NORTHAMPTON — Tickets are now on sale for Transformance 35: Immigrant Song, a musical tribute to global superstars, at Pines Theater in Florence on Aug. 19 from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The annual tradition run by the Northampton Arts Council, which is in its 35th year, returns “with a global twist to celebrate the journeys, voices and stories of immigrants around the world,” according to a statement from the Northampton mayor’s office. This year’s theme, Immigrant Song, invites local musicians to perform tributes to renowned international artists, including ABBA, the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Elton John.
Attendees in need of food and drink at the concert can enjoy eats from local vendors, including Bueno y Sano, Herrell’s Ice Cream, Wake the Dead Donuts, Little Wall, Monsoon Coffee Roasters, Joe’s Cafe, Florence Pizza, Starrs Pizza, State Street Fruit Store, and more. A KidsZone, hosted by A2Z Science and Learning Store, will provide children’s activities within the theater grounds.
Tickets are available freshtix.com/events/transformance or can be reserved by calling 678-701-6114. Tickets can also be purchased in person without fees at State Street Fruit Store in Northampton and Cooper’s Corner in Florence. No pets, coolers, or outside beverages are allowed. Look Park charges a $10 special events vehicle entry fee unless a season pass is displayed.
EVERETT – Three area school districts will receive Civics Teaching and Learning grants to support curriculum and professional development to further civic knowledge and skills among students.
Gateway Regional School District and Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School in Easthampton will each receive $16,000, while Amherst Public Schools will get $11,500. They are among 37 districts statewide to land grants totaling $972,000, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced.
In addition to supporting curriculum and professional development, the grants are intended to support implementation of grade 8 and high school student-led civics projects, the hosting of local civics project showcases, participation in the Massachusetts Civics Project Showcases, and other enrichment activities focused on meaningful civic learning.
The grants are funded through the state’s Civics Project Trust Fund and are intended to support civics instruction aligned with the 2018 Massachusetts History and Social Science Framework and the implementation of student-led, nonpartisan civic action projects as required by Chapter 296 of the Acts of 2018.
HOLYOKE – Representatives from Hyundai Motor America visited Holyoke Community College July 9 to deliver a $5,000 check to benefit the college’s food pantry.
This is the fifth consecutive year Hyundai Motor America has donated to the HCC food pantry, part of the college’s Thrive Center, bringing the total value of their donations up to $37,000.
The gifts from Hyundai are in addition to regular donations made to Thrive by auto dealer Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke. Rome is a member of the HCC Foundation Board of Directors, and his efforts on behalf of HCC initially brought the Thrive Center and Food Pantry to the attention of the Hyundai corporate offices in California.
Elizabeth Eastman, food pantry manager, said donations from community groups have enabled Thrive to increase the number of people the program feeds. The Thrive Center manages the college’s food pantry and provides services, such as food and housing assistance, that help address students’ basic needs.
Eastman told the assembled crowd that the pantry had delivered more than 9,000 pounds of food to students and their families during the last fiscal year. Through May 2025, the food pantry handled 459 requests, serving 259 students and their families, for a total of 651 people.
Eastman said the food pantry is capable of handling more requests now since the Thrive Center moved to a much larger space on the second floor of the HCC Kittredge Center in September 2024.