bruce Gertz Quartet
About R.D King
R.D. King is an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist, composer, and music educator. A captivating and energetic performer, King blends guitar pyrotechnics with cinematic and evocative music. King is a TEDx Cambridge performer, the winner of the 2017 Canadian Guitar Festival’s International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition, and a finalist of the 2019 Walnut Valley Festival’s International Fingerstyle Guitar Competition. He has opened for Grammy-nominated Ari Hest, Andy McKee, Liz Longley, and many others
His compositional prowess has earned him numerous awards and accolades, including back-to-back Outstanding Achievement in Songwriting Awards in the 2023 and 2024 Great American Songwriting Contest, placing as a finalist in the 2023 International Acoustic Music Awards, and winning the 2018 Walnut Valley Festival’s NewSong Showcase (Instrumental Category).
R.D. King has released six albums of solo fingerstyle guitar music, the latest of which is Songs of Spring (2023). He resides in Boston where he performs and is an associate lecturer at UMass Boston.
About Lindsay Straw & Andy Cambria
Known among guitar circles for their work at The Music Emporium, Andy Cambria and Lindsay Straw also share a love for pithy, complex songs of the folk, bluegrass and Celtic persuasion. Blending harmony vocals and double guitars, Irish bouzouki and clawhammer banjo, and throwing in some old-time tunes for good measure, the duo loves tackling songs both traditional and contemporary — but there has to be a good story. Their music is sure to appeal to fans of folk duos like Gillian Welch & David Rawlings and the Murphy Beds.
Doors: 7pm • Performance: 7:30–9:30pm • $22/advance, $27/door (incl. fees) • Tickets

Off Brand Comedy Improv Troupe
2025-10-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
We are a local comedy improv troupe comprised of actors and improvisors who have been performing at different locations around the area since 2018. We love what we do, and love bringing JOY and LAUGHTER to the world!
Our Improv shows are appropriate for adult and young adult audiences (not for kids). We love to have fun, but we do not pull anyone on stage against their willing participation. If we have a game where we ask for a volunteer to join us, then we take someone who has raised their hand.
One performance on Saturday, October 25th, 7:30pm. Tickets $18 in advance, $20 at the door.
Doors open at 6:30pm. Bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
RESERVE TICKETS HERE
Fivesparks is an ADA-accessible venue.

Schubert: Winterriese - Vocal and Piano Performance
2025-10-26 16:00 - 17:30 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
“I will sing you a cycle of horrifying songs…”
—FRANZ SCHUBERT
Franz Schubert’s Winterreise (Winter Journey) is arguably the most influential work for voice and piano of the 19th century.
Throughout their performance of this cycle of 24 songs, tenor Christopher Hossfeld and pianist Trevor Berens weave haunting
melodies into the story of a homeless stranger traversing a metaphorical winter landscape. Reeling from the horrors of a frozen heart in a frozen world, the stranger bares his most interior and private thoughts in this deeply human psychological struggle of resilience in the face of rejection, death, and trauma. Schubert’s highly sensitive and prophetic music inspires profound empathy, not only for the stranger and his plight, but also for anyone today seeking safety, community, and belonging. More information can be learned at www.winterreise.net.
This program at Fivesparks will consist of a brief presentation about the works as well as translation of lyrics for everyone.
Sunday, October 26, 2025. 4:00-5:30pm. $20.
PURCHASE TICKETS

Fivesparks Theater presents: 2 Across
2025-10-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-02 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-07 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Presents:
2 Across, a romantic comedy by Jerry Mayer, directed by Bob Eiland.

Performance Dates:
Thursday, October 30 – 7:30pm
Saturday, November 1 – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 2 – 2:00pm matinee
Friday, November 7 – 7:30pm
Saturday, November 8 – 7:30pm
Sunday, November 9 – 2:00pm matinee

Starring: Frank Aronson and Lynda Vernalia
In 2 Across, Janet, a high-achieving, Catholic psychologist, and Josh, a free-spirited Jewish, unemployed businessman, both 40-50, board a San Francisco BART train at 4:30 a.m. Each is doing the New York Times crossword puzzle; she’s a pro, he always quits. Over the course of their journey, we see how they rub each other the wrong – and right – ways, and how each has changed by the end of the ride.
Playwright Mayer wrote for some of our most celebrated TV shows, all of which brilliantly combined heart and humor: M*A*S*H, All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, to mention a few.
🎟PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
All performances: $25
2 Across is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

