Author Hannah Moushabeck recollects ‘Dream of Palestine’

By STEVE PFARRER

Homeland: My Father Dreams of PalestineBy Hannah MoushabeckIllustrated by Reem Madooh; Chronicle BooksGrowing up mostly in Leverett, Hannah Moushabeck remembers hearing any number of bedtime stories from her father, Michel, alongside her two...

A dream come true: Jazz musician Terry Jenoure of Northfield to embark on Northeast tour this summer 

By JULIAN MENDOZA

NORTHFIELD — Having recently received a $10,564 grant, jazz musician Terry Jenoure is set to make a years-long dream come true with a tour spanning the Northeast this summer.Jenoure, of Northfield, was awarded the grant in February by Atlanta-based...

Sounds Local: TapRoots, Wallace Field convey a range of sounds and experiences in new releases

By Sheryl HunterSpring is officially here, and it’s time to usher in some new music with the new season. There are a couple of brand-new releases that I am enjoying and feel are deserving of your attention. Read on to learn more about these two albums...

Reception billed for area artists in Orange

Stage on Main will host a reception for two area artists Saturday afternoon (March 25).Art lovers will have the chance to meet Ami Fagin and Donna Eaton from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free and any refreshments served will be light.Fagin has been...

Bringing Black girls, racism into the light: Artist’s GCC exhibit re-creates 1907 kids’ book for contemporary eyes

By MARY BYRNE

In the midst of research for his course on African American art, Imo Nse Imeh stumbled across a British children’s book that included a racist slur in its title and racist stereotypes about Black people, particularly Black children.Written in 1907 by...

Sounds Local: All Coop’ed Up spring concert returns following pandemic absence

By SHERYL HUNTER

Before long, we will be packing up a picnic basket and heading down to the Energy Park to soak up the sounds of the Coop Concerts. But until then, we have All Coop’ed Up, the annual spring concert presented by members of the Franklin County Musicians...

Brick Church Music Series to feature renowned organist Nathaniel Gumbs

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — A renowned organist and Yale professor is coming to Deerfield as “The Brick Church” Music Series hosts the first of two spring shows.Nathaniel Gumbs will perform on Sunday, March 26, at 3 p.m. at the First Church of Deerfield, 71 Old Main...

Sounds Local: Mud Season fest breaks dreary winter season

By SHERYL HUNTER

As I write this, the sky is dull and gray and a few mounds of snow litter the ground.They say a significant snowstorm is coming, but right now it’s warm out and it feels like that weird time of year when we are stuck in limbo between winter and...

Sounds Local: New album from Kimaya Diggs reflects on grief, loss

By SHERYL HUNTER

We know that music helps us through difficult times, not only by listening to music but also by creating it. Western Mass.-based musician Kimaya Diggs found this out when she was working on “Quincy,” her new album, released today.She will celebrate...

A bright splash of color: Carle Museum tries on special glasses for visitors with vision issue

By STEVE PFARRER

For Will Schneider, putting on this pair of glasses opened up his vision to a depth of color he wouldn’t ordinarily see.“The blue is so much more textured,” said Schneider as he peered at an illustration at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art....

Sounds Local: Back Porch Fest brings 3 days of roots music to Northampton

By SHERYL HUNTER

If you are interested in immersing yourself in an entire weekend of music, look no further than the Back Porch Festival. This celebration of roots music presented by Signature Sounds and the Northampton Arts Council will take place this weekend. The...

A poet in the hills of Hawley: A conversation with Jody Stewart about her new book, ‘This Momentary World’

By TINKY WEISBLAT

I have been acquainted with Jody Stewart for years. She is a fellow Hawleyite.I feel as though I only started to get to know her when I interviewed her recently about her new book of poetry, “This Momentary World” (Nine Mile Books, 160 pages, $16). I...

Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest seeks entries in 32nd year

By MARY BYRNE

The annual Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest is returning for its 32nd year, and organizers are seeking submissions through the end of March.“It’s quite amazing this contest has been happening for 32 years,” said Poet’s Seat Poetry Contest Co-Chair Cyndie...

Franklin County exhibits feature work by elementary, high school students

By BELLA LEVAVI

Two exhibits in Franklin County are presenting work by young creatives with a goal of developing an appreciation and interest in the art world. In Northfield, the Deerfield Valley Art Association (DVAA) is hosting its second annual student art exhibit...

Sounds Local: Local bands to honor Johnny Cash with birthday bash events

By SHERYL HUNTER

There are a lot of notable days in February – Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, Mardi Gras. Now, the Valley Twang Cooperative has pointed out that there is another day in February that deserves recognition—Johnny Cash’s Birthday.Cash,...

‘10,000 Days in the Woods: The Beginning’

By TINKY WEISBLAT

“10,000 Days in the Woods: The Beginning”by H. Russell RichardsonDragon Brook PublishingIn 2019, Russ Richardson was hospitalized for a severe heart blockage. In the beginning of the Shelburne resident’s new memoir, he explains that he coped with the...

Sounds Local: High Tea release existential album, “The Wick and The Flame”

By SHERYL HUNTER

The past year was a good one for the folk-rock duo High Tea. Their EP “Old Cowboy,” released in late 2021, received positive attention and they toured heavily throughout New England, including a string of shows opening for Heather Maloney. High Tea,...

‘The door opener’: Longtime University Museum of Contemporary Art Director Loretta Yarlow to step down

By STEVE PFARRER

AMHERST — After nearly 18 years at the helm of the largest art gallery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Loretta Yarlow will step down from the University Museum of Contemporary Art (UMCA) at the end of June.Yarlow, who came to the Valley...

The water cure: Storytelling event in Northampton will examine how cancer survivors move beyond the disease, including competitive rowing

By STEVE PFARRER

Story slams have become all the rage in the last couple of decades, an outgrowth of poetry slams in which competitors tell real-life tales instead of reciting verse. The topics vary, but the goal is the same: tell short, engaging and truthful...

Sounds Local: Celebrating the songs of a beloved musical soul

By SHERYL HUNTER

You might not recognize the name Billy Conway or know of his ties to some of our local musicians, but I’m willing to bet that you have heard him play before. Conway, who passed away in 2021, is probably best known as the drummer for the Boston-based...