HCC to host ASL pickleball tourney on Saturday
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will host its second annual American Sign Language pickleball tournament on Saturday, April 4.
Sponsored by the HCC Deaf Studies Department, the tournament will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the pickleball courts inside the Bartley Center for Athletics and Recreation.
This fun and friendly tournament is free for participants and geared for players of any skill level. Spectators are welcome. Paddles and balls will be supplied for players who need them.
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. with introductions and instructions in pickleball rules and strategy given in American Sign Language. Pickleball practice will start at 9:30 a.m. with the tournament running from 10 to 11:30 a.m., followed by an awards presentation and social time.
HCC ASL instructors Minh Vo and Mick Posner, who teach in the HCC Deaf Studies Department, will lead the pickleball instruction.
After practice time, players will be randomly assigned doubles partners, and the tournament will proceed using a round robin format. Certificates will be awarded to the top five players.
To register, go to: hcc.edu/asl-pickleball. For more information, please contact HCC Professor Claire Sanders, chair of the Deaf Studies Department at csanders@hcc.edu.
Holyoke Pride to host documentary screening
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Pride Committee will hold a screening of the acclaimed documentary “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture,” followed by a live question-and-answer session with the film’s composer, multi-platinum artist and LGBTQIA+ advocate Mary Lambert.
The event will take place on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m., at the Holyoke Senior Center.
“1946” explores how the word “homosexual” was first introduced into the Revised Standard Version of the Bible in 1946 — a translation decision that helped shape decades of misunderstanding, stigma and harm toward LGBTQIA+ people. Through the work of researchers, historians and faith leaders, the film traces the origins of this mistranslation and its lasting cultural impact.
The screening is part of Holyoke Pride’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, community-centered programming that encourages dialogue, education, and connection across diverse audiences.
The event also serves as a fundraiser supporting Holyoke Pride’s year-round programming,
which continues to grow in scope and impact each year. Tickets are available on a sliding scale with a $25 minimum. Senior and Student tickets are available at a reduced cost. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.holyokepride.org/1946.
This program is supported in part by the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, a local agency
supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Easter sunrise service at Quabbin Tower
BELCHERTOWN — An Easter sunrise ecumenical service will take place on Easter morning April 5, at the Quabbin Tower. The service will be held in the parking area below the tower. Entrance gates open at 5:30 a.m. and the service begins at 6:15 a.m.
The service is being hosted by the Hope Methodist Church, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Barnabus Anglican Church and the Belchertown United Church of Christ.
Intergenerational dance classes at Chesterfield Senior Center
CHESTERFIELD — The Chesterfield Council on Aging will offer five free intergenerational dance classes on Thursdays, from 4 to 5 p.m., starting April 9 and running through May 14, at 400 Main Road. The classes will be taught by Amy Dawn Kotel and are geared for all ages and abilities (children must be accompanied by an adult).
When the classes conclude, the group will perform for the community on May 14 at 5 p.m.
Kotel has taught, choreographed and performed dance since the mid-1990s. She has danced with many local dance companies, has taught both in traditional school settings and in many nontraditional settings as well. She is a k-12 certified dance teacher in Massachusetts.
This program has been funded by the Chesterfield Senior Center and a grant from the Chesterfield Cultural Council.