Northampton Arts Council

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.

    Thursday, March 14, 2024

    SCDT's Exchange: Young Artist Performance Project


    WHAT: SCDT's EXCHANGE: The Young Artist Performance Project
    WHERE: The WORKROOM @ 33 Hawley St. Northampton, MA
    WHEN: Sundays 11:00am-12:30pm

    SCDT is continuing with our EXCHANGE YOUNG ARTIST PROJECT this spring. 
    Offering FREE FUN CREATIVE PROCESS WORKSHOPS to WESTERN MA TEENS! AGES 12 -18!
    SUNDAYS 11-12:30 in NORTHAMPTON MA, at 33 Hawley in the WORKROOM

    REGISTRATION LINK

    DANCE- MUSIC- THEATER- VIDEO
    LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART
    Together- we create something greater than ourselves

    YOUNG ARTISTS- NEW NARRATIVES!
    Join SCDT in celebrating innovation in the performing arts through performance and creation, inspiring generations through compelling arts education, and using performance art as a salve for current social issues, thus elevating the vibrancy, diversity and health of our communities!

    EXCHANGE makes spaces for young artists to share their stories, and develop their creative voices and collaborative skills. Organized by The School for Contemporary Dance & Thought, EXCHANGE will engage western Ma teens over an 18 month project that will develop lasting creative collaborative relationships, offer workshops on skill building around all aspects of performance art, foster diversity, and most importantly; platform the teen creative voice. Check out more about future programming here!

    This project is funded in part by ARPA, The Massachusetts Cultural Council. The New England Foundation for the Arts, The Northampton Arts council and many generous donors.

    Tuesday, March 12, 2024

    Pre-register for the "Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival"



    Join Us for the Third Annual Power of Truths and Apply for the Self-Evident Teacher Fellowship


    Please join us on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, 2024, to explore and celebrate the powers of arts and education as tools for collective power and racial justice. Engage with thought-provoking and inspiring presenters, performances, talks, panels, and workshops.

    This year's keynote speaker will be Tricia Rose; her new book Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives—and How We Break Free delves deeply into how systemic racism in America really works, revealing the vast and often hidden network of interconnected policies, practices, and beliefs that combine to devastate Black lives.

    The full schedule will be available soon, but for now...for a sense of what you will experience, here is a listing of last year's sessions/programming, and here is a link to the flyers for last year's event.

    Saturday night will feature "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live, Part ii", a multimedia performance using arts and storytelling to bring the audience on powerful journeys through history; a separate ticket is required for this event.

    PRE-REGISTRATION LINK

    JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO STAY INFORMED


    NOTE: We will also be hosting an educator fellowship in the days leading up to the Power of Truths. On April 3 and 4, we will work with 15 educators to explore the powers of the Self-Evident library and primary source documents in teaching accurate and honest history. Fellows will then attend the two days of the Power of Truths.

    APPLICATION FOR THE SELF-EVIDENT EDUCATION: TEACHER FELLOWSHIP


    The past two years Self-Evident Education has organized the Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival in Florence. This year will be the third annual. The gathering is dedicated to the powers of the arts and education as tools for racial and social justice and features inspiring speakers, workshops, keynotes, and performances. This year’s conference will be Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, 2024. Prepare to be immersed in thought-provoking presentations, captivating performances, and interactive workshops. Delve into fresh perspectives, experience profound emotions, and cultivate innovative ideas that will undoubtedly leave you inspired. This is not just an event—it's a transformative experience waiting to unfold.




    MORE DETAILS


    Friday, April 5, 2024, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, Day 1

    The day will be filled with exciting, energizing, and inspiring workshops, performances, and presentations. The culminating session on Friday will feature a preview of "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live!", which will be the marquee event on Saturday night. (Here's a highlight from last year... Dutch ReBelle as Sojourner Truth).


    Saturday, April 6, 2024, 9:30-5:00 (for the conference), Day 2, part i

    The day will be filled with more exciting, energizing, and inspiring workshops, performances, and presentations. Tricia Rose will deliver the keynote address on Saturday; she will speak about the work she has done to help understand and ultimately dismantle systemic racism. (Here is the "media kit" for her new book)


    Saturday, April 6, 2024, 7:30-9:30 pm, Day 2, part ii

    Self-Evident’s theatrical production, "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live!", which will use music, storytelling, and dance to tell some of the powerful stories in the Self-Evident library.


