中華表演藝術基金會邀小提琴家寧峰2/28演出「終極無伴奏」

寧峰。（中華表演藝術基金會提供）

          （Boston Orange）享譽國際的小提琴家寧峰（Ning Feng），將於2月28日（週六）晚8點，重回新英格蘭學院喬丹廳，為中華表演藝術基金會第37屆音樂季的第3場音樂會，以「終極無伴奏（The Ultimate Solo Violin）」為主題，獨奏巴赫、伊薩伊和帕格尼尼作品。

寧峰這晚將使用飛躍演奏香港公司所提供的的1710年斯特拉迪瓦里 (Stradivari) 小提琴Vieuxtemps Hauser，配上維也納 Thomastik-Infeld 提供的琴弦演奏。

目前定居柏林的寧峰，在中國成都出生，曾就讀四川音樂學院附中，以及柏林和斯.艾斯勒音樂學院和英國皇家音樂學院。他從英國皇家音樂學院畢業時，在有著將近200年歷史的這音樂學院中，締造了畢業獨奏會贏得滿分第一人的傲人紀錄。

國際音樂界對他的評價是，音樂中飽含抒情感，深刻音樂性，彈奏出的音色給人絲綢般質感，琴聲既柔和細膩，又張力十足，演奏技巧令人嘆服，。

寧峰曾在許多國際音樂賽事中獲獎，包括漢諾威國際小提琴比賽、伊莉莎白女皇國際小提琴比賽和耶胡迪•梅紐因國際小提琴比賽等重要賽事。2005年，寧峰獲得麥克•希爾國際小提琴比賽（紐西蘭）中第一名，2006年再在小提琴領域的最為人推崇的帕格尼尼國際小提琴比賽贏得冠軍。

            目前定居柏林的寧峰，巡迴世界各地和著名的交響樂團及指揮家合作演出，例如柏林音樂廳管弦樂團, 洛杉磯愛樂, BBC 愛樂,英國皇家愛樂、中國愛樂、上海交響樂團,美國國家交響樂團, 阿姆斯特丹小交響樂團等等。他也在科隆愛樂大廳、倫敦巴比肯藝術中心等重要場館為室內樂音樂會演奏。

在巴赫無伴奏小提琴奏鳴曲與組曲問世300週年的2020年，寧峰應邀到香港藝術節及其他城市，做了一系列的巴赫無伴奏小提琴奏鳴曲與組曲音樂會演出。荷蘭 Channel Classics 唱片公司也為寧峰錄製了多張備受好評的唱片，寧峰在2021年1月發佈的專輯《Paganini Caprices 24+1》，也收錄了著名的帕格尼尼24首無伴奏隨想曲。

寧峰的過往演奏，贏得許多好評，包括(Gramophone) 雜誌評論「寧峰的樂感與演奏技巧讓眾多小提琴家為之折服，而更重要的是，他的音樂演繹讓人愉悅」。著名弦樂雜誌「Strad」將寧峰的唱片標註為「推薦唱片」。唱片公司為寧峰發行的巴赫《小提琴無伴奏奏鳴曲與組曲》唱片被英國著名的《留聲機》Gramophone 雜誌稱讚為「與眾不同的錄音，是一場充滿了想像力的音樂對話，觀眾也深深為之吸引」。

2 月 28 日晚，寧峰將演出的曲目包括：巴赫：D小调第二号帕蒂塔，BWV 1004，伊萨伊：A小调第二号奏鸣曲，作品27，以及E大调第六号奏鸣曲，作品27，帕格尼尼：24首小提琴随想曲，作品1（选段）。

音樂會票價為 $20 (7- 13 歲)、$40、$60。提供14歲以上學生免費票，及非學生贈送卷。需事前預訂。6歲以下兒童請勿入場。詳情請在中華表演藝術基金會的官網查詢.https://www.chineseperformingarts.net/contents/season/20260228/index.html

