Wakefield UU is parntering with WAAV to bring anti-violence, pro-tolerence events to the community as part of the May 2010 Stories for a Safer Wakefield program.

Click HERE to view the official flyer describing all events.

See below for the press release describing the events at the Wakefield UU Church, 326 Main Street, Wakefield MA from May 20 to May 23.

Here is a quick list:

Giving a Voice: Dramatic Readings May 20 at 7:00 p.m.

Rise Up Singing/Songs of Peace May 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Movie Night: Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes May 22 at 7:00 p.m.

FRUIT PUNCH: Give It To Me Straight A Gay Variety Show with Music and Comedy Sunday May 23 @ 7:00 p.m. But, don't miss the 6:00 p.m. cokctail hour! Click HERE for Fruit Punch specifics!

Here are the details of all the events:

Four events of the month-long, town-wide anti violence campaign, Stories for a Safer Wakefield, will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Wakefield, 326 Main Street. The Wakefield UU church is celebrating its second year as a Welcoming Congregation, a program that aims to reduce prejudice toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons within a congregation by increasing understanding and acceptance through workshops and discussions. Because of the church's commitment to inclusiveness and its belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, it was natural for the small congregation to team up with the Beebe Library, Wakefield Alliance Against Violence (WAAV), and Hallmark Health in helping to make Stories for a Safer Wakefield happen.

The church will be providing a venue for "Giving a Voice," performed by the Wakefield High School Drama Club. The students collected essays about violence in the lives of people from Wakefield and will be producing the dramatic program Thursday, May 20, 7:00 PM, in the sanctuary.

The next evening, Friday, May 21, Rev. Maddie Sifantus will lead the monthly community singing event, Rise Up Singing, as she does every third Friday of the month. Rise Up Singing is an evening of folks getting together to sing all sorts of songs, from Peter, Paul, and Mary to the Beatles, from traditional Spirituals to anti war songs. Everyone gets to pick a song or two from the Rise Up Singing songbook, which includes thousands of songs (many of which we all know, whether we know it or not!) and sing along with guitars, tambourines, and whatever other instruments show up. It is fun for everyone, and an ability to read music is not necessary. May's event will be dedicated to songs of peace. The singing begins at 7:30, and is free and open to the public. Food Pantry donations will be accepted.

The third event at the UU Church will be a Movie Night, Saturday, May 22. "Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," a lovingly critical look at the music that rules the airwaves today, will be screened from 7:00 - 8:00, followed by a discussion of the film. Traditional movie snacks will be on hand for this entertaining, enlightening look into the hyper-masculine, misogynist, homophobic music that our kids love.

The church wraps up the month with a benefit for Rosie's Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women. "Fruit Punch: Give it to Me Straight" is a variety show with music and comedy. The show will have a gay bent to it, and will be a celebratory evening of laughter and song that many adults, both gay and straight, will appreciate. Special Rainbow cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres will be available before the show begins and during intermission. For more information on these special events, please visit www.wakefielduu.org.