City of Northampton Invites Letters of Intent for Vacant Storefront Program

 City of Northampton Invites Letters of Intent for Vacant Storefront Program

NORTHAMPTON – The City of Northampton, recognized as a designated Vacant Storefront District by the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC), is pleased to announce the opening of interest for its Vacant Storefront Program. This initiative encourages businesses and individuals to express their interest in leasing and occupying vacant storefronts that have been unoccupied for a minimum of twelve months.

“I am proud to continue this important initiative that assists two businesses that are investing in Northampton and are helping to restore our downtown economy by filling a storefront that has been vacant for at least a year,” shared Mayor Sciarra. “With the welcome support of the City Council, I am pleased to partner with the state for a second year of this terrific program.”

The Vacant Storefront Program is part of the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), offering refundable tax credits, matching municipal support up to $10,000, for businesses or individuals looking to occupy a vacant storefront. To qualify, businesses or individuals must locate within the city’s Vacant Storefront District and apply to the EACC. Locations are considered vacant if unoccupied for at least 12 months, with the general area of focus being the Central Business District. Eligible applicants are invited to submit Letters of Intent to the Mayor’s Office by April 30, 2024. The EACC meeting deadline for a full application is May 15, 2024, with consideration at the June 20, 2024, meeting.

Prospective recipients are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent, addressing three key aspects:

1. Value to the Local Business Community: Articulate how your potential business will contribute to and enhance the local business environment.

2. Filling a Need/Void in the Downtown/Central Business District: Clearly outline how your project addresses a specific need or void within the downtown area, contributing to its overall vibrancy.

3. Synergy with Existing Downtown Businesses: Detail potential synergies and collaborations with other businesses in the downtown area, fostering a cooperative and thriving business community.

Businesses or individuals targeting vacant, first-floor storefronts within the Vacant Storefront District are eligible to apply. To determine eligible locations or inquire about storefront availability, please contact Annie Lesko at alesko@northamptonma.gov or 413-587-1212 or Alan Wolf at awolf@northamptonma.gov or 413-587-1067. Mayor Sciarra will select two qualifying projects to move forward for consideration. 

The City of Northampton is committed to fostering economic growth and vibrancy in the heart of downtown. We encourage all eligible businesses and individuals to seize this opportunity. For more information about the program and additional requirements, please visit: https://northamptonma.gov/2480/MA-Vacant-Storefront-Program-MVSP, or contact the Mayor’s Office at mayor@northamptonma.gov or 413-587-1249.

The Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival

The Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival

Dates: Friday, April 5, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Saturday, April 6, 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM & 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Location: Bombyx Center, 130 Pine St, Florence, MA

Self-Evident Education presents the Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival, taking place on

Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Bombyx Center in Florence. This year's theme, "Building Community in the Midst of Chaos," underscores our commitment to fostering critical conversations around social and racial justice issues.

Based in Florence, Self-Evident Education utilizes multimedia storytelling to engage school and community groups in discussions about the histories and legacies of race and racism in the United States. The festival will feature the premiere of Self-Evident's newest lm, "Freedom's Battle at Christiana," produced for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Additionally, attendees will experience an original theatrical production titled "Know the Ledge: Hip-hop History Live!" This performance features Dutch ReBelle, Marcia Gomes, Father Hotep, the Perceptionists and others. It will integrate music, storytelling, and dance to showcase powerful narratives from Self-Evident's film library.

Teacher Fellowship:

In conjunction with the festival, Self-Evident Education is proud to announce the inaugural Teacher Fellowship, funded in part by the Library of Congress/Teaching with Primary Sources Grant Program. Fifteen educators have been selected to participate in this fellowship, which aims to demonstrate the power of Self-Evident's library of resources and primary sources in deeply examining the histories and legacies of systemic racism. This approach provides educators with essential tools to engage students in meaningful dialogue about complex historical issues.

The fellowship cohort comprises seven local educators, including four from Northampton and one from Springfield, as well as eleven educators from across the United States and even the Bahamas. Hailing from Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and beyond, these teachers will engage in two days of intensive work with Self-Evident before attending the Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival.

Keynote Speakers:

• Tricia Rose, author of the groundbreaking book "Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives and How We Break Free," will deliver a keynote address exploring the themes of her work. (Saturday)

• Malia Lazu, leading DEI consultant and author of "From Intention to Impact," will share insights on organizational change and racial equity. (Friday)



Special Presentations:

Khalif Neville and Bayeté Ross Smith will discuss the use of Virtual Reality to tell important stories of our past, present, and future. A Virtual Reality exhibit featuring their work will accompany the presentation.

Youth and Local Presenters:

• Screenings of short documentary films by high school students.