線上售票2月28日下午3時將關閉。現場沒有免費票贈送。門票為10美元，僅限現金支付。

波士頓市長宣布2月7-9日波士頓進入「寒冷緊急情況」 麻州長也發通告籲民眾注意保暖及出行安全

                   （Boston Orange綜合編譯） 國家氣象局（National Weather Service）波士頓辦公室2月6日傍晚發出大雪及極端寒冷警告。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）發出通告，提醒民眾注意。波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）宣佈波士頓2月7日至9日進入「寒冷緊急情況（Cold Emergency）」。

國家氣象局發出的「冬季天氣警告」，稱麻州大部分地區將降雪2到4寸，包括Cape Ann的Essex郡，積雪可能高達8寸。

            下雪最嚴重的期間，估計在星期六近午時分到下午。將雪之後，從星期六晚上到星期天，氣溫將驟降至危險程度，加上風冷因素，可能會降至零下10度到零下30度。

            麻州州長奚莉指出，星期天是「超級碗（super Bowl）」比賽的日子，請出門看球的民眾，路上格外小心。抽出時間來查看四周鄰居是不是每個人都很暖和安全。

            麻州副州長Kim Driscoll也說，本地人對天氣冷都不陌生，但是在這種北極式的氣溫中，大家應該小心避免在這種氣溫中待長過30分鐘，以免發生體溫過低和凍傷清況。

            波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）指出，國家氣象局預測波士頓地區週日早上的氣溫，加上風冷因素，可能降至零下15度，比市府規定的氣溫降至零下10度時就可宣佈寒冷緊急狀況還低，波士頓市府鼓勵人們採取所有措施保暖，注意安全，照顧鄰居。市府團隊將持續運作，以確保波士頓居民可以取得所需資源。

            吳弭市長提醒民眾，如果看到任何流浪漢在寒冷中徘徊，請撥打911電話求援。波士頓市的青少年及家庭中心（BCYF）也將全面開放，在正常營運時間中供民眾取暖。

https://www.bostonorange.com/2026/02/mayor-wu-declares-cold-emergency-as.html

https://www.bostonorange.com/2026/02/governor-healey-urges-preparedness.html

FY27 YouthReach Grants Now Available

FY27 YouthReach Grants Now Available

BOSTON – Applications are now being accepted to Mass Cultural Council’s YouthReach FY27 grant round.

This funding opportunity provides multi-year grants to Creative Youth Development (CYD) programs that integrate substantive arts, humanities, and science opportunities into a collaborative community response to the needs of youth. Grant amounts will be tiered, and the anticipated minimum award for FY27 is $20,000.

As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.
 
Organizations, schools, and government entities that have operated a CYD program for at least six months between 2024 and 2026 are encouraged to apply. CYD programs are committed to supporting young people’s stories, ideas, and dreams through creative expression and honoring their lived experience. They create environments that center racial equity and social justice, youth voices, and collective action.
 
Key dates for the FY27 YouthReach program include:

· Application opens – February 5, 2026

· Info Session – February 12, 2026

o   ASL interpretation and live captions will be provided

· Applications due – April 2, 2026

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the program guidelines for more information, including eligibility rules and instructions on how to apply.
 
For information and to stay up to date on other Mass Cultural Council funding opportunities this fiscal year, prospective applicants are encouraged to follow the Agency on social media - @MassCultural – or sign up to receive the monthly Power of Culture e-newsletter.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $1.2 Million in Grants that Expand Access to Healthy, Local Food in Schools and Child Care Centers  

Officials visit Watertown schools to see a “freight farm” and other
gardening initiatives supported by FRESH grants

WATERTOWN — Members of the Healey-Driscoll Administration today visited Watertown Public Schools to celebrate $1.2 million in grants and see examples of investments in access to locally grown food for children. In December, the administration announced $1.2 million in state- and federally-funded grants to 24 school districts and 10 early education and care programs to help them grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system. 

