Leap for Local Arts: A Swinging Afternoon

Saturday, February 29
Dance Class 2pm-3pm 
Dance Party 3:30pm-5:30pm 
Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4510740

Join the Northampton Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 29, for a special Leap Day joint fundraiser with the Northampton Community Music Center! There will be a swing lesson at 2pm, followed by a swing dance party at 3:30pm featuring a live jazz band! This event is family-friendly, and swing era fashion is encouraged (not required). Come out and swing your thing in support of your favorite local arts organizations! 

Bachata Academy — Dream Project Performance

Friday, February 28

7 PM (doors open at 6:30)

General Admission Tickets: In advance $15 / At door $20

http://bachata.brownpapertickets.com/ or in person at State Street Fruit Store in Northampton, Cooper’s Corner in Florence, or A.J. Hastings in Amherst

You are invited to an exclusive introduction to Bachata, an evolving genre of folk music and dance that is quickly gaining international popularity as an alternative to Salsa. Learn about Dominican musical history, culture, and techniques of an art form directly from master practitioners.

The Bachata Academy Dream Project Performance features Grammy-nominated musician Abel Martinez and a group of exceptional students from the Bachata Academy in the Dominican Republic. The Bachata Academy is the first and only program teaching Bachata in the world. Started in 2013, the Bachata Academy aims to enrich the Dominican community through song and dance and to share barrio culture internationally.

Portions of the proceeds for this event benefit the 2020 ArtsEZ Grant Round administered by the Northampton Arts Council.

The Magic Triangle Jazz Series presents: The Gerald Cleaver/David Virelles/William Parker Trio

Thursday, February 27 at 7:30pm
$15/$7 students at 413-545-2511 or www.fineartscenter.com

This unique trio brings together three of the most respected musicians performing today: drummer Gerald Cleaver, pianist David Virelles and bassist William Parker.

Blank - An Original Solo Play About the Truths of Adoption and Identity

Sunday February 16th

7 PM Show, 6 PM Doors Open

General Admission Tickets: Advance $20 / At Door $25

Brown Paper Tickets - http://blank.brownpapertickets.com/ or call 1-800-838-3006

In Person - State Street Fruit Store in Northampton, Cooper’s Corner in Florence, A.J. Hastings in Amherst

Written & Performed by Brian Stanton
An award-winning, nationally acclaimed solo show explores adoption and identity.
Playing 12 characters, Brian embarks on a mythical quest ultimately discovering the horrific truth of his birth, an instinctive love for his birth mother and a grateful dedication to his adoptive family.
Stanton plays 12 hilarious yet poignant characters in BLANK to tell his true adoption story, the title referring to the namespace on his Original Birth Certificate. He embarks on a mythical quest for identity only to learn he’s a product of rape. This horrific truth ultimately leads Brian to discover an instinctive love for his birth mother, a grateful dedication to his adoptive family and a sense of wholeness within.

Cult Following Event — Touch The Sky Clothing Co.

Saturday, March 15

8 PM to Midnight

18+ for entry, 21 to drink.

Tickets: Early Bird/College ID $15, General Admission $20

www.eventbrite.com/e/cult-following-event-tickets-92137286103

Join us Saturday, February 15, as we bring you a night of art, fashion, and entertainment. Featuring some of Mass’s emerging artist and brands. Enjoy a diverse group of visual artist, fashion brands, and local vendors. Featuring styles and deigns from Touch The Sky Clothing Co., Trendy Detour, Court of Bliss, and NY’s own Trendity Clothing. With live performances by T-Swan, Qualitaye, Dre Zoundz and more.

Founded in 2008 Touch The Sky Clothing Co. is a clothing line focusing on the propagation of positive messages through clothing. While still giving you a unique and quality product. We believe if you think right you can fly.

www.touchtheskyclothingcompany.com

February Arts Night Out, Valentine's Day Edition!

Friday, February 14

5:00-8:00pm

5:00-6:00pm: All Ages Valentine’s Day Cards and Crafts

6:00-7:00pm: Lindy Hop Lesson with Brandon Barker

7:00-8:00pm: Open Swing Dancing

Family Friendly and FREE! Practice for the Leap Day fundraiser with NCMC! Refreshments will be served!

Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares presents: Satoko Fujii/Joe Fonda Duo

Monday, February 10 at 7:30pm
Tickets: $15 at the door and at www.jazzshares.org

The inspiration that Fujii (piano) and Fonda (bass) draw from each other and the creative freedom they feel when they work together has kept their duo growing and deepening. “The conversation is intuitive, at times seemingly telepathic — and it creates an enormous amount of drama and joy,” writes Steve Feeney.

The Inaugural Youth Performance Festival

Saturday February 8 at 7pm
Sunday, February 9 at 3pm
Tickets: Sliding Scale $5-$20
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4511853

The inaugural Youth Performance Festival (YPF) showcases the work of young artists (8-18 yrs old) in the disciplines of theater, dance, music, poetry, and video. Young artists have been paired with mentor artists in their field, and over the course of 6 weekends, the mentor artists will help to guide the young artists in the creation of original work to be shared with the greater community. Co-sponsored by the Center for the Arts and Valley Performance Playground, the Festival will be held February 8th at 7pm and February 9th at 3pm.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The project is also supported in part by a grant from the Art Angels, and by the following sponsors:

A2Z Science and Learning Store, Art Always/High Five Books, DeMaio Orthodontics, Dostal Eyecare, Downtown Sounds, Greenfield Savings Bank, Laurie Davidson/Mucho Gusto Spanish Classes, Le Bon N’ton, Renew Pilates, Rigali and Wilder Orthodontics, Salon Herdis, Wohl Family Dentistry, and Workroom Design Studio.

A Completely Ridiculous Open Mic with Klaus, Musicologist

Saturday February 8th at 7pm
Sign up at 6: 30pm
Eli’s Room, Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley
Tickets: https://completelyridiculousopenmic.brownpapertickets.com

Hello, my name is Klaus. I am a German musicologist primarily focussed on the work Steve Miller and his band - The Steve Miller Band. I, Klaus am traveling through America for the first time to gain insight into the country that shaped the genius of Steve Miller and the Steve Miller Band.  In pursuit of my goals I am organizing my very first open mic. My hope is that people will come and tell me stories about their experiences in and of America. These stories can come in the form of a dance, a song, a comedy routine, a poem, a magic trick, or even an actual story. Whatever it happens to be, I will be most grateful to you for helping me to understand the birthplace of one of, if not the most important composers of our modern times. 

Danke in advance for your time, presence and invaluable assistance.

~K

ps. If you are one of the unlucky ones who has not yet experienced the wonder of Steve Miller and his Band, just stare into the drummers eyes in this youtube video. The majesty! The passion!! I truly can not wait to share all of it with you.

An open mic like no other! Join Klaus (Gabe Levey) as he attempts to host a public event for the first time, understand more about America, and spread the gospel of The Steve Miller Band. Featuring the work of you, you and YOU! (And also Steve Miller).

Sign up begins at 630, for a 7pm show.

COME PLAY!!

Bodies in Motion Festival at 33 Hawley

In January 2020, our building partner APE@Hawley, in collaboration with the School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, will be hosting the Bodies in Motion Festival, an incredible lineup of artists, classes/workshops, and performances in the Flex space. Please visit APE@Hawley for more information!

Completely Ridiculous Productions presents "Cooking With Kathryn"

Saturday, January 11 at 7pm
Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley
Tickets:  https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4483444

General Admission $12
Students $8
Military $5

Follow a down-home, liquored-up southern belle as she stumbles her way to her own birthday party with more wine in her veins than Jesus. Kathryn rewards her party guests with an easy-peasy egg-bake cooking demo… the problem is, she can’t even see straight, much less teach a cooking lesson. 

The PortFringe review team called Cooking with Kathryn “A no-fear comedy, this show is a must see,” as well as “Furious, gratuitous, and moving" and maybe "the best show...at PortFringe.” A digital series of Cooking with Kathryn is in post-production and will debut in Spring 2020.

Watch the trailer here.