• The Northampton High School wind ensemble will perform a set of music composed by contemporary and historical Black composers.

• Highlights from the work of "Blacks in the Valley" and the "Witness Stone" project will be showcased.


For more details about the festival program, please refer to this booklet or visit: https://thirdrow.live/power-of-truths/


Ticket Information:

GET TICKETS - https://bombyx.live/power-of-truths/

Both days of the festival are open to the public, with a special focus on Friday for high school and college students and educators. Ticket options include one-day or two-day passes, with separate tickets available for the Saturday night theatrical performance. Group discounts are available; please email kyla@selfevidenteducation.com for more information.


Sponsors:

The Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival is sponsored by Self-Evident Education, in partnership with the Northampton Arts Council, with additional support from the Beveridge Family Foundation, the Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Greenfield Savings Bank, the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium, Mass Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Northampton Department of Health and Human Services.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact Michael Lawrence-Riddell at michael@selfevidenteducation.com or 617-869-9070.

KidsBestFest 2024

WHAT: KidsBestFest 2024

WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2024 - Thursday, April 19, 2024, 11:00 AM showtime, doors at 10:30 AM. 

WHERE: The Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060

HOW MUCH: FREE, please donate to keep it free!


KidsBestFest is a week-long movie festival for kids and adults with free admission held during the spring school break at the Academy of Music Theatre. We show one movie a day and kick off the festival on Monday, April 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with doors open at 10:30 AM. 

Monday 4/15/24 - The Emperor's New Groove (2000) at 11:00 AM.
In this breezy, slapstick-laden cartoon, a vengeful advisor to the emperor turns his boss into a llama. The voice cast includes David Spade, John Goodman, and Eartha Kitt. Directed by Mark Dindal. Rated G. Runtime 78 minutes. Cast: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malick.

Tuesday 4/16/24 - The Great Muppet Caper (1981) at 11:00 AM.
The Muppets are in London covering a jewel heist. Directed by Jim Henson. Rated G.
Runtime 95 minutes. Cast: Charles Grodin, Diana Rigg, John Cleese, Robert Morley, Peter Ustinov


Wednesday, 4/17/24 - Singin' in the Rain (1952) at 11:00 AM.
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor star in one of the greatest musicals ever filmed. Musician Don Lockwood (Kelly) rises to stardom during Hollywood's silent-movie era--paired with the beautiful, jealous and dumb Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen). When Lockwood becomes attracted to young studio singer Kathy Selden (Reynolds), Lamont has her fired. But with the introduction of talking pictures, audiences laugh when they hear Lockwood speak for the first time--and the studio uses Selden to dub her voice. Set during the advent of "talkies," this film's classic song-and-dance numbers celebrate the beginning of movie musicals. Directed by Stanley Donen. Rated G. Runtime
103 minutes. Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell.


Thursday 4/18/24 - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) at 11:00 AM.
Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo are four turtle brothers with a unique set of skills and a penchant for mischief, which runs them afoul of New York City. Yet when a horde of sinister mutants begins to wreak havoc, the city must learn to rely on the turtles if they are to be saved. Directed by Jeff Rowe. Rated PG. Runtime 99 minutes. Cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ayo Edebiri

Friday 4/19/24 - Holes (2003) at 11:00 AM.
Faithful, entertaining adaptation of Louis Sachar's popular, prize-winning children's novel about a bizarre juvenile-correctional facility run by an intimidating warden. Directed by Andrew Davis. Rated PG. Runtime 118 minutes. Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Tim Blake Nelson, Khleo (Khaleed) Thomas.


Headline Sponsors: A2Z Science and Learning Store, Gage-Wiley Investments

Media Sponsors: Daily Hampshire Gazette, The Republican, WRSI the River 99.3, WHMP

Organization Sponsors: City of Northampton, Massachusetts Cultural Council, Academy of Music Theatre

KidsBest is a co-production of the Northampton Arts Council and the Academy of Music Theatre.

Imagined Worlds Community Mural Paint Party

WHAT: Imagined Worlds Community Mural Paint Party 

WHEN: April 6th 1:30-3:30pm
WHERE: JFK Middle School Cafeteria 100 Bridge Rd Florence, MA 01062

Help us paint the new mural for the outside wall of the school!
Open to all ages, no experience required!

“Imagined Worlds” is a year-long therapeutic art initiative proposed for JFK Middle School. This program utilizes an art therapy approach which asks students to imagine and visualize a space where they can feel safe and positive.

www.colorcollaborative.org
www.sharonacolor.com
ig: @sharona_color

DANTE - call for crew

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.artbyinde.com/

 

SCDT's Exchange: Young Artist Performance Project

WHAT: SCDT's EXCHANGE: The Young Artist Performance Project

WHERE: The WORKROOM @ 33 Hawley St. Northampton, MA

WHEN: Sundays 11:00am-12:30pm

SCDT is continuing with our EXCHANGE YOUNG ARTIST PROJECT this spring. 

