It will be an evening of remembrance and celebration when Sparkletown III takes place at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. The evening will be a talent-stacked concert paying tribute to the music and spirit of local musician Kate Lorenz, who passed away at the age of 42 in 2022. The show is also a fundraiser, with proceeds going to the Kate Lorenz Community Fund, which supports causes that were important to Kate.
The event is presented by the Lorenz family, her brother Matt (of the Suitcase Junket) and friends.
“I put the lineup together each year. It’s a collection of people Kate played music with over the years,” said Matt Lorenz. “Some have played previous Sparkletown shows, and some are doing it for the first time this year.”
In addition to The Suitcase Junket, Sparkletown III will feature Kris Delmhorst, Caitlin Canty, Zak Trojano, the Constellations, The Rear Defrosters and Julia Read.
“I think Julia Read is the only first-timer this year, although there may be a couple of musicians in the Rear Defrosters who haven’t done it before either,” explained Matt Lorenz. “Julia is a wonderful musician who lived at the Amity House back when Rusty Belle was starting off, and she, Kate and myself had a band called Miraculous Apple that played exactly one show ever.”
He added that Read was also part of the Royal Frog Ballet, a performing arts group that was active in the Valley and Vermont for many years. She is now in a band called Doozy Jane.
The hosts for the evening will be Monte Belmonte, co-host of The Fabulous 413 at NEPM, and Ed Malachowski, host of Nine Volt Heart at Valley Free Radio WXOJ 103.3. They have both hosted all of the Sparkletown shows.
Kate Lorenz was an integral part of the local music scene for more than 20 years. She first made her mark in the early 2000s with the Americana band Rusty Belle, which also featured her brother Matt and Zak Trojano. Over the years, Rusty Belle delivered many memorable performances in the Valley and beyond before the three members started focusing on solo careers.
Even after Rusty Belle, Kate continued making music with her brother, singing on his Suitcase Junket albums and often performing live with him. Kate worked with many other musicians too, both in the studio and on stage, including some who will play at this show. She sang with her favorite country band, the Defrosters, and led her own rock band, the Constellations. In 2018, she and the Constellations released the album “Sing When Lonely.” Kate also loved collecting vinyl and hosted a radio show, “The Vinyl Countdown” on Valley Free Radio.
Sparkletown is the perfect name for this show as Kate had a warm, friendly personality and an ever present smile that well, sparkled. As a preschool teacher, she also loved glitter. But there’s even more to the story.
“Sparkletown was a name Kate and I came up with together when we were planning a small summer festival,” said Matt Lorenz. “These shows may end up turning into something like that one of these days, but putting on a festival is a pretty huge endeavor, so we’re keeping it small for now.”
The first Sparkletown show took place in 2023 at the Shea Theater, which made sense since her career was based in the Valley and she lived in Belchertown at the time of her passing. In 2024, the event moved to the Stone Church in Brattleboro, closer to the towns of Chester and Cavendish, Vermont, where Kate and Matt grew up. This year, Sparkletown returns to the Shea Theater.
“I always liked the idea of switching the venue up every year, so coming back to the Valley and the Shea Theater was always part of the plan,” said Matt.
This year’s show also happens to occur on Kate Lorenz’s birthday weekend, and Kate always loved a good party. So get ready for some dancing!
Sparkletown III promises a special night of music, and remember it’s also a fundraiser. The Kate Lorenz Community Fund supports children, early literacy, women’s rights, the arts, social justice, environmental education and music. The fund donates to organizations in Vermont and Massachusetts.
If you can’t make it to the show but would like to make a donation, you can find out more information and donate online at katelorenzmusic.com or send a check to the Kate Lorenz Memorial Community Fund, P.O. Box 418, Chester, Vermont 05143.
All ages. Kids under 12 free. Doors open at 6 p.m. Advance tickets at sheatheater.org.
The Uncles to perform at Great Falls Coffeehouse
The Great Falls Coffeehouse has returned after its winter break. They kicked things off last month with the All Cooped Up concert, but this weekend marks the first regular coffeehouse of the season. The Uncles with special guest Eveline MacDougall will perform on Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m.
Last week, we told you all about Eveline MacDougall and the Fiery Hope chorus that she leads, and their spring concert at All Souls Church in Greenfield on Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m.
The night before that concert, MacDougall will join the Uncles, a trio from the hill towns of Franklin County. She will add fiddle, accordion and vocals to their lively blend of folk, rock, country and jazz.
The Uncles are Rob Adams of Charlemont, who plays acoustic and electric guitar, Dennis Avery, also of Charlemont, who plays lap steel and dobro, and John Clark from Heath, who plays electric bass. All three members share vocals.
Together, the group will perform a wide range of songs, featuring music by Elizabeth Cotton, Kev‘Mo, Jimi Hendrix, Charles Mingus, The Beatles and others.
The coffeehouse takes place in the historic Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, in Turners Falls. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The venue is wheelchair accessible. The suggested sliding-scale donation for admission is $7-$20. Children are admitted for free. Donations help the Friends of the Discovery Center provide free nature programming for the public.
For more information, call the Discovery Center at 413-863-3221 or visit online at greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.