Salsa in the Park begins Monday
NORTHAMPTON — The city of Northampton’s Department of Arts and Culture will kick off the 2026 season of Salsa in the Park on Monday in partnership with Dancenjoy. This free weekly outdoor Latin dance series is held at the EJ Gare Plaza every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. through Aug. 31.
Salsa in the Plaza transforms the space between the Armory Street parking garage and Thornes Marketplace into a high-energy dance floor. Hosted by McCoy, the series features a diverse musical rotation including salsa, bachata, merengue, kizomba and cha-cha.
The city will install a professional portable wooden dance floor over the park’s cafe section for each event. This addition ensures a smooth, safe, and high-quality surface for dancers of all levels to enjoy the rhythm without the challenge of uneven ground.
This year’s lineup features a dynamic schedule of performers and instructors, highlighted by a special performance by Dancenjoy featuring McCoy Jamison on Aug. 1; a double-bill on Aug. 28 featuring a set by the renowned DJ Bongohead followed by Cheo Y Los Consentidos; and a season-closing set by DJ Bongohead on Sept. 5.
Dancenjoy is dedicated to promoting Latin dance and culture through community-focused events and instruction, fostering social connection through movement.
In the event of inclement weather, cancellation notices will be posted to the @nohoarts Instagram account and the city’s Facebook and Instagram accounts by 10 a.m. on the day of the event. For more information and the full summer schedule, visit northamptonartscouncil.org.
Girls on the Run to host 5K celebration
AMHERST — Girls on the Run Western MA will hold its end-of-season 5K Celebration on Saturday, June 6, at UMass Amherst.
This non-competitive, family-friendly 5K serves as the culminating end-of-season event for local Girls on the Run participants, as well as a community gathering focused on fun, connection, and empowerment. The run brings together all participants, coaches, running buddies and families.
Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in third to eighth grade. During the 10-week program, girls participate in lessons that build confidence, foster healthy relationships, and encourage community service while they prepare to complete a 5K.
This spring season, Girls on the Run has 1,100 participants on 73 teams throughout all four western Massachusetts counties, with 295 volunteer coaches that bring the curriculum to life.
The run starts at 10:30 a.m., but the group warm up will begin at 10, with participants arriving for fun events starting at 9. Participation in the 5K event, which will attract an estimated 3,000 people, is open to the public and all proceeds will benefit Girls on the Run Western MA. Registration cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth under 12 and includes
a 5K shirt for the first 1,000 registered. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. for “day of” registration.
Girls on the Run WMA is also seeking volunteers to support the 5K Celebration. The council needs volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up, on-course water stations, sideline cheering, Fun Zone activity stations, registration, post-race food/water, and parking.
For more information about the event, how to register, and volunteer opportunities, visit
www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.
Rep. Sabadosa to hold town hall in Westhampton
WESTHAMPTON — State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa will hold a town hall discussion on Saturday, May 30, at 11 a.m. at the Westhampton Public Library.
The event will last until 12:30 p.m. and will feature updates on the legislative session, specific policy updates, and a question-and-answer session. All are welcome to attend.
Girl Scouts to celebrate 100th year of Camp Lewis Perkins
SOUTH HADLEY — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Camp Lewis Perkins with a community open house Sunday, May 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the camp, 9 Camp Perkins Road in South Hadley.
The event will honor a century of Girl Scout camping traditions and experiences at the camp and is open to troops, families, current Girl Scouts with an adult and community members interested in learning more about scouting.
Activities will include an opening flag ceremony, archery, slingshots, camp crafts, campfire songs, s’mores, a handprint mural and sachet-making using cedar from Camp Lewis Perkins trees.
The celebration is hosted by Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. For more information, contact Dana Carnegie at 413-658-8388 or visit gscwm.org.