ARTS & CULTURE

We get a preview of the Fall Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Garden, find out how the Bogin Playscape Project will improve outcomes for children in western Mass., and talk next steps on the government shutdown with Rep. Jim McGovern.

Hamed Sinno brings his solo show "Poems of Consumption" to UMass Amherst's Fine Arts Center, two artists from the Berkshires will present their new graphic novels in Easthampton, and the new season at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Author Michael Hutton-Woodland shares the story of his new novel, "Harvesting Legacy: A Farm’s Journey," Avery Sharpe on tour across New England, and Mr. Universe tells us about World Space Week.

Sweet Honey in the rock member Rochelle Rice talks about her podcast "Tell Her This" as she presents it live at Bombyx, Jeffrey Focault performs for Live Music Friday, and we conclude our look at the housing crisis with Keith Fairey of Way Finders and Kerry Spitzer of Umass' Donohue Institute

Get a preview of the music at Saturday's Easthampton Porchfest, explore a local museum in a new light with The Carle After Dark, and hear about the new 12th Collegiate Dictionary from Merriam Webster

Sue Kosinski recalls the history of Kosinski's Farm Stand in Westfield, live music from Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, and a play that reveals the realities of being refused abortions at the Shea.

Writer Alex Storozynski shares his family history of spies in the Eastern Bloc, The Mammals perform for Live Music Friday, and we try Argentinian orange wines with Tip Top Wine Shop.

We preview a new play about the long lasting effects of slavery, explore the untapped legacies of the slave trade in Caribbean, Central and South America and get our political questions answered by Rep. Jim McGovern.

We talk to the new leader of Community Action Pioneer Valley, preview the North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, and learn about the Arabic origins of English words with the Word Nerd.

We engage in healthy discourse before the WIT Literary Festival, talk with author and musician Mister G before his book release concert, and check out the lineup for this year's Northampton Jazz Festival.