Snapology: Animation Studio Class Series
2025-11-01 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-08 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-15 10:30 - 12:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Animation Studio with Snapology (Ages 6-14):
In Snapology’s Animation Studio, students will create fantastic movies with stop motion animation using LEGO® bricks. Children will work in teams under guided instruction to make a digital movie using stop motion techniques. Teams will go through the entire movie making process, from plot and character planning to editing. The best part is, their video will be uploaded to Snapology’s YouTube channel, so they can show friends and family their very own video!
Students will gain hands-on experience with computer-based movie-making software, learning to create, edit, and add sounds and music while becoming comfortable navigating computer menus and applications. They will also develop original stories and characters through guided instruction in story and character development, skills that not only enhance their films but also strengthen their storytelling abilities in the classroom. Just like professional filmmakers, students practice teamwork by collaborating on group planning, sharing ideas, and respecting their partners’ contributions to bring their creative visions to life.
Four Saturdays in November (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd). 10:30am-12:00pm
$150 per participant
To register for this class series, please click HERE.
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Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM programs worldwide. The organization’s goal is to provide children’s enrichment with STEAM learning programs that engage kids 4-14 years old with fun, hands-on activities to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math. While children are exploring robotics, coding and design challenges using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology, they’re building skills that will help them throughout school and their careers. To kids, it’s just fun!
Fivesparks is partnering with Snapology of Harvard, MA to bring these fun and educational programs to our community! Snapology of Harvard, MA is owned/operated by area parents whose family fell in love with Snapology’s methods and philosophies. So much so, they want to share them! You will find Snapology of Harvard, MA programs at Fivesparks, in local schools and community centers around the Metro-West area. https://www.snapology.com/massachusetts-harvard/
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Snapology: Real World Robotics
2025-11-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Real World Robotics!
Snapology’s Real World Robotics program introduces students to the exciting, real-life applications of robotics while helping them build teamwork, problem-solving, and coding skills. Working in small groups, children design and program robots that use sensors, motors, gears, and other mechanical elements to complete fun challenges. Along the way, they learn to follow instructions, debug code, and think creatively as they bring their robots to life. With hands-on projects that highlight how robots help humans in everyday life—and even in space exploration—this program makes learning programming, engineering, and collaboration both fun and rewarding.
This workshops is appropriate for kids aged 7-14 years. 9:00am-3:00pm, $110/registrant
Click HERE to register for Real World Robotics with Snapology of Harvard, MA
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Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM programs worldwide. The organization’s goal is to provide children’s enrichment with STEAM learning programs that engage kids 4-14 years old with fun, hands-on activities to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math. While children are exploring robotics, coding and design challenges using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology, they’re building skills that will help them throughout school and their careers. To kids, it’s just fun!
Fivesparks is partnering with Snapology of Harvard, MA to bring these fun and educational programs to our community! Snapology of Harvard, MA is owned/operated by area parents whose family fell in love with Snapology’s methods and philosophies. So much so, they want to share them! You will find Snapology of Harvard, MA programs at Fivesparks, in local schools and community centers around the Metro-West area. https://www.snapology.com/massachusetts-harvard/
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Bohemian Necklace Workshop
2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Design and craft your own unique wooden disc and thread necklace in this three-hour, hands-on workshop with artist Kimberly Stoney. You’ll learn simple yet striking techniques for combining wooden discs, embroidery thread, and beads into a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece — perfect for yourself or as a thoughtful gift.
No prior experience is needed — just bring your enthusiasm and creativity. All materials are included, and you’ll leave with a necklace ready to wear or share.
This class is appropriate for anyone 18 yrs+. $40 per participant.
Click HERE to sign up with Kimberly Stoney.

Make a Stained Glass Pumpkin
2025-11-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Fivesparks Cove
Make a Stained Glass Pumpkin!
Create a 3-D pumpkin just in time for your fall holiday decorating. A variety of colors will be available of pre-cut pieces to create a 5-sided pumpkin.
All materials provided. Students will learn to foil and solder.
This class is appropriate for adults and kids aged 7 years and older (caregivers are not required to stay).
Sunday, November 9th, 11:00am-12:30pm. $45
To register, please click HERE.
Judy Romatelli is owner of Periwinkle Art & Glassworks, a studio and gift shop located at the Prescott School on Main Street in Groton, MA. Judy is brining her passion and years of knowledge creating stained glass pieces to Fivesparks!

