Events

Concord Gets Ready: Decorate 250 workshops!

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As April 19 gets closer, we’re excited to announce Concord Gets Ready – an initiative to decorate the town! Submit a photo of your decorated porch, door, or mailbox & be entered in a raffle to win a pack of gorgeous goodies donated by local merchants. We’ll be posting ideas, hosting workshops, and making DIY kits available over the next several weeks, so keep your eyes here & follow @ConcordGetsReady for more details.
  • Thurs, March 20, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Wed, April 2, 4-5pm: All ages DIY at Fowler
  • Thurs, April 3, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Sat, April 5, 10-1: DIY Decor, more family focused at Art For All
  • Thurs, April 10 from 10-11:30, Concord Council on Aging DIY Decor
Email photos of your decorations to decorate250@gmail.com or DM @ConcordGetsReady, and let us know if it’s ok to repost!

Abundant Heresies: The Revolutions of Theodore Parker and Ralph Waldo Emerson – with Richard Smith

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Theodore Parker of Lexington and Ralph Waldo Emerson of Concord were directly linked to the events of April 19, 1775. Both men’s grandfathers were involved in the battles that sparked the American Revolution.

How did Parker and Emerson view their revolutionary heritage? How did this shape their thinking in the turbulent years leading up to the Civil War? In this lecture, Public Historian Richard Smith will discuss the literary and spiritual connections between the two men and their two towns. How did Parker and Emerson use their heritage to help change American literature and thought? How did this affect the Anti-slavery Movement of the 1850s?

Richard Smith has lectured on and written about antebellum United States history and 19th-century American literature for 26 years. He has worked in Concord as a public historian and Living History Interpreter since 1999 and has written or edited 11 books for Applewood Books/Arcadia Publishing. Richard is a regular contributor to Discover Concord Magazine.

Richard Smith.  

QUILTS 250: Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy

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QUILTS 250: Stitching in the Spirit of Democracy

March 22 – March 23 (10am – 4pm)

Showcasing the creative energy of quilters near and far, Quilts 250 will display as many as 250 quilts that visually express through fabric and thread themes related to our country’s founding and evolution and the dynamic range of quilting arts in the last 250 years. The show is sponsored by the Concord 250 Celebrations Committee and is organized by the Concord Piecemakers, Quilters’ Connection, and Rising Star Quilters guilds.

Planned Events

· Quilt show with “shows within the show” on the Spirit of 1775; Antique and Antique-Inspired Traditional Quilts; Quilts of Protest; Modern, Contemporary, and Pictorial Quilts; and Student Quilts and Fiber Arts

· Lecture by Gerald Roy, Pilgrim/Roy Collection, Quilt Collector and Quilt Historian, and Jennifer Swope, David and Roberta Logie Curator of Textile and Fashion Arts, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

· Boutique

· Children’s Activities

For more information and instructions on entering a quilt, visit https://www.quiltersconnection.org/Quilts250.html

 

Venue

Concord Academy

166 Main St, Concord, MA 01742

LWV hosts discussion with Bob Gross, of his book “The Minutemen and Their World”

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The Minutemen and their World, by Robert Gross, revised and expanded edition

March 23, 2025 2:00 – 4:00 in the Goodwin Forum at the Concord Main Library.  In this live session Concord resident, Robert Gross, will be interviewed by Diane Proctor, followed by questions from the audience.

 

This book is an intensive and wide-ranging study of the community of Concord, Massachusetts, the city in which the famed “shot heard round the world” was fired on April 19, 1775. Gross investigates daily life in the community at the time, helping readers understand citizens’ (and future soldiers) daily routines, worldview, and even hopes and dreams as he relates their relationship to the war in which the community they called home would soon be engulfed. He looks as well at the legacy of the war in the town, taking a brief look at its post-Revolution existence and place in American memory. The result is a well-rounded and lively account of a community before, during, and after the Revolution. (Review taken from The Historians Manifesto) 

Concord250 Speaker Event: Historian Robert A. Gross

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The Milldames of Concord are pleased to invite you to an enlightening lecture by the renowned Concord historian Dr. Robert A. Gross. This event promises to be an exceptional opportunity to delve into the rich history of Concord with one of its most distinguished scholars.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Time: 4:00 pm

Venue: Trinitarian Congregational Church

Cost: Free of Charge, sponsored by Milldames

About the Speaker

Dr. Robert Gross is a highly respected historian, known for his meticulous research and engaging presentations on Concord’s historical significance. His work has garnered widespread acclaim, making him a sought-after speaker and a valuable resource to understanding our unique history and cultural import.

