>>> COMING UP, WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH THE CREATIVITY AND YOU WITH THE CREATIVITY AND CULTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, CULTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING AN ARTISTIC INCLUDING AN ARTISTIC EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE EXPLORATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES.

ISSUES.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO DOCUMENT >> I'M JUST TRYING TO DOCUMENT THE REALITY OF LIFE AND WHAT THE REALITY OF LIFE AND WHAT FOLKS TAKE AWAY FROM IT IS ON AN FOLKS TAKE AWAY FROM IT IS ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, I HOPE THEY INDIVIDUAL LEVEL, I HOPE THEY FEEL SOMETHING.

FEEL SOMETHING.

>>> BRINGING INCLUSIVITY TO >>> BRINGING INCLUSIVITY TO LOCAL MUSICAL THEATER LOCAL MUSICAL THEATER >> YOU MAKE YOURSELF STRONGER >> YOU MAKE YOURSELF STRONGER WHEN YOU WORK WITH EACH OTHER WHEN YOU WORK WITH EACH OTHER AND YOU MAKE YOURSELF STRONGER AND YOU MAKE YOURSELF STRONGER WHEN YOU OFFER THAT OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN YOU OFFER THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND WE'RE IN THE SOUTH END OF >> AND WE'RE IN THE SOUTH END OF SPRINGFIELD TODAY TO EXPLORE SPRINGFIELD TODAY TO EXPLORE SOME OF ITS CULTURE AND HISTORY.

SOME OF ITS CULTURE AND HISTORY.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I WAS >> I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

TWO YEARS OLD.

I COME TO SPRINGFIELD.

I COME TO SPRINGFIELD.

I PLAY BOTCHY, MY TOY.

I PLAY BOTCHY, MY TOY.

>>> JOIN US FOR THOSE STORIES >>> JOIN US FOR THOSE STORIES AND MORE AS WE EXPLORE THE AND MORE AS WE EXPLORE THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, UP NEXT ON NEW ENGLAND, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

"CONNECTING POINT."

>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

>>> WELCOME, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT," YOUR SOURCE FOR POINT," YOUR SOURCE FOR CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

WE'RE COMING TO YOU TODAY FROM WE'RE COMING TO YOU TODAY FROM THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY OF THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.

SPRINGFIELD, IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.

THIS COMMUNITY HAS LONG BEEN A THIS COMMUNITY HAS LONG BEEN A STRONGHOLD OF ITALIAN CULTURE, STRONGHOLD OF ITALIAN CULTURE, BUILT BY IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME BUILT BY IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME HERE AND OPENED BUSINESSES, HERE AND OPENED BUSINESSES, RAISED THEIR CHILDREN AND MADE RAISED THEIR CHILDREN AND MADE THEIR HOMES IN THIS PART OF THE THEIR HOMES IN THIS PART OF THE CITY.

CITY.

WE'LL EXPLORE HOW THE ITALIAN WE'LL EXPLORE HOW THE ITALIAN COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH END HAS COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH END HAS BOTH ENDURED AND CHANGED OVER BOTH ENDURED AND CHANGED OVER THE YEARS A BIT LATER IN THE THE YEARS A BIT LATER IN THE PROGRAM, BUT WE BEGIN OUR SHOW PROGRAM, BUT WE BEGIN OUR SHOW JUST A MILE DOWN THE ROAD FROM JUST A MILE DOWN THE ROAD FROM HERE IN THE ART GALLERY AT HERE IN THE ART GALLERY AT SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

COLLEGE.

>>> MAY IS NATIONAL ASIAN >>> MAY IS NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH, AND SO IN HONOR HERITAGE MONTH, AND SO IN HONOR OF THAT TODAY WE'RE BRINGING YOU OF THAT TODAY WE'RE BRINGING YOU A PROFILE OF A LOCAL ARTIST A PROFILE OF A LOCAL ARTIST WHOSE WORK DRAWS FROM, AMONG WHOSE WORK DRAWS FROM, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HER AAPI HERITAGE.

OTHER THINGS, HER AAPI HERITAGE.

DONNABELLE CASIS IS A DONNABELLE CASIS IS A FILIPINA-AMERICAN ARTIST LIVING FILIPINA-AMERICAN ARTIST LIVING AND WORKING IN WESTERN AND WORKING IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

HER ART IS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS HER ART IS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS SOURCES SUCH AS FILIPINO TRIBAL SOURCES SUCH AS FILIPINO TRIBAL TATTOOS AND TEXTILES, FACIAL TATTOOS AND TEXTILES, FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE, COSMOLOGY RECOGNITION SOFTWARE, COSMOLOGY AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF METAPHYSICS.

METAPHYSICS.

HER MOST RECENT WORK IS A 3-D HER MOST RECENT WORK IS A 3-D MOVING MOBILE ART INSTALLATION, MOVING MOBILE ART INSTALLATION, AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS AND PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS US HER STORY.

US HER STORY.

>> TIME AND SPACE CAN BE TWO >> TIME AND SPACE CAN BE TWO IMPORTANT ELEMENTS TO A VISUAL IMPORTANT ELEMENTS TO A VISUAL ARTIST WHO WANTS TO CREATE ARTIST WHO WANTS TO CREATE INNOVATIVE WORK.

INNOVATIVE WORK.

FOR ARTIST DONNABELLE CASIS, SHE FOR ARTIST DONNABELLE CASIS, SHE HAD BOTH RECENTLY AT THE GALLERY HAD BOTH RECENTLY AT THE GALLERY ON THE OF THE SPRINGFIELD ON THE OF THE SPRINGFIELD TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>> I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO USE THE >> I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO USE THE SPACE FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF SPACE FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF APRIL.

APRIL.

SINCE THEN I HAVE CREATED ALMOST SINCE THEN I HAVE CREATED ALMOST 20 PIECES AND COUNTING.

20 PIECES AND COUNTING.

SEEING MY WORK UP OUTSIDE OF MY SEEING MY WORK UP OUTSIDE OF MY STUDIO IS ALWAYS KIND OF AN STUDIO IS ALWAYS KIND OF AN EXCITING ASPECT.

EXCITING ASPECT.

I NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT TO I NEVER REALLY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS EXPECT, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS INSTALLATION.

INSTALLATION.

I'M WORKING AS I AM GOING, SO I'M WORKING AS I AM GOING, SO IT'S CONSTANTLY A SURPRISE IT'S CONSTANTLY A SURPRISE WHENEVER I MAKE SOMETHING AND WHENEVER I MAKE SOMETHING AND HANG IT UP, AND SEE IT IN THE HANG IT UP, AND SEE IT IN THE SPACE.

SPACE.

>> TRAINED AS A PAINTER, CASIS >> TRAINED AS A PAINTER, CASIS USED THE GALLERY AND STUDIO USED THE GALLERY AND STUDIO SPACE TO EXPAND ON HER MASTERY SPACE TO EXPAND ON HER MASTERY OF TWO DIMENSIONAL ARTWORK TO OF TWO DIMENSIONAL ARTWORK TO INCLUDE LARGE THREE DIMENSIONAL INCLUDE LARGE THREE DIMENSIONAL PIECES.

PIECES.

MOBILES MADE OF RAN DON'T MOBILES MADE OF RAN DON'T SHAPES, COLORS AND SIZES HUNG SHAPES, COLORS AND SIZES HUNG FROM THE CEILING.

FROM THE CEILING.

MATERIALS INCLUDED LASER CUT A MATERIALS INCLUDED LASER CUT A LOOM NONE AND SHELLS SHE HAD LOOM NONE AND SHELLS SHE HAD SUSTAINABILITY TO HER FROM THE SUSTAINABILITY TO HER FROM THE PHILIPPINES.

