Last group to play Iron Horse before pandemic to return

NORTHAMPTON — Celtic rock band Dicey Riley, the last group to play at the Iron Horse just as the pandemic was shutting down local businesses, will return to the newly-reopened venue on Tuesday for a “half way to St. Patrick’s Day celebration.”

The Northampton-based group has been performing for over 25 years. Along with vocals, bass, drums and guitar, the band’s instrumentation also includes fiddle and bagpipes. The band will play “traditional Irish folk music with a rock and roll sensibility,” according to bassist and vocalist Dan Richards.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show. Tickets are $13 for members and $15 for non-members.

 

Poor People’sCampaign toissue demands

HOLYOKE — Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign will be making demands for candidates seeking local and national elective office to address a crisis of death by poverty and low wealth, which organizers say is killing 800 people a day and 295,000 Americans each year.

A press conference to launch the local aspects of the national mobilization effort, to get 15 million poor and low-income infrequent voters to the polls, takes place Saturday at 10 a.m. at the United Church of Christ, 300 Appleton St.

Campaign leaders will share strategies around getting people to vote. The event is happening in Ward 1, which is one of the poorest precincts or wards in the state.

Among speakers will be Dr. Savina Martin, Janice Guzman and the Rev. Darrell Hammond, the tri-chairpeople of the Massachusetts Poor People’s Campaign.

Autumn Arts fair in Hadley on Saturday

HADLEY — Autumn Arts & Crafts Fair is taking place at Scoop at the Silos and Mill Valley Market, 102 Mill Valley Road, Saturday afternoon.

The event, running from noon to 5 p.m., will include food, live music, local artists, ice cream and farm animals. Food trucks from Thai Place and La Veracruzana will be set up.

‘Hatfield 1677’author to visithistorical society

HATFIELD — On Sept. 19, the 347th anniversary of a defining moment in local history, North Carolina-based author Laura C. Rader will read from her new novel “Hatfield 1677,” the fall program for the Hatfield Historical Society.

Rader’s historical fiction is about colonist Benjamin Waite, a skilled military scout in King Philip’s War, who guided an attack against the Algonquin natives.

The Algonquins, led by Ashpelon, then retaliated,capturing over a dozen colonists, including Waite’s pregnant wife, Martha, and their three daughters.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 41 Main St.