Smith College professor examines the impact of a ‘notorious word,’ her father’s legacy and her own life in new book
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Writing a book about the deeply painful and complex history of the n-word is a significant undertaking, as is writing a memoir about a complicated relationship with one’s father. For Smith College professor Elizabeth Stordeur...
Theater Matters with Jarice Hanson: The joy of live theater
By Jarice Hanson For the Valley Advocate The summer season abounds with opportunities to attend shows that may reconnect audiences with the joy of being alive. The three shows profiled in this edition of “Theater Matters” take us to a place where memory meets...
Envisioning the city as a ‘magical place’: Singer-songwriter Jake Manzi releases hometown tribute single ‘It’s Northampton’
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Singer-songwriter Jake Manzi isn’t the star of his new music video — the city of Northampton is. The track, “It’s Northampton,” marks the first single from his upcoming album “Getting Somewhere.” The hometown tribute set the...
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: How can we schedule sex, naturally?
By Yana Tallon-Hicks For the Valley Advocate Hi Yana, I’ve heard the advice that sometimes couples should “schedule sex” when it’s fallen off the priorities list. I brought this up to my partner and he wants sex to feel more spontaneous and “natural.” He says that...
Amherst native Will Matthews celebrates release of new Netflix show ‘The Boroughs’
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Decades ago, Will Matthews was a kid at Amherst Regional High School who listened to Frank Sinatra, played the trombone and loved making his classmates laugh. Now, he’s celebrating the release of his new Netflix show. Alongside...
An Amherst man’s quest to become the world’s biggest Ant-Man fan?
By Bob Flaherty For the Valley Advocate "Hi. My name is Aaron Damon-Rush and I’m attempting to set a Guinness World record.” Thus, a young Amherst man publicly states his case. Damon-Rush, 26, aims to set a record for the most memorabilia related to Ant-Man and the...
Northampton’s Paul Arslanian receives national honor for his contributions to the jazz scene
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Alongtime member of and influential figure in the Valley’s jazz scene recently hit the national spotlight. Paul Arslanian, co-founder of the Northampton Jazz Workshop, has been named one of 33 “Jazz Heroes” by the Jazz...
Finding his own voice: Southampton musician Barry Searle steps into the spotlight with first original album, ‘The Awakening’
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate After years of covering other artists’ music, a local musician is getting the chance to play and share his own tunes. Guitarist and singer Barry Searle, an eighth-generation resident of Southampton, recently celebrated the...
Investing in cultural vitality: Northampton Arts Council grant supports local writer’s growth
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The Valley offers many opportunities for artists — but as one local writer knows, stepping outside the area can help, too. Northampton writer, teaching artist and graduate instructor Richie Wills was recently selected as a...
Theater Matters: Curtains up: A guide to the Valley’s unmissable summer theater season
By Jarice Hansen For the Valley Advocate Have you ever attended a reading of a play or story that went on to live in your mind? Play readings are becoming more popular than ever, thanks in part to the types of radio programs and podcasts that stimulate your auditory...
‘Don’t mind if I do’: Northampton exhibit brings art to visitors in a unique and accessible way
By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate Brooklyn-based artist Finnegan Shannon, who is disabled, has often wondered what it would be like to experience art without limitations. Shannon, who has trouble standing and walking and experiences pain doing both,...
Sessions
Check out our most recent performances in the playlist below, or click here to dig into interviews and related material!
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
By Gabriel O’Hara Salini For the Valley Advocate The Massachusetts cannabis industry is a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 700 retailers operating across the state. Yet stores are closing, companies are firing their workers and retail and non-retail licenses are...
Envisioning the city as a ‘magical place’: Singer-songwriter Jake Manzi releases hometown tribute single ‘It’s Northampton’
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Singer-songwriter Jake Manzi isn’t the star of his new music video — the city of Northampton is. The track, “It’s Northampton,” marks the first single from his upcoming album “Getting Somewhere.” The hometown tribute set the...
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: How can we schedule sex, naturally?
By Yana Tallon-Hicks For the Valley Advocate Hi Yana, I’ve heard the advice that sometimes couples should “schedule sex” when it’s fallen off the priorities list. I brought this up to my partner and he wants sex to feel more spontaneous and “natural.” He says that...
Summer of loves: Polyamory in the Valley isn’t what you think
By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate “You know what goes on behind closed doors in a polyamorous household?” Fox asks, and I lean in closer. We’re on the phone and he is 800 miles away, so I am leaning toward — nothing. I am on the precipice of something, I...
The Beerhunter: Local Breweries Adapt to a New, Locked-Down World
This article was supposed to be about gathering in large groups.
Stagestruck: Putting Down My Pen
I filed my first article for the Advocate in May 1986. This one is my last. After some 2,000 reviews, previews and features, I’m giving up my ticket to the critic’s proverbial aisle seat and taking my place in line at the box office.
