An Amherst man’s quest to become the world’s biggest Ant-Man fan?
By Bob Flaherty For the Valley Advocate "Hi. My name is Aaron Damon-Rush and I’m attempting to set a Guinness World record.” Thus, a young Amherst man publicly states his case. Damon-Rush, 26, aims to set a record for the most memorabilia related to Ant-Man and the...
‘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...
Director shares how travel restrictions are impacting Green River Festival lineup
By Sheryl Hunter For the Valley Advocate The lineup of the 2026 Green River Festival is evolving in the wake of international travel restrictions implemented by the Trump administration. DSP Shows recently announced that Nigerien band Etran de L’Aïr and Colombian...
‘Like a little side trip to Fantasyland’: Folk-blues singer-songwriter Chris Smither celebrates Oscar win with cast and crew of ‘The Singers’
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Acclaimed folk-blues singer-songwriter Chris Smither, who lives in Amherst, never expected to be cast in a Netflix movie — and he certainly never expected to be part of a project that won an Oscar. “It’s pretty special, all the...
‘I have to be my own role model’: Indë Francis launches new album, which explores identity and self-discovery
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Growing up in western Massachusetts, local musician and “artivist” Indë Francis, who performs mononymously as Indë, lacked role models who could help them understand their identities. Now, with their new album, they’re honoring...
Back Porch Festival returns with 60-plus performers at 12 Northampton venues
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The roots music festival Back Porch Festival will return for its 12th year from Friday, March 27, to Sunday, March 29, with more than 60 performers at 12 venues throughout downtown Northampton. Two of those venues — Haze and...
Sessions
Check out our most recent performances in the playlist below, or click here to dig into interviews and related material!
O Cannabis: From stigmatized weed pipe maker to artisanal marijuana glass blower
“They expected me to go to college and get a real job,” he said. “Dad always said, ‘The last thing I expected to have was an artist as a son.’”
‘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 V-Spot: Help a New Top Hit Their Kinky Stride
Dear Yana, I’m a former power bottom now freshly-turned Dom in a new dynamic. I’ve been finding that when my sub and I are apart, I’ve got a lot of great ideas of new things to do with her. Though I always vow to myself to try out those things when I’m with her next,...
‘Creole love call’: Gombo launches new music series starting Feb. 2 with jazz reedman Evan Arntzen
By STEVE PFARRER Staff Writer When John Piskor opened his Cajun-style restaurant, Gombo Nola Kitchen & Oyster Bar, in Northampton last year, he said he eventually wanted it to turn it into something akin to a New Orleans cafe, where people come out for a drink and...
The Beerhunter: Caleb Hiliadis Takes the Lead at Amherst Brewing
When Amherst Brewing Company opened it doors in 1997, Caleb Hiliadis was just five years old. Now, at 27, he’s running the joint.
Stagestruck: Fall Harvest – a cornucopia of theater, music & dance
Next month on area stages (and a screen), three shows that place women front and center, bucking prejudice, expectations, even labels. Plus, a musical farce featuring a woman with a goatee.
