thePULSEBy Brian Goslow
It can be a movie theatre, performance space, music school, or an art gallery. Or all four at once. The one thing Framingham’s Amazing Things Arts Center rarely is is quiet.
“I do 330 shows a year,” says Executive Director Michael Moran. The center, which opened a year ago and is operated by 160 volunteers, is located in the town’s Saxonville section. “We’ve got something happening virtually every night but Monday. Our jazz jam with Kaoruko is cooking every Tuesday night. Leslie Holmes hosts a cabaret open mic every Wednesday evening while Dan Cloutier hosts a weekly open mic on Thursday nights; admission cost varies.”
Amazing Things is currently negotiating with the town to take over a firehouse on Hollis Street that would give them an increased crowd capacity and another floor of studios. It would also put them in the middle of the town’s growing Brazilian community and allow the center to expand its cultural programs. “We’ll be doing a lot of eclectic stuff,” Moran says.
September’s performance highlights include hot big band Latin jazz sounds by Gringo Kings on September 15, Canadian bluesman Michael Pickett on September 16, and perhaps the most unique event of the month (or any month), Ukulele Noir ~ “small instruments, big trouble” ~ on September 23. Moran says their shows are a lot like a variety show with seven acts. One of them is former Cars keyboardist Greg Hawkes, who performs a unique take on “My Best Friend’s Girl.”
Some of the performers are participating in “Amazing U,” mostly weekend afternoon teaching sessions where they share their experience with young musicians who’d like to follow in their path. Upcoming workshops include jazz composition by Berklee professor Bob Pilkington, how to prepare for theatre auditions with Lida McGirr, and a vocal workshop with Leslie Holmes.
A collection of animated films by Sesame Street animator Karen Aqua opens the center’s “Indie Film Night” series on September 20; animation films will be screened on the third Wednesday of the month through December. Any “unknown” local animators looking to screen their work should contact Moran ASAP.
For more information, visit amazingthings.org.
