This calendar lists all events offered through the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley. Please visit our Classes calendar for classes and workshops! Events and programs offered by our building partners Northampton Open Media and A.P.E. Ltd. can be found on their websites.
Northampton Antiquarian Book, Ephemera and Book Arts Fair
Northampton Antiquarian Book, Ephemera and Book Arts Fair, Eighth Annual Edition
Friday, November 22, from 5 to 8 PM
Saturday, November 23, from 10 AM to 4 PM
$8 admission
Free for Children and Students with ID
Fair attendees will find a variety of books and ephemera ranging from rare travel books to literary first editions, paper Americana to historic account books & manuscripts, fine letter press printing and fine bindings, small press poetry books, mystery & science fiction, books on the counter culture & queer studies, signed books & first editions. Also featured will be handmade journals, handmade paper, fine bindings, artist books, limited edition wood engravings, and early printed books. A wide variety of collectible books, printed paper, and book arts, priced under $100, will be available for sale.
At this time, 36 rare booksellers, paper Americana specialists, and book artists, including hand bookbinders, papermakers, & fine letterpress printers from New England and the mid-Atlantic states will convene to exhibit, sell, and schmooze at the popular two-day fair. The 2024 Northampton Book Fair will draw buyers, collectors, librarians, ephemera specialists, booksellers, and tourists from throughout the region to browse and purchase from a diverse set of exhibitors.
The Northampton Book Fair is sponsored by the Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers and the Northampton Center for the Arts. Media sponsor is New England Public Media and the NEPM Book Club. Made possible, in part, with support from the International Online Booksellers Association. Produced and directed by Book Fair Promotion.
Get your tickets now!
Northampton Artisan Fair 2024
Northampton Artisan Fair 2024
Saturday, November 30, 10:00am-4:00pm
FREE
The Northampton Center for the Arts will hold its annual building-wide Artisan Fair on Saturday, November 30th, 2024 (Small Business Saturday!), from 10:00am to 4:00pm at 33 Hawley. With over 55 talented local artists and artisans selling their work, refreshments and coffee available throughout the day, and live music by local musicians, this fair has quickly become a seasonal favorite!
Live music by Carrie Ferguson (11am) , Kim Chin-Gibbons (12:30pm), and Lily Sexton (2pm)!
The 2024 Northampton Artisan Fair is sponsored in part by The Roost!
2024 ARTISTS AND ARTISANS!
Studio Feeler, Alex Makes Monsters, Alex Evora Green Arts LLC, Angela P. Shenk Art, Prayer Pots by Anita Walling, Anna Alter: Illustrated Goods, Whimsical Fiber, my monster hat, Holler + Howl, Yellowdog, BKen Hobbies, Cabin Week Projects, Pagrana Naturals Handmade Bath & Body, Casey Williams ART & MAPS, Art Bug Illustrations, KafkaEzque Alternative Stationery, Hallie’s Comet Fine Jewelry, Christine Mirabal, Homestone Jewelry, Dani Antes Art, Sojourner Design, 230am Studio at the Carriage House, WhiteLeaf Paper, Doug Hockman Photography, Ella Alk Inuk LLC, E.klectix, FS woodturning, Gail B Cortis Art, Hal Glier Studios, La Boa Brava Jewelry, Harold J Dumas Art, Ouroboros Studios, Reclaimed Crafts, Rag Hill Farm, JoAnn Denehy/Westbrook Designs, Just Nice Wood, BlackPixelDust Art, Kathleen DeQuence Anderson , Northampton Art, The Rainbow Rack, Metal Objects, Kim Condon Pastels, Kristi Colbert, Carlson Creates , Lisa Cappello Design & Pottery, Madge Evers, Shire Arts, Pamela Acosta, Rachel Federico Art , Robin G. Photo Art, The Rah Collective, Simple Shoemaking + Scraps, Artsienas, Sol Weiss, Sophia Rose Pottery, Sophie Theroux, Stacey Dakai Pottery, Hawksong Weaving, Atelier Erotides Silva, Madelyn Bess, and the return of the NCFA Art Card Sale!
Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard
Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard
Saturday, December 7 at 6 PM
Saturday, December 14 at 6 PM
Tickets start at $20 — Please visit Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard
Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard is the world's first solo play that brings attention to the issues of retail crime, shrink, and shoplifting. It explores the challenges faced by low-paid security guards and retail workers in managing theft and loss prevention. In this story of self-discovery, Steve Smelly, a complacent elderly retail guard, reluctantly accepts a new assignment as a loss prevention detective due to a department shortage. If he fails to curb shoplifting, he faces termination by the fearful district manager Mr. Coldstone. Steve stumbles upon a shocking discovery that could impact his employment. His difficult decision to handle this ultimate turn of events during a day of utter chaos will affect his relationship with coworkers and friends. The show is comedic and insightful, using humor to highlight the frustrations, absurdities, and ethical dilemmas surrounding the retail environment. Award winning filmmaker and actor Ken Harris performs 12 different characters in this story of retail chaos on a stage.
For tickets, please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/foes-of-a-minimum-wage-guard-a-solo-play-tickets-1032571839167?aff=oddtdtcreator
December Arts Night Out at 33 Hawley
ARTS NIGHT OUT AT 33 HAWLEY
FRIDAY, December 13th, 5:00-8:00 PM
EXHIBITS:
Barn Door Gallery: Wallflower Wawa
(Exhibit runs December 4 -21)
Split Level Gallery: QAA presents New Voices, New Perspectives
(Exhibits run December 4 -21)
LIVE MUSIC
NOHO ART CLUB WITH PAIGE QUINN-VASIC (in Eli’s Room)!
FREE!
Please join the Northampton Center for the Arts, A.P.E. Ltd., and Northampton Open Media at 33 Hawley for an opening reception with refreshments and live music during Arts Night Out on Friday, 12/13, from 5:00-8:00 pm!
The Northampton Center for the Arts presents Wallflower Wawa in the Barn Door Gallery. Paintings and wall sculptures by Nickolas Roblee-Strauss and Jacqueline Strauss explore the melodramas of less obvious party guests. Through the use of color, pattern, and a playful reinvention of form, this exhibit invites us to celebrate and encourages us to examine the perimeter, revealing the blossoms that emerge from the walls.
The Split Level Gallery at the Quabbin Arts Association, partnered with Northampton Center for the Arts, presents New Voices, New Perspectives, showcasing 20 emerging artists from nine universities and colleges in the Connecticut River Valley area who are pursuing careers in the visual arts. Come see the talented artists QAA has gathered in this new initiative designed to create opportunities for these emerging creatives.
Music to be announced!
NOHO Art Club
Head downstairs to Eli’s Room for a Noho Art Club meet-up hosted by Paige Quinn-Vasic! Come play with collage and gelli plate printing, and check out Paige’s felt sushi demo, an original wet felting technique offered as a workshop through the Center!
All exhibits can also be seen during open hours Wednesday through Saturday, 12-7 p.m. More information about the Barn Door Gallery can be found here and the Split Level Gallery can be found here.
Stars & Skulls Crafty Craft Fair
Stars & Skulls Crafty Craft Fair
Sunday, December 15 from Noon to 4 PM
Free Admission!
Stars & Skulls Crafty Craft Fair is an annual alternative Craft Fair held in the Pioneer Valley since 2005. The return of the Valley's long-running craft fair for freaks & geeks! 30ish quirky crafters, artists & vendors on hand for all your holiday shopping needs. Conveniently located to downtown Northampton, plus free parking & admission!
A World of Piano - Jazz Piano Series
A World of Piano - Jazz Piano Series
Thursday 2/27 at 7:30pm — Matthew Shipp
Friday 2/28 at 7:30pm — Greg Burk
Saturday 3/1 at 7:30pm — Sylvie Courvoisier
Tickets AVAILABLE HERE $15-$35/CONCERT sliding scale*
come to one or all three!
Join us for the Valley’s popular jazz piano series! In 1995, the Northampton Center for the Arts asked long-time Connecticut River Valley jazz producer Glenn Siegel to produce a solo piano series, and A World of Piano was born. Throughout its history, the A World of Piano has sought to present a wide variety of approaches to the instrument. The series resumed in 2003 and continued until 2013, when NCFA lost its former space on South St.
