Telegraph String Quartet returns to Mohawk Trail Concerts
The Telegraph String Quartet will return to Mohawk Trail Concerts for a performance on Saturday, June 20, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Held at the Charlemont Federated Church, the program features Debussy’s String Quartet in G minor, Eleanor Alberga’s String Quartet No. 3, and Jerome Kern’s “The Way You Look Tonight.” In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the concert honors a seasonal initiative to include works by American composers. Admission is open to the public with a suggested donation of $25. For more information, contact Mark Fraser at info@mohawktrailconcerts.org or 413-625-9511.
Wendell Meetinghouse welcomes Shell Hines
The Friends of the Wendell Meetinghouse will host its monthly Spirit Circle event featuring guest speaker Shell Hines on Thursday, June 18 at 7 p.m. Part of an ongoing peer ministry series, the interactive community presentation invites local voices to share their personal spiritual journeys and the tools that guide them. Hines, a holistic practitioner and sacred music maker with 30 years of experience, will discuss her path to spiritual awakening following a transformative illness, sharing insights on maintaining joy and inner connection. The event is free and open to the public, though donations are accepted. For more information, contact event coordinator Court Dorsey at courtcdorsey@gmail.com or 413-325-7587.
Sunderland library to host week of comics programming
The Sunderland Public Library will host a special week of free comics programming, kicking off with Sunderland Talks Comics, an all-ages public presentation by award-winning graphic novelist Jarrett J. Krosoczka on Monday, June 22 at 2 p.m. This kick-off event will be followed by Sunderland Makes Comics, a four-day intensive drawing workshop series for young cartoonists ages 10-18, led by author and illustrator Mike Curato from Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, June 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. each day.
Both programs are also facilitated and supported by the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, which helps connect communities with the comics medium. Registration is required. To learn more or register, visit bostoncomicarts.org/events or contact the library.
HWY91 to perform at the 1794 Meetinghouse
The 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem will host the Western swing and Americana quintet HWY91 on Sunday, June 21 at 4 p.m. Playing a northeastern take on southwestern music, the group draws from the foundation of Western swing architects like Bob Wills to deliver an eclectic repertoire of roots music. The veteran band features bassist Steve Armstrong, guitarist Liza Constable, electric guitarist and mandolinist Tom Randall, steel guitarist Rich Sullivan and harmonica player and fiddler Doug Tanner. Ahead of the concert, attendees can meet the band at 3 p.m. across the street at the Old Academy Building. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for teens ages 13 to 17, and free for children aged 12 and under. For tickets and information, contact Matthew Duncan at matthew@1794meetinghouse.org or 314-504-6142.
Clara Witty to debut as a new host for Open Stage
The LAVA Center in Greenfield will debut a new host, Programming Director Clara Witty, for its Open Stage series starting this month. Held every third Thursday, the inclusive performance night features signups at 6:30 p.m. and a 7 p.m. showtime. Unlike a traditional open mic, the event welcomes all performing arts in any stage of development — including theater, dance, music, literature, spoken word, comedy and sideshow acts — with a five-minute limit per performer. Musicians and creators can connect backing tracks directly to the house sound system via Bluetooth or a standard 1/8-inch auxiliary input. Admission is a sliding-scale suggested donation of $1 to $5. For questions or technical inquiries, contact organizers at info@thelavacenter.org or 413-376-8118.
Poet Mara Bright to speak at Greenfield Public Library
Local poet Mara Bright will speak at the Greenfield Public Library on Thursday, June 18 at 2:30 p.m., for an author talk about her new book “Finding Home.”
This program, sponsored by the Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, is free and intended for ages 12 and up. Books will be available for purchase at the event. For more information, contact Lisa Prolman at 413-772-1544 or email at libarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org.
Barn Door Gallery calls for art submissions
Submissions are now open for the 2027 gallery season for the Northampton Center for the Arts’ Barn Door Gallery. The Barn Door Gallery supports NCFA’s mission to foster community connections through the arts, and is a dedicated venue for evolving, transformative dialogue between artists and audiences. Artists are encouraged to apply for a solo show, a small group show or to be part of our emerging artist showcase. Applications are due by midnight on June 30. Those with questions should email gallery@nohoarts.org.
Andrea CK to host a ‘Joke Writing Boot Camp’
The LAVA Center will host The Comedy Project’s “Joke Writing Boot Camp” workshop on Thursday, June 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Located at 324 Main St. in Greenfield, this specialized session will be taught by local producer and host Andrea CK to help both new and experienced comedy performers sharpen their material. Supported in part by a grant from the Greenfield Local Cultural Council, the ongoing Comedy Project series serves as a key development hub and performance venue for regional talent through a rotating schedule of open mics, classes and shows. A sliding scale donation of $5 to $20 is requested at the door to support the arts center, and organizers strongly recommend making an early reservation by emailing andrea@thelavacenter.org.
In other LAVA Center related news, the next installment of the Writers Read series will take place on Wednesday, June 20 at 7 p.m. The event features Audrey Jiggetts, Christine Benvenuto and Tom Skarzynski.
Writers Read is a monthly opportunity for an audience to come and listen to local writers in an intimate environment. Each second Wednesday of the month, three writers read from their work, followed by a discussion facilitated by Lindy Whiton, designer of Writers Read. These discussions have been eye opening, touching, and inspiring. Audiences have left the venue ready to write.
Jiggetts is a 20-year-old writer from Northampton. Amidst getting a degree in English and Africana studies from Smith College, she is working on a novel and dedicating her life to her cat, Mary Anne. You can find her flash fiction and poetry in BULL, Nowhere Girl Collective and Sunstroke Magazine, or at her Substack @audreyjig.
Benvenuto is the author of two works of nonfiction published by St. Martin’s Press, and her short stories, essays and articles have appeared in many newspapers, magazines and anthologies. Her plays are performed in venues around the country. She is a member of the Women’s Work Full Length Play Lab at New Perspectives Theatre in New York City, where two of her plays are under development.
Skarzynski has been writing for more than half a century. His work has appeared in The Springfield Journal and several anthologies. He recently published his first novella, Journey to Druidwood, and his first poetry book, Echoes of Reflections. The suggestion donation for the event is $1-$5. For more information, email lindy@localaccess.org.