Bay Path College presents 'Winterfest' at Providence Place

Date: 11/25/2009

By Lori Szepelak

Corrrespondent



HOLYOKE -- Bay Path College students are once again taking their Winterfest show on the road this holiday season -- thanks in part to one of its dance members -- Amanda Marie Boileau.

Winterfest is an annual performance by the Bay Path College Performing Arts Department in Longmeadow to observe the winter solstice and ring in the holiday season. The free production, under the artistic direction of Li Ciaglo, features dance, music and selected spiritual readings that intertwine the themes of light, hope, goodwill and peace for all people. Scott Bailey assists Ciaglo as director of choral activities.

Boileau, a passionate dancer who is majoring in biology, suggested to her fellow performers last year that bringing an abbreviated version of the show to others across the river would be a wonderful way to spread goodwill across the region. She once again was instrumental in seeing that the production came to fruition in Holyoke in December.

"As an active member in the Providence Place community, I have really enjoyed being around all of the people at Providence Place and they always share the great things in their lives to me as I do to them," Boileau said during an interview with Reminder Publications. Boileau has worked part-time as a server in the dining room at Providence Place in Holyoke for more than three years.

Boileau noted that Bay Path is also a "very important place" to her since all the girls have become "like family" as well.

"This day means so much to me because both aspects have been so supportive and I appreciate them both being there on that special day," she added.

Boileau recruited the assistance of Sister Joan Ryzewicz, SSJ, director of resident programs at Providence Place on Gamelin Street, to work out the logistics of bringing a mini-version of Winterfest to the chapel again, and the end result is slated for Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. The production is free and open to the public.

Boileau said the Winterfest production in Holyoke will feature several motivational speakers expounding on the holiday season, as well as a candlelight dance segment from the Bay Path Dance Company, and numerous chorale selections. Also, student Mallory Wray will play three short Jewish pieces on clarinet, "Yismekhu V'Malkhuskho," "Russian Kamarinska" and "Russian Bulgar," and student soloist Mandy Placeres will perform "Mary, Did You Know?"

Boileau added that she and her fellow students hope area residents who attend find the production uplifting.

"We want to inspire people to really enjoy the upcoming holiday season," Boileau said.

Winterfest will also be staged on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Mills Theatre, Carr Hall, at Bay Path College, Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow. For more information on this free event, call Bay Path at (800) 782-7284.