Things to See & Do

An Evening of Music, Craft, and Cultural Tradition.  Experience a unique night that brings together two extraordinary artistic voices: Puerto Rican cuatro player and composer Fabiola Méndez and master luthier William Cumpiano. Enjoy a live performance from Fabiola alongside an intimate fireside conversation with William on instrument building, cultural heritage, and the evolving story of the cuatro.

Join author Ken Lizotte for a fascinating discussion of his new book, Walden for Hire: Business Lessons from Henry David Thoreau. While many associate Thoreau only with Transcendentalism, a love of nature, and his iconic work Walden, Ken's talk reveals a different dimension: Thoreau as an innovative strategic problem-solver and successful serial entrepreneur. Topics include:

· Henry's lucrative curiosity.

· Henry's success in diverse business arenas, e.g., farming, manufacturing, surveying, and marketing.

· His long-lasting success as a best-selling author.

· His ingenious profit-building methods were generated on his own terms.

· His creative career independence decades before today's "gig economy."

Come prepared to rethink everything you thought you knew about Thoreau and leave with practical, timeless strategies for carving out your own unconventional business path.

Henry David Thoreau described a loon's call as "Perhaps the wildest sound that is ever heard here, making the woods ring far and wide." Join us for a presentation about loons inspired by Thoreau's admiration for them at the Walden Pond Visitor Center Gallery on Sunday, June 21st, from 11 am to 12:30 pm.

DCR Wildlife Biologist Jillian Whitney and Loon Preservation Committee Outreach Coordinator/Biologist Caroline Hughes will discuss Common Loons, their distribution and presence in Massachusetts—including at Walden—and how we can protect them.

Coinciding with the celebration of Juneteenth, join us for a walking tour introducing participants to the Concord women and men who played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement in the years leading up to the Civil War. This tour includes a significant amount (over 1.5 miles) of walking on hilly, unpaved terrain. $15 Members | $25 Non-Members. Includes same-day admission to the Concord Museum.

Join us for a celebratory Juneteenth performance of the History of Hip Hop Dance from Arts for Learning Massachusetts. Tracing hip hop dance styles from the late 70’s through today, this acclaimed ensemble teaches positive messages, including “Think It—Do It—Become It.” The performance celebrates the art and movement of hip hop and includes a funky blend of locking, breaking, popping, tap, and house dancing, vocal percussions, D.J.ing, and modern and traditional dance forms.  Free | Advance Registration Required

Celebrate Juneteenth with an evening of wine, beer, and light refreshments in the Museum’s courtyard, followed by a guided tour of the galleries. Explore Concord’s rich Black and Abolitionist histories through powerful stories, images, and objects from the Museum’s collection. Your ticket includes drinks outside in the courtyard before the tour, which begins at 7:15 pm. Co-sponsored by The Robbins House. $15 Members | $25 Non-Members

Whether you’re new to the writings of Henry David Thoreau or a lifelong fan of his work, you’re sure to enjoy the Thoreau Farm Reading Group. The group meets once a month on a Thursday evening to discuss one of Thoreau’s essays. The June 18 meeting will delve into “Slavery in Massachusetts.”

Pyrographer Alissa O'Brien rescues discarded wood to create extraordinary works highlighting the grain patterns revealed beneath the bark. For this special event, Alissa will show you the art of pyrography. Stop by the Visitor Center to view the exhibition of Alissa's wood-burnings and for the demo location at Walden.

Tour Old Hill Burial Ground and learn about the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Concord’s oldest cemetery. Visit the final resting place of some of the most well-known figures from April 19, 1775, including Emerson Cogswell, Colonel Barrett, and Captain David Brown. This tour includes about 1 mile of walking on hilly, unpaved terrain. $15 Members | $25 Non-Members. Includes same-day admission to the Concord Museum.

Democracy and Freedom Fair. Fun and inspiration for all ages! • Connect with local action groups who will share info, action steps, and fun activities • Kidsʼ games and hands-on learning • Food trucks serving local favorites • Live music by Anna Huckabee Tull & Eric Kilburn;  Middlesex Activist Band • Wright Tavern tours and beer garden (open during and after the festival) Celebrate community  • Celebrate participation • Celebrate democracy.