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.

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

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.

Brew & Forge Poetry Night: A celebration of BIPOC poetry in the Valley

Brew & Forge Poetry Night: A celebration of BIPOC poetry in the Valley


Please join us for the first event organized by Franny Choi, the new Poet Laureate of Northampton, and Brew & Forge, an organization that builds connections between writers, artists, and social justice movements. Along with a reading by Franny, this event will showcase poets of color from across the Pioneer Valley and introduce attendees to powerful grassroots organizing happening locally. Readers include Jai Dulani, Abigail Chabitnoy, Lyrical Faith, Omkari Williams, and Cameron Awkward-Rich. Celebrate the richness of BIPOC poetry in our region, learn about local initiatives, and support writers and activists working for racial justice!


Doors open at 5:45. Admission is free. Donations are welcome and will go toward Brew & Forge’s work supporting poets and community organizers of color in Western Mass and across the Northeast.


The reading will be followed by a book signing and tabling by the Western Mass Bailout Project and the Trans Asylum Seekers Support Network.



Friday, March 1, 2024

Northampton Center for the Arts Flex Space at 33 Hawley

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM


RSVP HERE

Subverting the Motherhood Ideal: Reading and Conversation on International Women’s Day

WHAT: Subverting the Motherhood Ideal: Reading and Conversation on International Women’s Day
WHEN: March 8 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm EST 

WHERE: Northampton Center for the Arts 33 Hawley Street Northampton, MA. 

This Women’s History Month, on International Women’s Day, we bring together four prize-winning writers: Perugia board members Jennifer Jabaily-Blackburn and Arya Samuelson, and Perugia poets Gail Thomas and Carolina Hotchandani. They will read about being mothered and mothering (or not), choosing motherhood (or not), the cultural phenomenon glorifying caretaking, and the way we become mothers to our own parents as they age. Conversation with the writers and the opportunity to buy books will follow the reading. Free and open to the public (and held during Arts Night Out in Northampton). A grant from the Northampton Arts Council supports this program.

2024 Chinese New Year Culture Festival

WHAT: 2024 Chinese New Year Culture Festival
WHEN: Sat Feb 17th, 2024 2:00pm-8:00pm 
WHERE: Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Building A, 80 Locust St, Northampton, MA

Culture Tours and Vendor Show

Live Performances

Dinner, Awards and Raffles 

Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts (CAWM)

1399D Westfield St

West Springfield, MA 01089

www.cawm.us

Facebook Page

Silver Chord Bowl 40th Anniversary

Silver Chord Bowl 40th Anniversary

As we celebrate the 40th year of the esteemed Silver Chord Bowl, the most revered collegiate a cappella showcase in the region, we invite you to witness unmatched talent at the iconic John M. Greene Hall on Smith College's campus. This year's event will be inaugurated with a soulful performance by Northampton High School's Northamptones, paving the way for six acclaimed groups from top colleges and universities around the Northeast. Prepare to be awed by Tufts sQ!, Eight Beat Measure – RIT's Original TTBB A Cappella Group, The Chorallaries of MIT, UCONN Extreme Measures "ExM," The Amherst College Zumbyes, Smith College Blackappella & POCappella. Join Steve Sanderson of the Northampton Arts Council/WRSI 93.9 the River, Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton, and the Mayor of Northampton, Gina-Louise Sciarra, as they host the Silver Chord Bowl. This unique opportunity to experience the heart of a cappella is not to be missed.

When?
Sunday, February 11 – 2:00 PM Showtime, Doors Open at 1:30 PM

Where?
John M. Greene Hall is located on the Smith College campus, 60 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01060

How Much?
In Advance: 

Price Premium Assigned Seating All Ages - $35
General Assigned Seating All Ages - $15 (Available online);

Day of at Door Price:
Premium Assigned Seating All Ages - $40
General Assigned Seating All Ages - $20

Online Advanced Ticket Outlet: FreshTix

There are 2 ways to buy tickets on FreshTix:

Online - https://www.freshtix.com/events/silver-chord-bowl

Over the phone. You can call 678-701-6114
Tickets are sent via email moments after the transaction is completed

Click here for more information about our opening hours and holiday information.

In-person Advance Ticket Outlets: State Street Fruit Store in Northampton and Cooper’s Corner in Florence

A limited number of General Assigned Seating Tickets All Ages for $15 will be available at State Street Fruit Store and Cooper’s Corner in Florence. The tickets are assigned seating, so please pay attention to the section, row, and section you buy. Only orchestra sections A and D, rows 18-25, are available at State Street and Cooper’s.