    Visit here for more information: selfevidenteducation.com/news/power-of-truths


    Some other highlights:

    - Khalif Neville and Bayeté Ross Smith will present on using Virtual Reality to tell important stories of our past, our present, and our futures. This will be accompanied by a Virtual Reality exhibit of some of their work.

    - The premiere of "Freedom's Battle at Christiana" (click for a short preview), one of the films we are producing for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

    - The Northampton High School wind ensemble will perform a set of music from contemporary and historical Black composers.

    KidsBestFest 2024





    WHAT: KidsBestFest 2024

    WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2024 - Thursday, April 27, 2024, 11:00 AM showtime, doors at 10:30 AM. 

    WHERE: The Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060

    HOW MUCH: FREE, please donate to keep it free!


    KidsBestFest is a week-long movie festival for kids and adults with free admission held during the spring school break at the Academy of Music Theatre. We show one movie a day and kick off the festival on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with doors open at 10:30 AM. 


    Monday 4/15/24 - The Emperor's New Groove (2000) at 11:00 AM.
    In this breezy, slapstick-laden cartoon, a vengeful advisor to the emperor turns his boss into a llama. The voice cast includes David Spade, John Goodman, and Eartha Kitt. Directed by Mark Dindal. Rated G. Runtime 78 minutes. Cast: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malick.


    Tuesday 4/16/24 - The Great Muppet Caper (1981) at 11:00 AM.
    The Muppets are in London covering a jewel heist. Directed by Jim Henson. Rated G.
    Runtime 95 minutes. Cast: Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg, John Cleese, Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov


    Wednesday, 4/17/24 - Singin' in the Rain (1952) at 11:00 AM.
    Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor star in one of the greatest musicals ever filmed. Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood's silent-movie era--paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lockwood speak for the first time--and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice. Set during the advent of "talkies," this film's classic song-and-dance numbers celebrate the beginning of movie musicals. Directed by Stanley Donen. Rated G. Runtime
    103 minutes. Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell.


    Thursday 4/18/24 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) at 11:00 AM.
    Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo are four turtle brothers with a unique set of skills and a penchant for mischief, which runs them afoul of New York City. Yet when a horde of sinister mutants begins to wreak havoc, the city must learn to rely on the turtles if they are to be saved. Directed by Jeff Rowe. Rated PG. Runtime 99 minutes. Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri




    Headline Sponsors: A2Z Science and Learning Store, Gage-Wiley Investments
    Organization Sponsors: City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Academy of Music Theatre

    KidsBest is a co-production of the Northampton Arts Council and the Academy of Music Theatre.



    Thursday, March 7, 2024

    The History of Salsa with Dj Bongohead and Banda Criolla

     


    The History of Salsa with Dj Bongohead and Banda Criolla
    @ Center for the Arts Flex Space at 33 Hawley, Northampton, MA 01060
    Sunday, April 28, 2024 at 2:00 PM

    Get your tickets here: https://www.freshtix.com/events/the-history-of-salsa-live or over the phone. You can call 678-701-6114. Tickets are sent via email moments after the transaction is completed.


    Join us on Sun, Apr 28, 2024, at 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, for an exciting journey through the roots of salsa music. Get ready to dance and learn from the best in the business. Pablo Yglesias and Banda Criolla will take you on a musical adventure you will remember. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history of salsa. See you there! Featuring music, dancing, and history from DJ Bongohead and live salsa group Banda Criolla.

    DJ Bongohead
    Pablo Yglesias is one of the founders of Peace & Rhythm DJ collective & record label. He thrills us with his endless enthusiasm and knowledge of global funkiness. As a writer and historian he has informed on many musical subjects from latin & funk to jazz & punk via the likes of Wax Poetics, his Rough Guides overviews and more. The author/curator of Cocinando! Fifty Years of Latin Album Cover Art (PAP), he also regularly spins vinyl as DJ Bongohead and works in the fields of art and graphic design. His compilation series The Afrosound of Colombia has helped re-launch a worldwide focus on the riches of Colombian music. Peace & Rhythm are proud to be teamed with Vampisoul Records of Madrid to continue bringing the Colombian rare-groove heat! Thanks to Bongohead for all his dedicated hard work in the Discos Fuentes reissue program.

