After undergoing extensive renovations, the Northampton Community Arts Trust is inviting the public to experience its new flexible performance space called “Flex Space.”
The first public performance — a Pioneer Valley Jazz Shares program titled “Decades” — will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Northampton Community Arts Trust’s nearly 5,000-square-foot space at 33 Hawley St. in Northampton.
According to a Northampton Community Arts Trust press release, the program will feature Austin-based guitarist David Goodrich who is teaming up with Pioneer Valley stalwarts Jason Robinson and Bob Weiner. Tickets are available at jazzshares.org.
The nearly $1 million effort to develop the Flex Space and accompanying mezzanine, lobby and restrooms is another step in the trust’s $8 million project of acquiring and renovating 33 Hawley St. into an affordable and protected space for creative work. A $500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, initiated by the late Rep. Peter Kocot and shepherded through the statehouse by Kocot and former Sen. Stan Rosenberg provided an enormous boost to development.
Three organizations — the Northampton Center for the Arts, APE Ltd. and Northampton Community Television — will have a presence in the building, offering productions, workshops and classes.
Throughout the month of September, other productions will highlight the new performing space:
For more information on the 33 Hawley St. project and on the Northampton Community Arts Trust, visit www.northamptonartstrust.org.