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, February 28, 2018

Pollinate Dance: Bring the Spring


WHAT: Pollinate Dance: Bring the Spring!!!
WHEN: March 2, 2018
WHERE: Studio4 at The School For Contemporary Dance & Thought  
25 Main St. 4th Floor, Northampton, MA

Let's bring the Spring!!! Come at 9pm for a sweet warm up...
Take time to enter into your body and into the evening
Wear your Bright Colors & Floral Patterns

Entrance: $15-$25 sliding

Don't miss this incredible night that'll nourish your senses and move your body and soul with tasteful sounds of World-Bass and Soulful-Electronic.

An ecstatic beats journey with
DJ Luminus (Marek) and DJ Hip Sockit (Brando) .

Treat yourself to some good community vibe in a vibrant atmosphere to the tune of uplifting melodies and rhythms. Entice your tastebuds with the treats from Pollinate resident chef Stillwater! See you on the dance floor!

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ValleyBike Share to Hire Social and Field Marketing Coordinator


The City of Northampton's vendor for the regional ValleyBike Share system is hiring a Social and Field Marketing Coordinator.

Apply: Social and Field Marketing Coordinator Bewegen Technologies Inc. - Northampton, MA

More Info on ValleyBike Northampton: http://www.northamptonma.gov/1599/ValleyBike-Share

Role Description:
Reporting to the Marketing Director, the Marketing Coordinator will organize and implement campaigns which will include: branding, print materials, social media, events and activities, with the main goal of promoting the bike-sharing systems managed by Bewegen, as well as, maintaining high quality relationships with the users, partners and stakeholders of each one of those programs. The Coordinator will work with all ValleyBike municipalities as well as other Bewegen US markets to ensure the proper implementation of these strategies.

Tasks Description:
Help plan and coordinate the annual strategic marketing plan;
Develop and coordinate internal and external promotions;
Plan and coordinate onsite events;
Manage some graphic design and follow up on promotional material and collateral pieces;
Interact with sponsors and partners for the implementation of the activation plans (sponsors, events, and station sponsors);
Plan and carry out media plans;
Manage and analyze annual member satisfaction surveys;
Follow up on membership sales;
Write and coordinate newsletters;
Plan, implement and carry out social media strategies;
Write and publish social messages;
Manage user communications;
Follow up on media demands;
Plan annual review report;
Conduct market benchmarking and monitoring activities to support strategy;

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications or other pertinent fields preferred;
Minimum of 2 years of experience in marketing, advertising, social, or other pertinent fields;
Great knowledge of social media
Strong writing skills;
Superior knowledge of Microsoft Office;
Attention to detail;
Solid coordination skills;
Team spirit, leadership, and capacity to manage several projects all at once;
Spirit of initiative and a developed sense of the organization;
Communication and interpersonal relationships abilities;
Knowledge of InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop a strong asset;
Love of bicycles and transit

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $28,000.00 to $34,000.00 /year

Required experience:
Social Media Marketing: 2 years
Field Marketing: 2 years

Required education:
Bachelor's

Job Location:
Pioneer Valley, MA

Monday, February 26, 2018

CLICK Music Presents May Erlewine


WHAT: May Erlewine
WHERE: CLICK Workspace 9½, Market St, Northampton, MA 01060
WHEN: Thursday March 22nd at 7:00 PM

Some people might call May Erlewine “Michigan’s Songbird”, but her songs have traveled far beyond her home state. One of the most prolific and passionate songwriters of her generation, May Erlewine’s music has touched the hearts of people all over the world. Her words have held solace for weary hearts, offered a light in the darkness and held space for the pain and joy of being alive in these times.

May pulls from a wide variety of sounds and influences to create her unique musical landscape. You’ll hear traditional folk roots, old time country swing, soul and rock and roll, but mostly she’s inspired by the hearts of the people and the one in her chest. She creates her music to share everyday stories and evoke feeling in her listeners.

May is a member of the Earthwork Music Collective, a group of independent artists who share resources and talents to raise both community and self-awareness, along with facilitating and encouraging original music in the state of Michigan. Through collaboration, the collective strives to incorporate efforts of environmental advocacy, social justice, creative empowerment and community building into the core functioning of a musical profession.

In a rare Massachusetts performance, May will be joined by local musician Anand Nayak at CLICK Workspace on March 22nd at 7pm. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite, and at the door the night of the performance. More information can be found at www.clickworkspace.org.