Kate Owens:
NYC-based, award-winning comedy actor, writer, and professionally-trained clown Kate Owens’s dark comedy Cooking with Kathryn has played throughout NY (LadyFest, Solocom, The PIT, The Tank, Dixon Place, The Shitshow, Personality Test) as well as at the PortFringe Festival (Critics Choice for Best Acting) and Los Angeles (Moving Arts Theatre). Known for her commitment to characters & fearless comedy style, Kate has toured her clown work in Brighton, England and Prague, Czech Republic. Her sketch team, GROUP KID, performs bi-monthly at The PIT and recently headlined at the Chicago Sketchfest. In addition to comedy, Kate spent a year as an apprentice at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and has worked with Live Source Theatre Company in NY. More info at: www.kate-owens.com

Yin Yoga — Full Moon Workshop

Friday, January 10

6:30 – 8:30 PM

Tickets: $40

Sign-up: themosscollective.org/yinlivemusic

Yin Yoga — Full Moon Workshop, led by Megan Moss Freeman

With live music by bass player Garth Stevenson

The energy of winter beckons you to snuggle up into yourself for some loving self-inquiry. In this slow and dreamy Yin Yoga practice led by Megan, we will rest in gentle postures with plenty of time and space to explore our interior world . . . all the while being serenaded by the magically soothing sounds of Garth Stevenson and his double bass. In the stillness that we'll cultivate we can start to connect with our more hidden layers and observe the deeper patterns that weave throughout our physical and energetic forms.

First Night at 33 Hawley!

On Tuesday, December 31st, the Northampton Arts Council and PeoplesBank welcome you to the 35th edition of our city-wide New Year's Eve party. Since 1985, First Night Northampton has filled the Paradise City with a 12-hour, family-friendly festival of the arts, culminating in a traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton. Gather with friends, neighbors and visitors at 20 terrific downtown venues for an astounding array of entertainment presented by hundreds of talented performers. Our efforts are supported by generous local sponsors and dedicated volunteers. Proceeds benefit community arts.

https://www.firstnightnorthampton.org/

WITNESS AT TORNILLO

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

7 – 9 PM

FREE

Activist Joshua Rubin is the subject of Witness at Tornillo, a new documentary film by Carbon Trace Productions and directed by Shane Franklin. He will be on hand at a screening of the film to talk about it and his important work as a solitary witness reporting about the first detention center for migrant teens in Tornillo, Texas. This free event is organized by Western Massachusetts Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice; voluntary donations will be accepted at the door.

Scorpio Rising: The Power We Possess to Completely Transform Our Selves

December 15, 1:00-8:00pm

Classes 1:15-4:15pm

Performance 6:00-8:00pm

Performance Tickets $15-$25: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4428964

Scorpio Rising features an eclectic group of multicultural artists, musicians, singers, and dancers offering classes and performances. Proceeds will go to Dance to be Free, a nonprofit that brings urban dance choreography into women's prisons.

From 1:15-4:15pm there will be discounted dance classes by local teachers: Latin, modern, and hip hop, classes are for adults and children and are $6/person/class (payable by cash or check at the door).

From 3:00-6:00pm we will be selling small plates of vegan, nutrient-dense small plates, a variety of sweet treats and warm teas.

Performances will run from 6:00-8:00pm and are recommended for teens and adults, as some sections contain adult content, and are sliding scale $15-$25/person.

Come out dance and enjoy some fabulous performances! See you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/424035034970385/

This event is a celebration of the power of transformation and how we as humans have access to the consciousness to constantly remake ourselves to be closer and closer to our true essential being.

Classes:
1:15 Moving with the Tarot of Undiscovered Self with Stacey Phillips
2:15 Kukuwa African Dance with Aisha Russell
3:15 Puerto Rican Folk Dance with Brendaliz Cepeda

Performances:
Opening Puja and Pranayama with Susan Elena and Heather Cohen
Luna and the Lost Souls: Music, Dance, and Percussion Trio with Angela Luna, Stacey Phillips, and Christopher Phillips
Dance of Joy with Aisha Russell
What Our Voices Carry with Voices From Inside 
Musical Presentation by Savohna
Wendell Community Chorus
Closing Ceremony with Amanda Turk, Stacey Phillips, and Heather Cohen

Coming to Light — An Advent Progress

Saturday, December 14

7:30 PM

$10  GENERAL

$5    SENIORS / STUDENTS (age 13+ recommended)

Cash / Check at the Door

Online tickets:

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4450604 

Pierrot Productions presents a new, innovative comic drama for the holiday season, featuring twenty-eight original spoken-word songs. Three actors, two young and one “old,” engage the audience and give voice to the songs in a journey of both heart and mind. Jim Armenti adds klezmer music and his own ballads to help light the way.