School Half Day - Felt an Owl
2025-11-13 12:45 - 14:30 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson after school on Harvard 1/2 days to learn the art of needle felting!
Open to grades 5th-8th
Join for one, two or all three classes.
School Half Day: 12:45-2:30pm
October 8th – Felt a Ghost
November 13th – Felt an Owl
November 20th – Felt a Snowman
For more info and to register, click HERE

Snapology: School Half Day - Brick Art & Design Lab
2025-11-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Fivesparks Cove
Edgar Degas, a famous artist, once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
As your child learns about different types of art and the periods in which they were created, students will also be interpreting what they see and creating their own works of art out of LEGO® bricks.
In Snapology’s Brick Art and Design Lab class, children will draw inspiration and guidance from great works of art like Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Wright’s “Falling Water,” and so many more! By the end of the experience, your child will be able to not only share
information about famous artists, art forms, and art movements, but create their own unique works of art that reach beyond the past and into the future.
This workshops is appropriate for kids aged 5-12 years.
Thursday, November 13th. 1-4pm (School half-day). $60/registrant
Click HERE to register for Brick Art & Design Lab with Snapology of Harvard, MA
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Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM programs worldwide. The organization’s goal is to provide children’s enrichment with STEAM learning programs that engage kids 4-14 years old with fun, hands-on activities to teach science, technology, engineering, art and math. While children are exploring robotics, coding and design challenges using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology, they’re building skills that will help them throughout school and their careers. To kids, it’s just fun!
Fivesparks is partnering with Snapology of Harvard, MA to bring these fun and educational programs to our community! Snapology of Harvard, MA is owned/operated by area parents whose family fell in love with Snapology’s methods and philosophies. So much so, they want to share them! You will find Snapology of Harvard, MA programs at Fivesparks, in local schools and community centers around the Metro-West area. https://www.snapology.com/massachusetts-harvard/

Felt a Squirrel
2025-11-13 16:30 - 18:15 | Fivesparks Cove
Felt a Squirrel
Join fiber artist Rachel Benson to learn the art of needle felting while creating an adorable little fall squirrel holding an acorn.
Thursday 11/13, 4:30-6:15pm
This class is open to adults and teens (13+). Kids aged 9-12 can join with an adult.
$30
For more info or to sign up click HERE:

Cassandre McKinley (Fall Concert Series)
2025-11-13 19:30 - 21:30 | MA
Join Fivesparks and Fugitive Productions in an intimate setting for a four-event concert series in Harvard’s beautiful town center.
Come to the whole series:
Thursday, September 11: 440 Gypsy Jazz
Thursday, October 16: RD King plus Lindsay Straw & Andy Cambria
Thursday, November 13: Cassandre McKinley
Thursday, December 4: Bruce Gertz Quartet
About Cassandre McKinley
Boston native, Cassandre McKinley, is a singer, recording artist, composer, producer, vocal coach and educator. As an artist and singer, she channels a vast spectrum of genres that include Soul, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Pop, and Country and has unwittingly unified them into a singular sound that is primitively hers. McKinley’s consensual freedom from stylistic boundaries has become her signature approach to making music.
“There’s a music style called ‘jazzsoul’ (we made it up) and our anointed queen is Boston native Cassandre McKinley” (Boston Globe).
McKinley is deeply rooted in a recording career, having released five solo albums, and is revered for her spirited and impassioned live performances. Her most notable collaborations include those with Peter Eldridge (New York Voices), Duke Levine, Dave Mattacks, Clay Osborne, Bernard Purdie, Herb Pomeroy. She appeared as a regular featured artist alongside the great J. Geils in his named Jazz & Blues Review to sold out audiences throughout New England. Her music can be heard on hundreds of national and international radio stations, cable and internet music outlets including iHeartRadio, Spotify, Pandora and XM Radio. She serves an Associate Professor in the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston and Berklee Online.
Featured Performers
Tim Ray, piano • Dave Mattacks, drums • Robert Nieske, bass
Doors: 7pm • Performance: 7:30–9:30pm • $22/advance, $27/door (incl. fees) • Tickets