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Headline Sponsor: 

Smith College

Organizational Support:
Massachusetts Cultural Council, City of Northampton, Smith College

ArtsEZ 2023 Award Winners

 The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to announce the awarding of 16 grants totaling $11,475 in support of various projects from funds raised through event programming within the Northampton community. Our signature fundraising events include the Silver Chord Bowl, Performance, and First Night Northampton. The funding of these projects would not have been possible without our community members who continue to support our benefit events and the sponsors and donors who contribute time and again. Each year, we are in awe of the outstanding applications we have the honor of reviewing, and unfortunately, we were unable to fund many worthy projects. The Arts Council received 64 requests for almost $103,685 of funding. 

Sarah Stefana Smith		“I can’t read little things like letters. I read big things like men.” Critical Fabulation as Broadsides of Sojourner Truth	Visual Arts	$1,500.00
Rebecca Muller	Hestia Mural Restoration Collective	Restoration of the mural, History of Women in Northampton 1600-1980" by the Hestia Art Collective"	Visual Arts	$1,200.00
Sharon Leshner	The Color Collaborative	Imagined Worlds	Visual Arts	$1,125.00
Carolyn Abbe Smith	Northampton Jazz Festival	2023 NORTHAMPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL	Music	$500.00
Roger Tincknell		Children's Songs and Singing Games	Music	$500.00
Timothy Lovett	Comedy as a Weapon	Comedy Cause 5: A benefit comedy show for The Care Center	Visual Arts	$1,000.00
Allen Fowler		The Elephant Vanishes	Multidisciplinary Arts	$650.00
Joey Baron		Community Artist in Residency	Music	$750.00
Jesse Freidin	Jesse Freidin Photographer	Are You OK? Local Photoshoot & Feature in Exhibition at Paper City Clothing	Visual Arts	$750.00
Ebbie Russell		Co-Creating Kin: A Movement Space for Young People of All Ages	Multidisciplinary Arts	$500.00
Ariel Shapiro	Burikes	Klezmer Night Out!	Multidisciplinary Arts	$750.00
Christina Webster	The Sphere c/o The DNA	Social Media Design Lab Stipends	Media Arts	$750.00
Dara Herman-Zierlein		Parenthood in a Political Climate	Visual Arts	$600.00
Nikki Gardner		Giving Voice—Immigrants & refugees share their stories	Visual Arts	$400.00
Sara Gately		Everyone is an Artist	Visual Arts	$250.00
Tim Eriksen		Echoes of Future Past- The Antique Concerte on Pyne Street Revival	Music	$250.00

‘LOVE YOU!’ a post Valentine’s Day Arts Cabaret

‘LOVE YOU!’ a post Valentine’s Day Arts Cabaret

The Northampton Arts Council invites you to join us for a dynamic party with a showcase of talent to give our community a taste of the artistic vision of each of our recent grant recipients.

‘LOVE YOU!’ a post-Valentine’s Day Arts Cabaret, will take place at the Smith College Conference Center at 49 College Ln on the Smith College Campus on February 15, 6:30-9:30 pm.

Free and open to the public, there will be drink, music, AND dancing.

Click on this link to RSVP.

The Arts Cabaret Sub-committee of the Northampton Arts Council produces this event.

Northampton Arts Council Announces FY24 Grant Recipients

 

NORTHAMPTON, MA: Today, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra and the Northampton Arts Council announced the award of 32 grants totaling $22,705 in support of art projects and programming in Northampton. The Massachusetts Cultural Council's Local Cultural Council (LCC) program allocated funds to the city. 

“I am pleased to continue Northampton’s long tradition of support for the arts community,” shared Mayor Sciarra, “I look forward to enjoying, along with our city residents, the outcome of these exciting projects.”

The Arts Council received 114 applications for $217,372  in requested funding. Grants were awarded in the following categories: Dance, Literature, Media Arts, Multidisciplinary Arts, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts.

“I wish we could have funded them all,” said Brian Foote, Director of the Northampton Arts Council.  “The caliber of applications this round was extraordinary, which made the process extremely competitive among many worthy projects.” 

