The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice each year to artists and arts groups from both state and locally-raised funds, and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its' goals include maintaining and preserving the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northampton, programming such annual events of interest to the community as First Night Northampton and Transperformance.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

ValleyBike Share is coming to Northampton & the Pioneer Valley


ValleyBike Share is coming! The City of Northampton, through the Office of Planning & Sustainability and with active involvement of Mayor Narkewicz, is the lead community and program administrator for a regional collaboration that is bringing ValleyBike Share to Northampton and the Pioneer Valley.

14 bike share stations and 140 electric-pedal-assist bicycles will be in Northampton, with a total of 50 stations and 500 bicycles in the region.

Anyone can join the system and, for a modest fee, take unlimited 45 minute rides between stations, with the ability to take out bikes from any of the 50 stations.

Stations will be located (subject to change as we do the final placement planning) at:
1. Northampton Trail Station (Pleasant Street at New Haven and Northampton Canal Rail Trail crossing)
2. Main Street/Bridge Street (north side under the rail trail and railroad bridges)
3. Historic Court House, Main Street (just east of the PVTA bus shelter)
4. Pulaski Park, Main Street (behind the PVTA bus shelter)
5. John M Greene Hall, Smith College, Elm Street (just west of the PVTA bus shelter)
6. Elm Street near Northampton High School (near the PVTA bus shelter)
7. Locust Street at Cooley Dickinson Hospital (just west of the PVTA bus shelter)
8. MassCentral Rail Trail at Keyes Street, Florence
9. Meadow Street at Lilly Libary, Florence
10. Jackson Street (east side near Hampshire Heights)
11. Village Hill (west side Village Hill Drive)
12. Forbes Library off West Street (near Children's Library entrance)
13. YMCA, Massasoit Street
14. State Street by MassCentral Rail Trail (near Stop & Shop)

Bike share is part of the city's overall effort to:
1. Increase transportation choices, especially for those who don't have or don't want access to cars
2. Decrease our carbon footprint and the adverse air, water, and health impacts from vehicles.
3. Improve public health by promoting active living
4. Reduce congestion
5. Reduce the need for new parking, which is expensive and diverts land from other uses.

Thank you to our sponsors to date, NETA, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Florence Bank, and Smith College. We are looking for more sponsors, so if your business would like to sponsor we would love to hear from you and help give you exposure in the community.

Questions: Wayne Feiden WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov





First Night Northampton 2018


The Northampton Arts Council is delighted to present our city’s 33rd annual New Year's Eve festival of the performing arts on December 31, 2017. This is the first year that the Northampton Arts Council will produce First Night. Arts Council staff are working closely with the Center for the Arts to ensure a smooth transition and to preserve the community’s New Year’s Eve tradition.


For the First Night 2018 Schedule, to purchase buttons, and for more information about sponsorship please visit: FIRSTNIGHTNORTHAMPTON.ORG




Monday, December 11, 2017

Sibz the Movie at Academy of Music


When two freeloading adult children are forced to leave their childhood home, they have to get creative. Warning: this movie is not rated, offensive humor, language and mild nudity.

https://www.aomtheatre.com/event/sibz-the-movie

Show Date/ Time:
Saturday, December 23, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Doors at 7:30 pm

Ticket Prices:
5.00 (plus applicable fees)

Where/ How Tickets Can be Purchased:
Academy of Music Box Office Open Tuesday- Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM
Call: 413-584-9032 ext.105 (Service fees will apply with purchase)

Online Tickets Click on Show Desired:
https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1581127

Friday, December 8, 2017

Joan Holliday’s Holiday Hootenanny Sweetback Sisters Country Christmas Sing Along


WHAT: Joan Holliday’s Holiday Hootenanny Sweetback Sisters Country Christmas Sing along
WHERE: Academy of Music 274 Main St, Northampton, MA
WHEN: Friday, December 22, 2017. Two Shows at 3:00pm and 7:00pm.