Now firmly re-established at 33 Hawley, the Northampton Center for the Arts and Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares have resurrected A World of Piano. On February 27-March 1, 2025, the series continues with performances by pianists Matthew Shipp, Greg Burk, and Sylvie Courvoisier. Come to one concert or all three!
* Jazz Shares members may attend these concerts as part of their membership. Tickets are available to the general public on a sliding scale. Tickets purchased on the upper end of the scale help support NCFA’s ongoing commitment to accessibility and sliding scale models.
More about the 2025 artists here:
Matthew Shipp
Greg Burk
Sylvie Courvoisier
Past Events
Counting Down: A Song Cycle About Dementia & Life
Counting Down: A Song Cycle About Dementia & Life
Saturday, November 16 at 5 and 8 PM
(5 PM Show is Sold Out; tickets still available for 8 PM)
Tickets are $10-$15: https://www.ticketsource.us/jody-cutler
Counting Down: A Song Cycle About Dementia & Life is a musical theater piece about a mother and daughter navigating the mom’s Dementia. It is a series of songs connected with dialogue. It is touching, funny and honest. This is the first public performance of the piece and will be a “staged reading” meaning that the actors will be using scripts during the show. One of the actors is from NY and two are local to Northampton.
For tickets ($10-$15), please go to https://www.ticketsource.us/jody-cutler
November Arts Night Out at 33 Hawley
ARTS NIGHT OUT AT 33 HAWLEY
FRIDAY, November 8th, 5:00-8:00 PM
Artist talk at 7:30 pm
EXHIBITS:
Barn Door Gallery: Pliable Entanglements
(Exhibit runs November 2 -30)
Split Level Gallery Mezzanine: Everyday/Every Day &
Split Level Gallery Lower Level: We’re All Looking for Home, Beauty, and Freedom
(Exhibits run November 2 -30)
LIVE MUSIC by Infinite Sun
NOHO ART CLUB WITH PAIGE QUINN-VASIC (in Eli’s Room)!
FREE!
Please join the Northampton Center for the Arts, A.P.E. Ltd., and Northampton Open Media at 33 Hawley for an opening reception with refreshments and live music during Arts Night Out on Friday, 11/8, from 5:00-8:00 pm!
The Northampton Center for the Arts presents Pliable Entanglements in the Barn Door Gallery. This exhibition, featuring the works of Eva Barajas, María Sparrow, and Ross Momaney, invites viewers to reflect on their past, present, and future while recognizing the flexible connections that bind us to the lives around us. The exhibit encourages us to appreciate the subtle and invisible ties that unite us all, emphasizing the idea that our observations and interactions continuously shape and connect us in profound ways.
Stay for an Artist Talk at 7:30 pm in the Barn Door Gallery!
We’re excited to present two exhibits in the Split Level Gallery this month! Everyday/Every Day can be seen on the Mezzanine level, and features the works of Deb Lohmeyer, Joyce Lak, and Nancy Lowry. During the global pandemic, these artists started a peer-to-peer group sharing a "photo a day" project to stay connected. They took and shared daily photos on Instagram, which improved their photography skills and helped them notice and appreciate the beauty in everyday life. Whether in their hometown or exploring new places, the project encouraged them to pay closer attention to the wonders around them.
Continue to the lower level of the Split Level Gallery to see Home, Freedom, Beauty by Adeyemi Adebayo. The work explores the themes of home, beauty, and freedom through the lens of solitude, disposition, and the longing for home. The work focuses on the human disposition in different states and across time, emphasizing the quiet, contemplative, yet revealing nature of people as they navigate through life, leisure, and struggles for freedom.
Music by Infinite Sun
Infinite Sun is the rock and acoustic duo of Erik Vegeto and Jake Tuvek, celebrated for their chill, melodic tunes and heartfelt performances throughout Western Mass. Their music embodies a belief in radical acceptance and transformative compassion, with lyrics that deeply resonate and foster a sense of community.