Free Demo! Building with Gingerbread: Tips & Tricks
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Just ahead of the first ever Fivesparks Gingerbread Showcase, join us for BUILDING WITH GINGERBREAD: Tips & Tricks
Building with gingerbread doesn’t have to be stressful! Join us for a free demonstration of gingerbread construction tips and tricks from two local bakers with decades of experience.
Instructors Judy Baumhover and Lyn Slade will share with you the disaster-averting tips they’ve learned over the years. From major (start early!) to minor (tweezers are your friend), you’ll leave armed with lots of new techniques to help you avert disaster and enjoy the process.
Get inspiration for designing your entry for the Fivesparks Gingerbread Showcase (December 13 + 14) or come just to sharpen your skills and enjoy the show!
Open to adults and teens (kids 9-12 are welcome with an adult).
Instructors: Judy Baumhover graduated at the top of her class from the Culinary Institute of America’s Baking & Pastry program and embarked upon a career of creating wedding cakes and truffles for private clients as well as various catering companies. Lyn Slade is the former owner of Chef D’jour Ltd. Catering, Charlotte‘s House B&B, and Designs by Lyn Cookie Buffets. Now retired, she continues to bake as a hobby.
These two friends are always happy to share their love and knowledge of the craft of baking. With just a little encouragement, they’ll also tell us some of their always-entertaining near-disaster stories — moments that every baker can relate to!
Saturday, November 15, 1-3pm. This is a FREE event! No need to register.

Art Exhibit Closing Event & Book Reading
2025-11-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Fivesparks
Linda Hoffman will read from her book Overheard in the Orchard, created collaboratively with photographer Ellen Harasimowicz. The reading will be in conversation with guitarist Greg Carlson.
Ellen and Linda will discuss their experiences and processes in creating the book. All three artists from the exhibit will take questions.
Saturday November 15, 2025. 4pm.

Fivesparks Music Festival - Fall Fundraising Concert with Judith Gordon & Rhonda Rider: "Mid-Century, Modern, and More"
2025-11-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Fivesparks Gallery, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
Acclaimed Boston-based cellist Rhonda Rider and celebrated Albuquerque-based pianist Judith Gordon, longtime recital partners, will present a festive concert to benefit the 9th Annual Fivesparks Music Festival (June 21-27, 2026). With violinist Judith Eissenberg, Rider and Gordon were co-founders of the annual Fivesparks Music Festival, bringing the chamber music experience to the community.
This duo program will feature the elegant Fauré D Minor Sonata, the mystical Mirror(s) in the Mirror by Arvo Pärt, Boston composer Yu-Hui Chang’s Alter Ego, an exploration of the relationship between the cellist and their cello, Germaine Tailleferre’s Partita for Piano and one of the 20th-century gems, Arthur Berger’s Duo.

Rhonda Rider
For over two decades, cellist Rhonda Rider was a member of the Naumburg Award-winning Lydian Quartet and Triple Helix Piano Trio. She has been a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America and the Fischoff and Concert Artist Guild Competitions. Rider is on the faculty of Boston Conservatory at Berklee. www.rhondarider.com.
Judith Gordon
Pianist Judith Gordon explores diverse repertoire as a soloist and with a wide range of instrumentalists and singers. A featured player for ChatterABQ, she has been heard recently at Music Mountain, Apple Hill, Santa Fe Chamber Music, The Cello Seminar and Music from Salem. She was an associate professor of music at Smith College from 2006-2020.
Longtime collaborators Rider and Gordon have recorded Lee Hyla’s Dream of Innocent III and the late Cello and Piano Sonatas of Gabriel Fauré. Each summer they direct The Cello Seminar, a week long contemporary cello music intensive.
Along with violinist Judith Eissenberg, Rider and Gordon are co-founders of the annual Fivesparks Music Festival.
ADMISSION
Suggested donation amounts: Adults $25, teens and seniors $15. ADVANCE TICKETS

Proceeds from this concert benefit the annual Fivesparks Music Festival.

School Half Day - Felt a Snowman
2025-11-20 12:45 - 14:30 | Fivesparks Loft, 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard, MA, 01451, United States
