Flora In Winter, 2010

Flora In Winter, 2010, originally uploaded by Claudia Snell.

You must go see what Sprout has done to the bathrooms at Worcester Art Museum for this year's Flora In Winter. Spectacular!

Flora In Winter, 2010
Worcester Art Museum
Thursday, January 28 - Sunday, January 31

Official "Boyband" trailer online (previously titled "We Got the Beat")

ArtigoAjemianFilms has posted the trailer for their movie "Boyband" (previously titled "We Got the Beat"). Show them some support - leave comments for them on YouTube or become a fan on Facebook.

About the project

Official trailer for the upcoming indie comedy "Boyband," about a high school quarterback who quits the team his senior year to turn his heavy metal band into the first ever boyband in 1982.

Boyband stars Michael Copon, Robert Hoffman, Ryan Hansen, Ryan Pinkston, Laura Breckenridge, Brendan Miller, E-Knock, Lorenzo Hooker III, Richard Riehle, Tom Wright, with Kurt Fuller and Ming-Na.

Written & Directed by Jon Artigo
Produced by Andrea Ajemian
Music by Kaz Gamble

http://www.boybandmovie.com
http://www.aafilms.com
Artigo Ajemian Films (c) 2010

(previously titled "We Got the Beat")

Vikings Invade Higgins Armory Museum - January @ Higgins

January events and highlights

Higgins Armory Museum is having a series of Viking presentations and demonstrations in January. Also, starting in January, continuing through February, the museum will offer the "School of Swordplay".

NOTE: Higgins will be closed on January 1, 2010

For more information on all museum programs, visit www.higgins.org. The Higgins Armory Museum is located at 100 Barber Ave., 508/853-6015. Hours are Tues.-Sat., 10 am – 4 pm, Sun. from noon – 4 pm. Admission: Adults, $10; children (age 4-16), $7; members and children, ages 3 and under, free.

Viking Invasion at Higgins

Brandishing swords, shields, and broadaxes, the most famous raiders of medieval Europe, the Vikings, invade the Higgins Armory Museum the last weekend of January. This modern-day Viking invasion features workshops, demonstrations, lectures and arts and crafts about this fascinating group of explorers, warriors, and merchants who colonized much of Europe from the late eighth to the early eleventh century.

Presentations and times

Viking Invasion!
Sat. Jan. 30
Free with museum admission, charge for some activities.
Vikings invade the Higgins! Visitors learn what it was like to be a Viking warrior or a woman in Viking times. Activities include:
Women in Viking Times
11:30 am, free with museum admission

Women in Viking Times
Sat., Jan. 16, 11:30 am
Free with museum admission
Viking women were the most respected women of their time. A Viking warrior puts down his weapons to discuss the feminine side of Viking life, how Viking families lived, and the role of women in Viking society.

Vikings in Arms!
12:45, 2:45 pm, free with admission
Watch the Higgins Armory Sword Guild demonstrate the combat skills of the Viking warriors, then join them in the Sword Guild training room for the hands-on workshop

“Axe, Sword, and Shield!” Axe, Sword, and Shield Workshop
1 pm, 3 pm
$10 per person
Learn the skills that made the Vikings the most feared warriors in Europe. This one-hour hands-on workshop features the combat skills and battle tactics of the Vikings. Participants handle a sword and shield, a spear, and the fearsome Viking axe. Workshop open to ages 14 and up, or age 10 if accompanied by a participating parent. Space limited. For inquiries and reservations, contact Rhonda Houle at rhoule@higgins.org; 508/853-6015 x20.

Viking Warrior Presentation
2 pm, free with museum admission
A dominant force in Europe for centuries, the Vikings still fascinate our contemporary world. Explore the culture, daily life, and military equipment of this legendary and fearsome society.

Arts & Crafts
Throughout the day
Kids create rune necklaces and Viking shields ($5 fee). For children ages 4+.