NOHO Art Club
Head downstairs to Eli’s Room for a Noho Art Club meet-up hosted by Paige Quinn-Vasic! Come play with collage and gelli plate printing, and check out Paige’s felt sushi demo, an original wet felting technique offered as a workshop through the Center!
All exhibits can also be seen during open hours Wednesday through Saturday, 12-7 p.m. More information about the Barn Door Gallery can be found here and the Split Level Gallery can be found here.
Dark of Fright™ Halloween Party
Dark of Fright™ Halloween Party
Saturday, October 26 from 4 to 6 PM
$0 to $10 Admission (no one turned away for lack of funds)
For more information, please visit www.darkoffright.com
Let the spellabration begin!
Don't want to be scared this Halloween? No problem! At Dark of Fright™ Halloween Party, come in costume* to experience sweets and surprises without any scares (we're a misnomer, we know...)!
Tricks and Treats
Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley comes alive with eerie excitement. On the main floor, go trick or treating for candy, toys and stickers and get your groove on at the demonically dazzling dance party inside Club Castle. Throughout the night, enjoy performances from A2Z Science and Learning Store's yo-yo team and incredible circus feats.
On the ground floor is the Wizard Workshop, where Pepperoni is waiting to meet you! Get pictures and autographs and pose in front of frightfully fun photo-ops. Directly next to the Wizard Workshop is a sensory space for autistic and other neurodivergent guests to regroup**.
Ghoulish Goodies
A Halloween party is not complete without monstrous morsels... sink your teeth into vegan and gluten-free cupcakes from Carefree Cakery and other devious delights.
Admission wristbands are $0-$10 in-person on October 26th at the NCFA box office counter (pay what you can/no one turned away for lack of funds), or $5 and up online at Brown Paper Tickets. For more information on Northampton Center for the Arts please visit their website.
*No costume masks, long trailing fabrics, prop weapons or gore.
**Noise cancelling headphones/ear defenders will be provided in the sensory space and/or on request.
During Dark of Fright, we ask that you mask to better protect immunocompromised individuals. Various types of masks will be provided. Please consult our COVID-19 safety protocols for more information.
Groomed
Groomed — A One-Act Play
Wednesday, October 23 at 7 PM
Admission is Free!
How can a Truth be told? How can a Secret be spoken?
A betrayed schoolboy, a Japanese soldier, and the inventor of the saxophone. Three narratives show how a story can save your life. It’s bold, provocative, theatrical—and not for a moment depressing.
The award winning play Groomed will be performed with a talk-back after the show. The performance is FREE and open to the public (PG-13).
Performed by UK playwright and male survivor, Patrick Sandford, the 1-hour, 1-act play is set in an elementary school. The performance evokes strong emotions but is not graphic. Groomed was performed at the Vatican in Nov. 2023 and is meant to educate, inform, and be a catalyst for discussions about the reality of sexual abuse of minors.
For information contact: Michael Koplinka-Loehr, 607-592-8437, mak11@cornell.edu
Promises, Promises
K and E Theater Group presents “Promises Promises”
Friday, October 11, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 12, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Friday, October 18, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 8:00 PM
For tickets and information, please visit PROMISES, PROMISES
In New York City in the 1960s, an ambitious accountant named Chuck Baxter lends out his apartment to his supervisors, who need a discreet place for illicit afternoon rendezvous. Miserable and exploited, Chuck finds a beacon of hope in coworker Fran, who is trapped in a romantic predicament of her own. The bittersweet romantic comedy features a groundbreaking contemporary score from composer Burt Bacharach. The score includes the blockbuster hit “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” plus “Knowing When To Leave,” “Turkey Lurkey Time,” “Whoever You Are,” “I Say A Little Prayer for You, ” “A House Is Not a Home,” and the title song.
For more information, and tickets, please visit https://www.ketg.org/promises-promises.html
413 Independent Toy Fest!
413 Independent Toy Fest!
Saturday, October 12, from 12 Noon to 4 PM
Admission is Free!
From the folks who brought you Stars & Skulls Crafty Craft Fair, 413 Indie Toy Fest is a new show focused on folks who make their own toys. This show will feature vendors from all over the Northeast bringing small batch action figures, robots, monsters & more. Free Admission!