As part of today’s visit, officials saw Watertown High School’s Freight Farm, a 40-foot shipping container outfitted to grow food year-round, providing food for cafeterias in Watertown’s five school buildings. The farm produces about 1,000 heads of lettuce per week, helping to feed both students in Watertown’s school cafeterias, as well as families in need in Watertown through donations to the Watertown Community Fridge, a shared food resource at the Watertown Free Public Library. Officials also visited the J.R. Lowell Elementary School, which has an outdoor school garden during the growing season. 

 

“Every student in Massachusetts deserves access to healthy, nutritious school meals,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has made significant investments to ensure students can rely on school meals every day, and through programs like MA FRESH, we’re a deepening that commitment by connecting classrooms to local farms, strengthening our food system, and helping kids build healthy habits for life.” 

 

“At a time when we’ve seen reductions in food benefits and farm-to-school funds, it’s so important that Massachusetts is doing the opposite,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “This program will shape students' health and habits in the future.” 

 

“I was blown away by our visit to the Freight Farm today, which is helping Watertown provide high-quality school meals every day,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “We’re proud to support the work of school nutrition staff and educators, and we’re proud to encourage collaboration with local growers.” 

 

“MA FRESH improves access to year-round, locally grown food so our kids get the nourishment they need,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “As we grapple with federal threats to our anti-hunger initiatives and to our farmers, we are preparing the next generation of farmers, nutritionists, environmental stewards, and leaders in sustainable food systems.” 

 

Funding for this work is through the latest round of Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (MA FRESH) and MA FRESH with Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships (CORP) grants. The MA FRESH grant program is administered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Department of Early Education and Care. Eligible applicants include early education programs that offer meals through the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP) and K–12 schools that offer meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).   

 

“We want students to have access to local, healthy food during the school day,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “Watertown’s gardens and related lessons are just one example of how FRESH grants support creative and sustainable efforts to connect students with local food.” 

 

“MA FRESH helps ensure young children have reliable access to fresh, local foods where they learn and play,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By supporting early education and out-of-school time programs with resources to purchase local foods, these grants expand access to nutritious meals and snacks, strengthen connections to local farms and communities, and support children’s healthy development from the very start.” 

 

“Giving students access to healthy, locally grown food at a young age helps them gain a deep appreciation for our farms which will lead them to make healthier choices as they mature into young adults,” said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle. “We’re proud of the continued partnership with our colleagues at EOE and DESE through these grants that provide Massachusetts grown produce to our school children while supporting our farmers.” 

 

Watertown received a MA FRESH CORP grant of almost $83,000 this year. 

 

“The Watertown Public Schools Freight Farm is officially in full bloom, and we could not be more excited to harvest crops of red sails and oak leaf lettuce, kale, radishes, herbs and more,” said Superintendent Dr. Dede Galdston. “This innovative program brings high-tech, sustainable agriculture directly to our students, and we are excited to launch our Hi-Tech Farming course at Watertown High School." 

 

"Watertown schools are leading the way in showing kids how healthy and delicious locally grown food is,” said Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who represents the community. “I will continue to support our MA FRESH grants that make the program possible." 

 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to highlight the work the Watertown is doing here to educate our students on preparing and growing food locally,” said Representative Steven Owens (D-Watertown). “Watertown is a community that cares deeply about sustainability, and that includes our local food system. Thanks to the Healey/Driscoll Administration for this grant.” 

 

Statewide, recipients are using the money for school gardens, indoor hydroponic growing systems and culinary classes. The grants also support professional development for nutrition professionals and educators to enhance school meal offerings. Increasing access to healthy, locally-sourced school and child care meals is a focus of Governor Maura Healey's Anti-Hunger Task Force’s work to mitigate President Trump’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and adopt long-term solutions to hunger.  

 

“We are excited to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals with local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools and early education centers,” said Lisa Damon, co-director of Massachusetts Farm to School. “We are thankful to our Massachusetts legislators for making these funds available to schools and early education programs across the Commonwealth to do this important work for the past four years.”

