Finding ‘the wow of now’: Amid neurological health battles, Northampton clown instructor embraces the power of presence
By CAROLYN BROWN For the Valley Advocate Fifteen years ago, Gabriel "Gabe" Levey’s life took a drastic turn when he had a seizure — his first of many. But rather than letting the diagnosis silence his career as a performer, the Northampton-based clowning instructor...
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...
She’d rather entertain: Queer icon Sandra Bernhard brings new show to the Iron Horse next week
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Through five decades in the entertainment industry, comedian, author, actress, and radio host Sandra Bernhard has done a lot – and, next weekend, she’ll bring that experience and love of performing to Northampton. Bernhard will be...
The mane event: New England Morgan Horse Show to return to Northampton
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Equestrians will flock to Northampton later this month to celebrate and show off their skills with Morgan horses, the official state horse of Massachusetts. From Monday, July 21, through Saturday, July 26, the New England Morgan Horse...
World of wonder: Walter Wick’s dynamic photographic illustrations at Norman Rockwell Museum
By DON STEWART For the Valley Advocate The dynamic images of photographic illustrator Walter Wick can be viewed through Oct. 26 in four galleries at Stockbridge’s Norman Rockwell Museum. An older generation may not recognize the Miami-based artist’s name, however....
Life’s a drag!: A day in the life of producer and queen, Magnolia Masquerade
By Hannah Bevis For the Valley Advocate On most days, Andrew Curran, better known as his drag persona Magnolia Masquerade, is a whirlwind of activity, brainstorming ideas for future shows, creating the props that will bring them to life, running the rehearsals with...
Brutal? No, beautiful: Holyoke artist Michael Karmody has found beauty — and a decent living — in concrete creations
By Samuel Gelinas Staff Writer Artist Michael Karmody knows a hard truth about concrete — that it is often associated with sidewalks and jails, not attractive things. But, serious question. What does concrete actually look like? For Karmody, the only serious answer...
Monte Belmonte Wines: What’s going on at Table & Vine in West Springfield?: Something fishy is afoot at the Big Y’s flagship location for fine wine
By Monte Belmonte For the Valley Advocate What is going on at Table & Vine in West Springfield? Given that you are reading a wine column, I assume you partake of the grape. Then you probably know that Table & Vine is the wines, beer and spirits branch of the...
Theater Matters with Jarice Hanson: Audience participation required: Three plays raise questions around moral integrity and point of view
By Jarice Hanson For the Valley Advocate Plays about difficult subjects, like the consequences of personal actions, politics, and social change, require more of the audience in terms of asking them to consider how their own sense of morality and moral integrity...
Mixtape: New heavy music to initiate summer: Reviewing Warm’s ‘Fastidium’ and TueTewsday’s ‘Shoulda Been Larz’
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Warm “Fastidium” The moment I pressed play on this album, I couldn’t stop listening to it. At home, mid-chore, I just sat there in a trance-like state until the last track ended. “Fastidium” is the latest release from local...
Sessions
Check out our most recent performances in the playlist below, or click here to dig into interviews and related material!
O, Cannabis!: Getting the Best Deal on Medical Marijuana
When medical marijuana was approved by voters in 2008, Massachusetts gave the go-ahead for the establishment of 35 dispensaries in the state. Yet, so far, there are only eight.
One thing that could be holding back the availability of medical marijuana is the requirement that dispensaries obtain “non-opposition” letters from the communities in which they want to set up shop — and municipal officials aren’t giving these out for cheap. Under state law, medical marijuana dispensaries must have the support of the communities in which they want to do business. To gain this support, many dispensaries in the state are providing cash perks to their hosts — some are paying more than $100,000 per year for the letters.
For those of you who haven’t yet been inside a medical marijuana dispensary, let me tell you what they’re like …
Passionate on and off the bandstand: Jazz community mourns the loss of bassist George Kaye
By CAROLYN BROWN Staff Writer Jazz bassist George Kaye, longtime member of the Valley’s Green Street Trio, died on Monday, Feb. 10, at the age of 73 after a period of failing health. “He was a very deeply caring person,” said Ruth Griggs, president of the Northampton...
V-Spot: Actually, I will answer this fake question
Someone tries to fake Yana out. She answers their question anyway.
Staff picks: LuxDeluxe, Crowdsourced Cinema, Elizabeth Cook, and Climate Change Theatre Action
Get out there and do stuff.
The Beerhunter: Turnpike Two-Stop
Two worthwhile breweries off exit 9 The naturalist John Muir once observed that “when one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” I’m no bearded environmental philosopher, but I do like to kick back with a pint sometimes and...
Stagestruck: Singin’ in the Storm
K and E Theater Group’s current production of he musical “Cabaret” at the Northampton Center for the Arts features a superb ensemble who adroitly capture both the show’s infectious vitality and its painful trajectory.
