Harlem Gospel Travelers, Young@Heart Chorus
to headline inaugural Showcase South Hadley Festival
South Hadley is all set to host its very first Showcase South Hadley festival, a two-day cultural extravaganza celebrating the town’s diverse talents and cultural offerings, featuring a special performance by The Harlem Gospel Travelers, a quartet known for their ’50s and ’60s old-school gospel and soul style. Showcase South Hadley is made possible with the generous support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Town of South Hadley, the South Hadley Cultural Council, as well as contributions from local businesses and individuals, in collaboration with MASH (Music and Arts South Hadley). The full lineup is available at southhadleyarts.org.
Banned Books Brunch, Puppet Building, Star Gazing
Among the diverse range of activities happening at various locations in South Hadley are the Banned Books Brunch Saturday at 10AM in the Center Church Fellowship Hall moderated by South Hadley resident and censorship expert Martin Garnar of the Amherst College Library, Joe Rodio from the South Hadley Public Library, and Joan Grenier from the Odyssey Book Shop.
The Center Church hosts a captivating dance performance at 3PM Saturday by the School for Contemporary Dance and Thought (SCD&T) followed by a show at 5PM from Happier Valley Comedy. On the common, master puppet builder Eric Weiss gets his Geppetto on while Dazzle Day Face Painters paint faces, twist balloons, and apply (temporary) tattoos. An Open House will take place at the Mount Holyoke College Observatory Saturday night from 9-11PM. Sunday at 10AM a South Hadley local history walking tour heads out from the town library.
Jazz Brunch on Sunday 10/8 at Iona’s Kitchen
On Sunday, Iona’s Kitchen Banquet Room hosts the Claire Arenius Trio with Ron Smith and Joe Sallens. Jazz Brunch Tickets are $30 (12 and under $20) and available at southhadleyarts.org. Doors are at 10:30, Brunch 11, show at 11:30. A portion of each ticket will go to support “A Place At The Table,” a pay-what-you-can community meal for seniors and veterans Sunday, November 5 at Iona’s sponsored by the Friends of the South Hadley Seniors, South Hadley’s Veteran Services, South Hadley’s Council on Aging, Iona’s Kitchen, Neighbors Helping Neighbors and the South Hadley Cultural Council.
Music on the Main Stage on Saturday 10/7
from the Harlem Gospel Travelers, Young@Heart Chorus and more
The main stage on the South Hadley Common will showcase an impressive lineup starting at 1:30 and running until 10PM including the Harlem Gospel Travelers, Young@Heart Chorus, Peter J. Newland and RadioX, Eavesdrop, the Kevin Sharpe Group, the Bombyx Brass Collective, and more to be announced.
The Harlem Gospel Travelers
The main stage headliner, the Harlem Gospel Travelers, emerged from a non-profit music education program led by musician and music industry vet Eli “Paperboy” Reed. They’ve garnered high-profile fans, including Elton John, and have earned festival slots at events ranging from Pilgrimage to Telluride Jazz, and now, Showcase South Hadley.
Sunday 10/8: Celtic and Bluegrass at the Firehouse Museum, Rock at the library
Live music at the Firehouse Museum starts at 1:00PM with Celtic Calamity, Below The Gaff, and the Eric Lee duo. The museum will be open all day and visitors can explore one of the city’s fire trucks. The South Hadley Public Library will host The Midlife Crisis Band at 1:30pm and Eagles tribute band Seven Bridges Road at 3:30pm.
Concerts in South Hadley Churches
Saturday starting at 1PM the All Saints Church will host concerts from the South Hadley Chorale, Allan Bonde (piano) and Mara Bonde (soprano), and the Holyoke Civic Symphony String Quartet. At 1:30 Saturday, the Center Church Sanctuary will host the Pioneer Valley Community Band composed of 50 players with special guest conductor Tom Bergeron (Deerfield Academy, Springfield Symphony), and sax soloist Ronald R. Smith (Northfield Mount Hermon, Soulful Jazz Trio) playing jazz and pop selections. The Methodist Church hosts players from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy, Bill’s Seafood Allstars (with Tom Boates) and the Amherst Jazz Orchestra at 1PM on Sunday.
Artisan Village for Local Artists
From 12-5m on Sunday 10/8, Fred Smith Park, next to the Firehouse Museum in the Falls, will be transformed into an Artisan Village showcasing exhibitions from numerous local artists. Crafters, woodworkers, ceramicists, handcrafted goods makers, and others interested in participating can email hello@southhadleyarts.org to apply for one of the available booth spaces.
Showcase South Hadley aims to attract residents from throughout the Pioneer Valley, encouraging them to explore and enjoy South Hadley and its cultural offerings. The event is a collaborative effort, guided by a passionate steering committee representing the business, educational, and cultural communities. (Please note that the event will run two days rather than three, and dates are now October 7-8, 2023).
For more information plus volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit: southhadleyarts.org