Tuesday, August 26, 2008

RECALL: Stroller Activity Bars Due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with International Playthings of New Jersey, today announced a voluntary recall of about 10,000 Taggies™ Strollin’ Along Stroller Activity Bars. The shiny material on the elephant’s ear on the activity bar can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. International Playthings has received three reports of the shiny material detaching and children putting it in his/her mouth. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves the Taggies™ Strollin’ Along stroller activity bars. The multicolored, fabric, and plastic activity bars feature a yellow giraffe, a purple hippo and a blue elephant attached to a 12” long elliptical base with straps that attach to a stroller. The Taggies™ and Earlyears® logos are located on woven and satin labels sewn into the seam on the lower left front of the activity bar. Sold at specialty toy stores nationwide and on the Internet from February 2007 through July 2008 for about $23 and manufactured in Hong Kong.
Consumers should immediately stop using the activity bars and contact International Playthings for a free replacement toy. For additional information, contact International Playthings at 800-445-8347 or visit http://www.intplay.com/

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

WEEKEND PICK: Butterfly Festival

This weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, in Framingham will host a Butterfly Weekend, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with special events from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Experience thousands of wildflowers covered with butterflies. View peak meadow bloom. Make butterfly lifecycle crafts. Take a butterfly walk. Enjoy a butterfly gardening demo. Check out a free Bug Venture Bag from Museum Store (including binoculars, magnifying glass, bug bingo game, and sketch pad) to enhance your visit. BUGMOBILES feature live bugs and craft projects. Build-a-bug Park has everything to build your own Big Bug. Check out the Big Bugs exhibit, featuring 13 dinosaur-sized sculptures. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 seniors and students with ID $6, and children under 3 and members of New England Wild Flower Society are free. For additional information, including directions, visit http://www.newfs.org/

Monday, August 11, 2008

Free Tree Time at the Arnold Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 16

Tree Time! Bring your family: it’s time for free tree fun this summer at the Arnold Arboretum…

On Saturday, Aug. 16, anytime between noon and 2 pm learn what goes on inside a tree? How do water and food in the soil feed the top leaves on a 100-foot tall Scholar Tree? Learn the answers to these questions and more through fun, hands-on science experiments at the Hunnewell Visitor Center. One of the activities will even result in a colorful flower for you to take home.

While there, pick up a Tree-of-the-Month guide and explore a different, fascinating tree each month. August’s focus: The Scholar Tree.
Activities are at the Hunnewell Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free, no registration required.
For more information, call 617-384-5209 or contact arbweb@arnarb.harvard.edu.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

RECALL: Fisher-Price Recalls Learning Pots & Pans Toys Due to Choking Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Fisher Price of New York, today announced a voluntary recall of about 15,000 Learning Pots & Pans™ Toys. Missing screws in the blue toy pan can cause the clear plastic cover to come loose and release small balls, presenting a choking hazard to young children. Fisher-Price has received five reports of the plastic covers detaching and releasing the small balls. No injuries have been reported. This recall involves Learning Pots and Pans™ toy sets with stackable pots and pans, a lid and shape-sorting blocks. The toys have light and sound features that operate on three AA batteries. Model number G6685 is located on the bottom of the blue pan. They were sold at discount department and toy stores nationwide from October 2007 to August 2008 for about $20 and manufactured in China
Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and examine the bottom of the blue pan. The pan should contain six screws. If all six screws are installed, no further action is necessary. If any screws are missing, the consumer should contact Fisher-Price to arrange for the return of the blue pan for a replacement. For additional information, contact Fisher-Price at 888-521-0820 anytime, or visit http://www.service.mattel.com/

Reader Wins Camp Rock Soundtrack CD

Congrats to Paula Flaherty Bolotin of Whitinsville, a reader of many years of Bay State Parent magazine. She is the winner of the magazine's & Buena Vista Records Camp Rock CD contest! Her favorite Bay State Parent magazine features are Day Trip Destination, Parenting 1-2-3, & Tween to Teen.
CAMP ROCK, which aired on the Disney Channel, earlier this summer, stars the latest tween & teen sensation the JONAS Brothers (whose new album hits stores next Tuesday) and singer-songwriter-actress Demi Lovato. Camp Rock is the story of a talented yet unsure teen who yearns to share her songs with the world and of a tempestuous young superstar who's lost his passion for music and is sent packing by his band mates. Together, at a camp for aspiring young music artists, they learn to believe in themselves and to value the freedom to be who they really want to be. The movie's soundtrack is available at retail outlets.
Congrats to all the readers who entered the contest.

