They have something old… The Old 97s, to be exact.
Something new… in the form of a Friday night kickoff party at Greenfield’s Arts Block.
While becoming one of the region’s premiere art, music and foodstuffs events, the Green River Festival continues to “borrow” from—and feature—the hot air balloon community that founded it.
“The original NRBQ played at the very first Green River back in 1986,” explains talent buyer Jim Olsen. “So not only is it appropriate to have them back for this, the 25th anniversary in 2011, we’re giving them two sets.”
Led by keyboardist Terry Adams, the new “Q” has been garnering such comparisons as “Jerry Lee Lewis meets Thelonious Monk” piano rock.
Among the other highlights of the nearly 30-band weekend roster are Emmylou Harris, ska/reggae standouts Toots & The Maytals, “first lady of rockabilly” Wanda Jackson and local up-and-comers Sun Parade, to name a choice few.
“Continuous music on two stages with what I would say is the best lineup ever,” says Olsen. “The dance halls should certainly be jumping.”
The Green River Festival is held on the grounds of Greenfield Community College. Discounted tickets of $45 per single day, $65 for the weekend are available at greenriverfestival.com through July 15, with prices swelling by $10 per day and weekend passes becoming unavailable once the event starts. Children 12 and under are free.
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In other news, Positively Holyoke (positivelyholyoke.com) co-chair Peter Brunault is absolutely stoked about this summer’s Heritage State Park concert series.
“[The concerts are] such a great opportunity for friends and families of Holyoke and the region to have some fun on a nice summer evening,” Brunault says of the Wednesday evening festivities. “Everyone should mark their calendars.”
Local country boys Cottonwood kicked things off July 6. The series continued with classic rock veterans Union Jack (July 13), who’ll be followed by Ireland Parish (July 20) and Joey Canata and the Memories (July 27). All shows are free and run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Hot dogs and refreshments are served, with all revenue from sale of said savories benefiting the Foundation for its Community Project/Holyoke Public Library Renovation.
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Not to be outdone, the folks at MASS MoCA in North Adams exhibit a “can-do” spirit of their own. By that, your friendly neighborhood Crawler means that they will once again be hosting a local incarnation of the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival throughout the month.
Founded in 1987 in New York City, Bang on a Can has grown from a one-day event to a multi-faceted, internationally celebrated affair. That said, the Berkshire-based festivities are widely regarded as one of its prize jewels.
The series begins this Saturday, July 16, with the family-friendly Kids Can Too event, then continues with an ode to American minimalist composer John Adams July 23 before culminating in the Bang on a Can Marathon July 30—a six-hour audio extravaganza that will see more than 30 performers lead audiences through a myriad of genres.
Each of the aforementioned events is separately ticked. For prices or to purchase, kindly point your browser to massmoca.org.
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Last up—and marking, hopefully, the last time the region will ever have to experience a tornado—another tornado relief benefit occurs on Saturday, July 23 at the Quaboag Country Club. As of press time, this one promises to deliver FAT members Peter Newland, Kim K and Guy Devito, as well as Boston Blackthorne Band, Bo Fitz and John Sheldon. Tix are $30 and available at the Quaboag Country Club and the Woodbine Country Store. All proceeds are earmarked for the Monson Victims Fund at the Monson Savings Bank.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, PO Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
