July 31, 2026: Connection celebrations

10 bands from near and far are headed to the northern Berkshires on Aug 15th for the inaugural Williamstown Blues and Roots Festival. Organizer Gina Coleman of Misty Blues joins us for live music Friday to talk about this brand new gathering and the folx who’ll join her on stage for it, as well as where you can see her and her band perform tonight as well. In Northampton, a fun fundraiser will help bring new life to communities on both sides of the Atlantic. The Midwifery Exchange in Ghana is an educational collaboration sharing knowledge between birthing professionals and on Saturday, in Northampton, they’re raising money to help those learning experiences continue. We speak with one of the organization’s core members, Anastasia Hallisey, about the importance of this work, and the fun they’ll have on August 1st. Plus we return to the wine bunker to the birthplace of the Thunderdome deep underneath the walls of State Street Fruit Store Deli Wine and Spirits to explore a region and style we don’t think gets nearly enough love, but is perfect for summer: Alsatian Gentiles