Pamela Means to perform in Northampton
Award-winning local artist Pamela Means will perform a free outdoor concert on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the Hess Performance Stage, located on the Forbes Library’s west lawn, next to the parking lot. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy the folk, jazz and protest music of this acclaimed Easthampton-based singer-songwriter and activist. In the event of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to the Coolidge Museum on the second floor of the library.
Franco-Canadian pianist brings Beethoven to South Worthington
Renowned Franco-Canadian pianist Paul-André Bempéchat will perform an all-Beethoven program at Sevenars Academy in South Worthington on Aug. 2 at 4 p.m. Bempéchat is an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and an Honorary Fellow at Uppsala University. He has toured extensively across major European venues and is currently recording the complete Beethoven sonatas.
The concert is held at the Academy on 15 Ireland St., off Route 112. Admission operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no required tickets or advanced reservations. While entry is free, a $20 donation per person is suggested at the door to help fund the event. The 2026 festival season is made possible by individual donors, volunteers and grants from several local cultural councils funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Additional artist details and program information can be found at bempechat.com and sevenars.org.
Photographer Chuck Abel’s new exhibit to open at Wistariahurst in August
Photographer Charles “Chuck” Abel will present his new gallery exhibit, “Pictorally Speaking: Modern Holyoke Photographed Through a 125-Year-Old Lens,” at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. The free, public opening reception is scheduled for Aug. 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Abel brings 35 years of experience documenting the Valley, including a 25-year career as a newspaper photographer and photo editor. He currently serves as a librarian at the Chicopee Public Library and teaches photographic archives as an adjunct professor at Simmons University.
The collection pairs archival museum cameras with Abel’s modern documentary photographs of Holyoke, all captured in the historical Pictorialist style using a century-old 5×7 field camera and a 125-year-old lens. The exhibition remains on view through Sept. 8, during public gallery hours on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The program is supported by a grant from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council via the Mass Cultural Council. While admission is completely free, organizers encourage guests to register ahead of time via the Wistariahurst Eventbrite Page at eventbrite.com/o/64788818143.
Queer Joy Collaborative to host ‘Chorus for a Day’
The Queer Joy Collaborative will host its family-friendly “Chorus for a Day” experience at Laurel Park in Northampton. Scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the community event welcomes both children and adults of all skill levels. The gathering embodies the organization’s mission to foster individual and collective LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, hope and community solidarity through accessible musical expression and mutual aid. Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $10 to $30 per person, though anyone unable to pay is welcome to attend. Registration is free. Interested participants can sign up online at queerjoycollaborative.org/events.
Quabbin Days 2026 planning begins
The Friends of Quabbin are encouraging municipalities, historical societies, museums, libraries, conservation organizations, arts groups, farms, businesses and community organizations throughout the Quabbin Region to begin planning for Quabbin Days 2026 scheduled for Oct. 9-12. The regional initiative, coordinated by the Friends, encourages residents and visitors to explore the 12 communities of the Quabbin Region through a variety of local events, programs, exhibits, tours, performances, outdoor activities and community gatherings.
“We know that many organizations begin planning their fall schedules months in advance,” said Ed Comeau of the Friends of Quabbin. “We want to give everyone enough lead time to consider how they would like to participate and to explore opportunities to work together.”
Participation can take many forms. Organizations may create new programs specifically for Quabbin Days or designate existing activities taking place during the October holiday weekend as part of the celebration. Event information will be added to the Quabbin Days website as plans are finalized, and events can be submitted for the calendar at QuabbinDays.org/contact.
Oxbow Gallery to exhibit work of Whendy Carter
The Oxbow Gallery in Easthampton will host a new exhibition by artist Whendy Carter running through Aug. 31. This showcase features large-scale prints that expand on the bullseye form, explicitly exploring the dynamic dialogue between geometric precision and the organic fluidity of ink. The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. Carter will also host an in-person Artist’s Talk on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. Guests wishing to attend the talk should RSVP via email to whendy.carter@gmail.com with “Artist’s Talk” written directly in the subject line.
Fleetwood Mac tribute band to perform at The Iron Horse
Boston-based Fleetwood Mac tribute band Little Lies will perform a high-energy concert at The Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Saturday, Aug. 1. The seven-piece professional ensemble passionately recreates 50 years of rock history, featuring classic hits like “Dreams” alongside formative favorites like “Black Magic Woman.” Doors open at 6 p.m., with the main performance starting at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $36 and are available at bit.ly/4vWe0wN.
Ashfield FilmFest deadline for submissions is Aug. 15
Filmmakers have until Aug. 15 to submit entries for the 18th annual Ashfield FilmFest, scheduled for Sept. 18 and 19 at Ashfield Town Hall. Short films must be five minutes or less and have a connection to western Massachusetts. This year’s festival introduces the Hillywood Award, a cash prize for the best film by a female filmmaker, alongside other cash awards, including a youth category for filmmakers 18 and younger. The festival opens Sept. 18 with a screening of the documentary “Girl Climber,” about professional climber Emily Harrington’s attempt to free-climb El Capitan’s Golden Gate route in Yosemite National Park in under 24 hours, followed by a panel discussion. The film was executive-produced by Galen Knowles, who grew up in Ashfield and began his career with award-winning entries in the Ashfield FilmFest as a teenager. Films should be submitted through FilmFreeway. A link and additional information can be found at ashfieldfilmfest.org.