Massachusetts and Washington Governors Place a Friendly Bet on Super Bowl LX

Massachusetts and Washington Governors Place a Friendly Bet on Super Bowl LX 

 

BOSTON – Today, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson announced a friendly wager ahead of this year’s Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. 

 

“We are so proud of our New England Patriots and can’t wait to cheer them on this Sunday,” said Governor Healey. “I talked to the people of Massachusetts and agreed that, in the unlikely event that the Seahawks win, we’ll send Washington some of the very best seafood and coffee. We’re grateful to Massachusetts’ own Legal Seafoods and Dunkin’ for donating their finest products, and I hope everyone from Boston to Seattle has a fun and safe time this weekend. Go Pats!"   

 

"I was at the Super Bowl in 2015 — We are definitely getting revenge," said Governor Ferguson. "I don't think for a moment that the Patriots will win, but in that unlikely event, we'll send some of the best shellfish and coffee in the world to our friends in Massachusetts. Go Hawks!" 

 

Under the terms of the wager, the Governor of the winning team will select a gift of their choice for their state. Massachusetts will send a taste of the Commonwealth, including Legal Sea Foods’ Famous New England clam chowder, two live Maine lobsters, a curated selection of East Coast oysters, and classic lobster rolls, and Dunkin' coffee. Washington will ship an offering of shellfish and coffee. Governor Healey previously asked residents on social media for ideas to help determine what to send. 

Governor Healey Proclaims New England Patriots Appreciation Weekend

 Governor Healey Proclaims New England Patriots Appreciation Weekend  

BOSTON – Ahead of Super Bowl LX, Governor Maura Healey has declared that February 6 through February 8, 2026 will be New England Patriots Appreciation Weekend.  

The proclamation reads:  

Whereas, Massachusetts is the proud home of the New England Patriots; and  

Whereas, The New England Patriots have taken home the Super Bowl trophy six times, setting the standard of excellence in the NFL; and  

Whereas, The New England Patriots are the 2025-2026 AFC Champions; and  

Whereas, Our entire region is cheering on the Patriots as they taken on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX; and  

Whereas, Coach Mike Vrabel, a Patriots legend as a player, has created a culture of excellence, accountability and enthusiasm in his transformative leadership of this team; and  

Whereas, We proudly support Drake “Drake Maye” Maye and all the players, coaches and staff who are full of such incredible talent, grit and dedication; and  

Whereas, The 2025-2026 Patriots are the first team in NFL history to go a perfect 9-0 on the road, earning them the title of “Road Warriors”; and  

Whereas, Millions of dedicated fans agree the New England Patriots are all we got and all we need,  

Now, Therefore, I, Maura T. Healey, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim Friday, February through Sunday, February 8, 2026 to be New England Patriots Appreciation Weekend. 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.6 Million to Support Implementation of Revised Time-Out Regulations

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $3.6 Million to Support Implementation of Revised Time-Out Regulations 

EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $3.6 million in competitive grant awards to 78 school districts, charter schools, collaboratives, and approved special education schools. The grants will help schools implement strategies and interventions aligned with the administration’s revised regulations that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted in June, and will also support the appropriate use of time-out practices statewide. Time-out is a behavioral support strategy used in schools to help students calm, and some schools use specific rooms for this purpose.

Districts and schools will be able to train staff in de-escalation strategies, positive behavior interventions, trauma-informed teaching and alternatives to the use of time-out rooms. Grantees will also be empowered to use restorative practices to build positive relationships, resolve conflicts, and build students’ sense of belonging. Ultimately, these efforts are aimed at reducing the use of time-out rooms, increasing students’ access to the classroom, improving students’ self-regulation, improving school climate, and enhancing collaboration among educators, families and community partners.