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CONTEST WINNERS: Betsy Bubblegum DVDs

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers. Each will receive a copy of the DVD Betsy Bubblegum's Journey Through Yummi-Land.
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*Laura Adams of Lowell. A reader of the magazine online. Her favorite features are Pondering Parenting, Mom's Plate Date, and the calendar.
.**Heidi Boyle of Webster. A reader for the last 4 years, her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination.
** Pam Koskovich of Natick. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar & Adoption Insights, and the featured articles.
** Karen Peters of Leominster. A reader for 5 years, her favorite features are the calendar and Day Trip Destination.
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The DVD is the first-ever movie featuring the Yummi-Land Girls. The DVD also contains several special features including a build your own sundae game, a gooey guessing game, a sing-a-long, and sweet secret surprises.If your are unfamiliar about Yummi-Land, here is quick synopsis about it and the DVD movie: When Betsy Bubblegum arrives in Yummi Land for the first time, she is overwhelmed by the super-delicious sights and scents. Flowery fragrances, fruity flavors, and sweet sounds tempt Betsy to explore the mouthwatering metropolis! After returning with her Uncle, Mayor Marshmallow, Betsy meets the Candy Pop Girls, the Flower Pop Girls, and the Ice Cream Pop Girls. Even as she makes new friends and helps out with a major Yummi-Land event, Betsy discovers her own unique talents.The movie is about 45 minutes. Manufacturer's recommended age is 4 an older.
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Congrats to everyone who entered!
To see current contests offered to Bay State Parent readers, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html

CONTEST WINNERS: WALL-E CD

Congrats to the following Bay State Parent magazine readers. Each will receive a copy of the soundtrack to the Disney animated summer movie hit -- Wall-E.

**Heidi Boyle of Webster. A reader for the last 4 years, her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination.
**Mary Jaquith of Franklin. Her favorite feature is Day Trip Destination, too.
**Jen Lee of Newton. A reader for 3 years, her favorite features are Parenting 1-2-3 and the Calendar.
**Patricia Minton of Shrewsbury. A reader for two years, her favorite feature is the calendar.
**Stacy Smith of Waltham. Her favorite features are Working Mom & the calendar.
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The Walt Disney Records CD features a score written by 8-time Academy Award-nominated composer Thomas Newsman and the original song Down to Earth written and performed by Peter Gabriel. (It's my personal favorite song on the CD.) The soundtrack also includes two songs from Hello Dolly performed by Michael Crawford (It Only Takes A Moment and Put On Your Sunday Clothes and the Louis Armstrong classic La Vie En Rose.
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To see current contests offered to By State Parent readers, visit http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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Saturday Explorations at Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

This Saturday, Aug. 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield is hosting a Thank You, Sunshine program for families with children age 5 and older.
This program combines a hike with fun activities and explorations. Make solar pizza ovens, learn how solar panels produce electricity, and explore different ways we can use the sun’s energy. Cost & pre-registration: $9 adults, $7 children (discount for Mass Audubon members available). For more information or to register call 978-887-9264 or visit the sanctuary's web site at www.massaudubon.org/ipswichriver
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MOMS Club of Millbury-Sutton Monthly Social: Tuesday, Aug 12

The MOMS Club of Millbury-Sutton will hold its monthly social on Tuesday, August 12, at 10 a.m. Join moms, dads and children for fun in the sun. There will be activities for the kids and light snacks. All are welcome. For more information on this event or the MOMS Club of Millbury-Sutton e-mail info@MOMSClubOfMillburySutton.com or go to www.MOMSClubofMillburySutton.com

CONTEST WINNERS:

The following 5 were contest winners for a copy of the Spiderwick Chronicles DVD.
Shyiesha Brown, Worcester
Cam Smith, Natick
Trinity Carlson, Barre
Grace Knutson, Oxford
Sydney Davey, Sturbridge

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To enter current Bay State Parent magazine contests visit: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/contests.html
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Bob's Discount Furniture Opening 30th Store in Bellingham Today