Christmas time is here! The Sweetback Sisters are back with their ninth annual blow-out holiday sing-along. This wildly popular show requires a bit of audience participation and, especially, a love for all genres of holiday music (fear not, songbooks are provided). Add in a healthy dose of trivia, prizes, and matching outfits and we think it’s safe to say this event lives up to its name: The Sweetback Sisters’ Country Christmas Sing-Along SPECTACULAR!

Sweetback Sisters Emily Miller and Zara Bode may not be blood relations, but their precise, family-style harmonies recall the best of rock and country music from the 1950s and 60s. Together with their fine band of brothers, The Sweetback Sisters carry the torch of country music’s finest golden era performers. For this show the girls bring their perfected mix of modern nostalgia to the old holiday songs we all know and love.

3pm matinee is specifically geared towards kids and families. 7pm evening show is for all.

https://www.aomtheatre.com/event/the-sweetback-sisters/

Thursday, December 7, 2017

2017 SCDT Gala


WHAT: SCDT GALA: FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE & CELEBRATION
WHEN: Saturday December 16, 6-10 PM
WHERE: 25 MAIN ST, STE 444. NORTHAMPTON, MA

A party and fundraiser reflecting on an incredible year and dancing into the future! Performances/installation with Hatchery and many SCDT artists, photo exhibit by Peter Raper, video by A Good Night's Sleep, live music from Stephen Katz, ReBelle, Kalliope Jones, and DJ Brian Foote! With food and drink provided by generous local sponsors!

6-7PM- Show #1- Hatchery, Kalliope Jones, SCDT dance program, special guests!

7-8:30PM- PARTY- free food and drinks, installations by SCDT artists, live music by Stephen Katz, Chris Gonzalez, and DJ Brian Foote

8:30-9:30PM- Show #2 with SCDT artist-in-residence Meredith Bove, Rythea Lee, Joy Davis, and special guests!

More info:
http://www.scdtnoho.com/2017-gala.html

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

The Royal Frog Ballet Hindsight/Foresight


WHAT: THE ROYAL FROG BALLET: HINDSIGHT/FORESIGHT
An installation and performance series
WHEN: DECEMBER 6 -22, 2017
WHERE: A.P.E. 126 Main StreetNorthampton, MA 01060

Friday, December 8th 6-8:00
Gallery opening in conjunction with Northampton's Arts Night Out
Cheap Art booth open!

Saturday, December 9th 7:00
'A Listening Evening'
new and old stories, songs and poetry from The RFB
Tickets available here
Cheap Art booth open before the show

Sunday, December 10th
Workshop: Experiments with clown, song, and breath
multi-generational workshop designed for ages 11-85
5:00-7:00
Sign up
Cheap Art booth open from 12-1:00

Friday, December 15th 7:00
Envisioning Possible Futurity
RFB Visual artists present new work and host panel discussion
By donation
Cheap Art booth open before the panel

Saturday, December 16th 7:00
'A Listening Evening'
new and old stories, songs and poetry from The RFB
Tickets available here
Cheap Art booth open before the show

Sunday, December 17th
Workshop: Experiments in collective writing and drawing
multi-generational workshop designed for ages 11-85
10:00-12:00
Sign up
Cheap Art booth open from 12-1:00

LEARN MORE

Apply Now: Lyra Music Festival and Workshop July 8-28 at Smith College


Lyra Music Festival and Workshop: July 8-28, 2018
Smith College, Northampton, MA
Applications Available Online Here

The Lyra Music Workshop Core Curriculum Program is a 3-week intensive summer camp for classical pianists and string players ages 9-18. Intermediate and advanced level musicians are immersed in a supportive, conservatory-style environment; focusing on the study of solo and chamber music repertoire; and sharing their performances with the surrounding community. Students have the option to live on or off-campus.

The Lyra Young Artist Program is a highly selective program running in tandem with the Core Curriculum. This program is designed for advanced students seeking to intensify their experience and enhance their chamber music skills through side-by-side mentorship and performance with Lyra faculty.