PHILIPPINES.

THE OTHER HALF OF THE GALLERY THE OTHER HALF OF THE GALLERY INCLUDED HER WORK AREA, A TABLE INCLUDED HER WORK AREA, A TABLE WITH PAINTS AND MATERIALS, AS WITH PAINTS AND MATERIALS, AS WELL AS A SPRAY TENT FOR AIR WELL AS A SPRAY TENT FOR AIR BRUSHING.

BRUSHING.

>> THE MESSAGE BEHIND LOOKING AT >> THE MESSAGE BEHIND LOOKING AT MY ART IS MULTI-FOLD, I THINK.

MY ART IS MULTI-FOLD, I THINK.

A LOT IS, JUST TAKE THE TIME AND A LOT IS, JUST TAKE THE TIME AND LOOK.

LOOK.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THE WORK I DO BECAUSE A LOT OF THE WORK I DO IS BASED ON VISUAL PERCEPTION, IS BASED ON VISUAL PERCEPTION, HOW WE TAKE WHAT WE SEE AND FIND HOW WE TAKE WHAT WE SEE AND FIND MEANING I CREATED PRIVATE MEANING I CREATED PRIVATE COMMISSION, I CREATED A HANGING COMMISSION, I CREATED A HANGING MOBILE, WHICH ISN'T FAR FROM MOBILE, WHICH ISN'T FAR FROM HERE.

HERE.

IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO IT GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE KINETIC ART AND USING MY EXPLORE KINETIC ART AND USING MY WORK IN A 3D FORM.

WORK IN A 3D FORM.

SO I THOUGHT, WHY DON'T I SO I THOUGHT, WHY DON'T I EXPLORE THAT A LITTLE MORE?

EXPLORE THAT A LITTLE MORE?

AND DO IT LARGE SCALE?

AND DO IT LARGE SCALE?

>> FASCINATED BY VISUAL >> FASCINATED BY VISUAL PERCEPTION IN HOW MEANING IS PERCEPTION IN HOW MEANING IS DERIVED FROM WHAT WE SEE, CASIS DERIVED FROM WHAT WE SEE, CASIS LOOKS FOR HIDDEN GEOMETRIES TO LOOKS FOR HIDDEN GEOMETRIES TO FORM A GREATER WHOLE.

FORM A GREATER WHOLE.

>> I AM INTERESTED IN MARKERS OF >> I AM INTERESTED IN MARKERS OF IDENTITY, SORT OF HOW WE EXPRESS IDENTITY, SORT OF HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES IN THE WORLD, BE IT OURSELVES IN THE WORLD, BE IT THROUGH OUR PATTERNS OF THOUGHT, THROUGH OUR PATTERNS OF THOUGHT, PATTERNS THAT WE WEAR, PATTERNS PATTERNS THAT WE WEAR, PATTERNS IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

IN OUR DAILY LIVES.

AND MARKERS OF IDENTITY MEAN AND MARKERS OF IDENTITY MEAN WHAT YOU WANT TO EXPRESS ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO EXPRESS ABOUT YOURSELF WITHOUT LANGUAGE YOURSELF WITHOUT LANGUAGE NECESSARILY.

NECESSARILY.

>> IN HER NATIVE COUNTRY OF THE >> IN HER NATIVE COUNTRY OF THE PHILIPPINES, THESE MARKERS OF PHILIPPINES, THESE MARKERS OF IDENTITY ARE QUITE OFTEN FOUND IDENTITY ARE QUITE OFTEN FOUND IN THE FORM OF TATTOOS AND SHE IN THE FORM OF TATTOOS AND SHE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THIS TRADITIONAL TRIBAL RITUAL THIS TRADITIONAL TRIBAL RITUAL FIRSTHAND.

FIRSTHAND.

>> I ACTUALLY TRAVELED TO THE >> I ACTUALLY TRAVELED TO THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE FIRST TIME PHILIPPINES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

SINCE I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

I HADN'T RETURNED SINCE.

I HADN'T RETURNED SINCE.

TO GO GET TATTOOED BY THE OLDEST TO GO GET TATTOOED BY THE OLDEST LIVING TATTOO ARTIST.

LIVING TATTOO ARTIST.

SHE'S 103 YEARS OLD.

SHE'S 103 YEARS OLD.

SHE IS THE LAST OF THE SHE IS THE LAST OF THE HEADHUNTER TATTOOS.

HEADHUNTER TATTOOS.

I HAD TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE I HAD TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE REPAIR FOREST TO MEET HER.

REPAIR FOREST TO MEET HER.

THESE ARE OFFICIAL TATTOOS.

THESE ARE OFFICIAL TATTOOS.

THEY USE THE HAND TAPPING THEY USE THE HAND TAPPING TECHNIQUE WITH A THORN, SOOT TECHNIQUE WITH A THORN, SOOT FROM THE FIRE, AND BAMBOO STICKS FROM THE FIRE, AND BAMBOO STICKS AND TAP THE DESIGN INTO YOUR AND TAP THE DESIGN INTO YOUR SKIN.

SKIN.

>> THIS INAUGURAL ARTIST IN >> THIS INAUGURAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE OPPORTUNITY WAS A RESIDENCE OPPORTUNITY WAS A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH ARTIST AND GALLERY.

ARTIST AND GALLERY.

AND SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE AND SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE GALLERY HAS BEEN EXPLORING WAYS GALLERY HAS BEEN EXPLORING WAYS TO SERVE AND SUPPORT LOCAL AND TO SERVE AND SUPPORT LOCAL AND REGIONAL ARTISTS IN REGIONAL ARTISTS IN NONTRADITIONAL WAYS.

NONTRADITIONAL WAYS.

>> HAVING ACCESS TO ART IS SO >> HAVING ACCESS TO ART IS SO IMPORTANT, AS PART OF OUR DAILY IMPORTANT, AS PART OF OUR DAILY LIVES.

LIVES.

IT CREATES A CERTAIN PERSPECTIVE IT CREATES A CERTAIN PERSPECTIVE ON THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

ON THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE.

AND ONCE WE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT AND ONCE WE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT HUMAN EXPERIENCE, IT REMINDS US HUMAN EXPERIENCE, IT REMINDS US OF HOW AMAZING WE ARE AND HOW OF HOW AMAZING WE ARE AND HOW CREATIVE WE ARE.

CREATIVE WE ARE.

SO THE MORE ACCESS WE HAVE TO SO THE MORE ACCESS WE HAVE TO THESE SPACES, I THINK WILL OTHEE THESE SPACES, I THINK WILL OTHEE EQUALLY INSPIRED.

>>> AND IF YOU ENJOYED THAT STORY, BE SURE TO GO ONLINE STORY, BE SURE TO GO ONLINE RIGHT NOW TO RIGHT NOW TO NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT AS WE NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT AS WE CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND CELEBRATE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IN MAY WITH A LOOK AT SOME OF IN MAY WITH A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE, STORIES, AND ISSUES THE PEOPLE, STORIES, AND ISSUES THAT SHAPE THE AAPI EXPERIENCE THAT SHAPE THE AAPI EXPERIENCE IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

>>> WE'RE COMING TO YOU TODAY >>> WE'RE COMING TO YOU TODAY FROM SPRINGFIELD'S SOUTH END, AN FROM SPRINGFIELD'S SOUTH END, AN AREA KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR ITS AREA KNOWN FAR AND WIDE FOR ITS ITALIAN CULTURE, FOOD AND ITALIAN CULTURE, FOOD AND HERITAGE.

HERITAGE.

BUT OUR NEXT STORY TAKES US BUT OUR NEXT STORY TAKES US NORTH TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY NORTH TO THE FRANKLIN COUNTY CITY OF GREENFIELD.

