March 27, 2024: Arts, culture, and the future.

It’s a triumphant return of the arts. Not that they ever left per se, but we are packing a bunch into this show. And honestly that return wasn’t certain in some cases. The strike of the UAW at Mass MoCA as events and festivals planned at that institution loomed ever larger on our calendars had everyone wondering what the future might hold for the museum. But as we check in with NEPM Reporter Jill Kaufmann, we discover that progress is indeed being made; not just in North Adams but in Holyoke with their receivership as well. It’s in an author making a visit to the valley to celebrate a new book. Ayize Jama-Everett has a storied career to be sure. He’s currently touring a documentary he’s co-produced on the use of psychedelics in the Black community, but making a stop in Easthampton at Book Moon on March 28th to celebrate the release the final book in his “Liminal” series. We speak with the man of many hats including author/professor about self starting his literary career, his inspirations, and connecting the future with history in all of his works. And it’s in a creative rejuvenation as well. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has just created a new position of Artistic Advisor, and the first to hold that title will be Mei-Ann Chen. We speak with the maestra as well as president and CEO of the SSO, Paul Lambert, about her previous work with the symphony, what this means for the direction and development of the organization, and her call to conducting.