MUSIC

We speak with Heartbeat Theater about their debut production of David Auburn's "PROOF," sit with President Nate Costa of the Springfield Thunderbirds and hear live music with Boston band Almost Olive.

We talk to Mr. Universe about the history of aliens, get a rundown of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's upcoming program to honor Martin Luther King Jr., and check out budding business Bramble and Blooms.

We speak with folks from the Kwanzaa Collective to learn more about the history, lessons and importance of Kwanzaa and hear live music from Teen Driver, Couchboy and Daniel Hales before they take the stage at First Night Northampton.

We learn about the Holiday Pops concert at Tanglewood, hear live music with local band Bunnies and have an end-of-year recap with Rep. Jim McGovern.

The traveling program, created by Naomi Westwater, aims to give credit to the role of musicians of color in the folk music genre while supporting today's non-white folk artists.

We hear the East African sounds of sounds of Zikina for Live Music Wednesday, review the runners-up for Merriam-Webster's word-of-the-year, and mourn the loss of beloved singer Evelyn Harris.

We take a trip to Ellison Farm Beef in Ludlow, talk with Ricky McKinnie of the Blind Boys of Alabama before their show at the Hope Center for the Arts, and learn how introverts can survive the holidays with Janice Chaka.

Discover a broad range of this year's most compelling classical recordings, including symphonic booty-shakers, mystic violin, pipe organ prog and a guided tour of 18th century German chart-toppers.

We are joined with rock legend Juliana Hatfield for Live Music Friday and head to Tip Top Wine Shop for the latest Wine Thunderdome with special guest Nirvani Williams.

We hear live music with Socks in the Frying Pan before they perform at The Iron Horse tonight, speak with folx from the Springfield Symphony Orchestra about the upcoming Holiday Pops concert and get word-nerdy with Emily Brewster.