Lecture Overview

The lecture will explore the intricate tapestry of Concord’s past, shedding light on its pivotal moments and influential figures. Dr. Gross’s unique insights will provide a deeper understanding of the town’s heritage and how it continues to reverberate in today’s world.

Q&A Session

Dr. Gross is pleased to address your inquiries during the lecture. To facilitate a more thorough and informative discussion, we encourage you to submit your questions when you arrive at the event.

Join Us

We hope you will join us for an evening of historical exploration and intellectual engagement. Dr. Gross’s lecture is an event not to be missed, and we look forward to welcoming you.

 

Sincerely,

Leslie Cheney, Co-Chair

Mary Kemp, Co-Chair

Milldames Concord 250

Carol Harney, President, Milldames

Additional Information

To learn more about Dr. Robert A. Gross’s work, please visit https://history.uconn.edu/person/robert-a-gross

CONCORD250: Concord Orchestra performance: “American Heritage”

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March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m

The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration.  Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden.  We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff Beal, commissioned by the orchestra for the celebration!  Jeff Beal, the composer of the new work, is an Emmy-winning composer of soundtracks for films and television.

Other American compositions on the program are Florence Price’s brilliant Symphony No. 3, Leonard Bernstein’s festive Candide Overture, and The Liberty Bell March by John Phillip Sousa.

We look forward to performing with Richard Sebring, principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 and his own short work composed for the occasion, The White Cockade. Richard Sebring remarks, “It’s always a great pleasure to make music with my friends in the Concord Orchestra, especially in 51 Walden, the site of many artistic experiences in my youth. And I look forward to collaborating with Zeke Fetrow, who will bring unbridled energy to these performances.”

Florence Price, a 1906 graduate of New England Conservatory, was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Her expressive Symphony No. 3 , written in 1938 and 1939, includes melodies inspired by spirituals and a dance called a juba that was brought to the southern United States by African slaves.  Its premiere was in 1940, but it was neglected until it was performed again in 2001.  It remained unpublished until 2008, and it was not until recently that it was re-discovered and played more frequently.

Dr. Sam Woodhead, trombone soloist of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band, will lead a workshop on Sousa performance for musicians in the orchestra. Pre-concert discussions by Zeke Fetrow and other musicians involved in the performance are planned for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com

“The Shot Heard Round the World”, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Domenick D’Andrea, Courtesy the National Guard Bureau

CONCORD250: Concord Orchestra performance: “American Heritage”

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Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m.

The Concord Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, is thrilled to perform “American Heritage” concerts as part of the Concord250 celebration.  Performances are on Saturday, March 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 30 at 2:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at 51 Walden.  We are excited to present a world premiere of A Beacon of Hope by Jeff Beal, commissioned by the orchestra for the celebration!  Jeff Beal, the composer of the new work, is an Emmy-winning composer of soundtracks for films and television.

Other American compositions on the program are Florence Price’s brilliant Symphony No. 3, Leonard Bernstein’s festive Candide Overture, and The Liberty Bell March by John Phillip Sousa.

We look forward to performing with Richard Sebring, principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, playing Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 and his own short work composed for the occasion, The White Cockade. Richard Sebring remarks, “It’s always a great pleasure to make music with my friends in the Concord Orchestra, especially in 51 Walden, the site of many artistic experiences in my youth. And I look forward to collaborating with Zeke Fetrow, who will bring unbridled energy to these performances.”