CITY OF GREENFIELD.

ON MAY 20TH AND 21ST, ON MAY 20TH AND 21ST, AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER AND AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER AND WRITER ALFONSO NEAL'S NEW WRITER ALFONSO NEAL'S NEW EXHIBIT ENTITLED "STRUGGLE AND EXHIBIT ENTITLED "STRUGGLE AND HOPE: DOCUMENTING MODERN HOPE: DOCUMENTING MODERN AMERICA," WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN AMERICA," WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN GREENFIELD AS PART OF THE LAVA GREENFIELD AS PART OF THE LAVA CENTER'S SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE CENTER'S SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE ARTS AND MEDIA SERIES.

ARTS AND MEDIA SERIES.

THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANIED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHS ACCOMPANIED BY THE WRITTEN AND RECORDED VOICES OF WRITTEN AND RECORDED VOICES OF NEAL'S SUBJECTS, AND SPANS SEVEN NEAL'S SUBJECTS, AND SPANS SEVEN YEARS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE YEARS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED MOVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.

STATES AND MEXICO.

I JOINED NEAL AT THE LAVA CENTER I JOINED NEAL AT THE LAVA CENTER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS WORK.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIS WORK.

>> I WAS WORKING AS A UNION >> I WAS WORKING AS A UNION ORGANIZER IN SOLICIT?

ORGANIZER IN SOLICIT?

2014.

2014.

AND IN AUGUST WAS WHEN MICHAEL AND IN AUGUST WAS WHEN MICHAEL BROWN WAS MURDERED.

BROWN WAS MURDERED.

EVERYTHING JUST HAPPENED IT WAS EVERYTHING JUST HAPPENED IT WAS A MOMENT IN MY LIFETIME THAT I A MOMENT IN MY LIFETIME THAT I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE EXPERIENCING.

EXPERIENCING.

YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT I HAD YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT I HAD READ ABOUT IN HISTORY BOOKS.

READ ABOUT IN HISTORY BOOKS.

IT WAS VERY MUCH A PART OF WHAT IT WAS VERY MUCH A PART OF WHAT I HAD LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORY I HAD LEARNED ABOUT THE HISTORY HERE IN THE U.S.

HERE IN THE U.S.

BUT NEVER SOMETHING THAT I BUT NEVER SOMETHING THAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE REPEATING THOUGHT WOULD BE REPEATING ITSELF.

ITSELF.

I THOUGHT WE HAD ALREADY GOTTEN I THOUGHT WE HAD ALREADY GOTTEN PAST THAT.

PAST THAT.

SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BE SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BE PRESENT FOR IT.

PRESENT FOR IT.

AND WILE ORGANIZING AND WORKING AND WILE ORGANIZING AND WORKING WITH FOLKS IN THAT COMMUNITY, I WITH FOLKS IN THAT COMMUNITY, I JUST DECIDED TO PICK UP MY JUST DECIDED TO PICK UP MY CAMERA AGAIN AND START TAKING CAMERA AGAIN AND START TAKING PHOTOS.

PHOTOS.

AND IT JUST CONTINUED IN THAT AND IT JUST CONTINUED IN THAT WAY.

WAY.

>> YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, LIKE >> YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, LIKE I DIDN'T REALIZE HISTORY WAS I DIDN'T REALIZE HISTORY WAS GOING TO BE REPEATING ITSELF.

GOING TO BE REPEATING ITSELF.

AND I HAD SPOKEN TO YOU A LITTLE AND I HAD SPOKEN TO YOU A LITTLE EARLIER AND SAID, WHEN I WAS EARLIER AND SAID, WHEN I WAS VIEWING THESE PHOTOS, IT TOOK ME VIEWING THESE PHOTOS, IT TOOK ME A SECOND TO REALIZE THESE A SECOND TO REALIZE THESE WEREN'T FROM 30, 40, 50 YEARS WEREN'T FROM 30, 40, 50 YEARS AGO.

AGO.

THESE REMEMBER RELATIVELY THESE REMEMBER RELATIVELY RECENT.

RECENT.

IN THESE PHOTOS THERE ARE FOUR IN THESE PHOTOS THERE ARE FOUR INTERSECTIONAL THEMES THAT ARE INTERSECTIONAL THEMES THAT ARE FEATURED.

FEATURED.

CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THOSE CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT THOSE AND HOW THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES AND HOW THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBIT?

THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBIT?

>> YES.

>> YES.

SO THE FOUR THEMES ARE THE BLACK SO THE FOUR THEMES ARE THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.

LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.

THE CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN THE CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

BORDER.

THE UAW STRIKE.

THE UAW STRIKE.

AND LOW-WAGE WORKERS.

AND LOW-WAGE WORKERS.

>> HOW DO WE SEE ALL OF THOSE >> HOW DO WE SEE ALL OF THOSE MOVEMENTS KIND OF TALK THROUGH MOVEMENTS KIND OF TALK THROUGH YOUR PHOTOS?

YOUR PHOTOS?

>> I WOULD SAY THROUGH THE >> I WOULD SAY THROUGH THE PHOTOS, WE CAN SEE THE PHOTOS, WE CAN SEE THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF HOW ALL OF INTERSECTIONALITY OF HOW ALL OF THESE STRUGGLES ARE CONNECTED THESE STRUGGLES ARE CONNECTED AND HOW EVERYBODY IS FIGHTING TO AND HOW EVERYBODY IS FIGHTING TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, TO FIND IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, TO FIND THAT LEVEL OF DIGNITY AND THAT LEVEL OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT, WHETHER IT BE IN THE RESPECT, WHETHER IT BE IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH WORK, COMMUNITY THROUGH WORK, MITIGATING POLICE VIOLENCE MITIGATING POLICE VIOLENCE THROUGH ENDING IT, TO BE THROUGH ENDING IT, TO BE COMPLETELY HONORREST.

COMPLETELY HONORREST.

AND CREATING WAYS IN WHICH WE AS AND CREATING WAYS IN WHICH WE AS A SOCIETY AND A CULTURE WORK TO A SOCIETY AND A CULTURE WORK TO MUTUALLY BENEFIT EACH OTHER.

MUTUALLY BENEFIT EACH OTHER.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BLACK >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS FOR A SECOND.

AND WHITE PHOTOS FOR A SECOND.

THERE'S 20 OF THEM FEATURED IN THERE'S 20 OF THEM FEATURED IN THIS EXHIBIT.

THIS EXHIBIT.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO BLACK WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO GO BLACK AND WHITE?

AND WHITE?

WHAT DOES IT ADD TO THE STORY?

WHAT DOES IT ADD TO THE STORY?

>> BECAUSE IT TAKES AWAY >> BECAUSE IT TAKES AWAY DISTRACTIONS.

DISTRACTIONS.

I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST SHOOTING I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST SHOOTING COLOR PHOTOS OR ANYTHING.

COLOR PHOTOS OR ANYTHING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY SHINY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S VERY SHINY.

IT'S VERY MUCH, YOU LOOK AT THE IT'S VERY MUCH, YOU LOOK AT THE COLORFUL IMAGES AND THEN YOU ARE COLORFUL IMAGES AND THEN YOU ARE IN THE MOMENT, LOOKING AT THE IN THE MOMENT, LOOKING AT THE PHOTO, AND THEN YOU ARE OUT OF PHOTO, AND THEN YOU ARE OUT OF THE MOMENT JUST AS QUICKLY.

THE MOMENT JUST AS QUICKLY.

WHEN IT COMES TO BEING BLACK AND WHEN IT COMES TO BEING BLACK AND WHITE, YOU THINK TO YOURSELF, O.

WHITE, YOU THINK TO YOURSELF, O.

