Bellforge Arts Center unveils a lively and diverse Spring ‘24 events calendar
Events include The Reset by TRILLFIT (April 13), FieldFest Local Music Festival (June 1); Pride (June 9), Unspoken: Juneteenth Festival (June 15), and more
The all-inclusive outdoor Massachusetts arts and culture space at the former Medfield State Hospital welcomed more than 17,000 attendees over the past two years
Photo Credit: Bellforge Arts Center
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MEDFIELD, Mass. [April 13, 2024] – With spring in full bloom, Bellforge Arts Center’s inaugural events calendar has come into colorful view.
The non-profit music, arts, and community space at the former Medfield State Hospital, located between Boston, Worcester, and Providence, has unveiled its lively and diverse spring events calendar featuring nine exciting events. More than 17,000 spectators have attended Bellforge over the past two years, enjoying an inspired and dedicated programming lineup at its outdoor recreation destination. The free, all-inclusive events span a colorful spectrum of music, visual arts, theater, dance, fitness, and other family-friendly activities – ensuring that at Bellforge, there is always something for everyone.
“I’m pleased to report the Bellforge Arts Center is thriving, bringing much-needed spirit and vitality to our region,” says Executive Director Jean Mineo. “We’re breathing new life into a historic campus, activating purposeful spaces through the arts, and celebrating our communities’ diverse voices.”
Last year was a busy one for Bellforge Arts Center, which hosted a sold-out concert by Buffalo Tom; conducted a season-long Summer Sounds series with more than a dozen local bands and artists, and special one-off events like Culturefest, Pride, and Flow At The 'Forge – Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop.
“Bellforge issues a far-reaching call, inviting all to gather and realize art’s potential to connect, entertain, inspire, transport, and transform,” Mineo adds. “Our artists answer that call by uniting us, sharing their stories, and making meaning. Our audience answers too, infusing our experiences with their perspectives, curiosity, joy, and sense of adventure.”
Bellforge’s Spring ‘24 lineup kicks off on Saturday, April 13 with The Reset by TRILLFIT, a vibrant celebration of original Black house rave culture that blends fitness, wellness, music, and art for an unforgettable experience.
On April 20, Belleforge hosts its Green Team Recycling & Energy Drive, an eco-friendly initiative that invites patrons to contribute to sustainability and learn about environmental conservation. The 3rd annual Fairywalk transforms the campus into an enchanting landscape on April 27, with magical fairy houses, music, face painting, and scrumptious food delights for all ages.
The May slate kicks off with Fun at The 'Forge on May 4, where kids become the focus with a full day of magic shows, music, face painting, and entertainment that brings joy to both young and old. May 11 welcomes the return of Fitness at The 'Forge - New Life & Soles of Medfield, featuring fun runs, 5Ks, and 10Ks; while FORGE+ Art & Craft Festival arrives on May 18 as MetroWest's newest gathering for art enthusiasts and craft connoisseurs.
Live music, a staple of Bellforge programming over the past few years, plugs in on June 1 with the second-annual FieldFest: Local Music Festival, showcasing bands and artists from across the region with a lineup to be announced shortly. Bellforge’s Pride Celebration returns on June 9, celebrating diversity through vibrant music, local vendors, and a vision to promote LGBTQIA+ equality and visibility. The season wraps on June 15 with the Unspoken: Juneteenth Festival, a special event curated by two-time Boston Music Award-winning Spoken Word Artist and performer, educator, artivist, publicist, host, and curator Amanda Shea, welcoming all to celebrate Black stories and culture through music and art.
Located at the heart of a sprawling 87-acre campus and historical landmark site, Bellforge Arts Center is a new multi-arts complex designed to support artists, expand cultural opportunities, and nurture the creative community. Long-term renovation and restoration plans include a 300-seat, flexible-use performance venue, 17 classrooms for visual and performing arts education, rehearsal space, and artist studios. Currently, all events are held on the expansive open-air lawn just under the iconic bell tower that’s part of Bellforge Arts Center’s Lee Chapel. A multiphase approach to building will ultimately grow the center to include facilities and programming to support culinary arts, sustainable farming, artist housing, and more.
“Bellforge will empower artists with the support they need to push boundaries, collaborate with other artists, and contribute to the cultural fabric of the greater Boston area in profound and inspiring ways!” says musician Talia Rose, who performed live at last year’s Summer Sounds. “Bellforge has the potential to be a cultural sanctuary and a pillar of the New England artistic community. The greater Boston area deeply needs and deserves a place for artists to call home, where creativity can thrive, and the diversity of artistic expression will be celebrated and uplifted.”
