MASSACHUSETTS

Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Smither and Primate Fiasco will entertain, and Chef Michelle Nugent will offer Creole and Cajun cooking classes. Also enjoy a Mardi Gras music camp for kids, Mardi Gras Ball, Gospel brunch at Elmer's Store and lots more. Capture the heat of New Orleans to chase those winter blues!
Information and schedule: www.winklepickerfest.com.

Barrington Stage will present ten 10-minute plays, the Beacon Cinema and Berkshire International Film Festival will present ten new short films shot on cell phones, the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts will host an art show called Ten Spot featuring ten emerging Berkshire artists, Mission Bar + Tapas will host ten songwriters, Y Bar will play host to ten poets, and New Stage will host ten comedy and variety acts. Look for ten tangos at Pittsfield Bra & Girl and ten comic-strip artists at Shawn's Barber Shop, plus many more activities and events. Information and tickets: 413-236-8888 or visit www.barringtonstageco.org.

Information: www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/winterfest.
February 3 Events:
Night Snow Shoeing at Russell Mill Forest, 5:30 -7:30 p.m.; Meet at the main parking lot of Russell Mill Soccer Fields at 5:30 p.m. and explore the 6.1 miles of snowshoe trails on the 120 acres of town conservation land along Russell Mill Pond. Groups are broken up by ability from slow enjoyable walks to ones that will give even the best athletes a challenge. Hot chocolate and light snacks will be waiting in the parking lot when groups return. Bring your own snowshoes and a night headlamp.
One Book Kick-off Community Social at the Chelmsford Library, 7:30 – 10 p.m. This popular community social is also the kick-off for the annual “One Book Chelmsford” town-wide reading campaign.
February 4 Events:
Pancake Breakfast and Silent Auction, 8:00 -10:30 a.m. aat Central Congregational Church, 1 Worthen Street.!!!
Outdoor Activities at Roberts Field, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ice Skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hot refreshments.
Chelmsford Cultural Council’s Photo Exhibit at the Chelmsford Public Library, 9:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m.
Chowder Fest, Noon - 5 p.m. Come out of the cold and enjoy some hot, delicious food, entertainment and great fun.
February 5 Events:
Outdoor Activities at Roberts Field, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing at Roberts Field.
Snow Shoeing at the Lime Quarry, Noon – 1:15 p.m. The Lime Quarry Snow Shoe trail is 1.5 miles long and designed for the sport (lots of ups and downs). Bring your own snow shoes and a smile. If no snow, we will offer a winter walk at the site.
Winter Nature Walk, 2 – 4 p.m. At the Archer Meadowbrook Reservation at the dead end on Fenwick Drive (off Route 4). At the end of the walk there will be a bonfire and s’mores at Skunk Island. Bring all the children you can find!

A celebration of chocolate, ice sculptures, and wine! Enjoy wine and chocolate tastings, events, great shopping, and more than 15 ice sculptures installed around downtown Salem. The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 10 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex Street.
Information and schedule: http://salem-chamber.org/salems-so-sweet-44.html http://maps.google.com/maps?q=salem++ma&hl=en&ll=42.524495,-70.894089&spn=0.033905,0.0842&sll=42.487289,-72.725372&sspn=0.542808,1.347198&hnear=Salem,+Essex,+Massachusetts&t=m&z=14

Lowell Winterfest participants enjoy a wide range of events including face painting, Soup Bowl Competition, magic shows performed by magicians, ice skating, a fireworks presentation, Glacier Gallery Art Fair, and photos with Lowla Bear. Winterfest is held in Downtown Lowell and it is attended by thousands of people each year. One of the most popular Winterfest events is the Human Dog Sled Competition, which consists of several six-person teams dressed in wacky costumes. Each team competes for titles of Top Dog and Best Costume, with cash prizes awarded to the winning teams.
Information: 978-459-6150 ext. 15 or visit www.lowellwinterfest.org