IS THIS MOMENT PRESENT?

IS THIS MOMENT PRESENT?

DID THIS MOMENT HAPPEN A LONG DID THIS MOMENT HAPPEN A LONG TIME AGO?

TIME AGO?

AND IT ALSO FORCES YOU TO TAKE AND IT ALSO FORCES YOU TO TAKE YOUR TIME IN READING THE IMAGE.

YOUR TIME IN READING THE IMAGE.

BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE INSTANTANEOUSLY GOING TO MAKE INSTANTANEOUSLY GOING TO MAKE SENSE.

SENSE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE, O. I SAW IT'S NOT GOING TO BE, O. I SAW THE PHOTO.

THE PHOTO.

I AM GOING TO LOOK AWAY.

I AM GOING TO LOOK AWAY.

I SEE THIS PHOTO, I SEE THE I SEE THIS PHOTO, I SEE THE PAIN.

PAIN.

I SEE THE HOPE.

I SEE THE HOPE.

I SEE THE STRUGGLE.

I SEE THE STRUGGLE.

I SEE THE MOM.

I SEE THE MOM.

LET ME STARE AT IT FOR A LITTLE LET ME STARE AT IT FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER AND LOOK AROUND AT BIT LONGER AND LOOK AROUND AT WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THAT WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN THAT SCENE.

SCENE.

LOOKING PAST THE MAIN SUBJECT.

LOOKING PAST THE MAIN SUBJECT.

>> AND SPEAKING OF SCENE, THE >> AND SPEAKING OF SCENE, THE IMAGES, ONE OF THE ONES THAT IMAGES, ONE OF THE ONES THAT STOOD OUT FOR ME, IT WAS A STOOD OUT FOR ME, IT WAS A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN MEXICO MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN MEXICO OUTSIDE A TEMPORARY HOME.

OUTSIDE A TEMPORARY HOME.

AND IT JUST, THEY SEEMED SO AND IT JUST, THEY SEEMED SO NORMAL JUST STANDING THERE, YOU NORMAL JUST STANDING THERE, YOU KNOW.

KNOW.

HAVING A MOMENT.

HAVING A MOMENT.

BUT YOU CAN JUST TELL THE BUT YOU CAN JUST TELL THE SITUATION WAS FAR FROM NORMAL.

SITUATION WAS FAR FROM NORMAL.

IS THERE AN IMAGE OR IMAGES THAT IS THERE AN IMAGE OR IMAGES THAT SPEAK TO YOU THE MOST FROM THIS SPEAK TO YOU THE MOST FROM THIS EXHIBIT?

EXHIBIT?

AND IF SO, WHY?

AND IF SO, WHY?

>> I WOULD SAY THERE ARE TWO >> I WOULD SAY THERE ARE TWO IMAGES THAT SPEAK TO ME THE IMAGES THAT SPEAK TO ME THE MOST.

MOST.

THE FIRST ONE WAS TAKEN IN THE FIRST ONE WAS TAKEN IN NOGALES, MEXICO, RIGHT ON THE NOGALES, MEXICO, RIGHT ON THE BORNER WITH ARIZONA.

BORNER WITH ARIZONA.

IT'S A MOTHER AND LITTLE BOY IT'S A MOTHER AND LITTLE BOY STARING THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE STARING THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE FENCES AT THE BORDER CROSSING.

FENCES AT THE BORDER CROSSING.

IT WAS JUST THE LOOK THE LITTLE IT WAS JUST THE LOOK THE LITTLE BOY WAS GIVING ME.

BOY WAS GIVING ME.

SOMETHING THAT JUST MADE ME FEEL SOMETHING THAT JUST MADE ME FEEL LIKE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MYSELF.

MYSELF.

AND THEN THE SECOND IMAGE IS OF AND THEN THE SECOND IMAGE IS OF AN UNNAMED BLACK ACTIVIST, RIGHT AN UNNAMED BLACK ACTIVIST, RIGHT IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF FERGUSON, STARING AT A VERY FERGUSON, STARING AT A VERY INTIMIDATING LINE OF RIOT INTIMIDATING LINE OF RIOT POLICE.

POLICE.

IT WAS A VISUAL REPRESENTATION IT WAS A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF HOW MONUMENTAL THIS CHALLENGE OF HOW MONUMENTAL THIS CHALLENGE IS, TO FIGURE HOW DO WE IS, TO FIGURE HOW DO WE DISMANTLE SYSTEMIC RACISM AND DISMANTLE SYSTEMIC RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY IN A WAY THAT POLICE BRUTALITY IN A WAY THAT WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY THAT'S MOST AFFECTED BY IT?

THAT'S MOST AFFECTED BY IT?

AND YOU KNOW, IT JUST, IT DOES AND YOU KNOW, IT JUST, IT DOES FEEL LIKE JUST ONE PERSON FEEL LIKE JUST ONE PERSON FIGHTING AGAINST AN ENTIRE FIGHTING AGAINST AN ENTIRE MACHINE.

MACHINE.

>> THIS IS REALLY HEAVY SUBJECT >> THIS IS REALLY HEAVY SUBJECT MATTER THAT YOU ARE COVERING.

MATTER THAT YOU ARE COVERING.

AND EVEN LIKE YOU SAID, HAS A AND EVEN LIKE YOU SAID, HAS A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO YOU.

PERSONAL CONNECTION TO YOU.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE EMOTIONS HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE EMOTIONS THAT YOU FEEL WHILE YOU ARE IN THAT YOU FEEL WHILE YOU ARE IN THESE MOMENTS, DOCUMENTING THESE THESE MOMENTS, DOCUMENTING THESE THINGS?

THINGS?

>> IN THE MOMENT, I DON'T REALLY >> IN THE MOMENT, I DON'T REALLY FEEL A LOT OF THE EMOTION.

FEEL A LOT OF THE EMOTION.

BECAUSE I AM VERY MUCH TRYING TO BECAUSE I AM VERY MUCH TRYING TO BE ALMOST LIKE A FLY ON THE BE ALMOST LIKE A FLY ON THE WALL.

WALL.

I AM NOT TRYING TO INTERJECT I AM NOT TRYING TO INTERJECT MYSELF INTO THE MOMENT BECAUSE MYSELF INTO THE MOMENT BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE BUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE BUT ME.

BUT USUALLY, AFTER IT HAPPENS, BUT USUALLY, AFTER IT HAPPENS, AND YOU GO BACK AND YOU HEAR THE AND YOU GO BACK AND YOU HEAR THE TESTIMONY OR THE RECORDINGS, YOU TESTIMONY OR THE RECORDINGS, YOU START TO TRIBE IT AND YOU START START TO TRIBE IT AND YOU START EDITING PHOTOS.

EDITING PHOTOS.

FOR ME, I JUST GET THIS FOR ME, I JUST GET THIS OVERWHELMING WEIGHT ON MY OVERWHELMING WEIGHT ON MY SHOULDERS.

SHOULDERS.

BECAUSE IT IS VERY PERSONAL FOR BECAUSE IT IS VERY PERSONAL FOR ME.

ME.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I REALLY NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE REALLY NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE EXPERIENCING.

EXPERIENCING.

BUT THEN I'M ALSO REALLY HAPPY BUT THEN I'M ALSO REALLY HAPPY THAT I AM ABLE TO FEEL ALL OF THAT I AM ABLE TO FEEL ALL OF THESE EMOTIONS, ANGER, SADNESS, THESE EMOTIONS, ANGER, SADNESS, PAIN, SHAME, FOR WHAT THAT IS PAIN, SHAME, FOR WHAT THAT IS HAPPENED.

HAPPENED.

BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME THAT BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME THAT THROUGH IT ALL, WE'RE HUMAN THROUGH IT ALL, WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS.