Ticket Info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/click-music-presents-may-erlewine-tickets-43355808390

Valley Classical Concerts Present Quartetto di Cremona




WHAT: Valley Classical Concerts Present the Manhattan String Quartet
WHERE: Sweeney Concert Hall, Sage Hall at Smith College, 144 Green Street Northampton, MA
WHEN: Saturday, March 31, 2018, 8 p.m.

Quartetto di Cremona
Two years after their superb VCC debut, our friends from the “City of Violins” return with an Italian buffet: works by Boccherini, Verdi, Puccini, and Respighi. “As sleek and elegant as an Armani suit.” (The Strad)

Gain insight into the music and the performances by attending the lively Concert Conversations with the musicians and VCC Artistic Director John Montanari, in Sweeney Concert Hall, (handicap accessible), at no additional charge, one hour in advance of each concert. Valley Classical Concerts presents this opportunity as part of its mission to enhance our audience’s understanding and enjoyment of the music.

Upcoming Shows:
Saturday, March 31, 2018, 8 p.m. - The sleek-sounding Quartetto di Cremona returns to the VCC stage – program TBA.

Sunday, May 6, 2018, 3 p.m. - Among the finest quartets of their generation, the Attacca Quartet will play Mendelssohn, Caroline Shaw and Beethoven’s sublime Op. 132.

Friday, February 23, 2018

SUNDAY AFTERNOON LIVE!





Sunday Afternoon Live! Variety Showcase

When?

Sunday, February 25 – 2:00 PM Showtime, Doors Open at 1:30PM

Where?

Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060


What?

Each February for the past 26 years the Valley’s best local talent have gathered together at our communities’ most beloved theater for their favorite variety showcase- The Really Big Show. Over the course of its lifetime, the Really Big Show has taken on the form of famous night-time TV programs such as the Ed Sullivan Show and the Gong Show. This year it’s time to switch things up again and the Northampton Arts Council is pleased to say “Live from Northampton, it’s Sunday Afternoon!” Part of the Four Sundays in February winter arts series presented by the Northampton Arts Council.


How Much?

Advance - $11 Adults/$9 Senior 65+ & Students/$6 Kids 12 & Under

Day of at door - $13 Adults/$11 Senior 65+ & Students/$8 Kids 12 & Under

Ticket Outlet?

Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060

Event Sponsored by?

Four Sundays 2018 Series Sponsors: Lathrop Communities, National Grid

Four Sundays 2018 Organizational Sponsors: Northampton Arts Council, City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, #massfestivals



ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATRE ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCE OF ANNIE, JR.



WHAT: ANNIE, JR.
WHERE: Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street Northampton, MA 
WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:30pm and Friday, March 9, 2018 at 6:30pm.

The Academy of Music Theatre and Academy Youth Productions present Annie, Jr. on March 8 & 9, 2018, directed by Academy of Music Theatre Education Director Martha Potyrala and with Musical Direction by Jessica Dimmock.

Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie Jr. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

This is the eighth annual Academy Youth Productions show. Past shows include: Into the Woods Jr., Fame Jr., Willie Wonka Jr., Camp Rock, The Phantom Tollbooth Jr., The Music Man Jr., and last year’s Singin’ in the Rain, Jr. Academy Youth Productions are performed by area youth ages 9-15, with full staging, professional lighting and sound, costumes and sets.

Annie, Jr. will run Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:30pm and Friday, March 9, 2018 at 6:30pm. Tickets are $5 (plus applicable fees).

Tickets can be purchased by calling or visiting the Academy of Music Box Office. We are open Tuesday- Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM and can be reached at 413-584-9032 ext.105. Tickets can also be purchased online by visiting www.aomtheatre.com.

Thursday, February 22, 2018

13 Queen Presents: Wishbone Zoe, Blame Cadence, Mad Habits


WHAT: Wishbone Zoe, Blame Cadence, Mad Habits
WHERE: 13 Queen, 13 King Street (second floor) Northampton, MA
WHEN: Thursday, February 22nd. 8:00pm

Come drink some tasty Thursday sounds at 13 Queen and recognize the awesome, kickflip face-slaughter power of the human voice--there'll be so much of that!

