Main Street banner project in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Center for the Arts (NCFA) announces the inaugural Main Street Banner Project, an opportunity for artists of all ages and experience levels to showcase their work in the heart of downtown Northampton. Local talent is invited to submit their creative images for this community initiative.

This project is a fundraiser for the Barn Door Gallery at 33 Hawley, helping to fulfill its mission of supporting the local creative community. Submissions will be accepted through April 25, along with a donation of $5-$50 per submission (multiple submissions welcomed).

A total of 50 images will be chosen for display on 25 vibrant banners along Main Street in Northampton this summer. Finalists will be selected by a jury that seeks a well-rounded selection of works representing a diversity of mediums and experiences.

The Main Street Banner Project is made possible through the support of Craig Stevens of LandScapes Inc. and Paradise Copies.

For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.nohoarts.org/main-street-banner-project

Social bike ride starting in South Hadley

SOUTH HADLEY — Starting April 28, South Hadley Bike/Walk committee member Jake Woodruff will lead a social bike ride on Monday evenings at 5:30, leaving from the parking lot of Rocky’s Ace Hardware (487 Newton St).

All people and bikes are welcome. Rides will be 3-6 miles at an easy pace. The rides will continue until the fall.

Contact SHsocialride@gmail.com with any questions.

Anti-bullying program at Edwards Library

SOUTHAMPTON — Young adult novelist Dennis Wise will lead an anti-bullying program at Edwards Library, 30 East St., on Tuesday, April 15, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

The program is designed to unpack teen bullying through the lens of pop culture, and will explore how bullying plays out in hit shows, movies and books. It’s a fun, eye-opening way to dig into a serious topic, with practical ideas for building a more respectful and connected community.

The program, funded by a grant from the Southampton Cultural Council, is open to teens, parents, educators, and anyone curious about peer bullying.

Vietnamese poet, novelist to lecture at UMass Amherst

AMHERST — The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy at UMass Amherst announces the capstone event of the 2025 Ellsberg Conference: “Reckoning and Reconciliation: A Conference on the Vietnam War and its Legacies.”

The event, taking place on April 30 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., will feature acclaimed Vietnamese poet and novelist Nguyn Phan Qu Mai, who will present a public reading and lecture in the Integrative Learning Center, Room S140 at UMass Amherst.

Qu Mai will read selections from her forthcoming book, “The Color of Peace,” and share personal and historical reflections on the Vietnam War’s lasting impact. Drawing from her own family’s experiences, she will discuss a variety of topics including the legacy of Agent Orange, unexploded ordnance, the search for missing family members, and the struggles of mixed-race children born during the war. Her work in fostering reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States through literature will also be a focal point of the discussion.

The evening will open with traditional Vietnamese music, followed by a screening of musical compositions inspired by Dr. Qu Mai’s poetry.

The capstone lecture is part of a month-long conference hosted by the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War’s end.

For more information visit our website: www.eipad.org.