Other fun things going on at Higgins

School of Swordplay
Starting Jan. 5, classes meet Tues. and Thurs., 6:30-8 pm
Tuition $180 ($150 for museum members)
Learn how to wield the knightly longsword, the musketeer's deadly rapier, and the elegant sabre at the Higgins Academy of the Sword. Students receive expert instruction in rapier, longsword, and dueling sabre, as well as the classical forms of modern fencing weapons. Builds overall fitness and coordination in a safe, progressive system of instruction. The class is open to age 16 and up; a separate youth course (age 14-18) meets Thursdays 5-6pm. No equipment required. To enroll, contact Rhonda Houle at (508) 853-6015, ext 20, or higgins@higgins.org.

Company of the Wolfe Argent
Sat., Jan 2, 11 am and noon
Free with museum admission
Representing a company of 15th century Burgundian men-at-arms, this group employs period clothing and weaponry to offer a lively glimpse of arms and armor, society, and daily life in the late Middle Ages.

Historic Combat Demonstration
Sat., Jan. 2, 1 pm, 3 pm
Free with museum admission
Have at you! Witness the subtle skills of attack, parry, and grapple, as the Higgins Armory Sword Guild brings to life the knightly arts of the sword and buckler, dagger, longsword, rapier, and halberd, revived from the long-lost words of medieval masters, as the Sword Guild recreates a medieval combat school.

Live Arms and Armor Show
Sat., Jan. 2: 2 pm
Sun., Jan. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31: 12:30 & 2:30 pm
Free with museum admission
This interactive program covers the history of armor, from its evolution as mail to plate armor to its disappearance, then modern reappearance on the battlefield. Volunteers from the audience may help with the demonstration.

CastleKids Story Hour
Wed., Jan. 6
1 pm, $9 non-member adult/child pair; $5 member adult/child pair
From damsels in distress to mighty dragons, children enjoy tales of adventure, from well-known fairy tales to modern picture books in the medieval Great Hall. Stories include The Paper Bag Princess. Includes snack and craft.

Fencing Classes Begin
Sat., Jan. 9, 10:30 am
Attack, parry and riposte during weekly fencing classes at the Higgins. Taught by Doug Jacobs, certified USFCA moniteur, the class is open to students ages 12+. All equipment supplied by museum. Students under 18 must have the permission of a parent or guardian. Advance enrollment and full payment required by January 5. To register, contact Rhonda Houle, rhoule@higgins.org, (508) 853-6015 x20.

14th Century Knight: Armor in Transition
Sat., Jan. 9, 11:30 am, free with museum admission
Why did knights change from using mail armor to plate? Why did it take nearly 150 years? These are just some of the questions answered in this program focusing on the evolution of knightly armor.

Legio III Cyrenaica Roman Legion
Sat., Jan. 9, 2 pm, free with museum admission
Meet members of the famed Roman legion based in Egypt from 60-100 AD/CE, portrayed by a living history group. Learn about the Legion’s history, weapons, tactics and daily life in this engaging presentation.

The Knightly Art of the Longsword Classes
Sun., Jan. 10, 2-3:30 pm
$125, $100 for members

An introductory course teaching the skills of the two-handed sword wielded by the knights of legend. Four, 1 1/2-hour sessions, no experience or equipment necessary. Participants must be 18 years+, or 14 with a participating parent. Pre-registration required. Contact Rhonda Houle at (508) 853-6015, ext 20; higgins@higgins.org.

Women in Viking Times
Sat., Jan. 16, 11:30 am
Free with museum admission
Viking women were the most respected women of their time. A Viking warrior puts down his weapons to discuss the feminine side of Viking life, how Viking families lived, and the role of women in Viking society.

Viking Warrior Presentation
Sat., Jan. 16, 2 pm, free with museum admission
Learn the culture, daily life, and military equipment of this legendary and fearsome society.

Boudica
Sun. Jan. 17
11:30 am, free with museum admission
Hear the story of Queen Boudica, one of the great forgotten women of history and queen of England’s Iceni tribe. Boudica led an army against the Roman Empire in Britain during the first century CE.

Celtic Arms and Armor Show
Sun., Jan. 17, 2 pm, free with museum admission
Children of all ages learn how ancient Celtic warriors fought in this fast-paced, interactive demonstration.