Last modified: Thursday, January 21, 2016
Nothing wasted
“Nothing is wasted in nature or in love,” an art exhibit, will open with a reception Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and will remain on view through Nov. 28 at Gallery A3 at 28 Amity Street in Amherst. The name of the exhibit comes from the final line of the Laura Gilpin poem, “Life After Death.”
The show features the work of Sue Katz, Olivia Bernard, Constance Hamilton and Evelyn Pye, who, using paint, wax, rope, wood, paper and glass explore the themes of memory, time and loss.
Katz, who dedicates her work to her late husband David Michael Katz, says this exhibit is her way of “thinking, seeing, feeling, [and] working about remembering him.”
A key theme of the show is that human emotion is a layered experience, changing and flowing with the passage of time. Hamilton says the exhibit is meant to be a reminder that “we live, always, in the contrast between loss and life, joy and sorrow.”
Bernard, who makes sculptures, installations and drawings, explores the fragility of life, its ongoing cycles of grief and loss and the “poignancy of transitions from life to death to regeneration.”
Pye says, “When there is loss, we become especially aware of this layering of time, a quintessentially human experience. Her piece “Shansi” is a large grid from dozens of pieces of delicate rice paper and wax.
Gallery hours are Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 7 p.m.
On Nov. 19, the gallery will host a conversation with the artists.
For information, visit www.gallerya3.com.
At CDH
These exhibit will be on view through Nov. 30 in the corridor galleries at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, at 30 Locust St.
“Bringing the Past into the Present: Still Life,” in the North Gallery, is an exhibit of framed reproductions of Barbara S. Groff’s life paintings.
Groff combines realism, narrative and a conceptual approach to her still life. She is inspired, she says, by old and unique objects with a history and to family heirlooms to which she has an emotional connection.
There will be a reception for this exhibit only Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
“In Retrospect: A Collection of Old and New Work,” in the New Gallery, features photographs by Ben Jenkins and the monotypes and hand weaving by Kate Jenkins.
Ben Jenkins captures moments in Cape Cod, Nova Scotia and France as well as his favorite spots close to home.
Kate Jenkins’ monotypes offer impressions of her neighborhood, with backyard birds and community gardens. Among the woven scarves on view will be a line of improvisational weavings, designed spontaneously on the loom.
At Atwood Drive
An exhibit of artwork by South Deerfield artist Steve Upton is on view through January 2016 in the second floor waiting are at 22 Atwood Drive. There will be an artist’s reception Dec. 10.
A zine exhibit
“The Reading Room,” an interactive exhibition of artists’ books and zines, will take place during Eastworks’ open studios Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at 116 Pleasant St. in Easthampton.
Curators Trevor Powers and Esther S. White combined works from their respective collections to create themed exhibit tables featuring from four to 12 books each. The centerpiece of the exhibit will be “12X12,” an artist’s book and zine swap that brings together six Massachusetts artists and six national artists. Each artist participating in the swap will share a book of his or her creation inspired by the number 12.
“The Reading Room” aims to highlight the wide range of approaches to books, zines and xerographic book art and the diversity of artists working in the Pioneer Valley. This event is free and open to the public. For information about the curators, visit trevorpowers.net and estherswhite.net.
Podcast, live
“LORE,” a podcast by Aaron Mahnke, will be performed live Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in Suite 160 of Eastworks, at 116 Pleasant St. in Easthampton. The performance is a fundraiser for the second annual “Easthampton Bookfest,” which will be held April 9, 2016.
“LORE,” a biweekly podcast, explores the frightening history behind common folklore. Each episode looks into a unique paranormal tale — which often takes place in New England — and uncovers the truth behind it.
Mahnke is the author of a number of supernatural thrillers, including “Consumed,” “Indian Summer” and “Unsolved Mysteries.”
Mahnke’s performance will be followed by a Q&A session, a competitive storytelling celebration organized by professional storyteller Gail Herman, a reception and a book signing by Mahnke.
Tickets, which cost $12, can be purchased online at www.easthamptoncityarts.com. For information about the “Bookfest,” visit www.easthamptoncityarts.com/bookfest.
At R. Michelson Galleries
The 26th annual “Illustration Celebration,” an exhibit that focuses on children’s book artwork, will open with a reception Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. and will remain on view through Jan. 15, 2016, at the R. Michelson Galleries, at 132 Main St. in Northampton.
Gallery hours are Mondays through Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. For information, visit www.RMichelson.com.
At Robert Floyd Gallery
“Newfoundland Adventure,” a photo exhibit by local photographers, will be on view Tuesday through Dec. 3 at the Robert Floyd Photo Gallery and Learning Center, at 2 East St. in Southampton. Featured among the photographs will be natural views and native animals of Newfoundland that are rarely seen.
Receptions and artist conversations will be held Nov. 15, Nov. 22, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, all at 3 p.m.
Gallery hours are Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. and by appointment. For information, send an email to floyd@robertfloydphoto.com or call 529-2635.
Music at Smith
“Autumn Serenade,” a concert by the Smith College choirs and the Smith College Campus School Chorus, will be presented Saturday at 8 p.m. in Sweeney Concert Hall, in Sage Hall at 144 Green St. on the Smith College campus in Northampton.
On the program, a diverse repertoire including the Irish folk song “Cúnnla,” arranged by Michael McGlynn, and Moses Hogan’s “Music Down in My Soul.” Additionally, Hubert Parry’s “And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times” will be performed, set to the poetry of William Blake. “Autumn Fires” will feature text by Robert Louis Stevenson and music by Mary Donnelly.