MAD HABITS - freaky experimental jazz/folk: a three piece tempest of the water element. Emotions you forgot you had or are too afraid to confront.
https://madhabitsmusic.bandcamp.com/

BLAME CADENCE - loops and vocs: wildflower gardens and time-lapsed cloud-skating skies of vibes paired with firey messages
https://soundcloud.com/blamecadence

WISHBONE ZOE - experimental poppy performance art plus bass: colorful auditory disturbances for your brain pets to eat
https://wishbonezoe.bandcamp.com/album/fossils-dream

13 Queen is a unique Arts & Media Studio & Space in Downtown Northampton, MA producing Music, Video, Podcast & Events. https://www.facebook.com/thirteenqueen/

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/1884262568530537
8pm - Suggested $3-7 - 13 King Street Northampton, MA
Supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council

Big Dance Theater’s CAGE SHUFFLE starring Paul Lazar Returns to Northampton


WHAT: Big Dance Theater’s CAGE SHUFFLE starring Paul Lazar
WHEN: Friday, March 9, 2018, 8:00 PM, Arts Night Out
WHERE: Arts Trust Building, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, Massachusetts

$10.00 admission
Seating is limited: Reservations recommended,
call 413 586-5553

After playing to a full house at A.P.E. Space in Northampton last summer, Paul Lazar is bringing back his “joyous” and “transfixing” dance/theatre solo, Cage Shuffle. In Cage Shuffle Paul Lazar speaks a series of one-minute stories by John Cage from his 1963 score Indeterminacy while simultaneously performing choreography by Annie-B Parson. The stories are spoken in a random order with no predetermined relationship to the dancing. Chance serves up its startling blend of inevitable and uncanny connections between text and movement.

“Paul and Annie B's Cage Shuffle is one of my favorite pieces ever. The cage stories are good to begin with, amusing in a zen kind of way, but when further randomized and amplified with the dance, and with Paul's voice- well, it becomes no longer a rarified cage piece but is transformed into something that is accessible to everyone. Beautiful, profound and hilarious- as all things should be.” – David Byrne

​Parson and Lazar founded Big Dance Theater in in 1991. Based in New York, the Company tours internationally and is known for its inspired use of dance, music, text and visual design. The company often works with wildly incongruent source material, weaving and braiding disparate strands into a multi-dimensional performance of stories and movement.

Often choreographing works for such diverse performers as David Byrne and Mikhail Baryshnikov and distinctive companies such as the Elixir Ensemble of senior dancers in London’s Sattler’s Wells and Soho Rep Theater of New York’s downtown art scene, Big Dance designs works for stages ranging from traditional theaters to intimate experimental spaces, including art galleries and museums.

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

“Proverbs N Portraits” by Ken Gagne at A.P.E


WHAT: “Proverbs N Portraits” by Ken Gagne
WHEN: February 13- March 2, 2018
              Artist Reception: Friday, February 16: 6 -8 pm
WHERE: A.P.E 126 Main St Northampton, MA.

What do you get when you cross a proverb with a portrait? A.P.E. Gallery shines a spotlight on new work by local artist Ken Gagne that examines how, together, they can create a humorous situation, which nowadays isn’t so much a joke but a basic survival tool – a lifeboat we can use on life’s river.

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by the power of the proverb and how it can offer wisdom to the heart, be practiced and passed along to others,” states Gagne. “Proverbs are short sentences drawn from long experience. Portraits are of a similar nature. Nothing in a portrait is a matter of indifference. Expression, gesture, dress, ink even – all must combine to realize a character.”

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

"On The Horizon" Two evenings of work by 6 local artists at 33 Hawley St.


WHAT: "On The Horizon" Two evenings of work by 6 local creative artists
WHERE: Northampton Community Arts Trust building 33 Hawley St. Northampton, MA
WHEN: Friday Feb. 23rd and Saturday Feb. 24th: 8:00 pm

Two evenings of work by 6 local creative artists will be shown in an informal setting at The Northampton Community Arts Trust building at 33 Hawley St. in Northampton presented through the support of A.P.E.

Performance works by Kathy Couch, Mary Beth Booker, Madison Palffy, Molly McBride, Elena Marione, and Lauren Horn will be presented in the upstairs studio at 8 p.m. Curated by Peter Schmitz

Feb. 23rd and 24th: 8:00 pm
Suggested Donation $5-10 at the door, Limited seating

For information contact lisathompson@apearts.org, 413.586.5553




Northampton Senior Center holds next Group Sing on Arts Night Out



WHAT: NORTHAMPTON SENIOR CENTER GROUP SING
WHEN: FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 5:00 PM 
WHERE: APE GALLERY, 126 Main Street.

