What a doll: Ashfield artist creates one-of-a-kind fantasy characters

If Sarah Sousa's wistful, delicate art dolls don't trigger your imagination at first sight, their names are sure to create a sense of wonder: The Birthday Girl Wears Feathers. Brooding with Dove and Crow. Lolli is Presented to Society. The names are almost like mini short stories for these dolls, which makes sense considering that Sarah Sousa also writes poetry.

Music and movement: Five College Dance takes annual show to the Academy

In a small studio at Smith College in Northampton, a handful of ballet dancers are rehearsing for the first time with the violinists who will soon accompany them onstage. The choreographer reminds them to direct their movements to the musicians rather than dancing as if speakers were playing the score from the ceiling.

Keeping Tabs on the Arts: Valley arts happenings

Tracy Kidder lends hand to Haiti

Pulitzer Prize winning author Tracy Kidder of Williamsburg will be on hand for two events this week that will raise funds for Haiti relief.

Today at 7 p.m., Kidder and other local authors, along with musicians and poets, will present "Voices for Haiti," a two-hour performance at the Academy of Music in Northampton.

Light, canvas, action: Robert Sweeney retrospective at Eli Marsh Gallery

Giving the Cook's tour of his 10-year retrospective exhibition of paintings at Eli Marsh Gallery has put longtime painter and Amherst College art professor Robert Sweeney in reflective mode. Retrospectives do that. Like the visitors to the show, the artists see things they've never seen before.

A dose of empathy: Art installation reacts to viewers

This month, visitors to the Hampshire College Johnson Library have the rare opportunity to react to an art installation that also reacts to them.

Keeping Tabs on the Arts: Valley arts happenings

Gallery talk

Artists Gloria Kegeles and Guru Karam Khalsa will give a gallery talk today at 7 p.m. at Gallery A3 in Amherst. They will discuss their current exhibit which is on view through Feb. 27. The gallery is located at 28 Amity St., Amherst. Gallery hours are Wednesdays through Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m. For information, call 256-4250 or visit www.gallerya3.com.

African-inspired dance classes aim to raise funds for LC & A

Nothing frees the mind and spirit like shaking the ol' tailfeather 'round the dance floor. Serena Stone will testify to that. But, like many in the Pioneer Valley's fragmented dance community, the longtime Leverett resident often has a hard time finding a venue in which to stomp, and getting the old gang together can be daunting.