Events at Hale
Upcoming Events
Whether you’d like to go on a night hike, get into trail running, meditate by the pond, learn to paint, or take a canoe out at sunset, you’re sure to find something to do at Hale.
Events
See below for hiking, music, and poetry. Additionally, join us for:
- June 17 & 19—Juneteenth at Hale. Saturday from 3–6:30 PM, The Playback Experience and Westwood High School’s Let’s Talk About Race, Culture and Ethnicity committee will help the community look at itself through theater . Monday from 10–11 AM, a panel of Black scholars, educators, and artists will convene on Zoom to discuss what it means to be free.
- June 21—Summer Solstice Swim & S’mores. Kick off summer with an open swim and s’mores by the fire. This ticketed event is open to the public and free for annual members. 5–8 PM. South Beach. Register here.
- Aug. 24—Paint Night at Hale. Splash Hale’s pastel colors onto canvas! Bring friends, make new ones, and leave with your own personal masterpiece. Materials and supplies are included. 5:30–7 PM. $30. Buy tickets here.
- Sept. 9—Steam Kettle Music Festival. Grab your camping chair, swing by the food trucks and beer garden, and enjoy a full day of live music from local bands! 12–7 PM. Early bird tickets are available now.
- Coffee & Conservation—At these regularly scheduled Wednesday morning sessions, from 7:30–8:30 AM, Executive Director Eric Arnold discusses the latest developments in Hale’s conservation efforts, what partnership with Dover and Westwood looks like, and how Hale is amplifying the impact of the towns’ investment through private philanthropy.
- Volunteer Days, Senior Soirées, Story Walks® and more also happen throughout the year.
Sponsors
Contact Jocelyn if you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for your organization. You can read more about these and submit your donation by mail using Hale’s Event Series Sponsorship Forms (coming soon), or click a sponsorship opportunity below to make your contribution right now.
Westwood Community Trails
Sponsored by Westwood's Department of Public Works and its Recreation Department, guided by its Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee, and administered by Hale, Westwood Community Trails invites residents to explore the town’s trails and learn more about their importance to the community. Monthly guided hikes (typically at 10 AM on Saturdays) last about two hours, vary in distance and topography, and explore a number of areas at Hale and beyond. No registration is required, just show up! To learn more, email coordinator Rich de Reyna at westwoodcommunitytrails@gmail.com.
Upcoming Hikes
- Sat. June 3—In June, we'll explore Lowell Woods, starting from the end of Sandy Valley Road in Westwood. This relaxing 3-mile hike is on mostly flat terrain.
- Sat. Jul. 1—We're headed to Needham Forest in July. Meet at the Horsford Ponds Trailhead on Central Avenue in Needham for this 3-mile hike over mixed terrain.
- Sat. Aug. 5—Hale's Sen Ki area is the only portion of the property currently protected by a conservation restriction (in partnership with the Westwood Land Trust). This 3-mile hike over mixed terrain will visit its pine groves, hardwoods, and outcroppings. Meet at 1255 High Street in Westwood, and please remember that dogs are not permitted at Sen Ki.
Arts at Hale
Hale’s annual Steam Kettle Music Festival is Sept. 9, and we’re thrilled musicians like Sympli Whitney will join us again. We’re looking for a few more artists, so if you or someone you know would like to be considered for this fall’s lineup, express interest.
Music in the Barn, Poetry Nights at Hale, and other programs coordinated by Hale’s artist-in-residence are made possible by the generosity of The Margaret Stewart Lindsay Foundation.
Music in the Barn
If you enjoy live music, support local singer-songwriters with friends and family at Hale. Join the dedicated fan base of these 21+ acoustic shows in rustic venues that include the ACLC Barn and Powissett Lodge. Doors typically open at 7 PM.
Upcoming Shows
- June 8, 2023—Three At Home, Tim Van Ness, The Doppelgangers. Learn more and buy tickets here.
- July 13, 2023—Louder than Milk, Cabin Fever, Andrea Paquin. Learn more and buy tickets here.
Past Lineups
- May 11, 2023—Zack Bolles Band, Jeremy Van Cleave, Lara Herscovitch.
- April 13, 2023—Pete Cassani of The Peasants, Ken Carter of Cold Car, Tokyo Tramps.
- March 9, 2023—Whaling Museum, The Old North, and Sophia Jane
- September 10, 2022—The 2022 Steam Kettle Music Festival featured The Kemp Harris Group, Late Night Thoughts, Sympli Whitney Productionz, The Old North, The Remedies, Wild Sundays, Ariel Strasser, Cold Car, Three at Home, TIMKO & Co., and the Zack Bolles Band
- August 11, 2022—Ariel Strasser, Tom Burris, and artists from Cold Car and Just Another Guru
- July 14, 2022—Three at Home, Steve Robb, and Erin Ash Sullivan
- June 9, 2022—Tim Van Ness, Cold Car, and Just Another Guru
- December 7, 2019—Cold Car with Ken Carter, Just Another Guru
- June 27, 2019—John Hanson, Calvin Mausteller, Zack Bolles
- August 2, 2018—Cold Car, Jenne Halstead, Conor Ryan Hennessy
- May 17, 2018—Deb Todd Wheeler, Late Night Thoughts, Lisa Bastoni
- February 8, 2018—Chris Trapper, Sophia Jane
- October 26, 2017—Colin O’Dwyer, Emily Theis, Just Another Guru
- August 10, 2017—Zack Bolles, Sara Colb, Josie Lowder
- July 13, 2017—Ken Carter, Lynn Bailey and Sean Witty, Andrew O’Keeffe and Hayes Cummings
Poetry Nights at Hale
From 6:30–8 PM on the first Wednesday of every month, each Poetry Night begins with an open mic and ends with a set by a featured poet. Whether you choose to share your own poetry or simply appreciate the work of others, it’s always an exciting night of spoken word. Poetry Nights at Hale are ideal for ages 16+ but younger poets are welcome if they’re accompanied by parents or guardians.
Upcoming Sets
- June 7—Cole Rodriguez is an internationally recognized spoken word artist, from Boston. She is a six-year participant in the National Poetry Slam and acclaimed slam winner at Cambridge’s Lizard Lounge, Roxbury’s House Slam, and Manhattan’s Nuyorican Café. As a mother, teacher, artist, and friend, Cole uses her poetic work to create community, inspire activism and speak truth to power. Passionate about both poetry and youth development, Cole works with high schools, colleges, and universities including Harvard, Berklee, BC, and Salem State, as well as in therapeutic settings. She is passionate about bridging the gap between theory and practice to incorporate activism and poetic voice into the classroom.
Past Featured Poets
- May 2023—Will “Will C.” Chalmus
- April 2023—Henrietta “Queen” Hodge
- March 2023—Sarah Audsley
- February 2023—Michael “Warrior” Bonds
- January 2023—Kayla Kennedy
- July 2022—Katya Zinn
- June 2022—Will “Will C.” Chalmus
- May 2022—Isabel Cristina Legarda and Bianca Thompson
- April 2022—Dariana Guerrero
- March 2022—Lexi Wight
- February 2022—Art Collins
- January 2022—Kayla Kennedy
- December 2021—Douglas Bishop
- November 2021—Will “Will C.” Chalmus