October Arts Night Out at 33 Hawley
ARTS NIGHT OUT AT 33 HAWLEY
FRIDAY, October 11th, 5:00-8:00 PM
EXHIBITS:
Barn Door Gallery: In Light of Time
(Exhibit runs October 5 -30)
Split Level Gallery: Out of Context: Reimagining the Figure
(Exhibit runs October 3 - 30)
LIVE MUSIC by Kass & Ben
YOUNG artists studio 5:00-7:00pm in Eli’s Room
FREE!
Please join the Northampton Center for the Arts, A.P.E. Ltd., and Northampton Open Media at 33 Hawley for an opening reception with refreshments and live music during Arts Night Out on Friday, 10/11, from 5:00-8:00 pm! The Northampton Center for the Arts presents "In Light of Time" at the Barn Door Gallery. This group show features Laura Radwell, Mary Ann Kelly, and Carolyn Webb. The show celebrates their long-standing relationship with the Valley. They will be sharing their journeys of discovery for the first time together through painting, sculpture, prints, and drawings. Join us for this immersive experience!
The Barn Door Gallery Artist Opening Reception will be rescheduled as our artists are observing the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur! Instead, please join us for their Opening Reception on October 5th!
Don’t forget to check out the "Out of Context: Reimagining the Figure" exhibit at the Split Level Galley. This exhibit was put together by the Center for the Arts Figure Drawing Group. See the work and progress of your peers as they study the human figure and form. Explore the concepts and gestures that bring these figures to life!
Families and kids of all ages are encouraged to drop into Eli’s Room on the ground floor from 5:00-7:00pm for the Young Artists Studio, a new event series being offered in collaboration with the Teaching Artist Program through the Jandon Center for Community Engagement at Smith College.
All exhibits can also be seen during open hours Wednesday through Saturday, 12-7 p.m. More information about the Barn Door Gallery can be found here and the Split Level Gallery can be found here.
Opening Reception of "In Light of Time"
In Light of Time
OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, October 5th, 5:00-7:00 PM,
FREE!
Join us for the unveiling of In Light of Time, with works by Mary Ann Kelly, Laura Radwell, and Carolyn Webb!
Radwell’s paintings depict imaginary compositions inspired by nature. Mary Ann Kelly's inspirations from the New England countryside remind her of transformation, metamorphosis, and aging, influencing her sculpture. Carolyn Webb’s deep curiosity about the natural world inspires her sculpture and printmaking. Putting these three artists' work together, they explore and celebrate their longstanding relationship with the Valley. Individually, they have been altered, inspired, and influenced by this special place and its unique natural beauty, finding profound spiritual allure in its light, verdant woods, and plentiful waters.
Don't miss your chance to chat with these amazing artists about their work and processes. Let's start off their group show "In Light of Time" with a celebration!
Exhibits in the Barn Door Gallery and Split Level Gallery can also be seen during open hours Wednesday through Saturday, 12-7 p.m. More information about the Barn Door Gallery can be found here.
Downtown Market Vinyl & Vintage Fair
Downtown Market Vinyl & Vintage Fair
Sunday, September 29 from 10 AM to 4 PM
The Market is FREE, open to the public and welcome to all ages.
Vendor Sign Up: https://forms.gle/FJDVuBgswcQHXAXd6
Contact: Pete McQuillan / DJ Quills djquils@gmail.com
DOWNTOWN MARKET Vinyl & Vintage hits Northampton on September 29th!
The event will feature two rooms with tons of vintage deals and thousands of records for sale from local and regional dealers, plus a variety of live vinyl DJs spinning throughout the day.
The Market is FREE, open to the public and welcome to all ages. Parking is free on Sundays in all of downtown Northampton with plenty available in the 33 Hawley Lot and on-street nearby.
If you are traveling from across the region, 33 Hawley is also available by train and bus. Amtrak's Vermonter runs to Northampton from VT, CT, NYC, and even Washington DC. The train stop is Union Station, which is right around the corner from where the fair is being held. You can check out the Vermonter schedule at https://www.amtrak.com/vermonter-train For local buses, check out https://pvta.com for routes that head to Northampton. For those farther away, www.peterpanbus.com and www.greyhound.com have buses which head to Northampton from many locations.
