Community Calendar

Snarky Puppy makes their return to the Jorgensen stage! The five-time Grammy® winning collective, “has always been a band that prioritizes the sound of the music,” says bandleader and bassist Michael League. Displaying a wide array of influences including funk, rhythm & blues, hard rock, classic soul, modern gospel, new tech, fusion and jazz, Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band, it’s not a fusion band and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”

“It’s The Wildest!” Is an exciting, tune-filled tribute to the music of Louis Prima and Keely Smith, performed by Mark Gionfriddo and Nikki Gorts. The name of the show references the title of an iconic 1956 album by Prima and Smith.

In the 1950s, Prima and Smith turned a tiny Las Vegas lounge into the most swinging after hours party, with a mix of jazz, swing, novelty music, and rock ‘n roll.

Mark Gionfriddo, Nikki Gorts and a five-piece band pay homage to this renowned duo featuring gems from the American Popular Songbook, including “Jump, Jive ‘N Wail”, “Baby, Won’t You Please Come Home,” “Embraceable You,” “I Wish You Love,” and “That Old Black Magic,” featuring arrangements by Mark Gionfriddo.

Falsa is a NYC-based Sufi music ensemble weaving 14th-century devotional traditions with contemporary improvisation. Rooted in the Qawwali lineage and global South Asian diasporic experience, Falsa creates soundscapes that explore longing, surrender, joy, and deep presence.

Led collectively by musicians blending Sufi Qawwali vocals, Carnatic violin, Hindustani tabla, Bass VI, Harmonium, and Drums, Falsa offers a transformative experience—bridging sacred traditions and transcultural jazz. The ensemble’s performances blend minimalist reflection with rhythmic intensity, creating immersive spaces where audiences feel more than they think.

Falsa invites listeners to engage with sacred sound as a form of reflection, healing, and communal resonance.

Join us for an electrifying night with BOStyx, the ultimate tribute band honoring the iconic sounds of Boston & Styx. Experience the soaring harmonies and powerful anthems that defined a Rock Era, from "More Than a Feeling" to Renegade. BOStyx delivers a dynamic live show that will transport you back to the Golden Age of Rock. Don't miss the unforgettable tribute to two legendary bands!

Do you long for a meditation experience that doesn’t leave you drowning in your own mental noise? Ever wondered how you could tap into Sufi mysticism even as a Westerner?

Violinist and meditation guide Carson Marshall has teamed up with Sufi vocalist Umer Piracha to create a soundbath-workshop that is equally grounded in their respective musical traditions and spiritual lineages, AND invites seekers of all backgrounds to draw from the richness of Buddhist meditation and Sufi Qawwali. (Think Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan meets Paganini.) Together, they lead their unique approach that is part soundbath and part meditation teaching. This is particularly helpful for those who find silent meditation frustrating!

Whether you are a serious meditator, casually curious, or simply an appreciator of incredible music, this is an experience that will move you - and it’s impossible not to learn something. Umer and Carson are gentle, attentive listeners and teachers. We didn’t get enough of them in the spring so we’ve brought them back this fall!

Come ready to be elevated - and bring whatever cushions, mats, or props you wish! Part of Florence Congregational’s Practical Spirituality series, this workshop is intended to be of use to people on any spiritual path.

Get ready for an evening where timeless artistry meets modern flair. Beyond the Frames: Classical Meets Cool features award-winning pianist Barron Ryan, blending classical virtuosity, jazz spirit, and irresistible energy. More than a concert, this event is a celebration of creativity across generations—bringing together live music and a Youth Art Auction & Showcase, highlighting the voices and visions of emerging local artists.

Be Part of the Art. Be Part of the Music. Be Part of the Impact. Join us for an inspiring night where music and art come together to uplift the next generation of creators.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Doors & Youth Art Showcase Open at 6:15 PM

FEATURED ARTIST

Barron Ryan, Piano
Praised for his charisma, musical depth, and genre-defying style, Barron Ryan brings classical music into the present moment—mixing Beethoven, jazz, gospel, and original works into performances that feel fresh, accessible, and deeply human.

YOUTH ART AUCTION & SHOWCASE
Supporting the Next Generation of Artists
Beginning at 6:15 PM and continuing through intermission, guests are invited to explore a curated exhibition of artwork by local youth artists.

Artwork pickup is available after the concert or by scheduled appointment.

CMSS’ Spring Gala, the single largest source of funding for our extensive financial aid and scholarship offerings, creates equitable and inclusive access to high quality music education programs. Our annual Spring Gala features live music, auction, cocktails and appetizers, and CMSS Excellence Awards.

Haus of Monsters is the ultimate Lady Gaga tribute experience - an electrifying celebration of one of the most iconic pop stars of our time. Based in New York City, the birthplace of Gaga herself, the band is made up of some of the city’s top session musicians and lifelong Little Monsters who live and breathe her music.

More than just a tribute band, Haus of Monsters delivers the full Gaga experience: a powerhouse live band, dazzling backup dancers, stunning costumes, and all the theatrical flair fans expect. Every performance is a journey through Gaga’s greatest hits, from the dance floor anthems to the show-stopping ballads, honoring her artistry, creativity, and fearless spirit.

Recognized as the premier Lady Gaga tribute band in the USA, Haus of Monsters brings fans together to celebrate the music, message, and magic of Mother Monster herself.

Come celebrate West African Music and Dance with Drummers and Dancers of Wofa in collaboration with Ghanaian gyil/kuar duo Valerie Naranjo and Barry Olsen! Wofa is the West African Drum and Dance Ensemble at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School directed by Alpha Kabisko Kaba. They will share the stage with Visiting Artist Valerie Naranjo of SNL and Barry Olsen of The Lion King.

Naranjo’s career has broken boundaries of genre and gender to help redefine the way percussionists engage with their communities. She has created a space for percussionists that is more inclusive to everyone, especially women. “She broke a gender barrier by being the first woman to perform on gyil (African marimba) and to become (with Barry) a first-place prize winner in Ghana’s Kobine Festival of Traditional Music,” says Dr. Patrick Roulet. "She has incorporated musical instruments and styles from around the world into pop, classical, rock, and folk traditions, which have influenced our entire field. "

"Her contributions to music and percussion are boundary breaking, crossing, and uniting,” says Dr. Roger Braun. “From the popular music of the Saturday Night Live band, to the New York musical theater scene, to the gyil music of Ghana, to her impact as a world music educator, her influence is profound.” Barry (trombone, piano, percussion) and Valerie (marimba, gyli, voice, percussion) have shared their artistry with renowned musicians like Philip Glass, Paul Simon and David Burne. You can catch them on rare occasions playing their own music in their group Mandara, their home for original compositions.

Song Share Sessions with Jess Martin
Find your voice in a space built for you.

Join host Jess Martin (they/them) at Mill River Music for the Valley’s only song share session dedicated exclusively to non-binary, trans, and women songwriters. Whether you’re a Five College student, a seasoned local pro, or just starting out, you belong here.

We kick off at 7:00 PM with a casual community check-in, followed by an open floor for sharing. Sharing is always optional—come to listen, come to play, or come to find your creative kin.

Vibe: Supportive, queer-affirming, and low-stakes.

Gear: Borrow a shop guitar if you need one!

Feedback: You call the shots. Only get feedback if you ask for it.

New faces are always welcome. Let’s build something beautiful together.