Arts Briefs: ‘Rent’ actors in Amherst, Grunge Brunch at Iron Horse, and more

A ‘Rent’ reunionRentheads, rejoice! Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (who played Roger and Mark, respectively, in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical) will perform together at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Bowker Auditorium on Friday,...

Only Human with Joan Axelrod-Contrada: It all comes out in the wash: The washer-dryer combo is the perfect metaphor for life

By JOAN AXELROD-CONTRADA

Life is like a washing machine – complete with cycles and plenty of agitating to get at the messy stuff. If I were a songwriter (spoiler alert: I’m not), I’d pen a catchy tune about that simile, weaving together verses and a killer refrain set to the...

Speaking of Nature: The blue jay that stood guard: Observations during a solid week of unfettered access to the birds

By BILL DANIELSON

The final week of 2024 was particularly calm and delightful for me. After the hustle and bustle of hosting a family gathering, my wife and I were able to nestle down into the “holiday bunker” and enjoy some much-needed R&R. For one solid week we were...

The future is bright and weightless: An eye-opening exploration of everything and nothing at a spa in Easthampton

By BOB FLAHERTY

My journey. Where it begins and ends I have no idea. I do know that I could use some healing along the way, I’m just not sure what it is I have. Although, yes, I am acutely aware of my mousetrap nervous system and my constantly yap-yap-yapping...

Classical at the club: Series at The Drake makes new room for chamber music

By CAROLYN BROWN

Most people don’t see local bars as venues for classical music, but a concert series at The Drake in Amherst is helping redefine and expand where classical music belongs.Chamber@The Drake, the venue’s classical music series, brings performers to play...

There is a Season with Molly Parr: Protein-packed beet and cottage cheese latkes

By MOLLY PARR

After frying and freezing dozens of latkes in preparation for Chanukah this year, I am now convinced anything can be latke’ed. Of course there were the typical potato with-a-little-grated-onion latkes, and then typical-for-me were the broccoli and...

They get along swimmingly: 2025 calendar celebrates Franklin County YMCA water fitness class

By EVELINE MACDOUGALL

A rollicking group who bonded through a class at Franklin County’s YMCA in Greenfield have produced a calendar for 2025 that celebrates beautiful humans in their 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Let’s meet some water nymphs who could grace your wall if you get...

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Danny Czitrom of South Hadley

These latkes were so picture perfect, they were submitted twice! Once by Danny Czitrom of South Hadley, who cooked them, and once by Leslie Laurie of Pelham, who got to enjoy them at Gail Hornstein’s “end of Chanukah party” in Northampton.How to...

Women artists grow wings: “Remember to Remember” at A.P.E. celebrates local women’s ancestry, memory and legacy

By MELISSA KAREN SANCES

Five years ago, Muriel “Monik” Johnson watched her friend transform. Leah was a vibrant artist who loved going dancing. Though only 4-foot-9, she delighted in kissing Johnson’s face, starting at her chin, working clockwise to her forehead while she...

Arts Briefs: ‘Valley Folklore’ in Northampton, Poe-themed cocktails in Amherst, and more

‘Earth MusicTheater Live’The show “Earth Music Theater Live” will debut at 33 Hawley on Friday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m.During “Earth Music Theater Live,” the audience will watch high-res footage of the earth and nature captured by...

Around and About with Richard McCarthy: Twilight in a side yard: Imagining a shared moment between two people

By RICHARD MCCARTHY

I was biking in the countryside of Montague one summer day (remember those?), and I pedaled past a house with a substantial side yard furnished only with a small table and two simple chairs. Later, when I was home, I watched the sunset from my back...

Speaking of Nature: Last year in bird watching: A review of 2024, a record-breaking year for bird sightings and photos

By BILL DANIELSON

Happy New Year everybody! I was delighted to have a snowy celebration for this iconic winter holiday and I hope that you are sitting happily with your feet up and a warm beverage in your hand. I am just finishing an hour of bird watching at my kitchen...

Can’t take that away from me: With Jan. 20 on the horizon, the Queer Joy Collaborative sings, dances and fights for its life

By MELISSA KAREN SANCES

Glitter. Sparkle. Bedazzle. Shine.When Mara Levi and Nova Wehman-Brown started dreaming of a Winter Ball, these four words came to mind. The executive director and the board president of the Queer Joy Collaborative wanted their inaugural event to be...

No need to put your clubs in storage: Golf simulators, gaining in popularity, allow for year-round tee time and swing analysis

By GARRETT COTE

Come fall, which is perhaps the best time to get out and play a round of golf thanks to the combination of lovely weather and gorgeous foliage, every golfer in New England knows the inevitable winter weather is on the horizon. Yet despite being aware...

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Mary Carey of Amherst

Mary Carey of Amherst made this forest-themed cake “by frosting a big Rice Krispies Treat with melted mini chocolate peanut butter cups and decorated it with meringue mushrooms, sugared cranberries and rosemary, and a little glass fox.” Next, she says...

Reading roundup: Steve Pfarrer’s favorite books of 2024

By STEVE PFARRER

During my last several years as the Gazette’s arts and features writer, I compiled a list of my favorite books of the year each December, given that newspapers all do that best-of-the-year thing and I thought it would be fun to get on board...

Arts Briefs: Bach and rock in Northampton, cumbia in Amherst, and more

Auditions for ‘Love Letters’ The volunteer theater company Valley Players will hold auditions for the play “Love Letters” by appointment only on Monday, Jan. 6, and Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst.The show,...

Giving the gift of Christmases past: Deerfield children’s letters to Santa resurface after decades

By CHRIS LARABEE

From 1952 to 2008, children in Deerfield had an opportunity to write letters to Santa Claus and, after some time, a letter from the big man himself would be sent back to the child.Now, decades later after many of the letters were likely forgotten, a...

Love is in the airwaves: Queer dating radio show creates connections and community

By CAROLYN BROWN

Finding love is all about finding someone on your wavelength. A radio show at the University of Massachusetts Amherst wants to help the local queer community make romantic connections, one guest DJ at a time.On the show “Queer Yenta Radio Hour,” which...

Weekly Food Photo Contest: This week’s winner: Jane Nevinsmith of Hadley

Jane Nevinsmith sent us this photo of the gingerbread people and sugar cookies that Susan Glowatsky baked for the Hadley Senior Center holiday party earlier this month.How to enter: Snap a pic of something delicious-looking and send it with your name,...