BEINGS.

THAT WE FEEL.

THAT WE FEEL.

AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

>>> EVERY WEEK "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

OPENED IN 2020, GREENFIELD'S OPENED IN 2020, GREENFIELD'S LAVA CENTER IS AN ARTS LAVA CENTER IS AN ARTS INCUBATOR, BLACK BOX THEATER, INCUBATOR, BLACK BOX THEATER, AND COMMUNITY SPACE.

AND COMMUNITY SPACE.

THE CENTER'S GOAL IS TO CREATE THE CENTER'S GOAL IS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PERFORMING AND LITERARY ARTS, AND I SPOKE AND LITERARY ARTS, AND I SPOKE WITH THE CENTER'S LEADERSHIP TO WITH THE CENTER'S LEADERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHAT IT OFFERS TO THE FIND OUT WHAT IT OFFERS TO THE COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

>> WE ARE A SMALL SPACE.

>> WE ARE A SMALL SPACE.

AND WE ARE GENERALLY A VERY AND WE ARE GENERALLY A VERY CASUAL SPACE, YOU KNOW?

CASUAL SPACE, YOU KNOW?

I THINK OF US AS VERY WELCOMING.

I THINK OF US AS VERY WELCOMING.

PEOPLE KIND OF POP IN AND PEOPLE KIND OF POP IN AND THEY'RE LIKE, O.

WHAT'S GOING THEY'RE LIKE, O.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

ON?

COME ON IN.

COME ON IN.

HANG OUT, YOU KNOW.

HANG OUT, YOU KNOW.

DO SOMETHING.

DO SOMETHING.

AND I THINK PEOPLE REALLY ARE AND I THINK PEOPLE REALLY ARE RESPONDING TO THAT VERY CASUAL, RESPONDING TO THAT VERY CASUAL, WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE SPACE THAT WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE SPACE THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAVE.

AND THIS ATTITUDE THAT WE HAVE AND THIS ATTITUDE THAT WE HAVE ABOUT THE ARTS IS BEING FOR ABOUT THE ARTS IS BEING FOR EVERYONE.

EVERYONE.

BEING A VITAL PART OF THE BEING A VITAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL >> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL CLOUGHIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT CLOUGHIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> MANY METROPOLITAN AREAS >>> MANY METROPOLITAN AREAS BOAST POCKET COMMUNITIES BASED BOAST POCKET COMMUNITIES BASED AROUND THE ETHNICITY OF ITS AROUND THE ETHNICITY OF ITS RESIDENTS, AND THE CITY OF RESIDENTS, AND THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD IS NO EXCEPTION.

SPRINGFIELD IS NO EXCEPTION.

THIS AREA RIGHT HERE, BETTER THIS AREA RIGHT HERE, BETTER KNOWN AS THE SOUTH END OF THE KNOWN AS THE SOUTH END OF THE CITY, HAS A RICH AND PROUD CITY, HAS A RICH AND PROUD HERITAGE BORN FROM THE ITALIAN HERITAGE BORN FROM THE ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS WHO MADE IT THEIR IMMIGRANTS WHO MADE IT THEIR HOME.

HOME.

BUT AS "CONNECTING POINT'S" BUT AS "CONNECTING POINT'S" BRIAN SULLIVAN SHOWS US, WHILE BRIAN SULLIVAN SHOWS US, WHILE THE LITTLE ITALY SECTION OF THE THE LITTLE ITALY SECTION OF THE CITY HAS CERTAINLY GOTTEN A CITY HAS CERTAINLY GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT "LITTLER" OVER THE LITTLE BIT "LITTLER" OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES, THE SENSE OF PAST FEW DECADES, THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND TRADITION HERE IS COMMUNITY AND TRADITION HERE IS JUST AS STRONG AS EVER.

JUST AS STRONG AS EVER.

>> IT'S SAFE TO SAY WHEN THE >> IT'S SAFE TO SAY WHEN THE GOOD PEOPLE OF SPRINGFIELD GOOD PEOPLE OF SPRINGFIELD TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH END OF TOWN TRAVEL TO THE SOUTH END OF TOWN BACK IN 1946, THERE WAS NO MGN BACK IN 1946, THERE WAS NO MGN CASINO OR CVS OR EVEN A ROUTE 91 CASINO OR CVS OR EVEN A ROUTE 91 FOR THAT MATTER.

FOR THAT MATTER.

THERE WERE PLENTY OF OTHER STORE THERE WERE PLENTY OF OTHER STORE FRONTS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FRONTS THAT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN FOUND DOWN THIS WAY, NEITHER, FOUND DOWN THIS WAY, NEITHER, BUT THERE WAS ONE THAT NEVER BUT THERE WAS ONE THAT NEVER LEFT.

LEFT.

WHILE THE PASS TREE SHOP, ALWAYS WHILE THE PASS TREE SHOP, ALWAYS LOCATED RIGHT HERE AT THE CORN LOCATED RIGHT HERE AT THE CORN HE WERE OF MAIN AND WINTHROP, HE WERE OF MAIN AND WINTHROP, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE ARE KIND OF A MEETING >> WE ARE KIND OF A MEETING PLACE FOR THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN PLACE FOR THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY IN THE GREATER SPRINGFIELD AREA.

SPRINGFIELD AREA.

ANY GIVEN MORNING YOU WILL FIND ANY GIVEN MORNING YOU WILL FIND TABLES OF OLD ITALIAN GUYS, TABLES OF OLD ITALIAN GUYS, YOUNG ITALIAN GUYS, DOCTORS, YOUNG ITALIAN GUYS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, PLUMBERS, MECHANICS, LAWYERS, PLUMBERS, MECHANICS, ALL SITTING AT A TABLE, ALL JUST ALL SITTING AT A TABLE, ALL JUST SHOOTING THE BREEZE.

SHOOTING THE BREEZE.

AND YOU KNOW, JUST ENJOINING A AND YOU KNOW, JUST ENJOINING A CUP OF ESPRESSO.

CUP OF ESPRESSO.

>> HOME COMPRESSOR EQUIPMENT.

>> HOME COMPRESSOR EQUIPMENT.

THESE EXQUISITE CREATIONS ARE THESE EXQUISITE CREATIONS ARE MADE DAILY BACK HERE.

MADE DAILY BACK HERE.

WHERE THE AROMA OF ALMONDS AND WHERE THE AROMA OF ALMONDS AND SWEETNESS FILL THE AIR LIKE SWEETNESS FILL THE AIR LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A DREAM.

SOMETHING OUT OF A DREAM.

FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER SEEN FOR ANYONE WHO HAS NEVER SEEN THE INNER WORKINGS OF A THE INNER WORKINGS OF A TRADITIONAL BAKERY IT'S REALLY TRADITIONAL BAKERY IT'S REALLY QUITE FASCINATING TO WITNESS THE QUITE FASCINATING TO WITNESS THE ASSEMBLY MINE ATMOSPHERE.

ASSEMBLY MINE ATMOSPHERE.

IN THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE IN THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE LIFELONG CUSTOMERS.

LIFELONG CUSTOMERS.

>> WE ARE NOT ONLY A >> WE ARE NOT ONLY A MULTI-GENERATIONAL BUSINESS IN MULTI-GENERATIONAL BUSINESS IN TERMS OF OWNERSHIP.

TERMS OF OWNERSHIP.

BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF CLIENTELE.

BUT ALSO IN TERMS OF CLIENTELE.

SO MY GRANDFATHER THE BRINES I'M SO MY GRANDFATHER THE BRINES I'M WORKING WITH TOGETHER, MY WORKING WITH TOGETHER, MY GRANDPARENTS MADE CAKES FOR GRANDPARENTS MADE CAKES FOR THEIR GRAND PARENTS AND THEY THEIR GRAND PARENTS AND THEY MADE THE CAKE FOR THEIR PARENTS.