Follow Bellforge Arts Center on Instagram @bellforgearts for the latest, as well as recaps and photos from each event, and visit bellforge.org for the latest news, updates, and information.
Media, Television, and Radio Contact: Michael Marotta at michael@knyvet.com.
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Spring 2024 Events Lineup:
The Reset by TRILLFIT
Saturday, April 13 from noon to 5 p.m.
Immerse yourself in The Reset by TRILLFIT – a vibrant celebration of original Black house rave culture. This event blends fitness, wellness, music, and art for an unforgettable experience.
Green Team Recycling & Energy Drive
Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join our eco-friendly initiative to make a difference. This is your chance to contribute to sustainability and learn about environmental conservation with the Green Team.
Bellforge 3rd Annual Fairywalk
Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Experience enchantment at the 3rd Annual Fairy Walk with magical fairy houses, music, face painting, and scrumptious food delights for all ages.
Fun at The 'Forge
Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A delightful day for kids featuring magic shows, music, face painting, and entertainment that brings joy to both young and old.
Fitness at The 'Forge - New Life & Soles of Medfield
Saturday, May 11 from 9 a.m. to noon
Gear up for Fitness at The 'Forge in collaboration with New Life Furniture Bank and Soles of Medfield, featuring fun runs, 5Ks, and 10Ks.
FORGE+ Art & Craft Festival
Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Discover creativity at the FORGE+ Art & Craft Festival, MetroWest's newest gathering for art enthusiasts and craft connoisseurs.
FieldFest: Local Music Festival
Saturday, June 1 from noon to 5 p.m.
Kick off the 2024 live music season with FieldFest, showcasing incredible talent from the Bellforge Triangle and celebrating the dynamic local music scene.
Bellforge Pride Celebration
Sunday, June 9 from noon to 5 p.m.
Join us for Medfield Pride to celebrate diversity through vibrant music, support local vendors, and promote LGBTQIA+ equality and visibility.
Unspoken: Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 15 from noon to 5 p.m.
Come together at Unspoken to celebrate Black Stories with art, music, and spoken word during our annual Juneteenth Celebration, curated by Amanda Shea.
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About Bellforge Arts Center:
The Bellforge Arts Center is transforming the former Medfield State Hospital into a vibrant arts hub. With its rich history, the center already offers a wide range of outdoor concerts, festivals, and community events. Our development plans include adding a 300-seat performance venue, arts education classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and artist studios. As we grow, we're excited to introduce culinary arts, sustainable farming, and artist housing, further enriching our community.
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The story behind the Bellforge Arts Center name:
The “Bell” portion of our name celebrates the bell tower of the historic chapel building at the heart of our campus. With the word “forge,” we honor our purpose as an inclusive gathering place where new things are made and where artists and guests come together to share in the power of the arts. Our logo also reflects some of our core attributes. The right side of the “B” is an inverted quarter rest, invoking music but also the power of silence and reflection. The shape also calls to mind the meandering Charles River that passes by our campus. The floating dot represents the shared nature of art – something that’s both presented and received. It’s also the eye of a left-facing human face in the logo’s negative space, a reminder of the humanity of our artists and guests.
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Recent praise for Bellforge Arts Center:
“Bellforge will empower artists with the support they need to push boundaries, collaborate with other artists, and contribute to the cultural fabric of the greater Boston area in profound and inspiring ways! Bellforge has the potential to be a cultural sanctuary and a pillar of the New England artistic community. The greater Boston area deeply needs and deserves a place for artists to call home, where creativity can thrive, and the diversity of artistic expression will be celebrated and uplifted.” _Talia Rose, Boston artist and Summer Sounds performer
“The Bellforge Arts folks were an absolute delight to work with and it was an amazing show, with a great audience and an exceptional sound setup. I highly recommend checking the restoration and community building work they’re doing. These organizers have so much lined up, I can’t wait to see what’s next for Bellforge!” _Heather Scott, Boston artist and Summer Sounds performer
“Medfield has always nurtured rising creative talent, but Bellforge could be a true game-changer. A meeting place for artists and lovers of the arts could be transformative for the cultural scene in suburban Boston.” _Matthew Aucoin, Composer/Conductor, Pianist, Writer, 2018 MacArthur Fellow, Medfield High School Class of 2008
“Bellforge would add a desperately needed resource for local and touring artists. It would also give more Massachusetts residents the opportunity to experience live performances, which always adds value to the economic and creative life of our community.” _Gary Dunning, Celebrity Series of Boston President and Executive Director
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Media Contact: Michael Marotta, Knyvet PR, at michael@knyvet.com
Venue Contact: Jean Mineo, Executive Director, at jmineo@bellforge.org
Booking Contact: Paul Armstrong, Director of Programming, at booking@thisisredefined.com
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