The Champlain Trio to perform at Sevenars Academy
The Champlain Trio will perform their “In Her Voice” program at the Sevenars Academy in South Worthington on Sunday, July 26 at 4 p.m. Comprising pianist Hiromi Fukuda, violinist Letitia Quante and cellist Emily Taubl, the acclaimed New England-based chamber group will showcase piano trios by historic female composers Dora Pejačević, Amy Beach and Charlotte Sohy. Admission to the concert is by free-will donation at the door, with a suggested contribution of $20, and complimentary refreshments will be served following the performance.
Forbes Library hosts two author events
Broadside Bookshop is partnering with the Forbes Library to host two author events at the Coolidge Museum. On Tuesday, July 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., activist, award-winning journalist and Idaho’s first openly LGBTQ+ lawmaker Cole LeFavour will present “In the Arms of Mountains,” a moving queer memoir exploring rural resistance, civil disobedience and small-town community building. LeFavour will speak in conversation with local Northampton advocate and protest leader Ty Carson, followed by an audience discussion.
The following evening, Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m., local textile artist and instructor Micala Sidore will discuss her new global handwoven art guide, “Tapestry Talking.” Sidore, who trained at the Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins in Paris and operates the Hawley Street Tapestry Studio, will read from her comprehensive book featuring 326 international tapestries. Both events are free to attend, books will be available for purchase at the venue, and author signing sessions will conclude each program.
Wistariahurst Museum hosts celebration for opening of its new Little Free Library
A ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia will be held at Wistariahurst Museum to celebrate the public opening of its new Little Free Library on Monday, July 27 at 10 a.m. at 238 Cabot St. in Holyoke. Hand-built and donated by museum volunteers Bill and Kelly Bousquet, the book-exchange installation sits inside the museum’s recently updated main library space. This renovated room also debuts new layout couches, archival object shelving and historic panels detailing the local Skinner Coffee House. Registration is encouraged at bit.ly/4wPisy1.
Pioneer Valley Symphony hosts a Summer Sing on July 28
The Pioneer Valley Symphony is hosting a Summer Sing event featuring Rachmaninoff’s Vespers, conducted by Jonathan Harvey, on Tuesday, July 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Amherst. This open community event welcomes choral enthusiasts and instrumentalists of all experience levels for an informal sing-and-play-through, which includes a brief workshop for challenging sections. Prior performance experience with the piece is not required, and sheet music scores will be available to borrow. Instrumentalists are also invited to join a pick-up chamber orchestra to play along. Admission operates on a sliding scale with a suggested donation of $20, though no one will be turned away for a lack of funds. For more information, visit pvsoc.org/event-details/summer-sings-2026-07-28-19-00.
Forbes Library hosts two free events for youth
Forbes Library is hosting two free youth entertainment events at 20 West St. in Northampton. The weekend programming begins with “Music with Mr. Liam!” on Thursday, July 23, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Youth Programming Room, featuring an energetic, dance-filled musical session with ukulele and drums tailored for children ages 1.5 to 5 and their caregivers. The lineup continues on Saturday, July 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. with a Magic Show with Scott Martell, delivering an hour of comedy and magic. The event is geared toward children ages 4 to 12. For more information, visit forbeslibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events.
Singer-Songwriter Karla Bonoff takes the stage at The Iron Horse on July 31
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff will perform a live concert at The Iron Horse in Northampton on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. Known as a trailblazer of the Southern California singer-songwriter scene, Bonoff has penned massive hits for legendary artists like Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd. The touring veteran brings her catalog of timeless, emotionally expressive ballads to the stage for an intimate performance showcasing her signature vocals and clean, spare instrumentation. Tickets are $42 and available at bit.ly/4fzwWwc.
Tu-Ner to take the stage at The Iron Horse
Progressive rock supergroup Tu-Ner is performing at The Iron Horse on Thursday, July 30 at 18 Center St. in Northampton. The band features King Crimson alumni Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn alongside touch-guitar innovator Markus Reuter. This trio of multi-Grammy nominated, multi-gold and platinum recording artists is touring in support of their third live album, “Rendezvous Rodeo.” The album was recorded at the Stone Church in Brattleboro, Vermont on August 15, 2025.The venue doors open at 6 p.m., with the main show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $42 at tu-ner.com/shows/gig-624.
Gallery A3 to present ‘Everyday Submline’
Gallery A3 is presenting its 11th Annual Juried Show, “Everyday Sublime,” from Aug. 6 through Aug. 29 at 28 Amity St. 1D in Amherst. Juried by local Valley resident and School of the Art Institute of Chicago professor Andrew S. Yang, the exhibition features 46 artworks by 34 regional artists chosen from a competitive pool of more than 300 entries. The selected pieces span various mediums and focus on themes of landscape, quietude and simplicity to capture the extraordinary within ordinary, daily life.
An in-person opening reception will take place on Friday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m., allowing attendees to view the collection and meet the community artists. Additionally, the gallery will host a free, public Art Forum Online on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the artwork and creative processes. For more information, visit gallerya3.com.
The North Hall Association hosts ‘The Story Cafe’
As part of its ongoing 2026 Historic North Hall Arts Festival, the North Hall Association is offering “The Story Cafe,” a spoken-word performance on Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m. at 40 Searle Road in Huntington. Hosted by Raye Birk and Candace Barrett Birk, this seasonal festival opener blends theatrical reading with regional literature to highlight short-story writers from the Valley. Local actors Ellen Barry, Raye Birk and Candace Barrett Birk will perform selected short works written by authors Ellen Meeropol, Steve Bernstein, D.M. Gordon, Peter Cooper Hay, Elinor Lipman and John Sheirer. While general admission to the performance is free to the public, donations are encouraged at the door to support the historic venue’s programming. For more information, visit northhallhuntington.org.