ALL HAIL THE QUEEN
William Shakespeare devoted three plays to Henry VI, King of England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. He led a complicated life, with lots of wars, a couple of nervous breakdowns, several imprisonments and, finally, his death at age 29 in the Tower of London. Throughout most of it, he was supported by his wife, Queen Margaret, a ruthless opponent of her husband’s enemies. And, while she appears in all three of the Bard’s “Henry VI” plays, and “Richard III,” she’s never had a play of her own. Until now: Real Live Theatre will present its new play, “The Life and Death of Queen Margaret,” adapted from the Shakespeare, Friday through Sunday and Aug. 5 and 6 at the Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre at Smith College in Northampton. The play about a fascinating, strong-willed, but previously under-appreciated woman features an all-female cast performing in a dance-theater style.
For times and tickets, visit queenmargaret.brownpapertickets.com.
ANOTHER GOOD BET
Valley musicians and music lovers were shocked and saddened in January when singer-songwriter and Kirtan devotee Jeff Martell was killed in a head-on car crash on his way to a gig. Many of those friends will gather Aug. 4 (his birthday) for “Jeff Fest,” a concert in his honor and to raise money for the Jeff Martell Scholarship Fund at Greenfield Community College. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. at Pines Theatre at Look Park in Florence. $15-$20 donation at the door (under 12 free). For the lineup and other information, visit jefffestnorthampton.com.
AND ANOTHER GOOD BET
If the name Socks in the Frying Pan — doesn’t get you (which it should), how about free watermelon? The very hot traditional Irish music trio performs Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at “Watermelon Wednesdays” in the West Whately Chapel. $23. www.watermelonwednesdays.com