Double Edge Theatre to present ‘Once A Blue Moon’
Double Edge Theatre has announced its 2026 Summer Spectacle, “Once A Blue Moon – Cada Luna Azul,” directed by founder Stacy Klein and running from July 16 through Aug. 2 at the company’s Farm Center in Ashfield. Based on lead actor Carlos Uriona’s lived experiences with military dictatorship and cultural rebellion in Argentina, the performance follows a traveler returning from exile to his fictional hometown, evoking memories of its colorful inhabitants before they were displaced by a flood. Returning to the work a decade after its original 2015–2016 run, the company has re-imagined the story alongside a new generation of collaborators to reflect modern-day displacement caused by power and progress. The highly immersive production unfolds across both indoor and outdoor rural landscapes, blending live music, large-scale imagery and intimate performance encounters. Audiences can attend a preview performance on July 15, with regular shows scheduled Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m., plus a special Wednesday performance on July 22. Tickets are on sale now at doubleedgetheatre.org.
Mo Lowda & the Humble and The Upsides take the stage at The Iron Horse
Philadelphia indie rock band Mo Lowda & the Humble will perform alongside New York City-based group The Upsides at The Iron Horse in Northampton on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m. Mo Lowda & the Humble are touring following last year’s launch of their live-recorded fifth studio album, “Tailing the Ghost.” Fresh off signing with Dream Wolf Records, The Upsides’ sophomore album “In the Maze” debuts a heavier, expansive new sound. Tickets are available for $36 at bit.ly/4aPCpwn.
Amherst BID announces Summer Concert Series for July
The Amherst Business Improvement District has announced its 2026 Summer Concert Series for July, every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Town Common. On July 17, The Berkshires & Muswell Hillbillies will perform. UMass Jazz in July Program: All Stars Concert will take the stage on July 24 and The GemsTones & Hendersons Blues Band will perform on July 31. Also, on Aug. 7, Kimaya Diggs will perform at 5:30 p.m. at The Emily Dickinson Museum.
These events are organized by the Amherst Business Improvement District
in partnership with New England Public Media, Downright Productions and Amherst
Center Cultural District.
“Amherst’s arts and culture scene truly comes alive in the summer, adding to the
year-round economic vitality and cultural richness of our downtown,” said Executive
Director of the Amherst BID, John Page. “For residents and visitors alike, Summer
Concerts are an easy, affordable way to do something different, whether it’s a family
outing, a date night, or just hanging out with friends. Grab dinner from one of our great
downtown restaurants, head over to the common, and make a whole evening of it. It’s
the whole Amherst experience.”
Quabbin Photo Group offers free program on July 27
Many photographers have thousands of images stored on hard drives that are rarely seen beyond a computer screen. Yet a photograph often reaches its full potential when it is printed, framed, displayed or shared with others.
The Quabbin Photo Group will present “Getting Your Photos Off Your Hard Drive and Into the World” on Monday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at the Belchertown Recreation Department at 66 State St. The program is free and open to photographers of all experience levels.
The evening’s presenter, Kelly Ackerman, vice president of strategic growth and development for Frame It Easy, will discuss practical considerations for presenting photography. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the custom framing industry, Ackerman will share ideas and techniques to help photographers showcase their work, whether for their homes, exhibitions, gifts, galleries or sales.
The Quabbin Photo Group (QuabbinPhotoGroup.com) is a community of photographers based in Belchertown with a shared interest in nature, wildlife and landscape photography, particularly within the Quabbin Reservoir region. The group hosts regular meetings, guest speakers and workshops designed to help photographers of all experience levels improve their skills, share their work and connect with others who appreciate the natural environment.
Coolidge Museum hosts performance from world-champion Japanese drumming family on July 20
The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum will host a live Japanese drumming performance by Peaceful Forest Taiko on Monday, July 20, from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Led by world-champion drummer Takumi Kato and his three children, the traveling family ensemble has performed more than 700 times across 41 states. Their ongoing mission is to deliver 1,000 energetic cultural shows nationwide to promote peace, harmony and community connection. The event at the museum features a 30-minute traditional taiko drumming demonstration, which will be followed immediately by a dedicated audience question-and-answer session.
Matt Haimovitz to perform at the Summit House
As part of its annual Summit House Sunset Concert Series, the Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range will host internationally-acclaimed, multi-Grammy-nominated cellist Matt Haimovitz on Thursday, July 23 at Skinner State Park’s historic Summit House. Haimovitz, a former resident of western Massachusetts, recorded his groundbreaking rendition of the Bach Cello Suites in Plainfield Congregational Church in 2000. He has since gone on to forge new paths in the presentation of classical music in non-traditional settings. He will revisit the Bach Cello Suites for this performance, as well as works by Philip Glass and excerpts from his newest undertaking entitled The Primavera Project.
Tickets for indoor seating sold out within days of going on sale; however, there will be 60 ‘Porch Tickets’ available at the gate at 6 p.m. day of show, weather permitting. Tickets are $25 per person, cash only.
More information is available at friendsofmhr.org.
Indie rock project Fruit Bats comes to the Academy of Music on July 26
Critically acclaimed indie rock project Fruit Bats will bring their extensive North American tour to the Academy of Music in Northampton on Sunday, July 26 at 8 p.m. Led by Grammy-nominated songwriter Eric D. Johnson, the full band is touring in support of their dynamic 12th studio album, “The Landfill,” released on Merge Records. Known for blending introspective songwriting with vibrant, live-recorded arrangements, the performance will feature the band’s latest material, including the spirited single “Perhaps We’re a Storm.” Tickets start at $38.86 and are available at aomtheatre.com/aom_event/fruit-bats.