Florence Price, a 1906 graduate of New England Conservatory, was the first African-American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer. Her expressive Symphony No. 3 , written in 1938 and 1939, includes melodies inspired by spirituals and a dance called a juba that was brought to the southern United States by African slaves.  Its premiere was in 1940, but it was neglected until it was performed again in 2001.  It remained unpublished until 2008, and it was not until recently that it was re-discovered and played more frequently.

Dr. Sam Woodhead, trombone soloist of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert Band, will lead a workshop on Sousa performance for musicians in the orchestra. Pre-concert discussions by Zeke Fetrow and other musicians involved in the performance are planned for Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit www.concordorchestra.com

“The Shot Heard Round the World”, a National Guard Heritage Painting by Domenick D’Andrea, Courtesy the National Guard Bureau

Concord Gets Ready: Decorate 250 workshops!

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As April 19 gets closer, we’re excited to announce Concord Gets Ready – an initiative to decorate the town! Submit a photo of your decorated porch, door, or mailbox & be entered in a raffle to win a pack of gorgeous goodies donated by local merchants. We’ll be posting ideas, hosting workshops, and making DIY kits available over the next several weeks, so keep your eyes here & follow @ConcordGetsReady for more details.
  • Thurs, March 20, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Wed, April 2, 4-5pm: All ages DIY at Fowler
  • Thurs, April 3, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Sat, April 5, 10-1: DIY Decor, more family focused at Art For All
  • Thurs, April 10 from 10-11:30, Concord Council on Aging DIY Decor
Email photos of your decorations to decorate250@gmail.com or DM @ConcordGetsReady, and let us know if it’s ok to repost!

Concord Gets Ready: Decorate 250 workshops!

/0 Comments/in , , /by
As April 19 gets closer, we’re excited to announce Concord Gets Ready – an initiative to decorate the town! Submit a photo of your decorated porch, door, or mailbox & be entered in a raffle to win a pack of gorgeous goodies donated by local merchants. We’ll be posting ideas, hosting workshops, and making DIY kits available over the next several weeks, so keep your eyes here & follow @ConcordGetsReady for more details.
  • Thurs, March 20, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Wed, April 2, 4-5pm: All ages DIY at Fowler
  • Thurs, April 3, 9-12: DIY Decor at Art For All
  • Sat, April 5, 10-1: DIY Decor, more family focused at Art For All
  • Thurs, April 10 from 10-11:30, Concord Council on Aging DIY Decor
Email photos of your decorations to decorate250@gmail.com or DM @ConcordGetsReady, and let us know if it’s ok to repost!

Concord250 Event: Concord Art: Opening of Spring 2025 curated exhibition, Liberation Textiles: Our Social Fabric

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Exhibition: Liberation Textiles: Our Social Fabric, April 3 – May 11 in the Main Gallery, curated by Elizabeth Thach and Camilø Álvårez

    • Curators Tour Thursday April 3rd at 5pm (opening reception starts at 5:30pm that evening)
    • Artist Demo: A Sense of Touch – Tapestry Weaving with Sam Fields Wednesday, April 16th, 10:30am-12pm
    • The show is centered around themes of individual freedom and is scheduled to coincide with the town’s celebration of Patriots Day. It will primarily feature fiber-based visual art. To give you a sense of the creative direction, here’s an excerpt from what the curator has written about the show:
    • “When we talk about ‘social fabric’ the metaphor is apt because of the various ways that individual lives overlap [like threads] and are supported by other lives to create a unified garment… We participate in elections, but we also participate in economic systems, familial networks, and larger social communities. Communal life is always a negotiation between individual freedom and the needs of the social fabric that supports and makes individual freedom possible… Making art is one of the purest expressions of personal freedom that the individual can participate in, but the work that artists make as individuals is influenced by artists’ economic, cultural, and communal realities… Communities support and participate in the individual’s freedom when they view the art that individuals make. It is a critical mistake to think that art can exist in a vacuum, or that individuals can be free without the supports and infrastructure of a healthy community.”