The LAVA Center

05/29/2026

Save the date! On the Boards New Play Fest: “After the Whales Spoke”
Saturday, June 6, 7pm (6:30 doors)
The LAVA Center: 324 Main St, Greenfield

“After the Whales Spoke”
written & directed by Molly Brennan
starring Ash Richardson-White, Foster Finch Schrader, Birdy Elliot, Drum Fernandez, Asa Rowan, Soe Noire, Nancy Brennan

Street medics have found a solution to the problem of anti-abortion, anti-trans legislators in a post-plague world where some people received instructions from whales.

tickets—> https://www.tixtree.com/e/on-the-boards-after-the-whales-spoke-05a91ae6a11c

more info—> https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/

05/29/2026

Downtown Greenfield is the place to be tonight ✨

Join us for the Greenfield Arts Walk from 5–8 PM 🎨

Spend the evening exploring local art, live music, small businesses, delicious food, and the creative energy that makes our community so special 🤩

Take a walk, grab a bite to eat, discover something new, and make a night of it 🤭

Be sure to stop by Greenspace CoWork and say hello while you’re out and about 🌿

See you tonight, Greenfield 👋

Featuring:

• Greenfield Public Library
• Madhouse Multi-Arts
• Greenspace CoWork
• The Sparkle Cave
• The People's Pint
• The LAVA Center
• The Doc & Witch
• Ice Cream Alley
• Smitty's Pub
• Looky Here

🛍️ Local vendors located at the town common 🛍️

Live music at the common from 7-8pm 🎤🎶

05/28/2026

Save the date!
On the Boards New Play Fest: “A Rare Sight” + “Phoenix”
Friday, June 5, 7pm (6:30 doors)
The LAVA Center: 324 Main St, Greenfield

“A Rare Sight”
written by Jem O’Hara & directed by Lauren Stock
starring Kendra Corrie, Jim Merlin, Sandy Wang, Ryn Griffin

Strangers converge around a curiously abandoned landscaping truck while hiking in a state forest. How did it get there? Who would leave such a blemish on the landscape? Does anyone care?! The play explores the discomfort of being unable to do anything about glaring problems, the actions people take when put in these positions, and the abiding presence of the natural world.

“Phoenix”
written by Jan Maher & directed by Liam Castellan
and starring Kendra Corrie & Jim Merlin

ALAN and JESS, sorting old photographs after their mother’s funeral, discover they hold some vastly different memories of relatives and family events, particularly in regard to JOE MAC, a friend of their parents whom they have not seen since they were children. The photos stir long-forgotten memories in JESS; ALAN’s response to her story cause each of them to re-evaluate themselves and each other.

tickets—> https://www.tixtree.com/e/on-the-boards-a-rare-sight-phoenix-97cce268ceb0

more info—> https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/

05/28/2026

Four Rivers School Art Show closing reception + Greenfield Arts Walk
Friday, May 29, 5-8pm
The LAVA Center: 324 Main St, Greenfield

Greenfield’s Four Rivers Charter Public School exhibits their end of the year art show at The LAVA Center. The exhibition showcases a breadth of materials, styles, and focuses, from charcoal still lives to painted landscapes, from surreal paper sculptures to clay figurines and architectural fantasies. The work is taken from grades 7-12, and highlights the students’ diverse achievements and ambitions throughout the year. Join us at The LAVA Center on Saturday, May 2nd from 11am-2pm for an opening reception and celebrate the joys and surprises of art with us! The exhibition will be up through the month of May, with a closing reception Friday May 29th from 5-8pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1276882484621164/

05/26/2026

The Comedy Project R***e - 5/28: "What's So Funny?" with host Joanie Schwartz
Thursday, May 28, 7pm
The LAVA Center: 324 Main St, Greenfield
NOTE: This show is sold out. Come by around 6:50 to see if seats open up!

Joanie has recently returned to stand-up comedy after a long stint at sit-down comedy. The knee surgery was successful!

Joanie will welcome to the stage award-winning Rhymes With Orange cartoonist Hilary Price.

Also up is Ang “extremely normal no further questions” Buxton. Andrea CK is on the bill after her recent tour of LA comedy mics, where, according to one audience member: "You were pretty good, Mom."

And rounding out the night is Paul Bennett, stand-up accountant by day, and stand up comic by night.

Christine Benvenuto returns as the Comedy Project's emotional support human.

Seating is limited and on a sliding scale of $5–20 ($2 Card-to-Culture; no one will be turned away for lack of funds).

Supported in part by a grant from the Greenfield Local Cultural Council.

https://www.facebook.com/events/826007167137478/

05/25/2026

This week @ LAVA!

🗓️ every thursday, 11am–12:30pm - Drop in & Draw
https://www.facebook.com/events/1186306573226794/

🗓️ thursday, may 28, 7pm - Comedy Project R***e: "What's So Funny?" with host Joanie Schwartz
https://www.facebook.com/events/826007167137478/

🗓️ friday, may 29, 5–8pm - Four Rivers School Art Show closing reception + Greenfield Arts Walk
https://www.facebook.com/events/1276882484621164/

☕️ cafe/activities/gallery hours:
Mondays, 11am-2pm
Thursdays, 11am-2pm + 5-8pm
Fridays, 5-8pm
Saturdays, 11am-2pm

all happening at:
📍 324 Main St in downtown Greenfield

05/22/2026

We are so grateful for every one of you who has come to our events over the years. Your support of local arts and humanities, and of our creative and educational offerings has made us a proud community hub. Your participation and financial support have fueled LAVA's success.

What most of you do not know is that LAVA may be forced lay off staff and even shut our doors. Grants once relied upon are no longer available.

LAVA's operating budget is $10,000 a month, only half of which is covered by grants and subrentals. Please consider a donation at this crucial time of need. Sustaining contributions are especially valued as they help us plan our programming with confidence.

And as always, please stop by to take in a show, share a story, or see our latest exhibit during gallery hours. We hope to see you soon! Thank you for your continued support.

Donate Today—> https://thelavacenter.org/donate/

05/22/2026

Save the Date! On the Boards: Table Read Festival Kickoff
Thursday, June 4, 6pm
The LAVA Center: 324 Main St, Greenfield

Playwrights presenting 15-minute slices of their work as table reads for targeted feedback
directed by Ash Goverman

“Dawn and Dorothy in the Afterlife” by Eva Schegulla
“Lone Wolf” by Dan Takacs
“Death by Chocolate” by Jane Denitz Smith
“more like you” by Foster Finch Schrader
“The Walk” by Lionel Audette
“Over My Dead Body” by Richard Carmelo Ballon

more info—> https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/

follow the fb event—> https://www.facebook.com/events/1673484907409971

05/22/2026