Admission is free. For information, visit www.smith.edu/smitharts.
ArtSalon in Amherst
ArtSalon, a monthly social event where artists of the Pioneer Valley can present their work, will be held Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the University Museum of Contemporary Art, located within the UMass Fine Arts Center at 151 Presidents Drive in Amherst.
The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and socializing. Presentations commence at 7 p.m. and are done by way of “Pecha Kucha” structure, meaning that each artist can present 20 slides for 20 seconds each. A brief Q&A period with the artists will follow.
Presenting artists are Andrea Deszö, Benjamin S. Jones, Jenny Vogel, Olivia Bernard and Wendy Ewald.
A $5 donation is suggested at the door. For information, visit www.theartsalon.com.
Concert for a cause
Estela Olevsky will present a piano recital Friday at 7 p.m. at the Amherst’s Woman’s Club, at 35 Triangle St. in Amherst.
Olevsky has performed on an array of stages, including New York City’s Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the 92nd Street “Y” and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall. She has also performed internationally at Vienna’s Konzertverein, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Beijing Central Conservatory and Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China. She is a professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
This week’s recital is a fundraiser to support the Amherst Woman’s Club scholarship program and community service projects. Tickets cost $20. To reserve, call 548–9134. Refreshments will follow the recital.
Comic relief
“Kickin’ Ass and Takin’ Names: Measuring Success One Failure at a Time,” an interactive solo performance by the award-winning humorist Seth Lepore, will be presented by the Pioneer Valley Muse Group Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Hartsbrook School’s Peining Hall, at 193 Bay Road in Hadley.
Lepore will take suggestions from audience members on index cards before the show and use them to build characters. Both satirical and sincere, Lepore’s work embodies what makes humans weird, beautiful and fallible.
Tickets in advance and at the door cost $15; $10 for students and seniors (or pay what you can). To reserve, visit kickinass.bpt.me.
For information, contact the Pioneer Valley Muse Group at 992-8585 or by email at pvmusegroup@gmail.com.
Swapping tunes
This month’s “Song & Story Swap,” featuring guest performer Ray Mason, will be held Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Nacul Center, at 592 Main St. in Amherst.
During “Song & Story Swap,” people of all ages gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written or of personal experiences. This month’s theme is “furniture and home furnishings.”
Mason, a Holyoke native, has been a part of the Valley music scene for 50 years. He has played guitar or bass in the Buck Rogers Movement, the Fourgone Conclusion, Seagull, the Sailcats, Signal, the Yankee Rhythm Band, the Stringbusters, the Ware River Club, the Lonesome Brothers and the Ray Mason Band.
He plays a vintage Silvertone guitar and uses a Peavey Bandit 65 amp in his solo performances.
Donation of $5-$10 for the performer suggested. For information about the Swap, call Paul Kaplan at 687-5002. For information about Mason, visit www.raymason.com.
‘Spirit of India’
“Spirit of India,” performed by the Masala Orchestra, will be presented Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The concert celebrates Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights holiday. The 17-member ensemble, led by Rahis Bharti, offers a varied repertoire of gypsy tribal music along with contemporary Bollywood songs.
Ticketholders are invited to a pre-concert Indian festival starting at noon in the concert hall’s lobby. Audience members can sample Indian tea and snacks, participate in crafts and painting and enjoy a workshop on Bollywood dance moves provided by the UMass Belly Dance Club.
Tickets cost $20; $10 for youth 17 and under. To reserve, call the Fine Arts Center box office at 545-2511 or visit www.fac.umass.edu.
More music at UMass
Jazz vocalist Judi Vinar will perform with members of the UMass jazz faculty — Jeffrey Holmes (piano), Shigofumi Tomita (bass) and Thomas Giampietro (drums) — Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Bezanson Recital Hall on the UMass campus.
On the program: two songs by Vinar — “Make it Home” and “(Not That) South of the Border” — as well as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “A Lovely Night,” Ellington’s “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues,” Gershwin’s “Lady Be Good,” and Hampton and Burke’s “Midnight Sun.”
Tickets cost $10; $3 for UMass students; $5 for other students, children, seniors. To reserve, visit www.fineartscenter.com/musicanddance.
Earlier in the day, Vinar will present a free workshop on circle singing and improvisation, from 4 to 6 p.m., also in Bezanson Recital Hall. It is designed to help K-8 choral and jazz music educators facilitate improvisation of various kinds. To attend the workshop, send an email to Stephen Papara at spaparo@music.umass.edu.
Amherst Cinema
The Internet Cat Video Festival lands at Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity St. in Amherst, Friday, at 10 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.
The 90-minute program features some 100 cat videos culled from nominations by the public in the categories of comedy, drama, animated, musical, action, vintage and documentary.
Amherst Cinema is collaborating with the Dakin Humane Society and encouraging ticketholders to bring supplies to donate to the humane society’s important work. The list of suggested items is: cat food, paper towels, bleach, antibacterial hand soap, dish soap, dry erase markets and board cleaner, chicken or turkey baby food, trash bags, laundry soap, towels and postage stamps.
Regular admission.
“Back to the Future” will be shown Saturday at 10 a.m. at Amherst Cinema, 29 Amity St. in Amherst, as part of the cinema’s “Family Film” series.
The 1985 film stars Michael J. Fox as Hill Valley High School student Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as the innovative and quirky scientist “Doc” Emmett L. Brown. When Doc turns a Delorean into a time machine, McFly goes back to the 1950s, where he finds a much-younger Doc Brown.
Tickets cost $5. To reserve for either film, visit www.amherstcinema.org.