Rock Voices to perform at the Academy of Music
The community rock choir Rock Voices will perform their spring 2026 concert at the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sunday, April 19 at 4 p.m.
The show will feature songs by The Beatles, Jimmy Cliff, Billy Strings, Grateful Dead, Three Dog Night, Suzanne Vega, Fitz and the Tantrums, Steely Dan, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, The Weepies and others.
The concert will have live ASL interpretation. Tickets are $13.95 to $25.16, fees included, at aomtheatre.com, by phone at 413-584-9032, or at the Academy of Music box office. Card to Culture tickets are also available for $10.
Boston-based roots trio to take The Parlor Room stage
Hound & Handler will perform at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.
The breakout roots trio hailing from Boston released their debut LP “Lies & Advice” in 2023 and followed it with the “I Feel It All” EP in April 2025. They deliver lively original songs centered around the struggles of establishing oneself in a time and place where the vast majority of money is funneled straight to the fortunate few, leaving the rest of us to fight for scraps.
Established in 2021 as an Americana band including drums and occasional electric guitars, the band has since honed their bluegrass roots with a lineup featuring esteemed Valley musician, Sean Davis playing mandolin, guitar and singing high-lonesome harmonies, Ross Kiah on guitar and lead vocals, and Berklee College of Music grad Joe Everett joining the band on upright bass and vocals. The band has been nominated for Americana Artist of the Year by the Boston Music Awards.
Tickets are $18 and available at ironhorse.org/parlorroomshows.
A book launch will be held at Forbes Library
A book launch for “this world” by Gail Thomas and Deb Lohmeyer will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 4 p.m. at the Coolidge Room of the Forbes Library in Northampton.
“this world” is a collection of poems and black and white photographs that reflect on immigrants, the houseless and invisibility, as well as perspectives on grief, love and hope. At the event, Thomas will read poems and Lohmeyer will share slides with commentary. Proceeds from book sales will be donated to The Center for New Americans and Manna Community Kitchen.
The event will also be livestreamed on the Forbes Library YouTube channel.
Amherst Arts Night Plus returns after six-year hiatus
Return of Amherst Arts Night Plus: A Celebration of Art in Amherst returns to the downtown Cultural District on Thursday, April 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature more than 15 local artists across various businesses after a six-year hiatus.
Organized by the Amherst Business Improvement District, the event showcases diverse artistic talent and includes special exhibits at venues like Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum and the Emily Dickinson Museum, with free parking available.
“Arts Night Plus reflects Amherst’s ongoing commitment to the arts and to the artists and businesses at the heart of this community,” said Executive Director of the Amherst BID, John Page. “We hope people come out to explore, connect, and experience the creativity that continues to shape downtown Amherst.”
For more information, follow @amherstdowntown on social media. For questions or to learn more about getting involved in arts and culture initiatives, contact Ben Coakley at culture@amherstdowntown.com.
Fundraising concert held for Transhealth
The Queer Joy Chorus and Green Street Brew will perform a fundraiser concert for the Florence-based nonprofit Transhealth at 33 Hawley in Northampton on Sunday, April 19 at 2 p.m.
Transhealth serves trans and gender-diverse people. The goal of the concert is not only to raise $20,000 for the organization, but also to “create a joyful event celebrating trans identities and gender diversity” and “to provide information about ways to support and advocate for trans rights and well-being,” according to the event description.
Tickets are $20 with the option to make an additional donation via nohoarts.org/trans-joy.
Smith College to present ‘Into the Woods’
The Smith College Department of Music and Theatre will present its production of the musical “Into the Woods” in Theatre 14 at 7:30 p.m. nightly on Wednesday, April 22, through Saturday, April 25.
This production will include the Smith College Orchestra performing live in the pit.
This production also “pulls the story out of the realm of fantasy and places it in a real forest with a group of young friends camping together and creating their own magical experience,” according to the press release. “The ensemble cast of 20 portray classic storybook characters — Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and his magic beans, a Witch, Cinderella, the Wolf, some Princes and Rapunzel — with help from costumes designed to switch between normal life and fairytale.”
Tickets, not including fees, are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and up, and $5 for non-Smith students via smitharts.ludus.com. Smith students can get one free ticket each by emailing boxoffice@smith.edu. The show is recommended for ages 13 and up.
Learn about Victorian fan language
As part of the opening reception for its exhibit “Fans, Fashion, and Feminism,” Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke will host a live demonstration and presentation on Victorian fan language by performer Kandie Carle, “The Victorian Lady,” on Tuesday, April 21, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
According to a press release, this all-ages presentation transcends a typical fashion show. Instead, it invites the audience on a journey through history, using period-accurate clothing and accessories to bring the era to life. Attendees will gain unique insights into the daily lifestyles, social etiquette, and fashions of men, women and children of the time.
Admission is free, but registration is encouraged at eventbrite.com/e/1985755719813. The “Fans, Fashion, and Feminism” exhibit is on view through Tuesday, May 19.
