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By SHERYL HUNTER

Pete Seeger said that “the key to the future of the world is finding the optimistic stories and letting them be known.”

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

MONTAGUE — In recognition of her work to grow the music program at Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School, music instructor Alyssa Comeau received a 2025 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.

By SHERYL HUNTER

You know that spring is here when music series start popping up and I’m excited to announce the new Petit Concert Series launching this weekend in downtown Orange. This series of free concerts will take place on three Sunday afternoons: March 23, April 6, and April 13, at the Stage on Main, located at 17 South Main St. The music will fill the air from 2 to 4 p.m.

By GUSTAVO ATENCIO FLORES

GREENFIELD — This year’s Eventide Singers concert is dedicated to a Greenfield resident who played a crucial role in the a cappella group’s creation: co-founder John Bos, who died in December at 88 years old.

By SHERYL HUNTER

Saint Patrick’s Day is only days away, and for the band Ragged Blue, that means a busy weekend ahead. They’ll be playing Celtic music at a variety of shows this weekend.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

GREENFIELD — For her work supporting the youth of Franklin County through academics and music, Greenfield resident Gloria Matlock was recently honored with the Black Excellence on the Hill award from the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.

By DOMENIC POLI

NEW SALEM — The 1794 Meetinghouse on South Main Street typically lies dormant during its offseason, with the occasional passing vehicle or woodland creature providing the only soundtrack. But that silence was broken Thursday afternoon by the welcoming sound of the concert and theater venue’s piano on the stage.

By SHERYL HUNTER

Peace, love and protest will be the theme of this year’s Mud Season festival. Presented by the Shea Theater and the Dave Bulley Band, the all-day, family-friendly festival will be held at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls on Saturday, March 15, from noon to 11 p.m. There will be crafts, food, craft beverages, and plenty of music, with 11 acts performing on two stages.

NEW SALEM — Swift River School has kicked off sales for the 2025 Supermarket Sweep fundraiser.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

The nonprofit music and social justice program Musica Franklin has brought music and mentorship to students across Franklin County for a decade now. To celebrate, the organization hosted a luncheon fundraiser last month that raised over $5,000, and honored three local residents for their support since the start. 

By CAROLYN BROWN

The roots music festival Back Porch Festival, which takes place in downtown Northampton, will return for its 11th year from Friday, March 7, through Sunday, March 9, with more than 60 performers.

By SHERYL HUNTER

As we approach the end of February, the idea of sitting in the West Whately Chapel, enjoying some fine acoustic music while snacking on watermelon sounds quite appealing. And hold onto that thought because the Watermelon Wednesdays concert series is gearing up for its 2025 season, and it’s not too far away!

By SHERYL HUNTER

California-based blues and rock musician Tommy Castro said that his new album, “Closer to the Bone,” is the first real blues album he’s made. Considering that the guitarist, singer, and songwriter has released 16 albums in his award-winning four-decade career, this comes as somewhat of a surprise.

By GUSTAVO ATENCIO FLORES

TURNERS FALLS — The United Arc is collaborating with the Shea Theater Arts Center for its second annual Arc-a-Palooza fundraiser, bringing together award-winning musicians from across western Massachusetts.

By SHERYL HUNTER

Combine John Sheldon’s extraordinary guitar playing with the powerful words of Beat Poet Laureate Paul Richmond and Tony Vacca’s excellent percussion skills, and you have the makings for a special night of words and music.

By SHERYL HUNTER

Most local music fans know Christopher Elliott as half of the indie folk duo Austin & Elliott. Montague resident Elliott, and his partner Lisa Austin, have played their edgy brand of acoustic music at Coop concerts and other local venues for many years now. The songs he’s written for the pair sometimes included elements of darkness, but this material has nothing on Elliott’s recent solo projects.

By SHERYL HUNTER

For three and a half years, multi-instrumentalist Michael Pattavina of Greenfield has hosted the Bluegrass and Beyond session at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls. These sessions occur on the last Friday of the month except during December and the warm weather months of May through August. This month’s session will be held on Friday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m. and will be an evening of honky-tonk music with special guest Betsy-Dawn Williams.

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

Tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 25) at the Rendezvous, the band The Frost Heaves and Hales will play a show that band member Daniel Hales thought he’d never do again.

By SHERYL HUNTER

January is the month of new beginnings, and with the new year comes the arrival of new music. In the upcoming weeks, some popular Franklin County-based musicians playing their first local shows of 2025 where they will give audiences the chance to listen to new music before it is officially released.

ORANGE — The Orange Brown Bag Program is held on the third Wednesday of the month at St. Mary’s Parish Center at 10 West Myrtle St. from 10 a.m. to noon.