A SUPER SERIOUS AND NOT AT ALL FUNNY READING OF STORIES I WROTE AFTER BRAIN SURGERY

READING and RECEPTION: Saturday, December 14

7 PM

$10 in advance / $12 at the door 

$8 student tickets

$5 seniors / military

ARTIST LED WORKSHOP: Sunday, December 15

12 – 2 PM

$20 at door / $5 discount with program from the reading

TICKETS: https://completelyridiculousproductions.brownpapertickets.com/

Last summer Gabe had brain surgery, which left him with a whopping dose of Speech Aphasia. After that Gabe moved back to Northampton to recover. After that Gabe began writing short stories as part of his speech therapy. And now, after all of that, Gabe is going to read some of them out loud for the first time ever in front of mostly strangers and some friends and family. What could possibly go wrong?

Join us as we travel into the post-operative mind of a comic performer, his journey back to coherent speech and the birth of Completely Ridiculous Productions.

Reception to follow. 

ARTIST LED WORKSHOP: Intro to The Fun of Failure!

The following day, Sunday December 15th, Gabe will run a 2-hour workshop focused on Games and the reclamation of each individual’s ability to play with ease, wonder and reckless abandon. No experience required.

Sign up after the show Saturday night, or on the day of! 

And bring your program from Saturday night’s show for a $5 discount!!

Lisa Leizman Dance Company presents the lasting

the lasting

Friday, December 13th , 2019 at 7:30 pm, with a dinner reception following the performance

$17.00 adults in advance/ $20 at the door

$10.00 children under 10 in advance/ $12 at the door

https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4433058

As the winter days grow colder and the dark nights grow longer, as the end of another year draws closer, what endures? What persists through change? What lasts?

Join the Lisa Leizman Dance Company for an evening that celebrates the lasting—what remains constant over time. The dance group, a resident company of the Northampton Center for the Arts, digs into its repertory with All Blues, set to the classic Miles Davis composition, recorded in 1959. The concert also includes Evening Song, from the opera Satyagraha, with music by Philip Glass and text from the ancient Indian epic, Bhagavad Gita. And set to magnificent music from Cantata 51 by J.S. Bach, the group will perform a new work that features shapes and movements repeated and recombined in shifting figural fields.

Though every performance disappears in time, dance works live in the performers, resonate in audiences, persist in the ongoing traditions, innovations and artists who share a love of this seemingly impermanent art form. So linger longer. Stay for a festive dinner reception following the performance.

Winter Craft Night

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13

4 TO 6 PM

FREE!

Join the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley on Friday, December 13th from 4 to 6 PM for a creative afternoon of winter crafts. Supplies will be provided. Kids will have the option to display their crafts at 33 Hawley during that evening’s Arts Night Out! This event is appropriate for all ages. Milk and cookies will be served!

Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair

Friday, December 6th, 5 to 8pm

Saturday, December 7th, 10am to 4pm

FREE ADMISSION

The Fifth Edition of the Northampton Book and Book Arts Fair is set for Friday, December 6th 5 to 8pm and Saturday, December 7th 10am to 4pm at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley Street in downtown Northampton. The fair will feature used and antiquarian booksellers; ephemera, print, autograph, & map dealers; and book artists including hand paper makers, fine letterpress printers, hand bookbinders, book designers, & artists working on paper and other media.

The fair is produced by Book Arts Promotion, a collaboration between Mark Brumberg, an independent bookseller from Northampton and Duane A. Stevens, of Wiggins Fine Books from Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. 

For more information and a full list of exhibitors, go to:  www.northamptonbookfair.com