Community center grows, band takes top prizes, and youths perform ‘Frankenstein’

Amelia Wilson, a senior at Norwood High School, performs as the Black Swan.Norwood Parents Music Association

In the last decade, the number of families seeking assistance from Interfaith Social Services has nearly doubled, leading the group to seek funding to expand services. The Quincy-based organization kicked off its fund-raising campaign last month, hoping to raise $175,000 by the end of the year for an energy-efficient walk-in freezer, a larger vehicle to pick up discarded food from grocery stores, and more office space for mental health counseling. Visit interfaithsocialservices.org.

The Norwood Mustang Marching Band won first place in two New England Scholastic Band Association competitions. Norwood Public Schools students took home the top prize from competitions in Melrose and Medford. The 56-member band and color guard is composed of students in grades 8 through 12. The band will perform at its home turf — Norwood High School — on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. The Mustangs will perform their winning show as well as host 10 high school bands in competition. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

A nonprofit founded by a Rockland woman is working to lift Guatemalan women and children out of poverty by collaborating with a Guatemalan medical clinic. Worthy Village, Inc. was founded by Julia Rayberg in order to provide economic opportunity, health care, and education to remote communities. The nonprofit relocated its offices and social services departments to the Lake Atitlan Wellness Center in Panajachel, Guatemala. The renamed “Worthy Village Wellness Center” will have doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists, and Mayan social workers on site every day, according to a news release. Visit worthyvillage.org.

A youth performance of “Frankenstein” in Plymouth is sure to leave the whole family laughing. Plymouth-based Americana Theatre Company’s production of the Mary Shelley classic will feature two students with a science fair project gone awry on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. The production will be at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25½ Court St. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. Call 508-591-0282 or visit americanatheatre.org.

Two New England bands will sing bluegrass ballads on Friday, Oct. 26, at the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center, 1 School St., in Foxborough. Four Bridges will perform high-energy numbers and slow love songs beginning at 7:30 p.m. Each of the four band members can play each other’s instruments, and they will often switch during the performance. The Bill Thibodeau Band will follow with improvisational music. Advanced tickets are $15; it’s $20 at the door. Call 508-543-2787, e-mail [e-mail], or visit orpheum.org.