Rooms of their own: New exhibit at Springfield Museums celebrates 200-plus years of work by a broad range of women artists

by Advocate Staff | Nov 3, 2023

By STEVE PFARRER Staff Writer Paintings that date to the early 1800s. Native American crafts and textiles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Depression-era photographs and ones taken just a few years ago. A quilt that offers interesting commentary on a pop...

Stagestruck: “Stagehand” Redux

by Chris Rohmann | Feb 16, 2021

One of the most adventurous endeavors in this Year of Zoom has been Stagehand, a live immersive piece from Eggtooth Productions first seen last fall. Another iteration launches this weekend and next, with a new framing concept and novel ticketing options.

Stagestruck: Unseen, but Audible

by Chris Rohmann | Dec 17, 2020

When the pandemic shut down the theaters last summer, Williamstown Theatre Festival announced that the shows would go on – in audio versions, partnering with the audiobook provider Audible.

Moving forward: How to leave the Trump-era behind and forge a new future

by Dave Eisenstadter | Dec 10, 2020

We must ensure that Democrats — the one remaining party to adhere to democracy — win unified control of government. That means control of the presidency along with both houses of Congress.

A crisis hits the home: What’s being done to help those facing eviction in a pandemic

by Chris Goudreau | Dec 10, 2020

After nine-plus months of dealing with the tumultuous life upheaval caused by the pandemic – on-again, off-again jobs, opening and closing of public schools and the overall anxiety posed by COVID-19 – Paige Spaulding and her husband, Jordan Jones, are now facing an even scarier prospect: eviction.

Home grown: Individuals getting into the marijuana-growing game, but stigma remains

by Joanna Buoniconti | Dec 10, 2020

But things aren’t all rosy for these backyard marijuana growers, many of whom would not speak about their efforts for this story because of the stigmatizim that’s still attached to the once illegal drug. Societal perceptions of home cultivation have far from faded into the background, they say.

Monte Belmonte Wines: The wines that have gotten us this far

by Monte Belmonte | Dec 10, 2020

My decision, early-pandemic, to only drink during the latter half of each week and to not spend the pandemic in my cups, was a good one.

The V-Spot: What do I do with this dick pic?

by Yana Tallon-Hicks | Dec 10, 2020

A dick pic is not just a picture of a body part. It’s a larger culture of sexual domination, entitlement, and violation all wrapped up into one, easily-photographable object.

Letter from Our Publisher: We’re coming back bi monthly in 2021

by Michael Moses | Dec 10, 2020

Dear Readers, The Valley Advocate has always been, and will continue to be, a voice for our community. We are committed to make a conscious effort to spotlight voices that are marginalized and provide a platform to say what needs to be said. I believe we understand...

Stagestruck: But Is It Theater? – The Year in Zoom

by Chris Rohmann | Dec 2, 2020

Does theater, by definition, require an audience’s physical presence in a shared space with live actors? Can we call it “theater” if we’re not in a theater? These questions have been jostling in my head all this dark year.

Stagestruck: A Woke Thanksgiving

by Chris Rohmann | Nov 19, 2020

The Thanksgiving Play, by Larisa FastHorse, is a sharp-edged satire on well-intentioned but misguided attempts at telling the “real” Thanksgiving story. It was among last season’s most-produced American plays. And it’s one of the funniest I’ve encountered in years.