Today, Bob's Discount Furniture, with stores in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, will hold a grand opening of its 30th Bob's Discount Furniture at the Crossroads Shopping Plaza in Bellingham, at 10 a.m. toady.
"We're thrilled to be opening our 30th location! This is truly a milestone as we continue to be the region's fastest growing furniture retailer. Bellingham is such a great area to celebrate this event. By offering pure value, our customers have remained customers over and over again, and I look forward to welcoming our new Bellingham area customers on Thursday, August 7th," said Bob Kaufman, president, Bob's Discount Furniture.
The new location is situated near Exit 18 off I-495 in the Crossroads Shopping Plaza, 221 Hartford Avenue, Route 126, Bellingham, Massachusetts, phone 774-328-3333.
The store is open on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Today, Bob Kaufman, president and TV personality, Bob's Discount Furniture, will make an in-store appearance to meet and greet the public.
On Saturday, August 9th, Bob's Discount Furniture TV personalities Cathy Poulin and William Newton along with the new Bob's Discount Furniture Community Outreach Van will make a special appearance and welcome customers. Coffee mugs, balloons and T-shirts will be given away while customers can also enjoy free food and beverages at the store's Café and along with entertainment in the video arcade.

For more information, visit www.mybobs.com.
About Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation: Through the Bob's Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation and its many charitable contributions and sponsorships, Bob, Cathy and all of Bob's Discount Furniture employees support hundreds of nonprofit organizations. Among the many supported charities are Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Salvation Army Marshall House Youth and Family Emergency Shelter, National Conference for Community Justice, American Red Cross, Connecticut Children's Medical Center and many more. In March 2006, Poulin participated in the "Dance for a Cause" competition in Hartford to raise money and awareness for the National Pajama Program and Lil' Iguana's Children's Safety Foundation. Poulin was also awarded Woman of the Year for 2006 by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In April 2008, Kaufman was presented with the prestigious 2008 Biomedical Achievement Award from the American Red Cross as the "Bob Squad" was recognized for collecting over 20,000 units of blood during its 11 years of promoting blood drives. For more information about the foundation and Bob's Discount Furniture, visit www.mybobs.com/charity.
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CONTEST: Sunday is Final Day to Win an Autographed EcoTarium Book

Siegfried the Stegosaurus, who went AWOL from the EcoTarium to take a ramble through downtown Worcester, is now safely back home, and a book chronicling his adventures was unveiled earlier this summer -
The book about Siegfried's odyssey was born when Ann "Cookie" Nelson, who designs the EcoTarium's annual fund materials, learned from EcoTarium President Stephen Pitcher that this year the museum would have a new exhibit, DinoTracks. "Whatever happened," she asked Steve, "to Siegfried, the dinosaur that my children loved when the museum was on Elm and Cedar Streets?" She learned that until very recently, Siegfried, a life-sized sculpture, had been exiled to a spot in the woods on the EcoTarium's grounds, but that now he was located in a more prominent position near the museum entrance.

What if Siegfried, discontented at being alone in the woods, had decided to walk away from the EcoTarium and explore Worcester, visiting the city's famous landmarks? That thought has turned into a colorful children's book written by Cookie Nelson and illustrated by Michael McMenemy, a Worcester artist and graduate of the Pratt Institute whose whimsical illustrations brought Siegfried and the sights of Worcester to life. And what did happen to Siegfried when he ran away? He investigated Mechanics Hall, the Worcester Art Museum, the restaurants of Shrewsbury Street and lots more. To find out all the exciting details, you have to read the book!


EXCLUSIVE CONTEST: The EcoTarium has generously offered 5 autographed copies of Ann Nelson's new book Siegfried the Stegosaurus to Bay State Parent magazine readers.

5 readers, drawn at random, will each win an autographed copy.

To enter, please fill out the form at: http://www.baystateparent.com/common/entry_form.html

Please select Siegfried book in the pull down menu.

The deadline to enter is Sunday, Aug. 10 at 11:59 p.m., EST.

Winners will be announced on the magazine's blog.

Books will be mailed to winners, upon verification.

Contest is limited to Massachusetts residents only.


