Arts Briefs: Disability-themed movies, Big Freedia at the Iron Horse, and more
In honor of Disability Pride Month, the Northampton, Easthampton, and Amherst Disability Commissions are hosting free screenings of disability-themed movies in July.
The next is “The Ride Ahead,” a documentary about a young disabled man transitioning into adulthood, on Wednesday, July 16, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bangs Community Center in Amherst.
After that is “Tallywhacker,” about a two-man rock band (one of whom is disabled) that faces tension when one gets a big career opportunity, on Tuesday, July 29, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center.
The screenings will have closed captioning, ASL interpretation, audio descriptions, and wheelchair-accessible venues. For more information or questions about accessibility, email [email protected].
Silverthorne Theater Company's final summer 2025 mainstage production, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' "The Comeuppance," will be at the Mainstage Theater at Hampshire College from Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 27.
The "electrifying comedy," according to the event description, is "a meditation on impermanence, nostalgia, and isolation. Fueled by adult jungle juice and pot, five former high school classmates who call themselves ‘The Multi-Ethnic Reject Group’ swap memories and confront past resentments at an unforgettable porch pre-party to their 20-year reunion."
One of the performances — Saturday, July 19, at 2 p.m. — will be masks-required.
Including fees, tickets are $28,52 general admission, $44.52 pay-it-forward, $23.18 for seniors (65+) and guests 25 and under, $17.85 for students, and $7.18 for EBT/SNAP/WIC/ConnectorCare cardholders via Eventbrite.
The Easthampton Film Festival will host a meetup for local filmmakers at Great Falls Harvest in Turners Falls on Saturday, July 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The meetup is open to anyone interested in filmmaking in western Massachusetts. According to a news release, it will be “a very casual opportunity to socialize, network, and discuss ideas about what this monthly get-together could and should become.”
To find the group, look for the Easthampton Film Festival logo on the hosts’ T-shirts, hats, etc.
Big Freedia, a rapper known for popularizing New Orleans bounce music, will perform at the Iron Horse on Friday, July 11, at 7 p.m.
Big Freedia has performed on the Beyonce tracks “Break My Soul” and “Formation” as well as Drake’s “Nice for What.” She was also the star of two reality TV shows, “Big Freedia Bounces Back” and “Big Freedia Means Business.” Her most recent album, “Central City,” “reaffirms her commitment to music as her first and primary love, combining influences of old-school hip-hop, brass marching bands, and futuristic production from the likes of Mannie Fresh, BlaqNmilD, and Gold Glove,” according to the event description. Her next album, a gospel album called “Pressing Onward,” will be released on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Tickets start at $36, including fees, at ironhorse.org.
Easthampton photographer Tracey Eller will host a workshop on creative portrait photography at her studio on Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (The studio’s exact location will be disclosed to participants upon registration.)
The workshop will “explore all the elements that make a portrait more compelling and delve into the subtleties of working with people,” according to a news release. “... Through discussion and hands on experience, students will be encouraged to work with some of the ideas presented to find their own voice and approach to making beautiful and powerful portraits.”
Participants must have at least a basic understanding of interchangeable lens cameras and photography elements, including F-stops, shutter speeds, and flash. Models will be provided.
The suggested donation is $195. Card to Culture admission is available. To register, visit humanscaleartspace.org and scroll to the bottom of the landing page, then click “Make a Payment for a Workshop/Class.”
The Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range will host their 38th annual Summit House Sunset Concert Series at Skinner State Park’s Summit House on successive Thursdays this July.
The volunteer-run concert series will feature local bands: on July 10, The Valley Strummers; on July 17, Dixieland Stomp; on July 24, Northampton Woodwind Quartet; and on July 31, Old Country Road. (The series also featured Hilltown Ham Hocks on July 3.)
The July 10 concert will include the revival of the Summit House’s vintage upright piano, restored by Dick Damon and played by guest pianist Darby Wolf.
Guests can drive or hike to the venue, though parking at the top is limited and carpooling is encouraged. Hikers are advised to carry flashlights.
Tickets are $12 advance and $15 day-of. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit friendsofmhr.org.
The Northampton gallery William Baczek Fine Arts is hosting its Summer 2025 Group Exhibition through Saturday, Aug. 30.
The show includes 75 works by 26 artists, including photography, pastels, oil paintings, ceramics, prints, and sculpture, both in abstract and representational styles.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
To see selections from the show, visit wbfinearts.com.
Daily Hampshire Gazette
