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.

Dave Bulley of Turners Falls founded the festival in 2022 as a way for people to come together during the transition between seasons; that time of year when cabin fever has set in and all you want is to get out of the house and have some fun. If that describes how you are feeling, then the Mud Season festival may be just what you need.

The festival starts at noon with a kid’s hour featuring the family band The Dunbuts, followed by a performance by Jenny the Juggler. Kids under 12 are admitted for free.

Then, music begins with a lineup that includes Petey’s Barn Rocket, Bow Thayer, Adam S.Z. & the Inner Fiyah, Space Bar, Valerie Newman, Lee Toten, ChichaFuego, Pre-Emption Road, Rachel Baker, Pumpkin Hollow Bluegrass, and of course, the Dave Bulley Band.

More than just a music festival, this year’s Mud Season event is a platform for learning and understanding. In response to the challenging times we’re living in, founder Dave Bulley has chosen to focus on the themes of peace, love and protest. The festival aims to provide not just a good time, but also valuable education to help people navigate these difficult times and ensure their voices are heard.

“After the election and the first kind of crazy week, people started wondering what they could do and looking for outlets and information, and it didn’t seem like anything was really happening. So a lot of regular Mud Season attendees fondly remember the ’60s and early ’70s and the powerful role protest music played and establishing change in government, and actually stopping a war!” Bulley said in an email. “So we thought that harkening back to that era of community and the power of peace and music, which is the only true magic according to Tom Petty. Well, we thought it would be a good idea and it seems like judging by the excitement we’re right.”

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern will address the crowd at 1 p.m.

“When I asked Congressman McGovern to come speak, I told him that people were a little lost. That they didn’t really know effective ways to use their impulse toward activism, and there was a real need for focus and direction,” Bulley said.

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Various nonprofit groups will also set up tables at the festival to provide information for festival attendees.

And let’s not forget the music. They have curated an incredible lineup with a diverse range of regional artists, each representing a unique genre. From the roots reggae of Adam S.Z. & the Inner Fiyah, to the string band sounds of Pre-Ememption Road, to the Latin-tinged music of ChicaFuego, there’s something for everyone at Mud Season.

Then there is Bulley’s own band, which describes its music as “indie folk rock jammy singalong fun.” The group’s lyrics can vary, too, and they sometimes are political, which will certainly fit in well at this show.

Some of the participating bands have played at the previous Mud Season festivals.

“Bow Thayer played Mud Season last year and the crowd fell in love with him so he’s coming back this year. Also, Petey’s Barn Rocket is a regular. They’re so good. We have to keep inviting them back,” said Bulley. “Jenny the Juggler was part of the children’s hour last year. She is a professional clown from Boston and just amazing and hilarious so we invited her back. Everyone else is new to this year.”

All of the artists will embrace the festival’s theme of peace, love and protest.

“Every band is doing a few covers of ’60s protest songs, and some originals,” said Bulley. “It’s going to be great.”

Tickets are $20 in advance and $27 at the door. Children under 12 are free. Tickets are available at sheatheater.org. More information, including a schedule of playing times, is available at mud-season.com.

“We are the world/We are the children/We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving/There’s a choice we’re making/We’re saving our own lives/It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me.”

As you probably know, that is the chorus of the song “We Are the World,” written by Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson. The song was recorded by 45 of the most popular artists of the day to raise awareness and funds to fight hunger in Africa.

“We Are the World” was released on March 7, 1985. It went on to win four Grammys, sell over 20 million copies, and raise over $80 million.

This year, the renowned song celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the Doc & Witch in Greenfield will honor the occasion with a special “We Are the World” tribute night on Friday, March 7, at 8 p.m.

They have assembled a group of nine talented, local performers who will reenact the song’s performance, singing the various solo parts and chorus.

DJ Greg Stewart will be hosting and spinning tunes throughout the night.

In keeping with the spirit of the song that was recorded to fight hunger, the show is a benefit, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to two local food pantries. All those attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item.

Admission is $10. Performances will happen at 8 and 9 p.m. The Doc & Witch is located at 4 Ames St.

On Sale Now

Indie-pop band Lucius, with special guest Neal Francis, will perform at the Summer Stage at Tree House Brewing Company in South Deerfield on July 22. Tickets are on sale now at TixR.com

For more information on Summer Stage concerts, visit the FAQ page: treehousebrew.com/summer-stage-faqs.

This is a reminder that the 11th annual Back Porch Festival will take place in Northampton this weekend, March 7-9. Presented by Signature Sounds and The Parlor Room Collective, the festival hosts over 60 roots artists playing three days at 10 venues throughout downtown Northampton. There are also three special evening shows at the Academy of Music.

Some participating artists include Lucinda Williams, Sam Grisman Project, James Hunter Six, Fantastic Cat, a Mardi Gras Ball & more.

There will also be plenty of great local musicians on hand, such as Wallace Field, Stella Kola, Matt Hebert and the Lonesome Brothers, Chris Smither, Christa Joy and the Honeybees, Love Crumbs, StompBox Trio, and the list goes on.

A Ramble Pass will get you entry into all shows except the evening shows at the Academy of Music.

The headlining evening shows at the Academy of Music are Friday Night, a special Back Porch Songwriter Night, The Songs of Neil Young, which will feature some great local talent, including Cloudbelly, Suitcase Junket and, Robin Lane, who provided backing vocals on Neil Young’s 1969 “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere” album.

Saturday Night at the Academy will be a Back Porch Bluegrass Spectacular with The Travelin’ McCourys and others.

The festival wraps up on Sunday night with the great singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams. That show is sold out.

Ramble Passes and tickets for the Academy of Music shows are available at BackPorchFest.com.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at soundslocal@yahoo.com.