HCC to hold Harambee Celebration

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will conclude its annual recognition of Black History Month on Wednesday, Feb. 26, with a Harambee Celebration starting at 11 a.m. in the Campus Center cafeteria.

The HCC event is part of a month-long series of events at HCC highlighting this year’s national Black History Month theme: “African Americans and Labor.”

Harambee is a Swahili word that means “pull together” or “unite.” It’s a celebratory event that honors the contributions and achievements of Black people. HCC’s event will feature food, music, including an open mic session.

“At a time when conversations about equity, inclusion, and justice are more important than ever, celebrating Black History Month allows us to uplift voices that have historically been marginalized,” HCC’s Black Leadership Council and Black History Month Committee, said in a campus-wide email. “Recognizing and honoring these histories is not just about the past, it’s about shaping a future that embraces diversity, fosters understanding, and empowers all members of our community.”

Annual Jazz Showcase coming to UMass

AMHERST — The UMass Amherst Department of Music & Dance and the Jazz & African American Music Studies Program will honor two giants of the genre at the 44th Annual Jazz Showcase on Tuesday, March 4, in Bower Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

This year’s show is titled “Spotlight on the Music of Quincy Jones & Benny Golson,” and it will pay tribute to the two legendary artists who died within two months of each other in late 2024.

Eleven different student ensembles, from guitar duo to big band, will fill Bowker Auditorium with works that have become jazz standards, and lasting musical contributions to album, film and tv productions over the past 70 years.

Jazz Ensemble I, Chapel Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and various Chamber Jazz combos will all be part of the show.

Jeffrey W. Holmes is the director of Jazz Ensemble I and producer/coordinator of the annual showcase. In addition to Holmes, directors will include Thomas Giampietro (Chapel Jazz), Mitch Chakour (Vocal Jazz), and Graduate TA Forest Loomis-Dulong (Jazz Lab), while Jazz faculty trumpeter Haneef Nelson will be a guest soloist with Jazz Ensemble I.

Tickets are on sale through the UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center. They are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 17 and seniors over 65. UMass students are free with a valid ID.

UMass opens registration for 5K Dash and Dine

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts Dining Services invites the community to participate in its 14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine on Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m., with the goal to promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center.

UMass Dining’s focus is on quality ingredients and meals, customer service, student health and wellness, customization options and appreciation of global influences. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised over $50,000 for the Amherst Survival Center.

The schedule for the April 26 event includes check-in at the Southwest Horseshoe starting at 9 a.m., followed by a free fun run for children 8 years old and younger at 10 a.m. The race itself begins at 11 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and lunch in the Berkshire Dining Commons at noon.

The race fee is $15 for all Five-College students, $25 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 years old and under are free to participate. The race fee includes registration, and a complimentary meal at the university’s award-winning dining facilities in the Berkshire Dining Commons.

Donations can be made and participants can register on the UMass 5K Dash & Dine website. Online registration will end April 24 at midnight. Walk-up registration will be available on race day.