Northampton Senior Services is joining forces with Forbes Library in planning a large community sing on the lawn of Forbes Library for the fall of 2018. We're hoping that you can attend the March 9 Group Sing led by local guitarist F. Alex Johnson to learn more about this project and how you can be a part of this celebration through song.

During 1918 as World War I was ending, the trustees of Forbes Library granted use of the library grounds for several large gatherings of Northampton citizens for “Community Sings,” primarily of patriotic songs.

The Gazette reported that the community sing of June 24, 1918, attracted a crowd of five to six thousand people! Spirits were high, automobiles were parked along West Street, and the view from the embankment on Smith College grounds was a maze of white blouses, long skirts, straw boaters, and 3-piece suits along with high school cadets and 2 drum corps. (See attached photos.)

Forbes Library plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of “the war to end all wars” by gathering again on the library lawn to raise spirits, support peaceful resolutions of conflicts, and confirm our sense of community by singing together. The large group sing will combine voices of individuals and singing groups in the area. Everyone will learn the same 3 songs and come together to sing in unison on the lawn, much in the same way the Library selects a book each year for all the entire community to read and then to gather and discuss. Our Community Sing will not be a performance, but a participatory, community event.

New Works by Luke Cavagnac, Jil Crary-Ross, Maclyn Milsark, and Kevin Pomerleau


WHAT: New Works by Luke Cavagnac, Jil Crary-Ross, Maclyn Milsark, and Kevin Pomerleau.
WHEN: Opening March 6, Show on display March 6-31
WHERE: A.P.E Gallery 126 Main Street Northampton, MA

Luke Cavagnac has a well-known presence in Easthampton, where his colorful, pop-art style can be seen on a big mural at 123 Cottage Street, on the side of the building that faces the entryway into Easthampton’s Cottage Street Cultural District. Working out of his “Invisible Fountain” studio in Eastworks, Cavagnac has concentrated on producing affordable and accessible works that also have a sense of humor. (Image above by Luke Cavagnac)

Jil Crary-Ross is an NYC based painter. Jil explores the relationship between identity, the built environment, and form to create an account of new Americana. Process, ritual, utility, and decay are central to Jil's material vocabulary.
Maclyn Milsark currently lives in Brooklyn and finds himself regularly noticing different patterns; in different spaces, in ways of speech, in earning and spending, and interactions between objects, living or inanimate. Maclyn studied at Pratt Institute, where he broadened his working mediums.
Kevin Pomerleau’s work focuses on telling stories through contemporary textiles that have inhabited spaces during relevant periods in his life. Ranging from topics such as isolation, relationships, and the plights of the queer community Pomerleau’s work hopes to convey a narrative that entices the viewer to look into his world without ever actually allowing them to enter.

Monday, February 12, 2018

The Valley Letters Project: Live on Stage



WHAT: The Valley Letters Project: Live on Stage
WHERE: Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street Northampton, MA.
WHEN: Saturday, March 10th at 7:30pm, Doors at 7:00 pm

What do Susan B. Anthony, Alexander Graham Bell, Emily Dickinson, Frederick Douglass, Amelia
Earhart, Helen Keller, Leonard Nimoy, Elizabeth Taylor, Sylvia Plath, Dr. Seuss, Sojourner Truth
and Kurt Vonnegut all have in common? They have all impacted the historical fabric of our
beloved Pioneer Valley!

The Academy of Music Theatre is proud to present  The Valley Letters Project: Live on Stage,
a new series celebrating the art of letter writing and its connection to our local history.
The evening will feature letters by historic people of note connected to the Western
Massachusetts/Pioneer Valley region read aloud by contemporary people of note who are
currently impacting the Western Massachusetts and the Pioneer Valley landscape.

Join us for letters of love, home, friendship and advice with letter readings by Joan Holliday,
Alika Hope, Daniel Jones, Richard Michelson, Mayor David Narkewicz, Bill Newman, Nannette
Vonnegut, Mo Willems and MORE!

A silent auction will take place in the Salon Room of the Academy of Music during the event.
All funds raised will benefit the operation of our beloved and historic Academy of Music
Theatre.


