In 2014, Piti Theatre launched its "Bee Weeks" initiative based on the successful touring of our "To Bee or Not to Bee" performance. Bee Weeks use the arts to leverage community and school based activities that move towns toward sustainability and create new partnerships between environmental stewards. Bee Weeks also set the stage for communities to become "Bee Friendly Towns" which are are a set of benchmarks that measure how hospitable any given community is (and can become) towards its' smallest, and busiest, employees.
A Thank You from Bethel, ME
The first-ever Bethel Bee Week was truly amazing. It brought together all ages and all parts of the community to join in...what we hope will become an annual event unique to Bethel.
Thanks to the Piti Theatre Company for bringing a top quality arts education program to our community.
Aranka Matolcsy, Executive Director, and the Mahoosuc Arts Council Board of Directors
What is a Bee Week?
A Bee Week is a collection of bee and pollinator related activities organized in a community during a specific week of the year. Activities may include:
- Documentary screenings (examples: Queen of the Sun, Vanishing of the Bees and More than Honey)
- Theatre residencies and performances (in schools and/or for the public)
- Talks and roundtable discussions with beekeepers and other experts (entomologists, scientists who study pesticides/herbicides, biodiversity, electromagnetic radiation, organic lawn care experts, etc. )
- Community planting day(s) where people plant flowers that bees like/need, bee gardens in public and private spaces
- Your local library highlighting pollinator-related resources
- Your idea goes here!
Why Hold a Bee Week?
Honeybee, native bee and pollinator populations world wide are in decline. Many native bee species have already disappeared. The personal and financial health of most human communities depend on pollination, a requirement for many of the fruits, vegetables and grains we currently grow to feed ourselves - not to mention the value of species in and for themselves.
By putting a range of activities under one umbrella, bee weeks catalyze community conversation and media attention. There is "something for everyone" and everyone has a chance to help the situation improve in their backyard, on their windowsill and in community spaces. Local organizations are also encouraged to help their communities become "Bee Friendly Towns."
How Can We Be Part of a Bee Week?
Piti Theatre Company is happy to organize a Bee Week in your town, work with you to organize one or hear about how yours went! As we continue collaborating with more towns and environmental stewards, we are eager to share ideas with anyone around the globe who wants to lend pollinators a hand, er, wing.
About the Performance
"To Bee or Not to Bee" Performance
Check out the "To Bee or Not to Bee" album
Listen to "Joyful Bee Song"
Learn more about Supporting Pollinators
Massachusetts Collaborators
Amherst: All Things Local, Amherst Sustainability Festival, Amherst Books, Grow Food Amherst, Hitchcock Center for the Environment, Jones Library, UMASS. Northampton: Grow Food Northampton, Tuesday Market, Forbes Library
Hilltowns: Sanderson Academy, Greater Shelburne Falls Area Business Association, The Benson Place.
Greenfield: Greening Greenfield, Greenfield Public Library, 2nd Congregational Church, Just Roots.
Springfield: Springfield Museums, Springfield Libraries, Gardening the Community.
General: Tom Sullivan (Pollinators Welcome)
Thank You Massachusetts Bee Weeks Sponsors!
Angels
Producers
Directors
Better World Auto Club
Hampshire Colon Hydrotherapy
There's a new organic landscaper & stoneworker in town!
Bob Grignaffini of Grignaffini Earthscape is offering 50 dollars off design and consulting work for Pioneer Valley residents between now and September 1st. Grignaffini Earthscape will also donate 10% of any new Pioneer Valley customer's payment to Piti Theatre Co. Just mention "Bee Week" when you call . . .
Generous "seed" funding has been received from:
New England Grassroots Environment Fund
Mass Cultural Council STARS program
*This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.