Verse and melody, in an unusual combination

AMHERST — Poets and composers who teach at Amherst College are joining forces March 30 for a special program, “Words and Music: An Arts Faculty Showcase,” that will feature four musical premieres alongside three poetical readings, with two of the performances blending music and text.

The event, which is free and takes place at Buckley Recital Hall at 7 p.m., is part of the Arts@Amherst Initiative and features others performers from around New England. In addition, Amherst professors Kirun Kapur, Amy Dryansky and Dennis Sweeney will intersperse readings from their work with the musical selections.

Musical pieces include “Sonata 1 for Clarinet and Soprano Saxophone,” a performance by Amherst professors and reed players Darryl Harper and Carl Clements of Clements’ new composition, which was inspired by the duets of Yusef Lateef.

In addition, composer Ravi Krishnaswami’s “Collide-scope (Grief is not our only name)” features text by Meghana Mysore in an electronically-enhanced setting, as well as live movement by Nicole Cox, all of Amherst College.

For more information, contact the Amherst College concert line at (413) 542-2195 or email concerts@amherst.edu.

 

60 years of writing

AMHERST — The 2024 Juniper Literary Festival at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, on April 5-6, will recognize the 60th anniversary of the university’s MFA Program for Poets & Writers.

The event includes a number of readings — by alumni, students, and guest writers and editors — and different discussions, an open mic and two receptions.

Events April 5 will be held at Commonwealth Honors College Events Hall beginning at 2:30 p.m. The April 6 schedule begins at 1:30 p.m. at South College 3rd Floor Commons with an alumni luncheon and continues with additional events 3:30 p.m. in Herter Hall, 231.

Among the participants is California novelist Susan Straight, a 1984 graduate of the UMass MFA program whose books have won a number of awards and acclaim. She was a finalist for the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction for “Highway Moon,” and her most recent novel, “Mecca,” won the Southwest Book Prize for Fiction and was named a best book of the year by NPR.

Poet Sarah Ghazal Ali, another MFA graduate and festival speaker, has won a number of awards, including the 2022 Alice James Award, and has published her work in American Poetry Review, The Kenyon Review, Pleiades, The Yale Review and several other forums.

All events at the Juniper Festival are free and open to the public.

 

A JEDI adviser for Happier Valley Comedy

HADLEY — No, she’s got nothing to do with “Star Wars.” But Angélica Canlas Castro, who has worked in theater, education and a few other fields, is now serving as a JEDI: a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion advisor for Happier Valley Comedy.

Castro, who also works in DEI (Diversity, Education, and Inclusion) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will be involved in helping expand the comedy ensemble’s efforts to engage BIPOC communities, building on initiatives HVC has already introduced, such as equity pricing.

“We’ve wanted a DEI expert on our board for a very long time,” Pam Victor, HVC’s president and founder, said in a statement. “But not just anybody. It always was Angélica.”

Castro has worked in theater in California, was an extra in a few Hollywood films, and has performed with HVC as part of the group’s “Scripted/Unscripted!” shows. In addition, she once was the youth director for the former New WORLD Theater at UMass Amherst.

In a statement, Castro said she’s been asked to serve on the boards of other organizations but declined the offers, feeling she was expected to create their DEI programs. But with HVC, she says she feels she’s part of an organization that’s already doing that work and has made her feel welcome.

“I have been part of this thriving and growing community for several years,” she said, “and have deeply appreciated the work that’s being done ... ensuring that everyone who enters HVC’s spaces feels accepted and included.”

— Compiled by Steve Pfarrer