Thursday, February 8, 2018

Massachusetts Commonwealth Placemaking Conversations & Program Deadline


Deadline for Applications – March 1st
The application deadline for Commonwealth Places is coming up on Thursday, March 1st. Learn how you can take advantage of MassDevelopment's Commonwealth Places matching grant program today! You can start your application today on the application page.

Please feel free to email or call with any questions about the grant program, your project idea, or crowdfunding in general.
Jonathan Berk: jonathan@patronicity.com
Michelle Moon: michelle@patronicity.com

Learn More

From Spaces to Places: A Conversation with Massachusetts Placemakers
Thursday, February 22, 2018
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST

Join us for a Placemaking Conversation
Join us at WeWork Boston (Portland Street location near North Station) to hear how Massachusetts communities are working with their neighbors to turn underused spaces in their towns into community assets for residents and visitors to enjoy. After a short presentation, there will be time for questions and an opportunity to connect with others in attendance.
RSVP

Congratulations to all the towns and community leaders who recently completed crowdfunding projects last fall and this winter!
Art & History: A Creative Celebration of America's Hometown: Plymouth, $ 13,425.00
Healy Field Community Garden: Roslindale, $ 30,500.00
Lighting Up High Rock Tower: Lynn, $20,360.00
Maybarton Community Garden: Clinton, $5,000
Mosaic Gloucester: Gloucester, $7,875.00
Partnership for the Buckley: Lawrence, $50,330.00
Revitalizing Peabody Square: Dorchester, $26,430.00


Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Super Bowl Ad features music from Young@Heart Chorus


You may be wondering who was singing the vocals in the E*TRADE “This is Getting Old" ad during the Super Bowl on Sunday. If you guessed the Young@Heart Chorus based in Florence, Massachusetts you would be correct. The Young@Heart was approached by the MullenLowe advertising agency two months ago for the job and worked closely with them and film directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, whose credits include “Little Miss Sunshine”, “Battle of the Sexes”, and numerous music videos for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. View the 30 second Super Bowl ad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2zkZgZYEng

The ad, which played in the 2nd quarter of the game, has been well received making top ten lists in USA Today, CNN and many others. Whoopi Goldberg called it her favorite Super Bowl ad on yesterday’s episode of ABC’s “The View” here: https://youtu.be/OCBJ_HySObo?t=3m20s

The audio portion of the ad was produced by Los Angeles-based music collective Beta Petrol. Young@Heart’s vocals were recorded by Dan Richardson on a mobile studio rig at Young@Heart’s rehearsal space and by Beta Petrol personnel at SpiritHouse Studios in Northampton. Watch the 60 second ad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ILxrRlf3KY

For more information please contact info@youngatheartchorus.com or call 413-230-7909.

Stencil Class for TEENS with Peter O. Zierlein



WHAT: Stencil Class for TEENS with Peter O. Zierlein
WHERE: The Northampton Center for the Arts - 33 Hawley Street Northampton, MA.
WHEN: Wednesdays March 7th-April 4th from 3:45-5:45pm

Learn how to cut and print STENCILS so you can create bold, graphic posters, and print a stencil selfie. Learn how to create stencil print patterns and customize an object of your choice!
T-shirts, cotton totes, sneakers & walk away with some cool stuff!

REGISTER email: The Northampton Center for the Arts at NCFA@nohoarts.org
Please include your name, address and telephone. Contact or call the center at (413) 584 - 7327 Course Fees are payable in advance by check or cash. 

Further details at: www.nohoarts.org

JazzFest Returns to South Hadley With Spotlight on Collaboration


WHAT: South Hadley JazzFest
WHERE: South Hadley High School, 53 Newton St, South Hadley, MA
WHEN: Sunday, February 11th, 2-5PM

Emerging jazz musicians from South Hadley High School and Middle School team up with students from the UMASS Jazz Ensemble and the PVPA Rock & Soul Revue to bring you a weekend of inspired, intergenerational collaboration. The annual event culminates in a swinging Sunday performance featuring the Valley Jazz Divas and the Jeff Holmes Big Band. Sunday’s performance is FREE and open to the public

Jazz Workshop | Thursday, February 8th, 12:45PM

The UMASS Jazz Ensemble will present a one hour, free performance at the South Hadley High School Auditorium. The performance is part of a day-long workshop and rehearsals with students from UMASS , PVPA, South Hadley Middle School, and South Hadley High School.

