Northampton’s Paul Arslanian receives national honor for his contributions to the jazz scene
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Alongtime member of and influential figure in the Valley’s jazz scene recently hit the national spotlight. Paul Arslanian, co-founder of the Northampton Jazz Workshop, has been named one of 33 “Jazz Heroes” by the Jazz...
Theater Matters: Curtains up: A guide to the Valley’s unmissable summer theater season
By Jarice Hansen For the Valley Advocate Have you ever attended a reading of a play or story that went on to live in your mind? Play readings are becoming more popular than ever, thanks in part to the types of radio programs and podcasts that stimulate your auditory...
‘Don’t mind if I do’: Northampton exhibit brings art to visitors in a unique and accessible way
By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate Brooklyn-based artist Finnegan Shannon, who is disabled, has often wondered what it would be like to experience art without limitations. Shannon, who has trouble standing and walking and experiences pain doing both,...
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: My boyfriend worked for evil. Should we break up?
By Yana Tallon-Hicks For the Valley Advocate Dear Yana, My boyfriend (“Tim”) knowingly violated a red-line boundary of mine by accepting a job at a particularly Evil Company. As a result, we've been on a break. They've apologized and have since left that...
Mixtape: Time to make the music: Local icons, Donut Kings celebrate 40 years of making music
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Celebrating a 40th anniversary of any kind is a huge milestone in life. When it comes to an artistic form, there’s typically a slew of work to look back on and enjoy. For the Donut Kings, they have over 10 studio albums, a...
‘Love is not a fact; it’s faith’: Local band Pretty Killer follows a singer’s journey from addiction to recovery
Editor's note: The following piece includes candid depictions of substance use and addiction that may be triggering for some readers. Reader discretion is advised. By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate In the spring of 2013 at an empty sober house in Boston,...
‘It was a surreal experience’: Documentary made about Greenfield man recording at Abbey Road Studios after contest win
By Domenic Poli Staff Writer A dream came true last year for Jamie Manning when he spent two days recording an original song in England after winning a competition that garnered 5,500 entries from — one could say — here, there and everywhere. The Greenfield resident...
‘The imagination is endless’: New exhibit at Forbes Library showcases creativity through fiber arts
By Carolyn Brown Staff Writer It is rare to encounter a gigantic stuffed snake in a library, but a new exhibition makes it possible, showcasing the creature alongside other works crafted from scraps and repurposed fiber materials. The Fiberistas’ exhibition, “Bits and...
Monte Belmonte Wines: Rosé by any other name
“That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” I’ll take some poetic license with ol’ Will Shakespeare: “That which we call a rosé by any other name would smell as sweet.” But here’s the thing: rosés aren’t always sweet, either in smell or in...
Academy of Music launches accessibility initiatives, fundraising campaign
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The Academy of Music recently launched two initiatives to make performances more accessible to guests with disabilities: a capital campaign to raise money for an assisted listening system, and a partnership with Valley Eye...
Connecting on a different level: Playfighting class in Florence helps participants shed inhibitions and build strength
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate On a recent Saturday morning in Florence, two friends were arguing over who would be the first to hug the other. “I’m gonna hug you, bro!” said Aaron Cantor. “I’m gonna hug you, bro!” said Joseph Goldin. The friends were...
Sessions
Check out our most recent performances in the playlist below, or click here to dig into interviews and related material!
O Cannabis: Finding Your Perfect Dose
Discovering your ideal cannabis dose can be tricky.
Investing in cultural vitality: Northampton Arts Council grant supports local writer’s growth
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The Valley offers many opportunities for artists — but as one local writer knows, stepping outside the area can help, too. Northampton writer, teaching artist and graduate instructor Richie Wills was recently selected as a...
From the V-Spot Vault: The Love is There, But the Sex Isn’t
Editor’s note: this article originally ran June 10, 2019. Hi Yana, Over the course of the last couple months my partner’s sex drive has slowly fallen off, and is now creating tension in our relationship. We’ve been together for nine months, and...
The Iron Horse rides again: The storied Northampton club will reopen at last, May 15
By STEVE PFARRER Staff Writer In late March, the fabled Iron Horse Music Hall, slated to reopen in mid May, was still a pretty raw construction site. Boards, pipes, boxes, and other materials were piled on the floors, along the walls, and on tables. Extension cords to...
Beerhunter: Vanished Valley opens new taproom and kitchen in Ludlow
A few days ago, I stopped in at Vanished Valley’s Center Street headquarters, where the brewery was throwing a special grand opening party.
Stagestruck: Christmas at the Darcys’
In this season of entertainments that cater to our appetite for cozy tradition, two shows this weekend – from Silverthorne Theater in the Valley and Shakespeare & Co. in the Berkshires – hit the nostalgia nerve from a different angle, adding a holiday-themed sequel to a classic love story.