    Banda Criolla
    New England’s hottest Latin music ensemble! "Banda Criolla" is a 5-piece Latin Dance Band performing top Latino artists such as Luis Fonsi / Daddy Yankee, Enrique Iglesias, Carlos Vives to standard Latin American/ Cuban Classics from Tito Puente, Santana, Los Panchos , Juan Luis Guerra, Gypsy Kings, Strunz and Farah, Celia Cruz and Banda Criolla. Hundreds of performances in USA, Puerto Rico and Cuba. The explosive rhythmic energy of today’s festive Latin music from Puerto Rico/ Cuba / Latin America!

    Headline Sponsor: Lathrop Community

    Media Sponsors: The Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Republican, 93.9 FM the River, WHMP, Northampton Open Media

    Organizational Support:
    Massachusetts Cultural Council, City of Northampton

    Montague Seeks Muralist for the Shea Theater







    Application deadline is at 11:59PM EST on Sunday, March 10, 2024


    The Town of Montague seeks an experienced muralist to paint a 3,000 square foot mural on a wall of the Shea Theater Arts Center, located at 71 Avenue A in Turners Falls, Massachusetts. The mural will function as a gateway, with the goal of instantly branding the village as a creative community and encouraging residents and visitors and enjoy local retail shops, restaurants, and the art scene.

    The Town is working with Common Wealth Murals (CWM) to assist with this project. CWM is a mural management nonprofit that partners with professional muralists and communities to create public art which reflects the hopes, histories, and heroes of their neighborhoods.

    A mural steering group is comprised of Montague residents, business owners, and representatives from the Shea Theater, RiverCulture and the Montague Planning Department has been formed to provide oversight of this work. The steering group will assist with preparing the Artist Call/RFP, muralist selection process, public outreach and community engagement, and the review and approval of the final design. The muralist selection criteria will focus on previous work and experience, commitment to creating public art that reflects the community where the art is located, and increasing the diversity of artistic representation in Turners Falls.

    The selected artist will be expected to create a mural design based on input from a community listening session and information provided by the steering group. The muralist will need to submit a to-scale, color concept sketch to the steering group for feedback and approval. Some sketch revisions based on feedback should be expected.

    The selected muralist will receive an artist fee of $15,000. All paint, supplies, equipment, transportation, room and board will be provided. The mural is expected to be painted by September 2024.

    To learn more and apply, please visit: https://shorturl.at/citN5. Application deadline is at 11:59PM EST on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

    For questions/comments, please contact RiverCulture Director Suzanne LoManto at riverculture@montague-ma.gov or Montague Town Planner Maureen Pollock at maureenp@montague-ma.gov.

    Friday, February 23, 2024

    Brew & Forge Poetry Night: A celebration of BIPOC poetry in the Valley




    Brew & Forge Poetry Night: A celebration of BIPOC poetry in the Valley


    Please join us for the first event organized by Franny Choi, the new Poet Laureate of Northampton, and Brew & Forge, an organization that builds connections between writers, artists, and social justice movements. Along with a reading by Franny, this event will showcase poets of color from across the Pioneer Valley and introduce attendees to powerful grassroots organizing happening locally. Readers include Jai Dulani, Abigail Chabitnoy, Lyrical Faith, Omkari Williams, and Cameron Awkward-Rich. Celebrate the richness of BIPOC poetry in our region, learn about local initiatives, and support writers and activists working for racial justice!


    Doors open at 5:45. Admission is free. Donations are welcome and will go toward Brew & Forge’s work supporting poets and community organizers of color in Western Mass and across the Northeast.


    The reading will be followed by a book signing and tabling by the Western Mass Bailout Project and the Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network.



    Friday, March 1, 2024

    Northampton Center for the Arts Flex Space at 33 Hawley

    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM


    RSVP HERE

    Thursday, February 22, 2024

    Subverting the Motherhood Ideal: Reading and Conversation on International Women’s Day



    WHAT: Subverting the Motherhood Ideal: Reading and Conversation on International Women’s Day
    WHEN: March 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST 
    WHERE: Northampton Center for the Arts 33 Hawley Street Northampton, MA. 

    This Women’s History Month, on International Women’s Day, we bring together four prize-winning writers: Perugia board members Jennifer Jabaily-Blackburn and Arya Samuelson, and Perugia poets Gail Thomas and Carolina Hotchandani. They will read about being mothered and mothering (or not), choosing motherhood (or not), the cultural phenomenon glorifying caretaking, and the way we become mothers to our own parents as they age. Conversation with the writers and the opportunity to buy books will follow the reading. Free and open to the public (and held during Arts Night Out in Northampton). A grant from the Northampton Arts Council supports this program.

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