‘I have to be my own role model’: Indë Francis launches new album, which explores identity and self-discovery
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...
Back Porch Festival returns with 60-plus performers at 12 Northampton venues
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate The roots music festival Back Porch Festival will return for its 12th year from Friday, March 27, to Sunday, March 29, with more than 60 performers at 12 venues throughout downtown Northampton. Two of those venues — Haze and...
‘One of indie-rock’s finest’: Cass McCombs takes the stage at The Iron Horse in Northampton
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Singer-songwriter Cass McCombs has gotten his fair share of critical acclaim. The Fader, a New York-based music and culture publication, called him “one of the greatest lyricists of our time.” BrooklynVegan, a New York...
Heavy metal meets mutual ownership at new Easthampton venue
By Sam Ferland For the Valley Advocate Most new businesses use scissors at ribbon cuttings to celebrate opening. When that business is a heavy metal music venue and bar combo, now open in the heart of Easthampton, it’s only fitting to use a sword instead. That...
Building a new tradition of shared, platonic love: Locals redefine intimacy through floral workshops, community swaps and the enduring power of showing up
By Melissa Karen Sances For the Valley Advocate Sixteen years ago, Newton-born actress Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, the perpetually perky deputy director of the popular NBC mockumentary sitcom, “Parks and Recreation,” took her gal pals out for...
‘There’s no wrong way to play’: Immersive theater event at Quonk offers unique fantasy experience
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Victor E. Everwin knew he might die at the Dark Magic School reunion — and he welcomed it. Fourteen years ago, he’d entered a time loop fueled by a "Dark Pact," and only winning the "Most Nefarious" superlative could...
Theater Matters with Jarice Hanson: Iconic women: Lessons from the suffragists
By Jarice Hanson For the Valley Advocate With Women’s History Month soon upon us, it makes sense to call attention to women who have changed the course of history. Names like Carrie Chapman Catt and Alice Paul may not be instantly recognizable, but when Shaina...
From scraps to stunners: Sam Webber’s custom motorcycle shop in Florence brings vintage dreams to life
By Sam Ferland For the Valley Advocate There are few people that get to say they turned their passion into a living. Sam R. Webber meticulously assembled his 1950 Harley Davidson Panhead seven years ago with parts he collected from various locations,...
Message in a bottle: The delicate alchemy of Black Birch Vineyard
By Monte Belmonte For the Valley Advocate Western Mass. is known for a lot of things. Colleges. Asparagus. Apples. Lesbians. Basketball. But wine? Not as of yet. Beer? For sure. With stalwarts like Berkshire Brewing Company, The Northampton Brewery and The...
The V-Spot: How do I tell my partner that I’m having an affair?
By Yana Tallon-Hicks For the Valley Advocate Dear Yana, I’m in a committed relationship with someone I care about deeply, and I’ve crossed a line I never thought I would — I’m having an affair. I love my partner and we have a real life together. And still, I’ve...
‘Keeping the music alive’: The Iron Horse launches ‘Playing It Forward’ capital campaign
By Carolyn Brown For the Valley Advocate Nearly two years after reopening its doors following significant renovations, The Iron Horse Music Hall has turned its attention to improving its financial stability and recently launched a capital campaign with a...
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...
‘I have to be my own role model’: Indë Francis launches new album, which explores identity and self-discovery
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...
The V-Spot with Yana Tallon-Hicks: My partners want to date each other
Hi Yana, I started dating my boyfriend Jules (they/them) in March of this year and we've been having a lovely time. They've been polyamorous for a while and we've agreed on a non-hierarchical relationship. It's been quite easy, and very dreamy to build a relationship...
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.