MADE THE CAKE FOR THEIR PARENTS.

WE WANT TO SEE YOU FOR YOUR WE WANT TO SEE YOU FOR YOUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY CAKE AND YOUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY CAKE AND YOUR KIDS' BACK TIMBER CAKE, AND THE KIDS' BACK TIMBER CAKE, AND THE FIRST BIRTHDAY.

FIRST BIRTHDAY.

>> IF THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE GO >> IF THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE GO FOR THEIR TREATS, NEXT DOOR AT FOR THEIR TREATS, NEXT DOOR AT THIS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE THIS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE.

>> WE HAVE SEALED A LITTLE BIT >> WE HAVE SEALED A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING.

OF EVERYTHING.

MACARONI, PASTA, TOILET PAPER, MACARONI, PASTA, TOILET PAPER, WEDDING SOUP, DIVORCE SOUP.

WEDDING SOUP, DIVORCE SOUP.

WE HAVE RAVIOLIS AND TORTLY WE HAVE RAVIOLIS AND TORTLY KNEES.

KNEES.

>> HE WAS WORKING WITH HIS >> HE WAS WORKING WITH HIS SISTERS PUTTING TOGETHER QUITE SISTERS PUTTING TOGETHER QUITE POSSIBLY THE MOST DELICIOUS POSSIBLY THE MOST DELICIOUS PROSHOULD TOE SAUCE I'VE EVER PROSHOULD TOE SAUCE I'VE EVER TASTED.

TASTED.

IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO NOTICE THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE NOTICE THE IMPORTANCE THAT THE GAME OF BOCCI PLAYS IN HIS LIFE.

GAME OF BOCCI PLAYS IN HIS LIFE.

EVEN WROTE A BOOK ON IT.

EVEN WROTE A BOOK ON IT.

HE LIKES IT SO MUCH HE MADE THE HE LIKES IT SO MUCH HE MADE THE SANDWICH FOR IT.

SANDWICH FOR IT.

THE BOCCI GRINDER.

THE BOCCI GRINDER.

WHEN HE IS NOT HERE, HE CAN BE WHEN HE IS NOT HERE, HE CAN BE FOUND AT ONE OF THE LOCAL BOCCI FOUND AT ONE OF THE LOCAL BOCCI COURTS.

COURTS.

THEY SAY THE FIRST KNOWN THEY SAY THE FIRST KNOWN DOCUMENTATION OF BOCCI WAS IN DOCUMENTATION OF BOCCI WAS IN 5200B.C.

WHEN INA PAINTING 5200B.C.

WHEN INA PAINTING SHOWING TWO BOYS PLAYING.

SHOWING TWO BOYS PLAYING.

>> I'VE BEEN PLAYING BOCCI SINCE >> I'VE BEEN PLAYING BOCCI SINCE I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

I WAS TWO YEARS OLD.

IT'S MY TOY.

IT'S MY TOY.

I GOT CAN'T AFFORD ANY TOY WAY I GOT CAN'T AFFORD ANY TOY WAY BACK IN ITALY.

BACK IN ITALY.

SO I COME, I LEAVE ITALY, I COME SO I COME, I LEAVE ITALY, I COME FROM SPRINGFIELD, THIS IS MY TOY FROM SPRINGFIELD, THIS IS MY TOY LIKE LITTLE KIDS.

LIKE LITTLE KIDS.

PLAY BOCCI, IT'S ONE OF THE PLAY BOCCI, IT'S ONE OF THE CHEAPEST SPORT TO BUY BOCCI.

CHEAPEST SPORT TO BUY BOCCI.

BOCCI ONLY COST $150.

BOCCI ONLY COST $150.

GOOD FOR LIFE.

GOOD FOR LIFE.

IT'S NO LIKE PLAY GOLF OR PLAY IT'S NO LIKE PLAY GOLF OR PLAY HOCKEY OR PLAY FOOTBALL.

HOCKEY OR PLAY FOOTBALL.

YOU NEED A LOT OF MONEY.

YOU NEED A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT BOCCI, IT'S VERY CHEAP A BUT BOCCI, IT'S VERY CHEAP A SPORT.

SPORT.

IT'S VERY FUN.

IT'S VERY FUN.

FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR EVERYBODY.

>> AND IT'S A TRADITION THAT THE >> AND IT'S A TRADITION THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION SEEMS TO BE YOUNGER GENERATION SEEMS TO BE MISSING OUT ON.

MISSING OUT ON.

BUT HE IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO BUT HE IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO CHANGE THAT.

CHANGE THAT.

>> WHAT I LIKE TO DO, BECAUSE WE >> WHAT I LIKE TO DO, BECAUSE WE DON'T DO IT ANYMORE, I LIKE TO DON'T DO IT ANYMORE, I LIKE TO GET THE KIDS TO PLAY WITH THE GET THE KIDS TO PLAY WITH THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS.

IN BOCCI'S A SPECIAL GAME, ANY IN BOCCI'S A SPECIAL GAME, ANY AGE, ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE.

AGE, ANY SIZE, ANY SHAPE.

YOU CAN BE IN A WHEELCHAIR AND YOU CAN BE IN A WHEELCHAIR AND PLAY BOCCI.

PLAY BOCCI.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GAME.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL GAME.

WE NEED MORE OF THAT TODAY.

WE NEED MORE OF THAT TODAY.

TODAY WE DON'T EAT AROUND THE TODAY WE DON'T EAT AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH THE FAMILY.

KITCHEN TABLE WITH THE FAMILY.

WE GOT TO DO THINGS WITH THE WE GOT TO DO THINGS WITH THE FAMILY WHERE THERE'S LESS FAMILY WHERE THERE'S LESS FIGHTING AND BRING PEOPLE FIGHTING AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

TOGETHER.

>> WHETHER IT'S MEETING UP FOR A >> WHETHER IT'S MEETING UP FOR A GAME OF BOCCI WITH SOME FRIENDLY GAME OF BOCCI WITH SOME FRIENDLY TRASH TALKING, OR GETTING TRASH TALKING, OR GETTING TOGETHER FOR A CUP OF ESPRESSO, TOGETHER FOR A CUP OF ESPRESSO, A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IS STILL A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IS STILL STRONG HERE.

STRONG HERE.

BUT WILL THE SOUTH END EVER BE BUT WILL THE SOUTH END EVER BE THE NOLD NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IT THE NOLD NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IT USED TO BE BACK IN THE DAY?

USED TO BE BACK IN THE DAY?

PROBABLY NOT.

PROBABLY NOT.

BUT MAYBE THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY BUT MAYBE THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

A BAD THING.

>> IN ITEMS OF ITALIANS COMING >> IN ITEMS OF ITALIANS COMING BACK TO THE SOUTH END, I DON'T BACK TO THE SOUTH END, I DON'T SEE IT HAPPENING.

SEE IT HAPPENING.

THEY'VE MOVED OUT TO LONGMEADOW.

THEY'VE MOVED OUT TO LONGMEADOW.

AND THEY ARE WELL ESTABLISHED AND THEY ARE WELL ESTABLISHED THERE.

THERE.

THEY MADE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY.

THEY MADE A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY.

WORKED HARD, MOVED OUT TO THE WORKED HARD, MOVED OUT TO THE SUBURBS.

SUBURBS.

I GUESS THAT IN A WAY IS THE I GUESS THAT IN A WAY IS THE REAL AMERICAN DREAM, RIGHT?

REAL AMERICAN DREAM, RIGHT?

