A holiday tradition in the Valley

From Santa’s visit to Pulaski Park in Northampton, to the “Welcome Yule” show at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls, there are certain things we’ve come to count on in the Valley this time of year. One the most venerable is Pioneer Valley Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker,” the famous ballet based on the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

This year marks the 41st year that PVB has staged its all-hands-on-deck show at Northampton’s Academy of Music, where upwards of 250 teenage and younger dancers from western Massachusetts, plus adult guest dancers and actors, come together to dramatize the famous story of giant mice, gingerbread soldiers, dancing snowflakes and a toy nutcracker who transforms into a handsome prince.

This year’s “Nutcracker” season begins tonight (Friday, Dec. 6) with an abbreviated version of the ballet at Yankee Candle in South Deerfield that at press time had been sold out. But the full production will have a three-day, six-performance run at the Academy starting next Friday, Dec. 13, and running through Sunday, Dec. 15.

A special family-friendly, sensory-safe show will be staged next Friday at 4 p.m., and another special event — new this year — takes place next Sunday at 12 p.m., when children can meet Clara, one of the ballet’s pivotal characters, and get a picture with her before the regular 1 p.m. performance.

PVB’s version of “The Nutcracker” would not be complete without the appearance of various local celebs in the role of Mother Ginger, the lady with the very big hoop skirt, and this year State Representative Dan Carey of Easthampton, author and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka of Florence, and Greenfield Savings Bank President John Howland will be among those taking on the role.

Tickets range from $20 to $45 depending on date and time of performance.
Visit aomtheatre.com for more details and to order.

A reunion of Lilies

When it comes to Americana, few in this region have played it better than The Boxcar Lilies, the duo of Jenny Goodspeed and Stephanie Marshall. Offering a mix of folk, bluegrass, and country, as well as crystalline harmonies, the group has released three albums over the years of mostly original material, as well as well-considered covers of artists such as Neil Young and James Taylor.

The Lilies previously played as a trio, with Katie Clark joining them on banjo and guitar, until Clark’s other commitments ended her time with the band a few years ago.

But tonight (Friday) at 7 p.m., Clark rejoins her friends at Northampton’s Iron Horse Music Hall for a reunion show — the second annual such gig for the Lilies — and they’ll be backed up by an all-star band of Jim Henry on Dobro, guitar, and mandolin, Paul Kochanski on bass, and J.J. O’Connell on drums.

Some of those same players worked with the group on their fine 2015 album, “Knockout Rose,” which delved into Celtic and country-pop as well as Americana. In fact, Henry has played on all of the group’s albums and a good number of their gigs over the years. “We consider him an honorary Lily,” Marshall says.

Young singer Emily Matthew-Muller, who has studied at the Institute for Musical Arts in Goshen, opens Friday’s show. For tickets and more information, visit iheg.com.

— Steve Pfarrer