- Massachusetts Probation Service
Media Contact for The Massachusetts Trial Court’s 8th Annual Cultural Appreciation Week features free events open to the public
Coria Holland, Communications Director
Massachusetts — The excitement is building in communities across the state as court staff prepare for next week’s kick-off of the Massachusetts Trial Court’s 8th Annual Cultural Appreciation Week, October 21st-25th, which will feature a number of events that are free and open to the public. This celebration of culture, diversity, and community-- believed be the largest of its kind in any US court--will feature a wide range of fun, informative, and creative activities that range from food tastings and cooking demonstrations to art displays, music, and dance, to Naturalization ceremonies and panel discussions and more.
There are also “Signature Court” celebrations taking place at 10 court and Community Justice Support Center sites. Signature Court events are designated court and Community Justice Support sites visited by court, state, and community leaders.
Here are some highlights of next week’s public events:
Monday, October 21st
Middlesex County
Somerville District Court, 175 Fellsway, 9 am
Panel discussion, poetry, music, and food
“Our Stories” forum featuring the court employees and the Assistant District Attorney as panelists, a recitation by Poet Laureate Vijaya Sundaram, a community donation presentation, and more. This is a Signature Court (SC) event.
Cambridge District/ Malden District Court, 4040 Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, 11 am
Music, remarks by court and local leaders, and panel discussion
Performance by Master Drummer Joh Camara, West African Dance Teaching Artist, performance by Malden High Choral Arts Program, and panel discussion: “Cultural Humanity in the District Court.” (SC)
Franklin County
Week-long semi-rotating display of multicultural clothing and books
Greenfield District Court, Franklin Probate & Family, and Franklin Juvenile, 43 Hope Street, Greenfield, 9 am – 4pm
A week-long display featuring clothing designed by a local Black-owned business owner and local event organizer, clothing from several Asian countries—including Vietnam and Laos—and children’s books, lent by the Greenfield Public Library, which highlight cultures around the world will comprise a semi-rotating display.
Suffolk County
The Edward Brooke Courthouse, 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, 1 pm
This Signature Court event will feature music, a cultural fashion show and food as well as remarks by court leaders.
Worcester County
Week-long cultural display
Dudley District Court, 279 West Main Street, Dudley, 8:30 am- 4:30 pm.
Employees and court users will be greeted with prominently displayed flags, a multi-lingual Welcome banner and the LGBTQIA+ Safe Space poster.
Tuesday, October 22nd
Middlesex County
Cultural cuisine luncheon, Capoeira performance, and diversity comic strips
Framingham/Natick District Court, 600 Concord Street, Framingham, Noon-3 pm
A luncheon featuring food from different cultures, including a local Brazilian cuisine restaurant. Staff will share homemade dishes which represent each other’s cultures during their “Apps Around the World” gathering. The day’s event will also include Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial arts performance, and comic strips made by Walsh Middle School students who are members of the school’s Comic Book Club. (SC)
Worcester County
Veteran Hero Award presentation, performances by local high school band, trivia, lunch, and games.
Massachusetts Training and Operations Center (MTOC), 55 Green Street, Clinton, 9 am
Remarks by Probation Commissioner Pamerson Ifill, Trial Court Chief Justice Heidi Brieger, and Court Administrator Thomas Ambrosino. Presentation of the Margaret E. Oglesby Award which will be presented to a deserving veteran during a special ceremony at the Massachusetts Probation Service Training and Operations Center (MTOC). The award is named in honor of Ms. Oglesby, a former Chief Probation Officer and war hero, who passed away in 2020.Trial Court Honor Guard. In addition to the ceremony, the event will feature performances by the Clinton High School Band, trivia, lunch, and games. (SC)
Wednesday, October 23rd
Hampshire and Hampden Counties
Trial Court Honor Guard, Queer Joy Collaborative, Center for New Americans, Performance Project’s First-Generation Ensemble, and Mexican cuisine food truck.
Northampton District Court/Hampshire Superior Court, 15 Gothic Street, Northampton, at noon.
This SC event will feature the LA VERACRUZANA Food Truck, Massachusetts Trial Court Honor Guard, the Queer Joy Collaborative, Center for New Americans, and the Performance Project 1st Generation Ensemble. (SC)
Thursday, October 24th
Berkshire County
State, local, court, education leaders as well as special keynote speaker to address audience, performances by local school children, and culturally diverse food and refreshments.
Northern Berkshire District Court in collaboration with Berkshire Juvenile, Pittsfield Community Justice Resource Center, and Pretrial Services Unit, 111 Holden Street, North Adams, 9am
Keynote speaker: Williams College’s Natalie Montoya-Barnes, Director of the Davis Center; remarks by State Representative John Barrett III and Mayor Jennifer Macksey; performances by local school children from Hoosac Valley High School and BART Charter School. (SC)
Pittsfield District Court, 24 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, noon.
State and local leaders, community organizations, and presentations on navigating the court system. Irish step dancing performance by Scoil Rince Breifne O’ Ruairc Dance School, and art display of self-portraits by local school children. Thai food served by Flavours Food Truck. (SC)
Essex County
Food Festival and door decoration displays
Fenton Judicial Center, Lawrence District, Essex Juvenile, Essex Probate & Family, Essex County Housing Court, Essex County DA’s Office, Law Library and Court Services, Two Appleton Street, Lawrence, 12:30 pm
Cultural Appreciation Food Festival, featuring local restaurants, and door decoration of all court offices in the building.
Middlesex County
Music, art, food, and interactive games!
Middlesex Probate & Family Court, 370 Jackson Street, 5th Floor, Lowell, at 1 pm
Remarks by court and local leaders, keynote speech by Judge Manisha Bhatt, musical performance by Lowell Charter School children, local Parks and Recreation to present “Tree of Diversity.” Attendees are encouraged to write messages regarding diversity on fabric. A cultural potluck dinner will be served by staff.
Luncheon featuring multicultural foods, cultural trivia, and storytelling
Waltham District Court, 38 Linden Street, Waltham, 1 pm
Cultural Appreciation Week luncheon, cultural trivia, and stories shared by Milestones Day School interns.
Friday, October 25th
Bristol County
Naturalization ceremony, lunch, DJ, artists and resource booths
Fall River Justice Center, 186 South Main Street, Fall River, Noon
Annual Naturalization Ceremony to be attended by local students from Multi Language Learners Program, and performances by DJ, local artists. Resource table featuring community agencies.
Worcester County
Speaker, music, clothing, and potluck
Fitchburg District Court, 10 Elm Street, Fitchburg, 12:30 pm
Keynote speaker, music, traditional clothing, cultural artifacts and momento displays, as well as a potluck featuring dishes from around the world.
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Media Contact for The Massachusetts Trial Court’s 8th Annual Cultural Appreciation Week features free events open to the public
