Look Park has been an escape from the hustle and bustle of Northampton's congested streets for over 70 years, since Fannie Burr Look donated the land in honor of her late husband, Frank Newhall Look. Among its many attractions: a miniature steam train, a water-spray playground, and bumper boats. In one corner of the park, tucked away from the cacophony of picnics and softball games, lies the Pines Theater.
A large stone structure resembling a medieval fortress surrounds the semi-natural amphitheater, with tall pines providing a backdrop to the stage. Musicians perform for crowds on lazy summer evenings when the stars shine brightly, the mosquitoes indulge, and picnickers delight in the tranquility.
The Iron Horse Entertainment Group (IHEG) uses the venue to bring artists who draw too large an audience for the downtown venues or whose music comes alive in the outdoor setting. This summer's schedule includes Ani DiFranco with Kimya Dawson and Irish rockers The Saw Doctors, while previous years have featured Bob Dylan, Modest Mouse and The Black Crowes.
For the past 18 years, the Northampton Arts Council and the Parent Teacher Organization of Northampton Schools have teamed up to present Transperformance, a benefit to provide arts enrichment to the public schools of Northampton. A hodge-podge of local musicians are brought together to perform the music of famous bands, while local celebrities take on a persona that fits the chosen theme. This year's theme is "letters and numbers" and features local takes on tunes by U2 (Spouse), XTC (School for the Dead), the Jackson 5 (Leah Randazzo Group) and many others.
Last year the theater hosted the Valley Advocate Grand Band Slam, and the all-ages atmosphere pointed the way for future slams among the pines.