Concert | Sunday, February 11th, 2-5PM

South Hadley’s second annual Jazz Fest features showcase performances by the Berkshire Hills Music Academy Jazz Band, South Hadley Middle School Jazz Band, South Hadley High School Jazz Band, and the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School Rock & Soul Revue. The showcase will conclude with Frank Newton’s special arrangement of the Screaming Eagle of Soul’ Charles Bradley’s “Ain’t it a Sin” performed by both the Middle School Jazz Band and the PVPA Rock & Soul Revue.

The afternoon continues with concert performances by the dazzling Valley Jazz Divas, backed by the Green Street Trio, and the venerable Jeff Holmes Big Band will close out the the program. The event is free, open to the public, and light refreshments will be prepared by students from the High School Culinary Program.

2PM Student Showcase Performances
3PM Valley Jazz Divas, backed by the Green Street Trio
4PM Jeff Holmes Big Band

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

KidsBestFest 2018, a Film Festival for kids and their adults

KidsBestFest 2018, a Film Festival for kids and their adults

When?
Winter School Break: Monday February 19 - Friday February 23
Each day the presentation starts at 1:30 PM Showtime, Doors Open at 1:00PM

Where?
Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street Northampton, MA 01060

What?
A film festival for kids and their adults during winter school break, part of the Four Sundays in February winter arts series presented by the Northampton Arts Council and the Academy of Music Theatre.

How Much?
FREE, donations encouraged.

Film Schedule?
Still from "Weirdhealing"

Monday February 19 - Opertura Animated Shorts and Q&A with the artists (All Ages, Animated) Opertura, otherwise known as Aya Yamasaki and Jason Brown, will share their imaginative short films at the kick-off of KidsBestFest. A discussion with the artists will follow the screening. The artists, who won a Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowship in Film & Video in 2017, create hand-drawn, animated films driven by a unique vision and their particular style of collaboration. The complex worlds created in their animations are teeming with imagination, humor, and vitality. Aya and Jason live and work in Greenfield, MA. More info: http://opertura.org
Tuesday February 20 - March of the Penguins (2005, Rated G, 85 min, Documentary)
Morgan Freeman narrates this award-winning documentary about the mating rituals of penguins living in Antarctica. At the end of each Antarctic summer, the emperor penguins of the South Pole journey to their traditional breeding grounds in a fascinating mating ritual that is captured in this documentary by intrepid filmmaker Luc Jacquet. The journey across frozen tundra proves to be the simplest part of the ritual, as after the egg is hatched, the female must delicately transfer it to the male and make her way back to the distant sea to nourish herself and bring back food to her newborn chick.

Wednesday February 21 - The LEGO Batman Movie (2017, Rated PG, 104min, Animated)
In the irreverent spirit of fun that made The LEGO Movie a worldwide phenomenon, the self-described leading man of that ensemble, LEGO Batman stars in his own big screen adventure. But there are big changes brewing in Gotham, and if he wants to save the city from The Joker's hostile takeover, Batman may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up. Cast: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Zack Galifianakis
Thursday February 22 - The Dark Crystal (1982, Rated PG, 120min, Fantasy)
In Jim Henson’s classic fantasy film, good and evil battle when an orphan begins a quest to find a missing shard of a crystal that holds the world in equilibrium. Cast: Stephen Garlick, Billie Whitelaw, Lisa Maxwell
Friday February 23 - The Breadwinner (2017, PG-13, 94min, Animated)
Parvana is an 11-year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001. When her father is wrongfully arrested, Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy in order to support her family. Working alongside her friend Shauzia, Parvana discovers a new world of freedom–and danger. With undaunted courage, Parvana draws strength from the fantastical stories she invents, as she embarks on a quest to find her father and reunite her family. Equal parts thrilling and enchanting, The Breadwinner is an inspiring and luminously animated tale about the power of stories to sustain hope and carry us through dark times. A film by Nora Twomey, from executive producer Angelina Jolie and the creators of the Academy Award®-nominated The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, based on Deborah Ellis’ bestselling novel.

TRAILERS:








Event Sponsored by?




Four Sundays 2018 Series Sponsors: Lathrop Communities, National Grid





Four Sundays 2018 Organizational Sponsors: Northampton Arts Council, City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, #massfestivals




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