Arts
Proof that it’s never too late: Solo exhibit and free workshops honor the late Frederick Gao, a Belchertown resident who became a painter in his last five years
By CHRIS LARABEE
For the months of May and June, the Sunderland Public Library’s Lane Family Reading Room Gallery will turn into a fount of inspiration, as the library honors the work of a late-blooming artist.Through “Awing & Honoring Frederick Gao,” the library will...
Self-expression on display: ServiceNet members’ artworks on view at Greenfield Public Library through end of May
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
Mental health and human services provider ServiceNet will host a display of its members’ artwork at the Greenfield Public Library from Saturday, April 27, until the end of May.The nonprofit’s exhibit will display a collection of paintings,...
Embracing both new and old: Da Camera Singers celebrates 50 years in the best way they know how
By JUDSON BROWN
Da Camera Singers Director Sheila Heffernon wasn’t hiding her exasperation in addressing her tenor section after a recent rehearsal preparing the group for a 50th anniversary concert coming up May 11 and 12.“Watch me! Watch me! Watch me!” she wrote on...
Faith Matters: A pastor celebrating Passover: Unmasking false theology that has been used to justify antisemitism
By THE REV. RANDOLPH CALVO
This weekend, Jews are celebrating the feast of Passover. Passover began at sundown this past Monday and ends at sundown this coming Tuesday. Usually, Passover and Easter coincide on the calendar. However, this is a Jewish leap year. The Jewish...
Time to celebrate kids and books: Mass Kids Lit Fest offers a wealth of programs in Valley during Children’s Book Week
By STEVE PFARRER
Just in time to coincide with Children’s Book Week, a national event established in 1905, the Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB) has created a children’s literary showcase right here in the Valley.The Mass Kids Lit Fest, a new book festival...
Sounds Local: A rock circus returns to Turners Falls: The Slambovian Circus of Dreams brings the fun Friday night at the Shea
By SHERYL HUNTER
The circus is coming to town, and not the kind with elephants and clowns. I’m talking about the Slambovian Circus of Dreams, a rock group from the Hudson Valley in New York that makes music as unique as its name. The band, which has frequently...
Rescuing food and feeding people: Rachel’s Table programs continue to expand throughout western Mass
By TINKY WEISBLAT
My great-grandmother’s oak dining table has graced my kitchen ever since my parents built the house in the 1980s. Looking at it makes me happy. The table — actually, almost any table — signifies history, nourishment, family and community.The...
A day to commune with nature: Western Mass Herbal Symposium will be held May 11 in Montague
By EVELINE MACDOUGALL
This week’s feature is my 100th Home & Garden column for the Recorder, and I’m pleased to celebrate by sharing the plans of two local women who are organizing a remarkable event for anyone interested in learning about herbal remedies and natural...
Speaking of Nature: ‘Those sound like chickens’: Wood frogs and spring peepers are back — and loud as ever
By BILL DANIELSON
During a recent lecture on evolutioin I had to explain the differences between three different processes known as geographic, temporal and behavioral isolation. Geographic isolation is the easiest of these concepts to understand because it involves...
Hitting the ceramic circuit: Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail turns 20 years old, April 27-28
By STEVE PFARRER
A lot can change in 20 years: Presidents and other politicians come and go, new cultural fads and technologies emerge, clothing styles morph, and music and movies take on different dimensions.In these parts, one tradition hasn’t changed. Since 2005,...
Best Bites: A familiar feast: The Passover Seder traditions and tastes my family holds dear
By ROBIN GOLDSTEIN
Passover has always been my favorite Jewish holiday. The Passover Seder my parents host annually in my childhood house in Northampton has been the most festive and joyous meal of the year for as long as I can remember.My dad’s childhood Seders were...
Valley Bounty: Your soil will thank you: As garden season gets underway, Whately farm provides ‘black gold’ to many
By JACOB NELSON
“Compost is not soil, but it makes your soil better,” says Mike Mahar, owner of Bear Path Compost in Whately. “It adds life to it. If you’re going to take something out of the soil by harvesting, you should put something back in, and compost is...
Painting a more complete picture: ‘Unnamed Figures’ highlights Black presence and absence in early American history
By CHRIS LARABEE
In partnership with the American Folk Art Museum, Historic Deerfield is presenting an exhibition on the unexplored histories of Black people in early America.“Unnamed Figures: Black Presence and Absence in the Early American North” explores Black...
Earth Matters: From Big Sits to Birdathons: Birding competitions far and near
By JOSHUA ROSE
A few months ago, headlines flared that Peter Kaestner had seen his 10,000th bird species. This could have been anticlimactic, as Kaestner has been renowned for years among birders for traveling worldwide and seeing more species than anyone.However,...
Sounds Local: Spring is singer-songwriter season: A host of local performers celebrate new work
By SHERYL HUNTER
We are fortunate to live in an area where we can experience all types of music, and when it comes to singer-songwriters, we are fortunate to have so many talented ones living among us. Any given weekend, you can head out to one of the local breweries...
Crunch time for matzo: An easy-to-make sweet treat that’s Passover Seder-friendly
By TINKY WEISBLAT
Passover begins this coming Monday night. This eight-day holiday means many things to many people: the survival of the Jewish people in the book of Exodus, the overall history of Judaism, and even the last supper of Jesus.This year Easter came more...
Spotlight on women in classical music: Brick Church Music Series’s season comes to a close, April 28-29, with Champlain Trio
By CHRIS LARABEE
Join the First Church of Deerfield for two days of classical music, as the Brick Church Music Series’ 2023-2024 season comes to a close on April 28 and 29.The two-part event begins on Sunday, April 28, at 3 p.m. at the First Church of Deerfield, 71...
Ready for their close-up: Pothole Pictures announces a season of curated film screenings, live music and $1 popcorn
By DIANE BRONCACCIO
It’s showtime again for Pothole Pictures, a community-based movie series that showcases classic movies, live local music, occasional interviews with relevant film-makers, and sells popcorn that’s still only $1.Named for Shelburne Falls’s Glacial...
You’re up next: Western Mass open mic scene heats up post-pandemic
By STEVE PFARRER
Not so long ago, there was a general lament sometimes heard among Valley musicians: “There aren’t enough places to play around here.”That might have been true for professional players who wanted to be paid — and maybe, despite the opening of new local...
Sounds Local: Fun for the whole family: Meltdown, a book and music fest for kids, returns to Greenfield this Saturday
By SHERYL HUNTER
If you are looking for some family fun this weekend that includes award-winning authors, arts and crafts, games, puppetry, circus performers and lots of music, then head to The River’s annual Meltdown, a book and music festival for kids that will take...
