by Advocate Staff | Apr 8, 2026 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music, News, Uncategorized
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The Academy of Music recently launched two initiatives to make performances more accessible to guests with disabilities: a capital campaign to raise money for an assisted listening system, and a partnership with Valley Eye...
by Advocate Staff | Apr 8, 2026 | Articles, Arts, Featured, News, Uncategorized
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate On a recent Saturday morning in Florence, two friends were arguing over who would be the first to hug the other. “I’m gonna hug you, bro!” said Aaron Cantor. “I’m gonna hug you, bro!” said Joseph Goldin. The friends were...
by Advocate Staff | Apr 1, 2026 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music, Uncategorized
By Sheryl Hunter For the Valley Advocate The lineup of the 2026 Green River Festival is evolving in the wake of international travel restrictions implemented by the Trump administration. DSP Shows recently announced that Nigerien band Etran de L’Aïr and Colombian...
by Advocate Staff | Apr 1, 2026 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music, News, Uncategorized
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Acclaimed folk-blues singer-songwriter Chris Smither, who lives in Amherst, never expected to be cast in a Netflix movie — and he certainly never expected to be part of a project that won an Oscar. “It’s pretty special, all the...
by Advocate Staff | Mar 20, 2026 | Articles, Arts, Featured, Music, News, Uncategorized
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Growing up in western Massachusetts, local musician and “artivist” Indë Francis, who performs mononymously as Indë, lacked role models who could help them understand their identities. Now, with their new album, they’re honoring...
