Springfield, Massachusetts area students organized and participated in a march in reaction to recent gun violence at Mary Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
Join us in congratulating the young people of our city on joining the national conversation on gun legislation and safety in schools. Whether you agree or disagree with these students, we can all agree that it’s a positive thing for our region to have young people so passionate and well-spoken about their cause.
Dr. Imo Nse Imeh’s latest piece of performance art is a live painting of Trayvon Martin, the 17 year old boy who was murdered by George Zimmerman on February 26, 2012. The portrait was painted publicly over 17 hours, surrounded by portraits of 17 other young black boys whose lives have needlessly been cut short by aggressors.
This performance took place at Westfield State University from February 5-8, 2018.
Watch the portrait come to life here (time lapse):
Learn more at: www.iamimo.com/17yearsboy
A Focus Springfield Production
focusspringfield.com
image via MassLive/Dave Roback
WATCH: Springfield City Councilor Jesse L. Lederman hosted a town hall meeting along with other City Councilors, School Committee members, and state officials to hear from and respond directly to residents’ concerns.
Elected officials that participated include:
• State Senator Jim Welch
• State Representative Bud L. Williams
• School Committee Member LaTonia Monroe Naylor
• School Committee Member Denise M. Hurst
• City Councilor Adam Gomez
• City Councilor Kateri Walsh
• City Councilor Marcus J. Williams
• City Councilor Orlando Ramos
• City Councilor Justin Hurst
• City Councilor E. Henry Twiggs
A Focus Springfield Production
focusspringfield.com
Focus Springfield was lucky enough to catch Springfield natives Jeremy Turgeon and Sarah Elizabeth Charles performing live at local venues on back-to-back nights this past weekend. The performances can be viewed below.
Live @ Community Music School of Springfield
January 26, 2018 in Springfield, MA
Live @ Gateway City Arts
January 27, 2018 in Holyoke, MA
Both videos recorded and edited by Brendon Holland.
Watch the program live on Monday, January 15 at 11:00am, or click here to watch.
via Community Music School of Springfield:
SPRINGFIELD-Four area organizations will host this year’s Dr. King Day Celebration on Monday,
January 15, 2018 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at MassMutual Center, 1277 Main Street, Springfield. This
event is free and open to the public. This year’s theme “Lifting the Spirit of Healing and Unity” is a
collaborative celebration hosted by Martin Luther King Jr Family Services, Community Music School of
Springfield, D.R.E.A.M Studio and Springfield College.
Music, song and dance performances will provide inspiration and reflection on the legacy of Dr. King
and the continued struggle for social justice in communities across the country. The Dr. King Day
Celebration seeks to bring our community together to work toward the dream Dr. King so eloquently
spoke of over 50 years ago.
“In light of the uncertainties around race relations and the polarization of various groups who continue
to feel marginalized, this celebration reminds us we have the opportunity to engage in simple acts–at
school, at work, and in our families–that strengthen our community in the spirit of unity that defines the
legacy of Dr. King,” said Ronn Johnson CEO of Martin Luther King Jr Family Services. “We must all
speak out against intolerance and be change agents. The MLK Day Celebration inspires us reclaim the
dream of a beloved community.”
This year’s celebration will feature performances by over 700 young people from Springfield including
Sonido Musica/Springfield Public School Partnership programs; the Springfield Community Chorale, a
culturally diverse group of singers with the mission to deliver gospel and inspirational music in the spirit
of unity and in the bond of peace, led by Vanessa Ford; CMSS Martin Luther King Festival Orchestra
led by Marty Knieriem; a dramatic performance by DREAM STUDIO; an oratorical selection by
Michael Denson, (winner of the Alpha Phi Alpha 2017 Annual Senator Edward R. Brooke III Oratorical
Contest) and much more.
The Dr. King Day Celebration is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. The Dr. King
Day Celebration is accessible to the hearing impaired and MassMutual Center is handicapped accessible.
MassMutual Center is located in downtown Springfield, close to public transportation. For more
information please contact any of the partnering organization or visit their websites to get more
information and details about the event. #MLKDAY413.
Sponsors include MassMutual Center, Springfield Cultural Council, Westfield State University,
Massachusetts Cultural Council, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts,the
Republican/MassLive, New England Public Radio, Springfield College and Springfield Technical
Community College