Offering FREE FUN CREATIVE PROCESS WORKSHOPS to WESTERN MA TEENS! AGES 12 -18!
SUNDAYS 11-12:30 in NORTHAMPTON MA, at 33 Hawley in the WORKROOM

REGISTRATION LINK

DANCE- MUSIC- THEATER- VIDEO
LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART
Together- we create something greater than ourselves

YOUNG ARTISTS- NEW NARRATIVES!
Join SCDT in celebrating innovation in the performing arts through performance and creation, inspiring generations through compelling arts education, and using performance art as a salve for current social issues, thus elevating the vibrancy, diversity and health of our communities!

EXCHANGE makes spaces for young artists to share their stories, and develop their creative voices and collaborative skills. Organized by The School for Contemporary Dance & Thought, EXCHANGE will engage western Ma teens over an 18 month project that will develop lasting creative collaborative relationships, offer workshops on skill building around all aspects of performance art, foster diversity, and most importantly; platform the teen creative voice. Check out more about future programming here!

This project is funded in part by ARPA, The Massachusetts Cultural Council. The New England Foundation for the Arts, The Northampton Arts council and many generous donors.

More Info: https://www.scdtnoho.com/exchange-the-teen-performance-project.html

Pre-register for the "Third Annual Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival"

Join Us for the Third Annual Power of Truths and Apply for the Self-Evident Teacher Fellowship


Please join us on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, 2024, to explore and celebrate the powers of arts and education as tools for collective power and racial justice. Engage with thought-provoking and inspiring presenters, performances, talks, panels, and workshops.

This year's keynote speaker will be Tricia Rose; her new book Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives—and How We Break Free delves deeply into how systemic racism in America really works, revealing the vast and often hidden network of interconnected policies, practices, and beliefs that combine to devastate Black lives.

The full schedule will be available soon, but for now...for a sense of what you will experience, here is a listing of last year's sessions/programming, and here is a link to the flyers for last year's event.

Saturday night will feature "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live, Part ii", a multimedia performance using arts and storytelling to bring the audience on powerful journeys through history; a separate ticket is required for this event.

PRE-REGISTRATION LINK

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO STAY INFORMED


NOTE: We will also be hosting an educator fellowship in the days leading up to the Power of Truths. On April 3 and 4, we will work with 15 educators to explore the powers of the Self-Evident library and primary source documents in teaching accurate and honest history. Fellows will then attend the two days of the Power of Truths.

APPLICATION FOR THE SELF-EVIDENT EDUCATION: TEACHER FELLOWSHIP

The past two years Self-Evident Education has organized the Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival in Florence. This year will be the third annual. The gathering is dedicated to the powers of the arts and education as tools for racial and social justice and features inspiring speakers, workshops, keynotes, and performances. This year’s conference will be Friday, April 5 and Saturday, April 6, 2024. Prepare to be immersed in thought-provoking presentations, captivating performances, and interactive workshops. Delve into fresh perspectives, experience profound emotions, and cultivate innovative ideas that will undoubtedly leave you inspired. This is not just an event—it's a transformative experience waiting to unfold.




MORE DETAILS


Friday, April 5, 2024, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, Day 1

The day will be filled with exciting, energizing, and inspiring workshops, performances, and presentations. The culminating session on Friday will feature a preview of "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live!", which will be the marquee event on Saturday night. (Here's a highlight from last year... Dutch ReBelle as Sojourner Truth).


Saturday, April 6, 2024, 9:30-5:00 (for the conference), Day 2, part i

The day will be filled with more exciting, energizing, and inspiring workshops, performances, and presentations. Tricia Rose will deliver the keynote address on Saturday; she will speak about the work she has done to help understand and ultimately dismantle systemic racism. (Here is the "media kit" for her new book)


Saturday, April 6, 2024, 7:30-9:30 pm, Day 2, part ii

Self-Evident’s theatrical production, "Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live!", which will use music, storytelling, and dance to tell some of the powerful stories in the Self-Evident library.


Visit here for more information: selfevidenteducation.com/news/power-of-truths


Some other highlights:

- Khalif Neville and Bayeté Ross Smith will present on using Virtual Reality to tell important stories of our past, our present, and our futures. This will be accompanied by a Virtual Reality exhibit of some of their work.

- The premiere of "Freedom's Battle at Christiana" (click for a short preview), one of the films we are producing for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

- The Northampton High School wind ensemble will perform a set of music from contemporary and historical Black composers.