AS LONG AS WE CAN, WE ARE GOING AS LONG AS WE CAN, WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE AND WE STILL PLAN ON TO BE HERE AND WE STILL PLAN ON BEING A MEETING PLACE AND A BEING A MEETING PLACE AND A COMMUNITY LANDMARK AS LONG COMMUNITY LANDMARK AS LONG PEOPLE STILL WANT TO KEEP PEOPLE STILL WANT TO KEEP COMING.

>>> AND IF YOU LOVE LOCAL "CONNECTING POINT" ONLINE FOR A "CONNECTING POINT" ONLINE FOR A DIGITAL EXTRA AS WE LEARN ABOUT DIGITAL EXTRA AS WE LEARN ABOUT THE ONE LITTLE VILLAGE IN THE ONE LITTLE VILLAGE IN SALERNO, ITALY, THAT PRODUCED SALERNO, ITALY, THAT PRODUCED MOST OF THE ITALIAN IMMIGRANT MOST OF THE ITALIAN IMMIGRANT POPULATION WHO SETTLED RIGHT POPULATION WHO SETTLED RIGHT HERE IN SPRINGFIELD'S SOUTH END HERE IN SPRINGFIELD'S SOUTH END AREA.

AREA.

>> THE SMALL TOWN IN THE >> THE SMALL TOWN IN THE PROVINCE OF SALERNO, ABOUT 45 PROVINCE OF SALERNO, ABOUT 45 MINUTES SOUTH OF NAPLES.

MINUTES SOUTH OF NAPLES.

AND I VENTURE TO SAY THERE'S AND I VENTURE TO SAY THERE'S MORE PEOPLE FROM THIS AREA IN MORE PEOPLE FROM THIS AREA IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD THAN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD THAN THERE NOW.

THERE NOW.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL >> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL EXTRA UPON OUR WEB PAGE RIGHT EXTRA UPON OUR WEB PAGE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FROM MAY 20TH THROUGH THE >>> FROM MAY 20TH THROUGH THE 22ND, THE OPERA HOUSE PLAYERS IN 22ND, THE OPERA HOUSE PLAYERS IN ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT, WILL BE ENFIELD, CONNECTICUT, WILL BE PRESENTING SPECIAL PERFORMANCES PRESENTING SPECIAL PERFORMANCES OF THE TONY AWARD-WINNING OF THE TONY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL, "NEXT TO NORMAL."

MUSICAL, "NEXT TO NORMAL."

THIS SHOW IS DESCRIBED AS A THIS SHOW IS DESCRIBED AS A SHADOWED PRODUCTION WHICH FULLY SHADOWED PRODUCTION WHICH FULLY INCORPORATES A DUAL CAST OF INCORPORATES A DUAL CAST OF HEARING AND SPEAKING PERFORMERS HEARING AND SPEAKING PERFORMERS AND AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE PERFORMERS.

PERFORMERS.

I SPOKE WITH THE SHOW'S I SPOKE WITH THE SHOW'S DIRECTOR, SHARON FITZHENRY, TO DIRECTOR, SHARON FITZHENRY, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTION LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF INCLUSIVITY IN THE CREATIVE INCLUSIVITY IN THE CREATIVE ARTS.

ARTS.

>> FOR US, WE HAVE CREATED AN >> FOR US, WE HAVE CREATED AN ENTIRELY DUAL CAST.

ENTIRELY DUAL CAST.

SO WE HAVE A CAST ENTIRELY OF SO WE HAVE A CAST ENTIRELY OF SINGING, SPEAKING ACTORS.

SINGING, SPEAKING ACTORS.

AND THEN WE HAVE A CAST THAT ARE AND THEN WE HAVE A CAST THAT ARE PERFORMING ENTIRELY IN AMERICAN PERFORMING ENTIRELY IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, IN ASL.

SIGN LANGUAGE, IN ASL.

SO NORMALLY WHEN PEOPLE THINK SO NORMALLY WHEN PEOPLE THINK ABOUT A SIGNED PERFORMANCE, THE ABOUT A SIGNED PERFORMANCE, THE INTERPRETER IS OFF TO THE SIDE.

INTERPRETER IS OFF TO THE SIDE.

AND THEY'RE NOT ACTIVELY AND THEY'RE NOT ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION.

INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION.

FOR US, EVERY CHARACTER HAS TWO FOR US, EVERY CHARACTER HAS TWO PERFORMERS.

PERFORMERS.

SO YOU MIGHT HAVE TWO DIANAS SO YOU MIGHT HAVE TWO DIANAS THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER, THAT ARE NEXT TO EACH OTHER, MAYBE THEY'RE IN OPPOSITE IN MAYBE THEY'RE IN OPPOSITE IN FRAME THE STAGE.

FRAME THE STAGE.

THEY ARE INTERACT.

THEY ARE INTERACT.

SOMETIMES THEY SHARE SIGNS.

SOMETIMES THEY SHARE SIGNS.

THEY SHARE ACTIVITY.

THEY SHARE ACTIVITY.

SO THE TWO CASTS ARE ENTIRELY SO THE TWO CASTS ARE ENTIRELY INTEGRATED.

INTEGRATED.

AND THEY SHADOW EACH OTHER, YOU AND THEY SHADOW EACH OTHER, YOU KNOW, IN MOTION AND IN EMOTION.

KNOW, IN MOTION AND IN EMOTION.

WE CONSIDER IT TO BE DIFFERENT WE CONSIDER IT TO BE DIFFERENT NUANCES OF THE SAME CHARACTER.

NUANCES OF THE SAME CHARACTER.

>> I WAS GOING TO MENTION THAT >> I WAS GOING TO MENTION THAT BEING BILINGUAL MYSELF, I BEING BILINGUAL MYSELF, I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES OF TRYING TO ACCURATELY TRANSLATE TRYING TO ACCURATELY TRANSLATE SOMETHING AND STAY TRUE TO THE SOMETHING AND STAY TRUE TO THE ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

SO WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AS A SO WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AS A PRODUCTION ABOUT PUTTING PRODUCTION ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER A PRESENTATION IN THIS TOGETHER A PRESENTATION IN THIS SHADOWED STYLE?

SHADOWED STYLE?

>> I'VE LEARNED A LOT.

>> I'VE LEARNED A LOT.

AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THERE IS AND I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THERE IS SO MUCH MORE I NEED TO LEARN.

SO MUCH MORE I NEED TO LEARN.

WE HAVE TRIED VERY, VERY HARD TO WE HAVE TRIED VERY, VERY HARD TO BE AUTHENTIC TO THE DEAF BE AUTHENTIC TO THE DEAF PERFORMERS AND DEAF CULTURE TO PERFORMERS AND DEAF CULTURE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HONORING MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HONORING THAT IN ITS ESSENCE, AND NOT THAT IN ITS ESSENCE, AND NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT JUST A TRYING TO MAKE IT JUST A GIMMICK.

GIMMICK.

IT'S NOT THAT.

IT'S NOT THAT.

THESE ARE REALLY TALENTED THESE ARE REALLY TALENTED ACTORS, REALLY TALENTED ACTORS, REALLY TALENTED PERFORMERS.

PERFORMERS.

AND SO I CHALLENGE FOLKS TO COME AND SO I CHALLENGE FOLKS TO COME SEE THIS PERFORMANCE FOR THEIR SEE THIS PERFORMANCE FOR THEIR WORK.

WORK.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE THEY'RE USING.

THEY'RE USING.

THEY'RE TELLING THE STORY SO THEY'RE TELLING THE STORY SO RICHLY, AND EMOTIVELY.

RICHLY, AND EMOTIVELY.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.

IT'S BEEN WONDERFUL.

I HAVE TO GIVE HUGE CREDIT TO I HAVE TO GIVE HUGE CREDIT TO OUR DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC SIGN OUR DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC SIGN LANGUAGE.

