Westfield State College campus and downtown Westfield will be filled with fine art this summer as the college presents its first Masters Festival of the Arts from June 22 through Aug. 14.

The eight-week festival opens with a professional production of David Mamet‘s American Buffalo and a nationally prominent art exhibit, American Works on Paper: 1800-Present, from the Spanierman Gallery, LLC., in New York. The festival also includes downtown and on-campus concerts and an Alfred Hitchcock film series.

The festival is presented with the assistance of the Westfield State College Foundation, Inc., the NewAlliance Foundation and the Westfield Arts Council, a program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The program of events is subject to change.

“The Masters Festival of the Arts is a wonderful collaboration between the college and regional civic and art organizations to bring exciting top quality art to the community this summer,” said Evan S. Dobelle, president of Westfield State. “The college is proud to be part of this effort that we hope will become a lasting tradition, enhancing regional interest in downtown Westfield.“

American Buffalo and another Mamet play, Boston Marriage, are also part of the third season of Professional Summer Theatre from the college. Both performances will be in the Ely Studio Theatre in the Ely Campus Center.

• American Buffalo is scheduled for 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, through Saturday, June 26, Wednesday, June 30, through Friday, July 2, and Wednesday, July 7, through Saturday, July 10. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, July 3.
• Boston Marriage is scheduled for 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 28, through Saturday, July 31, Thursday, Aug. 5, through Saturday, Aug. 7, and Wednesday, Aug. 11, through Saturday, Aug. 14. There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Aug. 7.

Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, students, alumni and employees of Westfield State. A $5 discount will be given to anyone with a ticket stub from the Chester Theatre Company.

American Works on Paper is the first three art exhibits scheduled during the festival. Each is free and open to the public and the artwork will be available for purchase. American Works on Paper features works by historically noted masters from the Spanierman Gallery LLC, NYC, New York.  Artists represented include both Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Reginald Marsh, Alexander Calder, George Catlin, Willem de Kooning, Gershon Benjamin, Abraham Walkowitz and many others. The works will be on display at the Arno Maris Gallery in Ely Campus Center from June 26 through August 14. An opening reception will be from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, June 26. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 2-5 p.m., with music and theatre evenings 7-8 p.m.

Eastern Lights: Susan Urban and Artisans of the Boleslawiec Tradition will be on display at the Westfield State Downtown Gallery II, 108 Elm St., Westfield, from June 29 through Aug. 14. The event is in association with Stanley Park and Jania’s Gallery, South Hadley. An artist reception will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, July 22. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-5 p.m., Thursday, 2-7 p.m., and Saturday, 1-5 p.m.

Jasmina Danowski: North, South, East and West of the Pecos will be on display at the Westfield State Downtown Gallery, 105 Elm St., Westfield, from July 10 through Aug. 14. The paintings are from the Spanierman Modern gallery in New York. An opening reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, July 10. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 2-5 p.m., Thursday, 2-7 p.m., and Saturday 1-5 p.m.

Hitch! The Alfred Hitchcock Film Series will feature three Hitchcock classics with introductions by Harry Stessel, professor of English at Westfield State. Screenings with introductions will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Athenaeum, located at 6 Elm St., Westfield. Movies will be shown free of charge (donations will be accepted). The films will be shown in the air-conditioned Lang Auditorium on the lower level. The Auditorium is handicapped-accessible. Popcorn and refreshments will be served.

The first screening will be of The 39 Steps, on Wednesday, July 28. The second will be North by Northwest, on Wednesday, Aug. 4. The third and final screening will be Psycho, on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

The festival also includes the Downtown Summer Sounds concert presenting the Roger Salloom Band featuring Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers. The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 15, in Downtown Westfield. It is free and open to the public, and produced in association with the Westfield Business Improvement District and Westfield on Weekends, Inc.

Two weekends of jazz and classical cabarets will be presented in the Ely Studio Theatre in the Ely Campus Center. The first is Thelonius and The Duke: A Celebration of Monk and Ellington, with the Jim Argiro-Edward Orgill Jazz Quartet, at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 16 and 17. The second is European Ports of Call: Spicy, Cool and Classical, scheduled for 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24, and 3 p.m., Sunday, July 25.

Tickets for the cabarets are $20 general admission and $15 for seniors, students and the Westfield State community.  The cabaret format features seating around tables with beverages available.

Ticket reservations for all events can be made by calling 413-572-8835.

Westfield Business Improvement District Events

Farmer‘s Market

Musical Moments In Amelia’s Garden

Amelia Park Ice Arena is proud to present “Musical Moments In Amelia’s Garden” every Tuesday beginning June 1 through August 24th.  The concerts will begin at 6:30 p.m.  Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the beautiful flowers, sunset, and music!  Refreshments and snacks available for purchase to benefit the Western Mass Knights Adult Sled Hockey Team. In doubtful weather, the concert will be inside the ice arena.   Click here for a complete listing of summer concerts: Also visit their website: www.ameliaparkice.org

Changes in Latitude returns August 19th

Westfield on Weekends and the Westfield BID are happy to announce the return of Changes in Latitude to the Summer Sounds Concert Series on Aug 19, 2010. Their show was the event of the 2009 summer and you don’t want to miss the fun this year.

Location is tentatively set for School St parking lot due to Road Construction around the Green this summer. Please stay tuned for more details as they become available. Show is FREE and open to all!

Westfield International Air Show

The 2010 Westfield International Air Show will be held August 21 & 22, 2010 in conjunction with the 104th Fighter Wing's Open House at Barnes Air National Guard Base.

Admission is FREE, a donation for parking will be requested, gates open at 8 a.m.

Submit your Hometown Hero nominations HERE

Featuring: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
AND
The U.S. Army Parachute Team the “Golden Knights”