Vendor Sign Up: https://forms.gle/FJDVuBgswcQHXAXd6
Queer Kids Fest
Hooray, it's Queer Kids Fest 2024!
On Saturday, October 5, 10:30am-2:30pm, join us for a joyful festival of music, art, books, and creativity for 2SLGBTQIA+ kids, families, and allies at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA.
Carrie Ferguson and the Grumpytime Club Band will perform! Special guest authors to be announced! Resilient Community Arts will have creative projects to share! Crooked Stick Pops will be there, and the High Five Books crew, too!
And: Youth ages 6 to 18 are invited to sign up for 5-minute open mic performance slots of songs, jokes, stand-up comedy, music and more: https://forms.gle/yo56q1LxKSUxKRbg9
FREE! Join us!
>> Queer Kids Fest Facebook Event RSVP
Party for the People!
Party for the People
Benefit to support the Northampton Center for the Arts Community Fund!
SATURday, September 28th, 8:00-11:00pm
Cost: $10-$30 sliding scale
Advance Tickets available here!
Come shake it at the dance party to end all dance parties! DJ'd by REC1NE, you will not want to stop moving, unless it's to grab a drink or a snack, including pizza from our generous sponsor Antonio’s Pizza! Has it been a while since the last time you really let loose on the dance floor? This is a great opportunity to spend a special night out with your favorite people, and we’ll be raffling off more ways to get out of the house with partners and friends, including gift cards to Daily Operation, The Quarters, and Amherst Cinema. If you need a break from dancing during the night, head to a quiet corner for a Tarot reading from Heather’s Parlor. This is your chance to have a FABULOUS night out AND support one of the most important initiatives at NCFA. Party for the People is 21+, and the cover charge is on a sliding scale from $10-$30 (pay what you can, ALL profits go to the Community Fund!).
The Community Fund was created to support people in the local community who need financial support to access the spaces and programs offered by the Northampton Center for the Arts. Community members may apply for subsidized space rental rates and tuition for programs being offered by the Center. Since its inception in 2020, we have subsidized over $15,000 of individual and small nonprofit rentals, as spots in our ArtPlay Vacation Program and many arts classes. Please help us continue this good work!
September Arts Night Out at 33 Hawley
ARTS NIGHT OUT AT 33 HAWLEY
FRIDAY, September 13th, 5:00-8:00 PM
Artist talk at 7:30 pm
EXHIBITS:
Barn Door Gallery: Different Lenses: Exploring Northampton MA and local areas
(Exhibit runs September 3 - October 4)
Split Level Gallery: Quadralectic: A Solo Group Show
(Exhibit runs September 6 - 28)
LIVE MUSIC by frogtones
NOHO ART CLUB WITH PAIGE QUINN-VASIC (in Eli’s Room)!
FREE!
Please join the Northampton Center for the Arts, A.P.E. Ltd., and Northampton Open Media at 33 Hawley for an opening reception with refreshments and live music during Arts Night Out on Friday, 9/13, from 5:00-8:00 pm! The Northampton Center for the Arts presents Different Lenses at the Barn Door Gallery. The showcase features work from Carolina Castro, and Jesse Merrick. We are very excited to present their work and to continue to explore the many ways in which they continue to tell the story of Northampton, its surrounding towns and the many diverse peoples, urban, and natural landscapes.
Head downstairs to Eli’s Room for a Noho Art Club meet-up hosted by Paige Quinn-Vasic! Come play with collage and gelli plate printing, and and check out Paige’s felt sushi demo, a new wet felting technique that she’ll be offering through the Center soon!
Quadralectic, hosted by A.P.E., can be seen in the Split Level Gallery. It celebrates the idea that creativity is defined but not limited by the media we use and that art can flourish when made with discernment rather than judgment. This exhibit, curated by Malinda (Mal) Labriola, features works by Siggie Zampa, R.L. Stilzkin, GASEO, and Mal Labriola.
All exhibits can also be seen during open hours Wednesday through Saturday, 12-7 p.m. More information about the Barn Door Gallery can be found here.