Cyanotype workshop
Artist Nikki Gardner will teach a two-session cyanotype printing workshop at 33 Hawley in Northampton on Sunday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cyanotype is a photography printing process that uses chemistry and UV light to create vibrant Prussian blue prints on fabric or paper.
The first session will focus on canvas tote bags; the second session will focus on watercolor paper and zines.
In a news release, Gardner said, “Cyanotype has been part of my fine art practice for a number of years. I am interested in pushing the process and seeing what’s possible. There is something genuinely surprising about this process — the moment the image appears during rinsing never gets old. I wanted to create a space where people could experience that for themselves, regardless of their background with art or photography.”
Admission is $45 per session or $75 for both sessions. All materials are included. Children ages 8 and up are welcome, and participants do not need to have experience with cyanotypes to take part. To register, email hello@nikkigardnerstudio.com.
The Friendship Band’s ‘Friendsgiving’ concert
The Friendship Band, an inclusive local band made up of people with and without disabilities, will perform their annual “Friendsgiving” benefit concert at the Iron Horse in Northampton on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m., joined by Grateful Dead tribute band Mind Left Body.
Chris Harper, Friendship Band drummer and director of operations at Whole Children and Milestones, said in a statement, “Friendsgiving is a chance to celebrate the friendships and sense of community that have grown around the Friendship Band. Music has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and this event is really about sharing that joy with everyone. Friendship Band has an infectious energy, and it’s always exciting watching a new audience experience that.”
Tickets are $36 via ironhorse.org. Proceeds will benefit performing arts programming at Whole Children and Milestones.
‘The President,’ a new one-man play
Actor and playwright John Feffer will present his new one-man show “The President” at The Blue Room at CitySpace in Easthampton on Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, at 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m.
The show is about the fictional President Peter Peters.
“He faces plummeting poll numbers, rising opposition and a credible threat against Easthampton, MA. In response, the president is thinking about declaring martial law. His opponents are hoping for a democratic uprising,” a press release about the show explains. “A charismatic terrorist from far-off Khazaria, presumed dead, has turned up very much alive and determined to bring down Peter Peters. The politician that Peters dropped from his vice-presidential short list wants political revenge. And the ghost of the president’s dead son materializes to confront his father with a dark secret from the past.”
Feffer plays all eight characters. Each performance is 70 minutes long, followed by a 20-minute Q&A.
Tickets are $25 general admission or $10 for students and low-income people at cityspaceeasthampton.org.
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in Springfield
Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group will present its production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Unity House in Springfield from Friday, Nov. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 14.
In short, this is a comedy about young lovers, actors, fairies, jealousy, magic, mischief and misunderstandings. This production specifically focuses on queer themes and features a gender-blind cast.
Tickets are $25, fees included, at the door (depending on availability) or online. For the full schedule or to purchase tickets, visit wigbtheater.ludus.com. The show runs approximately two hours with an intermission.