About the EcoTarium: EcoTarium, A Museum of Science & Nature, is a unique indoor-outdoor museum offering three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, interpretive nature trails, a digital planetarium, and a narrow- gauge railroad. The museum, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors, college students and children ages 3-18. Parking is free. For information, visit http://www.ecotarium.org/.
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Could Win Your Child a $25,000 Scholarship

The makers of Jif peanut butter will be accepting entries for the 7th Annual Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest™ now through November 14, 2008.
Encouraging kids to invent new creative peanut butter sandwich recipes is a great way for parents to foster creativity in their children. At the same time, moms and dads you will be spending quality time with your child and having fun in the kitchen.
Sandwiches will be judged on the following criteria: creativity, taste, appearance, nutritional balance, and ease of preparation.
The grand prize is a $25,000 scholarship fund.
Four runner-ups will each receive a $2,500 scholarship fund.
For complete rules and how to enter visit http://www.jif.com/
Last year’s winner was Samuel Sosa, 11, of Riverside, California.
He created the “Crunchy Chinese Fortune Cookie Sandwich,” made of Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, celery and apple on wheat bread crimped into the shape of a fortune cookie.
The “fortune cookies” are served with a dipping sauce of Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, sesame oil and chili powder.
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008

STUDY: Positive Parenting Associated With Less Aggression in Early-Maturing Teen Girls

Adolescent girls who go through puberty early and have parents who do not nurture them, communicate with them, or have knowledge of their activities appear more likely to display aggressive behavior, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Early puberty in girls is related to conduct problems, delinquency and substance use, according to background information in the article. Many of these problems persist through adolescence and into early adulthood.
“As adults, early-maturing girls demonstrate lower academic and occupational achievement and report lower relationship quality and life satisfaction,” the authors write. “It is thus important to identify protective factors that may mitigate negative effects of early maturation on girls’ adjustment.”
Sylvie Mrug, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and colleagues interviewed 330 fifth-grade girls (average age 11) and their parents from three metropolitan areas.
The girls reported how often they engaged in aggressive behavior, such as hitting, teasing and spreading rumors to hurt others; whether they displayed delinquency (fighting at school, getting injured in a fight or inflicting injuries); how often their mother was affectionate and how often they did things together; whether their parents had talked to them about violence, tobacco and sex; and whether and when they had started their periods. Parents responded to seven items measuring the extent to which they knew their child’s friends and how he or she spent her free time.
One-fourth of the girls had matured early, defined as beginning their period one year before the average age for females of their racial and ethnic group. Those who did were more likely to be delinquent, but not aggressive. However, those who matured early and also had low levels of parental nurturance, communication and knowledge were more likely to be aggressive. “Also, early maturation only predicted physical aggression when combined with low maternal nurturance,” the authors write.
Early-maturing girls may be at higher risk of aggression or delinquency because they are more likely to be accepted by and form relationships with older boys, who are more likely than younger children to engage in undesirable behaviors, the authors note.
“Parental nurturance may decrease girls’ susceptibility to negative peer influence,” they write. “Also, parental nurturance may help girls cope with challenges associated with early puberty. By listening to their daughters’ difficulties and providing support and encouragement, nurturing parents can help them develop better coping skills and diffuse negative emotions that might otherwise manifest as aggression.”
Parental communication and knowledge may also protect girls from aggressive behavior, they continue. “By discussing difficult peer situations (e.g., provocation, peer pressure) and ways of dealing with them, parents may help their daughters develop a repertoire of adaptive responses that will minimize the need for inappropriate (i.e., aggressive) behavior,” they write. “In addition, knowing how their daughters spend free time may help parents identify and prevent negative peer and other influences.”
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STUDY: Less Time Spent in Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Associated With Being Overweight Among Children & Teens

Children and teens who get less sleep, especially those who spend less time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, may be more likely to be overweight, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.
The obesity rate has more than tripled among children aged 6 to 11 years in the past 30 years, and approximately 17 percent of U.S. adolescents are now overweight or obese, according to background information in the article. Obesity results from an imbalance between calorie intake and energy expenditure from physical activity, but little is known about other factors that can alter this balance. A number of studies have documented an association between fewer hours of sleep and higher body mass index (BMI) in both adults and children.
Xianchen Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, and colleagues studied 335 children and adolescents age 7 to 17 years (average age 10.8). For three consecutive nights, participants’ sleep was monitored through polysomnography, which assesses total sleep time, time spent in REM, the time it takes to fall asleep and other variables. Weight and height were measured to calculate BMI.
A total of 49 participants (14.6 percent) were at risk for becoming overweight and 45 (13.4 percent) were overweight. Compared with children at a normal weight, those who were overweight slept about 22 minutes less per night and had lower sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed that an individual is asleep), shorter REM sleep, less eye activity during REM sleep and a longer wait before the first REM period.
After adjusting for other related factors, one hour less of total sleep was associated with two-fold increased odds of being overweight and one hour less of REM sleep was associated with three-fold increased odds.
“Although the precise mechanisms are currently under investigation, the association between short sleep duration and overweight may be attributed to the interaction of behavioral and biological changes as a result of sleep deprivation,” the authors write. Sleep loss causes changes in hormone levels that may affect hunger, and also provides an individual with more waking hours in which to eat. In addition, sleep loss contributes to fatigue the following day, which may decrease physical activity and calorie expenditure.
“Given the fact that the prevalence of overweight among children and adolescents continues to increase and chronic sleep insufficiency becomes more prevalent in modern society, family- and school-based sleep interventions that aim to enhance sleep hygiene and increase sleep duration may have important public health implications for the prevention and intervention of obesity and type 2 diabetes in children,” the authors conclude. “
Furthermore, our results demonstrate an important relationship between REM sleep and high BMI and obesity, suggesting that the short sleep–obesity association may be attributed to reduced REM sleep time and decreased activity during REM sleep.”

