Pulsing with intimacy, urgency: Heartbeat Theater launches its inaugural season with ‘Proof’ in Easthampton
By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate Actor Kimberly Gaughan remembers taking her first step onto the stage. Technically, it was her mother’s aerobic step — it was the early ‘90s, after all — and its neon-pink-and-teal-striped surface beckoned her to rise....
Monte Belmonte Wines: Ruminating over wine knickknacks: How far we have fallen culturally when we have replaced Syrah with schwag
By Monte Belmonte For the Valley Advocate The somewhat suspect science that has told us for many years that “a little wine is good for you” seems to be going the way of leeching. When it comes to reliable medical advice, there has been some bad news for wine lovers....
Theater Matters with Jarice Hanson: Breathing fresh life into ‘old chestnuts’: Classics made new (but not too new)
By Jarice Hanson For the Valley Advocate One of the most common terms in theater parlance is the “old chestnut.” This is a type of show that has been around a long time and often has themes, music, or values that are guaranteed to encourage potential audiences to...
Mixtape: Three psychedelic trips to ease your musical soul: New releases from locals: Gold Dust, Princess Ghoul and Bunnies
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Gold Dust, “In the Shade of the Living Light" Gold Dust originated as a solo project for Stephen Pierce, a local punk musician who wanted to step outside of that genre and into traditional folk and psychedelia. After...
Before Salem, there was Springfield: New exhibit explores ‘Witch Panic’ in mid-1600s western Mass
By Emilee Klein Staff Writer Around 50 years before the infamous Salem witch trials, fear of witches first plagued the colonial people of western Massachusetts. In the enterprising settlement of Springfield, founder and fur trader William Pynchon and his colleague,...
How to grow a creative community: Meet the eight artists selected for CitySpace’s 2025 Pay It Forward program
By SAM FERLAND Staff Writer CitySpace’s Pay It Forward Program offers performers funding to produce a show. But it is also building something greater that cannot be staged: a tight-knit artistic community. The Pay It Forward Program is in its fourth year, and will...
Voices ‘In Defiance’: New book highlights 20 lesser known abolitionists
By TINKY WEISBLAT For the Valley Advocate Readers will no doubt be intrigued by the title of a new book from Olive Branch Press. “In Defiance” (248 pages, $25) is subtitled “20 Abolitionists You Were Never Taught in School.” True to the title’s promise (or almost so),...
Statement pieces: Gallery A3 in Amherst hosts juried show to foster unity through art
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Painter Robert Rauschenberg once said, “The artist’s job is to be a witness to his time in history.” A new juried art show in Amherst wants to bear witness to the current political moment by promoting unity. Gallery A3 in Amherst will...
20 hours to celebrate 20 years: Valley Free Radio host to broadcast for nearly a day, Aug. 7
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer A local radio host is gearing up for an uninterrupted 20-hour broadcast next week. Yes, that’s right – 20 hours straight. Jack Frisch, who hosts the jazz program “The Downbeat” on Valley Free Radio every Tuesday afternoon, will host a...
Living, breathing, label-free music: Etchings Festival is ‘the natural habitat for something that doesn’t fit any specific mold’
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Etchings Festival is all about showcasing original contemporary music in a way that transcends boundaries. It’s not exactly a classical festival, though its Ecce Ensemble is made of classical musicians. It’s not exactly a world festival,...
‘I have to be the role model that I wish I had’: In ‘Mirror, Mirror,’ multidisciplinary artist Indë reclaims space for their identity
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Indë Francis, an “artivist” known professionally as Indë, once felt isolated as a queer Black person growing up in western Massachusetts. Now, they’re reclaiming space for their identity with a new art installation that celebrates queer...
Sessions
Check out our most recent performances in the playlist below, or click here to dig into interviews and related material!
O, Cannabis: Getting Into The Weeds On Massachusetts’ Pot Bill
We’re no Nevada, but last week Massachusetts took two rippin’ steps toward weed legalization and protection in the state. First the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a business cannot fire an employee for being a medical marijuana patient — a decision...
‘Space is the place’: Sun Ra Arkestra plays the Academy of Music, May 18
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Legendary Afrofuturist bandleader, composer, and musician Sun Ra had an eye on the cosmos. Though he passed away in 1993, the members of his 13-person musical ensemble, the Sun Ra Arkestra, have since kept his legacy alive through shows...
The V-Spot: Keeping The Oven Hot When There’s a Bun In it
Hi Yana, Do you have any advice for still having awesome sex while pregnant? I’m currently in my sixth month of my pregnancy so I’m not carrying super huge yet but I know that could change so I’d like to be prepared. —Sexy at Six Months Dear Sexy at Six Months, Around...
Staff Picks: Reanimate the Bay State, Hatchery dance, Matilda, and Le Cirque de Noel
Things to do this week.
The Beerhunter: Would You Like Squid With That?
If you weren’t expecting this craft beer column to start with a plate of silkworm larvae, believe me, I’m as surprised as you are.
Stagestruck: Movie/Theater Face-Off
In “The Flick,” at the Academy of Music this weekend, the usual roles are reversed. The audience is on the stage and the play is in the seats. Which makes sense: it’s set in an empty movie theater.