LANGUAGE.

SHE GLOSSED THE STRIP WHICH IS SHE GLOSSED THE STRIP WHICH IS TRANSLATING IT INTO AMERICAN TRANSLATING IT INTO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, MAKING SURE THAT SIGN LANGUAGE, MAKING SURE THAT BOTH COMPANIES WERE USING THE BOTH COMPANIES WERE USING THE SIGNS THAT WERE APPROPRIATE FOR SIGNS THAT WERE APPROPRIATE FOR THE MOMENT.

THE MOMENT.

THERE'S A LOT THAT I HAVE THERE'S A LOT THAT I HAVE LEARNED ABOUT SIGN LANGUAGE.

LEARNED ABOUT SIGN LANGUAGE.

SIGN LANGUAGE HAS REGIONAL SIGN LANGUAGE HAS REGIONAL TRANSLATION, LIKE WE THINK OF TRANSLATION, LIKE WE THINK OF ACCENTS, PHRASINGS.

ACCENTS, PHRASINGS.

PHRASINGS THAT WERE CURRENT PHRASINGS THAT WERE CURRENT RIGHT NOW THAT WEREN'T MAYBE RIGHT NOW THAT WEREN'T MAYBE NECESSARILY IN USE 10 YEARS OR NECESSARILY IN USE 10 YEARS OR 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.

20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.

SO SHE'S DONE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT SO SHE'S DONE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK, AND DONE A BEAUTIFUL OF WORK, AND DONE A BEAUTIFUL JOB BRINGING THIS FORWARD IN JOB BRINGING THIS FORWARD IN ASL.

ASL.

>> NEXT TO NORMAL IS THE >> NEXT TO NORMAL IS THE CONTINUE AWARD WINNING MUSICAL CONTINUE AWARD WINNING MUSICAL AND IT'S BEEN CHOSE BE AS ONE OF AND IT'S BEEN CHOSE BE AS ONE OF THE 10 SHOWS YOU MUST SEE FROM THE 10 SHOWS YOU MUST SEE FROM CRITICS FROM THE LOS ANGELES CRITICS FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, "WASHINGTON POST," TIMES, "WASHINGTON POST," ROLLING STONE, SO MUCH MORE.

ROLLING STONE, SO MUCH MORE.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PRODUCE WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO PRODUCE THIS PLAY FOR THE AUDIENCE?

THIS PLAY FOR THE AUDIENCE?

WHY DID IT MAKE SENSE FOR THIS WHY DID IT MAKE SENSE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

>> FOR ONE YOU WANT TO CHOOSE A >> FOR ONE YOU WANT TO CHOOSE A SHOW THAT HAS A REALLY AMAZING SHOW THAT HAS A REALLY AMAZING STORY.

STORY.

AND HAS GORGEOUS MUSIC.

AND HAS GORGEOUS MUSIC.

AND THAT MAY SEEM LIKE A FUNNY AND THAT MAY SEEM LIKE A FUNNY THING TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE THING TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT TRANSLATING A MUSICAL LOOKING AT TRANSLATING A MUSICAL INTO SIGN LANGUAGE.

INTO SIGN LANGUAGE.

BUT THE REQUIRE SICKISM OF IT, BUT THE REQUIRE SICKISM OF IT, THE WAY CHARACTERS MOVE AND THE WAY CHARACTERS MOVE AND INTERACT, AND THEN AT THE BASIS INTERACT, AND THEN AT THE BASIS OF IT, THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT OF IT, THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT MISCOMMUNICATION.

MISCOMMUNICATION.

THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT NOT THIS IS A PLAY ABOUT NOT RECOGNIZING EACH OTHER, RECOGNIZING EACH OTHER, RELATIONSHIP IS REALLY STORY RELATIONSHIP IS REALLY STORY FORWARD.

FORWARD.

AND SO ALL OF THAT COULD COME AND SO ALL OF THAT COULD COME TOGETHER IN ORDER TO BRING THE TOGETHER IN ORDER TO BRING THE ASL TO A POINT OF FOCUS THAT WAS ASL TO A POINT OF FOCUS THAT WAS APPROPRIATE.

APPROPRIATE.

AND IT WORKED REALLY WELL.

AND IT WORKED REALLY WELL.

FOR A CHARACTER TO SAY, YOU FOR A CHARACTER TO SAY, YOU DON'T HEAR ME, WELL, IS THAT DON'T HEAR ME, WELL, IS THAT BECAUSE THE SPEAKING ACTOR IS BECAUSE THE SPEAKING ACTOR IS TALKING TO THE ASL ACTOR?

TALKING TO THE ASL ACTOR?

SO THERE'S LOTS OF LITTLE THINGS SO THERE'S LOTS OF LITTLE THINGS THAT WE PLAYED ON IN NUANCE.

THAT WE PLAYED ON IN NUANCE.

>> THE LAST NIGHTS OF THE SHOW >> THE LAST NIGHTS OF THE SHOW ARE COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.

ARE COMING UP THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S BEEN A LONG MONTH AND A IT'S BEEN A LONG MONTH AND A GREAT SHOWS.

GREAT SHOWS.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE MOST AND WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE MOST AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WITH WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF WITH THIS PRODUCTION?

THIS PRODUCTION?

>> I WILL MISS THE COMPANY.

>> I WILL MISS THE COMPANY.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN 12 ACTORS THAT I MEAN, IT'S BEEN 12 ACTORS THAT HAVE JUST POURED THEIR HEARTS HAVE JUST POURED THEIR HEARTS OUT.

OUT.

I AM PROUD OF US TAKING CHANCE.

I AM PROUD OF US TAKING CHANCE.

REGARDLESS OF HOW IT LANDS, REGARDLESS OF HOW IT LANDS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT AN AUDIENCE REGARDLESS OF WHAT AN AUDIENCE THINKS WHEN THEY WALK OUT, I THINKS WHEN THEY WALK OUT, I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT WE TOOK THE CHANCE.

TOOK THE CHANCE.

I DIRECTED "NEXT TO NORMAL" MANY I DIRECTED "NEXT TO NORMAL" MANY YEARS AGO AND IT WAS REALLY KIND YEARS AGO AND IT WAS REALLY KIND ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES OF THE STORY.

OF THE STORY.

THIS TIME IT'S BEEN ABOUT THIS TIME IT'S BEEN ABOUT RELATIONSHIP.

RELATIONSHIP.

AND I THINK IT'S THAT AND I THINK IT'S THAT RELATIONSHIP THAT I BUILT WITH RELATIONSHIP THAT I BUILT WITH NICKY, OUR DAZZLE, THE NICKY, OUR DAZZLE, THE RELATIONSHIP THE FACT -- ACTORS RELATIONSHIP THE FACT -- ACTORS HAVE MADE, THE TWO NATALIES, THE HAVE MADE, THE TWO NATALIES, THE TWO HENRYS.

TWO HENRYS.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE ARE ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WE ARE ALL A LITTLE RICHER FOR IT.

A LITTLE RICHER FOR IT.

EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS >>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND ALL OF THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW ALL OF THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW IN THIS EPISODE, AS WELL AS IN THIS EPISODE, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

OUR THANKS TO THE CITY OF OUR THANKS TO THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD AND THE RESIDENTS OF SPRINGFIELD AND THE RESIDENTS OF THE SOUTH END FOR HOSTING US THE SOUTH END FOR HOSTING US TODAY.

TODAY.

AND PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US AND PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US AGAIN EVERY WEEK RIGHT HERE FOR AGAIN EVERY WEEK RIGHT HERE FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND TAKE THANKS FOR WATCHING AND TAKE CARE.

CARE.

>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING >> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR POINT" IS PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.