The LCC FY24 Grant Recipients are:

APPLICANT	PROJECT TITLE	Project Location	DISCIPLINE	Award
Northampton Parents Center, Inc.	Weekly Drop-In Music Classes for Families with Young Children	Northampton Parents Center (lower level Edwards Church)	Music	$1,500.00
Pathlight, Inc.	Whole Children musical theater project	Smith College, Northampton	Theatre	$1,000.00
The Performance Project, Inc.	"Mother Tongue" by First Generation Ensemble	Hampshire County Jail, Northampton High School	Theatre	$1,000.00
Northampton Center for the Arts, Inc.	2024 Youth Performance Festival	Northampton Center for the Arts and Make It Springfield	Interdisciplinary	$1,000.00
Acosta, Pamela	Contra-corriente or the Pond-dwellers	The Hosmer Gallery at Forbes Library	Visual Arts	$1,000.00
Westwater Weekes, Naomi	The Reclamation Project: Honoring the Voices of People of Color in Folk Music	Ideally at Northampton Public Library or a Northampton Community center, but I am open to working with the LCC to find an accessible venue.	Music	$1,000.00
Barron, Shakia	The Gathering: Kia the Key & Company Community Hip-Hop Workshop	outdoor space at 33 Hawley	Dance	$1,000.00
Bombyx Brass Collective	Bombyx Brass Collective Masterclasses and Performance	Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity	Music	$1,000.00
Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts, Inc	Latern Festival and Chinese New year Culture Fair	Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton	Multidisciplinary	$750.00
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School	The Viking Runestone	Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School	Humanities	$550.00
Carlino, Kim A.	BIPOC Curatorial Fellowship	Tiny Art 4 All Gallery Project, Northampton	Visual Arts	$750.00
Leader, Rachel	KlezCummington	Northampton and Cummington, MA	Multidisciplinary	$500.00
Lepore, Seth	Faces of Medicine	BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity	Media Arts	$750.00
Green Street Brew A Capella Group	Local Vocal #13	Northampton High School	Music	$750.00
Allen, Megan	Taking STEAM (Science-Technology-Arts-Math) into The Community: The STEAM-Mobile	greater Northampton, Florence Farmer's Market, Northampton Public Schools, Hampshire Heights, Florence Heights	Multidisciplinary	$750.00
pastorfield-li, elizabeth	home//made	33 Hawley Street	Photography	$750.00
The Parlor Room, Inc.	Trans Affirming Voice Training Masterclass Series	Parlor Room	Music	$750.00
Forbes Library	Hands-on art making workshops for adults	Forbes Library Community Room	Visual Arts	$697.00
Grow Food Northampton, Inc.	Grow Food Northampton Farmers Markets Music	Tuesday Market and Winter Market Northampton, MA	Music	$750.00
Translate Gender, Inc.	co-ACT Trans Youth Theatre Collective	Northampton, MA	Theatre	$750.00
Liberal Arts Popup Gallery	The "Strong and Pleasant Homecoming" festival music from the 80' and 90's	Liberal arts popup gallery LLC and Bishops lounge LLC	Music	$750.00
Valley Arts Mentors	Valley Arts Mentors: Mentorship Program and Webinar Series	Virtually	Multidisciplinary	$558.00
Freedman, Robert	MY MAMA AND THE FULL SCALE INVASION	Workroom APE Theater , 33 Hawley St, Northampton, MAA	Theatre	$500.00
Play Incubation Collective	2024 Play Incubation Collective Salons	A.P.E. Workroom Cooperative, 33 Hawley St	Multidisciplinary	$500.00
Self-Evident Education, Inc.	Power of Truths Arts & Education Festival	Florence, MA	Interdisciplinary	$500.00
Valley Art Salon	The ArtSalon	Smith College	Multidisciplinary	$400.00
Bridge Street School	Field Trip to see Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra	Greenfield High School Auditorium	Music	$500.00
Evers, Madge	Drawing With Light	Northampton High School and Northampton Center for the Arts	Visual Arts	$500.00
Morigan Welland, Pan	I Sing Earth	Northampton Center for the Arts, Flex Space	Interdisciplinary	$500.00
Mothers Institute for Collaboration and Art	MICAfest Art for Change: The M/others' View	Throughout locations in Northampton and Florence.	Interdisciplinary	$500.00
Lander-Grinspoon Academy The Solomon Schechter School of the Pioneer Valley, Inc.	MAPA: Dancing Through The Map of Diasporic History	Lander-Grinspoon Academy	Dance	$250.00
Theater Between Addresses	To Serve The Hive	Pine Box Studios, 221 Pine Street, Florence, MA	Theatre	$250.00