STUDY: U.S. Immigrant Childfren May Be Less Physically Active Than US-Born Children

Immigrant children in the United States appear to be less physically active and less likely to participate in sports than U.S.–born children, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
“Because of a dramatic increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity and diabetes mellitus during the past two decades, physical activity has assumed an increasingly prominent role in disease prevention and health promotion efforts in the United States and is considered one of the 10 leading health indicators for the nation,” according to background information in the article. This has resulted in a closer monitoring of physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in children and adults in the U.S.
With immigrants now accounting for 12.6 percent of the total U.S. population, “it is important to know how patterns of physical activity, inactivity and sedentary behaviors for this increasing segment of the population differ from those of the majority native population,” the authors note.
Gopal K. Singh, Ph.D., of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland., and colleagues analyzed data from the 2003 National Survey of Children’s Health, a telephone survey measuring regular physical activity, inactivity, television watching and lack of sports participation in U.S. children.
Of the total participants, more than 11 percent of U.S. children were found to be physically inactive, while 73.5 percent engaged in physical activity three or more days per week.
More than 42 percent of children did not participate in sports and 17 percent watched three or more hours of television per day.
“Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviors varied widely among children in various ethnic-immigrant groups,” the authors write. “For example, 22.5 percent of immigrant Hispanic children were physically inactive compared with 9.5 percent of U.S.-born white children with U.S.-born parents.” Immigrant children were more likely to be physically inactive and less likely to participate in sports than native children; “they were, however, less likely to watch television three or more hours per day than native children, although the nativity gap narrowed with increasing acculturation levels.”
“Given the health benefits of physical activity, continued higher physical inactivity and lower activity levels in immigrant children are likely to reduce their overall health advantage over U.S.-born populations during adulthood,” the authors conclude. “To reduce disparities in childhood physical activity, health education programs designed to promote physical activity should target not only children from socially disadvantaged households and neighborhoods but also children in immigrant families.”
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Friday, August 1, 2008

Shakespeare in Harvard Square This Weekend

The Harvard Square Business Association Presents Shakespeare in the Square today through Sunday, Aug. 3. Actors from the Shakespeare Project, American Repertory Theatre, and Revels bring exceptional, out of the box, profoundly original Outdoor Elizabethan Theatre to Harvard Square!

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
American Repertory Theatre Performs Shakespeare Slams!
Shakespeare Slams is a modern-day, plugged-in Shakespearian mash-up featuring 18 performers from the American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theatre Training in a multidisciplinary, electric, energetic approach to the Bard's verse. Marrying Shakespeare with a wide range of contemporary music, movement, and culture, Shakespeare Slams seeks to bring the lives of Shakespeare's characters to a diverse 21st century audience.
When: Friday, August 1st 6 pm, Saturday, August 2nd 4:30 pm, Sunday, August 3rd at 7:45 pm.
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

Actors' Shakespeare Project Presents Love's Labour's Lost:
Actors' Shakespeare Project will present an encore presentation of their highly successful interpretation of Love's Labour's Lost in conjunction with the Harvard Square Business Associations' Shakespeare in the Square. Shakespeare's Love's Labour's Lost is a sweet and hilarious dance of courtship. Four young lords swear an oath to give up the company of women for three years and devote themselves to study. Soon after, the Princess of France arrives with her three friends and the four lords are instantly smitten. The women decide to torment the men, and boy, are they easy marks! In ASP's rendition of this classic comedy, six actors play sixteen roles-dancing back and forth between male and female, pursuer and pursued!
WHEN: Friday August 1st at 7:15pm, Saturday 2nd at 7:30pm and Sunday 3rd at 3:00 pm
WHERE: Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn Street).
PRICE: Free!