“This funding will help educators reduce the use of time-out rooms and to use student-centered behavioral support strategies that promote belonging and inclusion,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

“While these regulatory updates have been under development for some time, we know that meaningful change requires investment,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “These grants are designed to help districts strengthen behavioral supports, build staff capacity and implement the revised regulations in ways that lead to better outcomes for students."

The revised regulations updated the definition of seclusion and time-out, added requirements for any room or area that is used for time-out, added emergency circumstances under which a form of seclusion in which a staff member is immediately available to the student may be used as a last resort, and added safeguards for the use of emergency seclusion. 

The grant is designed to help recipients align local practices with state regulations; strengthen data collection, oversight and reporting; and reduce schools’ reliance on time-out rooms.

The FY26 grant recipients are:

· ACCEPT Education Collaborative (in Natick): $50,000

· Acton-Boxborough Regional School District: $50,000

· Arlington School District: $50,000

· Assabet Valley Collaborative (in Marlborough): $50,000

· Attleboro School District: $50,000

· Bedford School District: $50,000

· Bellingham School District: $50,000

· Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (in Adams): $50,000

· Bi-County Collaborative (in Walpole): $50,000

· Braintree School District: $50,000

· Branches School of the Berkshires (in Pittsfield): $50,000

· Canton School District: $50,000

· Cape Cod Collaborative (in Osterville): $50,000

· CAPS Collaborative (in Westminster): $50,000

· Chicopee School District: $50,000

· Collaborative for Regional Educational Service and Training (CREST) (in Andover): $50,000

· Danvers School District: $50,000

· Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District: $50,000

· Fairhaven School District: $50,000

· Falmouth School District: $38,800

· Framingham School District: $50,000

· Franklin School District: $50,000

· Gloucester School District: $50,000

· Granby School District: $26,141

· Haverhill School District: $50,000

· KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School: $50,000

· Latham Centers (in Brewster): $17,400

· Leominster School District: $50,000

· Leverett School District: $19,450

· Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative (in West Springfield): $40,580

· Ludlow School District: $35,495

· Lynn School District: $50,000

· MAB Community Services (in Brookline): $50,000

· Martha’s Vineyard School District: $45,392

· Maynard School District: $50,000

· Nashoba Learning Group (in Bedford): $50,000

· New England Adolescent Research Institute (in Easthampton): $50,000

· New England Center for Children (in Southborough): $50,000

· New Salem-Wendell School District: $25,248

· Newton School District: $50,000

· North Adams School District: $50,000

· North Brookfield School District: $14,780

· Northampton School District: $50,000

· Northborough-Southborough School District: $50,000

· Northborough School District: $50,000

· Northshore Education Consortium (in Beverly): $50,000

· Norton School District: $50,000

· Oxford School District: $33,000

· Pilgrim Area Collaborative (in Plymouth): $50,000

· Randolph School District: $50,000

· Rochester School District: $50,000

· Salem School District: $50,000

· Salem Academy Charter School: $50,000

· SEEM Collaborative (in Stoneham): $49,919

· South Coast Educational Collaborative (in Swansea): $50,000

· South Shore Educational Collaborative (in Hingham): $50,000

· Southborough School District: $50,000

· Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (in Dartmouth): $50,000

· Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District: $40,000

· Springdale Education Center (in Chicopee): $50,000

· Springfield School District: $50,000

· Springfield Preparatory Charter School: $9,000

· St. Ann’s Home (in Methuen): $50,000

· Seven Hills Foundation/Stetson School (in Barre): $50,000

· Taunton School District: $50,000

· The Education Cooperative (TEC) (in East Walpole): $50,000

· The Guild for Human Services (in Concord): $50,000

· Triton Regional School District: $50,000

· Walker (in Needham): $50,000

· Waltham School District: $50,000

· Watertown School District: $50,000

· Wayland School District: $50,000

· Webster School District: $50,000

· West Bridgewater School District: $43,000

· Weymouth School District: $28,415

· Whitney Academy (in East Freetown): $50,000

· Woburn School District: $50,000

Worcester School District: $50,000