‘I am darn lucky’: Meet new Academy of Music executive director Ray Dumont
Ray Dumont doesn’t like to say that he has to go to work. He says he gets to go to work. The new executive director at the Academy of Music in Northampton stepped into the role on July 1, replacing outgoing executive director Debra J’Anthony, who retired after 18 years in the position. “I literally…
‘The past is not set in stone’: New art show reimagines Medusa’s story
Medusa did not get a good deal. As the Roman poet Ovid tells it, Medusa, a Gorgon in Greek mythology, was sexually assaulted by a god inside the goddess Minerva’s temple. Minerva gave her snakes for hair — as punishment, the source text says. Medusa could turn people to stone by looking at them. She…
Mixtape: Sebastian Bach “Who doesn’t want to rock? We all want to rock!”
I was lucky enough to catch up with Sebastian Bach over Zoom a couple weeks ago. He’s still rocking that long, blonde hair that has been his signature…
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Mixtape: It’s all about the EPs, baby: A couple of releases from Murder (sword) and Joshua David Thayer
By Jennifer Levesque For the Valley Advocate Murder (sword) Self-titled Easthampton-based Murder (sword) has been a band that I’ve been seeing a lot on social media and show…
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: What if polyamory goes poorly?
Hi Yana, The first time my partner and I tried nonmonogamy, it went horribly. We discovered all the things not working in our relationship in big, dramatic ways.…
Monte Belmonte Wines: Visiting wine country at last: Discovering Albariño in Rías Baixas
As someone who has written a wine column for almost a decade and who has been tasting wines on the radio for nearly a decade before that, it’s…
For Montague-based songwriter Jamey Wolff, music was once a doorway to self-destruction and is now a window into everyone’s potential to heal
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide and addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling or needs support, the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. Support is also available online…
