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By CAROLYN BROWN

Indë Francis, an “artivist” known professionally as Indë, once felt isolated as a queer Black person growing up in western Massachusetts. Now, they’re reclaiming space for their identity with a new art installation that celebrates queer Black role models.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Through five decades in the entertainment industry, comedian, author, actress, and radio host Sandra Bernhard has done a lot – and, next weekend, she’ll bring that experience and love of performing to Northampton.

By CAROLYN BROWN

NORTHAMPTON — Equestrians will flock to Northampton later this month to celebrate and show off their skills with Morgan horses, the official state horse of Massachusetts.

By CAROLYN BROWN

An author with Belchertown roots is celebrating the release of his debut novel – which also takes place in the Belchertown area – with two local book tour events this month. 

By CAROLYN BROWN

On a recent Thursday night, before sitting down for a potluck dinner, several dozen people gathered at Earthdance in Plainfield to let out pent-up anger.

By CAROLYN BROWN

A two-day jazz and roots music festival is coming back to Springfield – and, as ever, it’s free.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Northampton author Mike Curato recently released his new graphic novel, “Gaysians,” his first book for adults, which included a local book launch and karaoke party at Bombyx last weekend sponsored by High Five Books.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Violinist Julie Lyonn Lieberman has a mission: to help classical string musicians of all ages, both amateur and professional, expand their horizons and skillsets to musical styles outside of the traditional Western classical music canon. This weekend, Lieberman will bring that passion back to another season of “Strings Without Boundaries,” a summer music learning program, for which she is the artistic director.

By CAROLYN BROWN

NORTHAMPTON — The Smith College Botanic Garden is celebrating a rare and short-lived event: its corpse flower is blooming — but only for the weekend, most likely.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Florence-based author and illustrator Grace Lin is known for books like “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon” (for which she received a Newbery Honor in 2010), “The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon,” “The Ugly Vegetables,” and “A Big Mooncake for Little Star” (for which she received a Caldecott Honor in 2019). Now, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is celebrating Lin’s work with a career retrospective.

By CAROLYN BROWN

In Silverthorne Theater Company’s latest production, Jordan Harrison’s “The Amateurs,” a deft cast nimbly weaves their way through a complicated but comedic script with COVID-era resonance.

By CAROLYN BROWN

A new vegan food festival is about to take root in the Pioneer Valley.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Most people who have worked retail and food service jobs have dealt with customers who were rude, annoying, or just plain strange. A new comedy TV series written and filmed in the Pioneer Valley wants to answer the question: what if those customers were actually from Hell?

By CAROLYN BROWN

Earlier this year, three Massachusetts artists were chosen to create six wheatpaste murals total to decorate the town of Montague, a public art project funded by a $15,000 grant. The most local of the three – graphic designer and illustrator Sophie Foulkes – recently installed her murals at Montague Town Hall and 20 Masonic St. in Montague.

By CAROLYN BROWN

EASTHAMPTON — As thunder rumbled outside, 93 Easthampton High School seniors prepared to take the next step into adulthood.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Lewis Carol’s story of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” is more than 150 years old, but a group of local teen performers is reimagining it with a modern twist.

By CAROLYN BROWN

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Holyoke was known for its thriving paper industry – that’s how it got the nickname “Paper City.” Now, over a century later, the city will celebrate the legacy and impact that paper production had on the area with the inaugural Holyoke Paper Festival.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Last September, the City of Belchertown put out a call for muralists to decorate three unusual canvases: transfer station containers, which hold large amounts of recyclable materials. The intent, according to a press release, was to “enhance the visual appeal of the site while also conveying the message that every resident’s effort contributes to a larger process.” Each mural had to use imagery related to Belchertown, drawing from nearly 100 responses to a community survey, and follow the theme “recycle, reuse, reduce, regenerate.”

By CAROLYN BROWN

The Pioneer Valley Wine Festival will return for its sixth year at Auction Acres in Brimfield on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, from noon to 6 p.m.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Two dark moments in Northampton history – the 1806 execution of two innocent immigrants and the 1960 arrest of a closeted Smith College professor – have an unlikely connection: an upcoming event will explore them both in opera.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Artist Nicole Gadon is based in Northampton, but her work recently took her to two residencies in Great Britain and Ireland that have carried with her to her artistic practice here in the Pioneer Valley.