‘One sentence can change the course of a relationship’: Valley Players stage first full production, ‘Constellations,’ this weekend and next

By CAROLYN BROWN

Valley Players, a local volunteer theater group formed earlier this year, will perform their first full production in Amherst this weekend and next.The show, “Constellations,” by playwright Nick Payne, will be at Munson Memorial Library in Amherst...

Arts Briefs: Poetry reading, pickleball, Mount Holyoke’s first musical in five years, and more

Perugia Press Prize winnerPerugia Press, a Florence-based feminist poetry micro press, recently announced that the book “Daughter of Three Gone Kingdoms” by Joan Kwon Glass is the winner of their Perugia Press Prize, which honors poetry books written...

Speaking of Nature: A record-breaking month of bird-watching: One good thing to come from catching COVID was extra time at the Thinking Chair

By BILL DANIELSON

The month of September was one of the most beautiful stretches of solid gorgeous weather that I can remember. There was very little rain last month and whatever rain there was seemed to fall on weekdays. As a result, there was ample time to get out...

Turning chaos into art: New documentary tracing life of acclaimed painter Gregory Gillespie premieres at Academy of Music

By CAROLYN BROWN

A New England filmmaker will make his directorial debut later this month with a film about a local painter known for his unique style.Evan Goodchild, a Connecticut-based director originally from Springfield, will premiere “The Painted Life of Gregory...

Arts Briefs: Arts fest, toy fest and classical music on the horizon

Live classical musicOn Sunday, Oct. 20, members of the Israeli Chamber Project (pianist Assaff Weisman, violinist Carmen Zori, and cellist Raman Ramakrishnan) will perform three works: “Duos for Violin and Cello” by Jörg Widdman, “Violin Sonata in D...

Northampton writer Cleo Rohn wins 2024 Beals Prize for Poetry

By CAROLYN BROWN

Northampton writer Cleo Rohn won the 2024 Beals Prize for Poetry last week for her poem, “Not Every Poem Has to Be About God.”Rohn won the award, which included a cash prize, at Winchendon’s Beals Memorial Library. The award and the library were both...

Speaking of Nature: Still going strong after summer: Common chicory a hot spot for pollen and nectar-seekers

By BILL DANIELSON

One of the hazards of working in a school is the annual reunion of large numbers of people in small, confined spaces. The students get antsy and the adults get antsy, but this is just a temporary annoyance. The bigger problem is the confinement of...

The long march to minority rule: David Daley’s new book, ‘Antidemocratic,’ says the Republican Party has fundamentally undermined free elections in the US

By STEVE PFARRER

In 2016, David Daley published his first book, “Ratf**ked,” an eye-opening account of how numerous Republican-dominated states, beginning in 2010, had dramatically redrawn their voting districts to lock in control of state legislatures and U.S. House...

Six Valley authors receive awards: Massachusetts Book Awards announces 2024 winners and honorees

By CAROLYN BROWN

Earlier this month, the Massachusetts Center for the Book, the state branch of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, announced the winners of its 24th annual Massachusetts Book Awards — and six authors from the Pioneer Valley were on the...

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Anne Burton of Amherst

Anne Burton of Amherst beautifully arranged pears from Clarkdale Fruit Farms in Deerfield in her ceramic goblets.How to enter: Snap a pic of something delicious-looking and send it with your name, town and a sentence or two to features@gazettenet.com.

Nash returns with ‘Now’: Two-time Rock Hall of Fame inductee Graham Nash to perform in Northampton Oct. 4

By JAMES PENTLAND

Touring extensively behind “Now,” his first album of new material in seven years, Graham Nash returns to Northampton for an Oct. 4 show at the Academy of Music.Nash has been looking back as well as to the present on this year’s touring dates, some of...

Binky battles: Annual Belchertown baby contest the cutest competition in town

By EMILEE KLEIN

As the last notes of the 165th Belchertown Fair’s annual parade drifts off into the autumn air — quickly replaced by the joyous screams of children on carnival rides and the soft coos of barn animals — babies from around western Massachusetts take...

Arts Briefs: Vinyl and theater in Northampton, art contests in Ware and Belchertown, and more

A matter of record(s)NORTHAMPTON — If you like shopping for vinyl records, this news will be music to your ears: the Downtown Market Vinyl & Vintage Fair will have thousands of records (and other vintage goods from local and regional sellers, of...

Celebrate queer joy and community: QueerCore Fest (Sept. 28), Queer Kids Fest (Oct. 5) and Queer Curiosities Outdoor Market (Oct. 12) welcome all ages

By CAROLYN BROWN

Three upcoming local all-ages events will celebrate queer joy and community, albeit in very different ways.QueerCore Fest, an all-ages punk and hardcore festival that centers “BIPOC, queer, trans, gender-diverse, and femme artists,” will debut at...

Speaking of Nature: The return of feeder politics: It’s autumn, and the baby birds aren’t babies anymore

By BILL DANIELSON

On Sept. 22 we observed the official change in the seasons from summer to autumn. This was the Autumnal Equinox, the day when we technically saw 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. With each passing day we will now see less and less of the sun...

John and May: Former lover of John Lennon brings photo exhibit of their relationship to Northampton

By BOB FLAHERTY

In our 60-year obsession with the Beatles, the group’s women have always played a compelling part. Ringo’s long-lasting marriage to “Caveman” co-star Barbara Bach; the George/Pattie Boyd/Eric Clapton triangle; Paul’s heart-tugging romance with Linda...

Farewell to the ‘Doctor of Rock’: Sept. 29 Iron Horse concert pays tribute to Smith professor before he hops the pond

By CAROLYN BROWN

After more than two decades at Smith College, a beloved music professor will say goodbye to Northampton with a farewell concert at the Iron Horse next week. Professor Steve Waksman, who has taught at Smith for 23 years, will complete his last semester...

Valley Bounty: Nothing says autumn like apple picking: Over 10 varieties available this year at Apex Orchards

By LISA GOODRICH

School is back in session, and the emblematic apple is in season at local orchards. Courtney Basil, co-owner of Apex Orchards in Shelburne Falls, reports “beautiful, bountiful peach and apple crops this season.”Apex planted several new varieties in...

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Blanche Derby of Northampton

Forager Blanche Derby of Northampton says that she “honors the autumnal equinox with salad made from edible flowers and greens which are available at this time in September. Some are weeds while others are cultivated. Taking center stage is the lovely...