Students of both programs live and work together in a fun and energetic atmosphere, sharing classes, activities, social events and excursions. Internationally recognized guest artists work with Lyra students in Master Classes. All students will attend guest artist and faculty concerts as part of the Lyra Music Festival and will participate in outreach performances and a final student gala concert as junior members of the Festival. Our 2018 Summer Festival guest artists will include: Kristen Lee, violin, Nicholas Tzavaras, cello, Gilles VonSattel, piano, and Guest collaborative pianists Rieko Aizawaand Jeremy Jordan.

Lyra Music Workshop:
• Daily Lessons or Chamber Coaching with Dedicated Faculty
• Chamber Ensembles and Solo Repertoire
• Supervised Practice
• Masterclasses and Concerts with Guest Artists
• Community and Gala Concert Performance Opportunities
• Group Classes: including Music Theory, Ear-Training, Rhythm,
• Performance
• Group Sports
• Outdoor Recreational Activities
• Social Events
• Regional Excursions

Enrollment is by rolling audition for all Lyra programs. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Minimum requirements, application materials, audition and financial aid information can be found on our website www.lyramusic.org/program.

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

A Celtic Nutcracker


WHAT: A Celtic Nutcracker
WHERE: Academy of Music 274 Main St, Northampton, MA
WHEN: Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 3:00 pm. Doors at 2:30 pm

Experience the story of The Nutcracker told through Celtic Dance from the perspective of a young girl living in a cottage in Ireland. Her journey takes her to Tir Na Nog, the land of eternal youth, where she finds herself transformed into a princess and receives gifts from Scottish Sword Dancers, Cornish Dancers, Galician Dancers and more. She even meets a few leprechauns along the way! This performance is set to the original Tchaikovsky score as well as Celtic Music and is performed by the Celtic Heels Irish Dance Company ages 12-adult from the Pioneer Valley. This is sure to become a family tradition for anyone who loves the Nutcracker or Celtic Dance!

www.ACelticNutcracker.com

Monday, December 4, 2017

Amherst Ballet Company Presents: Snow White


WHAT: Amherst Ballet Company Presents: Snow White
WHEN: December 14 & 15 2017 at 7:00 pm. Doors at 6:30 pm
WHERE: Academy of Music 274 Main St, Northampton, MA

Adapted from the original Grimm fairytale, Amherst Ballet’s production of Snow White has a few surprises in store. The princess Snow White is the envy of her step-mother, the Evil Queen, who devises a plan to remove the princess from her kingdom. When Snow White falls in love with a prince the Queen decides to put an end to Snow White’s life and her own jealousy. With the aid of the Huntsman, Snow White is banished to a life of loneliness and misery in the far reaches of the forest.

Chance delivers her to a small cabin in the woods, where she meets the Seven Dwarves who live there. They offer her refuge, but the Evil Queen discovers that Snow White still lives. Adopting a disguise, she travels to the cabin, where she convinces Snow White to eat a poisoned apple. And if you’re expecting the Disney end to the tale, you are in for a surprise!

Friday, December 1, 2017

Winter's Work: Crafts by young and emerging makers


What: Winter's Work: Crafts by young and emerging makers
When: Saturday December 9, 2017. 10:00am-4:00pm
Where: Memorial Hall - 240 Main Street Northampton, MA.
Cost: Free & Open to the Public. (Bring Money for Vendors)

Join us for a show and sale of art and craft made by local, young, emerging makers. Winter’s Work will feature unique handmade pottery, fabric arts, jewelry, woodwork, basketry, poetry, prints and more. Enjoy the search for quality, affordable, one-of-a-kind crafts and score the perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list. Come to Winter’s Work where you can find beautiful new works by local emerging makers and support arts grants in our community.

This event is supported by the Northampton Arts Council and is, in part, a benefit for the BJ Goodwin Grant, designed to provide direct assistance to a Northampton-based artist, writer or arts organization in recognition of exceptional work and to support the further development of artistic talents.

RSVP HERE

Connect & Follow

Artist News

    Council News

      Search This Blog

      Blog Archive