NORTHAMPTON — Get ready for a lot of crazy wigs, tunes and costumes, because Transperformance is coming to town again on Tuesday. This year’s theme: Rock N Roll Heaven Revisited.
The 27th annual event is a fundraiser to support the arts in Northampton’s public schools. Radio personality Chris “Monte” Belmonte said the event is happening a little earlier than usual because school starts earlier this year.
He said he hopes that doesn’t affect turnout.
“Don’t forget to go because it supports arts in the Northampton schools,” he said Monday. “And if you love local music, it’s like a gathering of the local music family.”
This year’s event spans from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at Look Park’s Pines Theater. Each year, local musicians and other community members take on personas of famous musicians, get onstage to “transperform” those artists’ stylings.
Each year Belmonte keeps everyone guessing over what his latest costume will be. This year, he told the Gazette, he’ll dress up as “at least two incarnations of Bowie.”
“Back in 1994, The Northampton Arts Council presented Transperformance Rock N Roll Heaven as the theme,” organizers wrote in a press release. “After recently losing so many legendary performers and artists, Transperformance 27 will celebrate their lives with this year’s theme, ‘Rock N Roll Heaven Revisited!’”
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for veterans and seniors 65 and over, and $5 for children under 13. The rain date for the event is Wednesday, and if rain is predicted both days the event will go on Tuesday at Smith College’s John M. Greene Hall.
The event is organized each year by the Northampton Arts Council, the city of Northampton and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Among others, the event is also sponsored by Lathrop Communities, Gravity Switch, Florence Bank, WHMP and The River.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.