REVELS REPRESENTS at SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARE

The area immediately around Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was filled with musicians, jugglers, dancers and other disreputable street performers. Revels is proud to represent the earthy side of Shakespeare in the Square, and under the leadership of the disgruntled former Shakespeare employee and Morris dancer, Will Kemp, will provide entertainment for the groundlings. Expect lusty music from Tom Zajac and friends, fine singing from Tapestry with Doug Freundlich, instrumental fireworks from Renaissonics, as well as Morris and Sword dancing and expert heckling of the actors.

Shakespeare in the Square Event Schedule

Friday, 8/1/08
5:00pm - 7:30pm: Commonwealth Morris Men and Orion Sword Dancers perform around Harvard Square.
6:00pm - 6:45pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute.
7:15pm - 9:45pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project.

Saturday, 8/2/08
2:45pm - 4:15pm Renaissonics Performance.
4:30pm - 5:15pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute
7:30pm - 10:00am Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project

Sunday, 8/3/08
1:30pm - 3:30pm Commonwealth Morris Men around Harvard Square
3:00pm - 5:30pm Loves Labour's Lost - Actor's Shakespeare Project
5:00pm - 7:00pm Orion Sword Dancers around Harvard Square
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Tapestry and Tom Zajack Trio performs
7:45pm - 8:30pm Shakespeare SLAMS - American Repertory Theatre's A.R.T. Institute

Shakespeare in the Square Restaurant and Shopping Events from Aug 1-3, please see www.harvardsquare.com for special menus and offers.

About our Distinguished Local Performing Companies:
The AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATRE (A.R.T.), one of the country's most celebrated resident theatres and the winner of numerous awards, including the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize, was recently named the third best theatre in the country by Time magazine. Over its twenty-eight-year history the A.R.T. has welcomed Major American and international theatre artists whose singular visions generate and define the theatre' s work, presenting a varied repertoire that includes new plays, progressive productions of classical texts, and collaborations between artists from many disciplines. The Company has performed throughout the country, and worldwide in twenty-one cities in sixteen countries on four continents. The A.R.T. recently inaugurated its second stage at Zero Arrow Theatre, also in Harvard Square.

The A.R.T. INSITITUE FOR ADVANCED THEATRE TRAINING was established in 1987 by the A.R.T. as a training ground for the professional American theatre. In 1998, the Institute began an exclusive collaboration with the
Moscow Art Theatre (MXAT) School. The union of the two schools has created an historic program that provides unparalleled opportunities for training and growth. Upon graduation, students receive a Certificate of Achievement from the A.R.T. at Harvard University and a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree from the MXAT School. Institute students have toured their productions throughout Europe, performing in Russia, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.

ACTOR'S SHAKESPEARE PROJECT: The Actors' Shakespeare Project was founded in 2004 by Benjamin Evett and actor-colleagues with the intention of creating a resident acting company in Boston that would produce Shakespeare in intimate, stripped-down productions that celebrate the relationships between actors, audience and text. Since then ASP has produced 13 plays in venues all over Boston and Cambridge to critical acclaim and the company's productions have been honored with three Elliot Norton awards. In 2006, Ed Siegel of the Boston Globe wrote, "This is Shakespeare the way it's supposed to be performed. The troupe plays to the crowd hilariously, speaks Elizabethan verse beautifully, and posits a smart interpretation of the play. Actors' Shakesp eare Project has to be listed as a local treasure." Jeremy McCarter of New York Magazine called ASP's King Lear "A triumph of classical acting" and in spring 2008, The Wall Street Journal's Terry Teachout called ASP "one of America's finest Shakespeare troupes."
For More information:
www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or 617-547-1982
*Member, Actors' Equity Association

REVELS: Now, in its 38th year of performances, Revels is a non-profit performing arts company producing Music Theater, recordings and educational materials.
At the heart of each Revels production are the singers, actors, dancers, and storytellers who preserve the arts and traditions of their own cultures. Through its respect for the customs of many cultures, Revels has created its own traditions. Widely known for the annual Christmas Revels, our organization celebrates the cycles of life and the seasons through the arts. Revels' productions of Spring Sing, RiverSing, and SummersDay Revels bring together a community of professional actors, musicians, designers, and directors, along with a volunteer chorus of children and adults. Celebration is at the core of Revels and audience participation is an organic consequence of that impulse.