The Jenny Burtis Duo to perform in Turners Falls
On Friday, Sept. 11, The Jenny Burtis Duo will perform at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls at 7 p.m. Jenny Burtis’ acoustic guitar is at the center of her performance, and her songs offer an honest look at life and loss, with an eye toward irony, humor and redemption. She weaves classical music influences into her songwriting, favoring the Romantic tradition, and has been influenced by singer-songwriters including Jane Siberry, Shawn Colvin and Olivia Chaney. Percussionist Jamie Manning will perform alongside Burtis. The coffeehouse will take place in the historic Great Hall of the Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Suggested admission is $7 to $20 on a sliding scale, with free admission for children. For more information, call 413-863-3221 or visit greatfallsdiscoverycenter.org.
Weezer’s ‘Blue Album’ tribute concert comes to The Shea
The alternative rock group Recent History will perform Weezer’s iconic 1994 self-titled debut, “The Blue Album,” in its entirety at the historic Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. This all-ages concert celebrating three decades of power-pop will feature faithful renditions of hits like “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So,” followed by a short set of 1990s indie and alternative rock favorites. Tickets are $18-$25 and are available at sheatheater.org/d/23311/Shea-Presents-Weezer–Blue-Album-and-the-Hits.
Fiery Hope chorus to hold open sessions in September
Fiery Hope invites community members to open singing sessions in Greenfield where attendees can sing along, just listen or explore membership as the chorus launches its 39th season. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, Fiery Hope will host the first session in the Green Fields Market Meeting Space at 170 Main St. at 6:30 pm. On Tuesday, Sept. 15, they’ll meet in the Greenfield Public Library Community Room at 6:30. The sessions are free and open to the public.
Fiery Hope, formerly known as Amandla, was founded in 1988 by Eveline MacDougall. “We sing in concert halls, hospice settings, homeless shelters, prisons, and at community meal sites, schools, elder residences, and other places where people deserve art and beauty,” said MacDougall. “We welcome interested singers from all backgrounds and encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to audition. Regardless of whether you’re interested in becoming a member, everyone is welcome to attend.”
Normally, the chorus rents rehearsal space at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School in north Greenfield, “but we’re holding our open sessions in downtown Greenfield to encourage folks to come check us out!”
MacDougall noted that ideal membership traits include “basic musical skills and an eager desire to learn. We seek cooperative individuals, teens and up, who can commit to Tuesday evening rehearsals September through May.” MacDougall assesses candidates for vocal range and basic skills through a brief, low-stress audition. “Calling it an audition is overstating the case,” she said. “I just need to hear a singer make a few simple sounds!”
While Fiery Hope members are asked to contribute a sliding-scale fee to participate, this year MacDougall is waiving the fee for anyone under the age of 30. “We’re trying to diversify our age range,” she said.
More information is available on Fiery Hope’s website: fieryhope.org, by emailing MacDougall at eveline@amandlachorus.org, or by calling her landline, 413-773-8655.
Ida Mae Specker Band headlines community square dance in Montague
Weathervane Community Arts and the Montague Square Dance present the Ida Mae Specker Band and dance caller Sarah Gibson at the Montague Common Hall in Montague on Friday, Sept. 11. Part of their Lonely Days are Gone New England tour, the evening kicks off with an all-ages family square dance from 6:30 to 7 p.m., followed by a 45-minute acoustic concert set at 7 p.m., and a full, gender-free square dance from 8 to 10 p.m. Specker, an acclaimed old-time Vermont fiddler who has previously collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, leads an ensemble featuring guitar, mandolin and upright bass. All dances are beginner-friendly with no prior experience required.
This engagement is supported by the New England States Touring program, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the six New England state arts agencies. Admission is a suggested donation of $10-$20 for adults, $5 for kids and $25-$40 for families, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. For more information, visit weathervane-arts.org.
Stage on Main presents Petit Concerts series
Stage on Main presents its free Petit Concerts series Sundays at 2 p.m. at First Universalist Church of Orange, located at 31 North Main St. The 2026-2027 season opens Sept. 13 with Tim Van Ness, whose original songs draw on contemporary folk and themes of resilience, nature and love. The series continues Oct. 4 with Massachusetts singer-songwriter Melanie Blackbird; Nov. 8 with Joanna Katz; Jan. 10 with multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Richard Chase; Feb. 7 with Collaboration des Artistes, featuring Ken Johnson, Pat Powers, Judy Johnson and Chuck Berube performing Broadway, gospel, pop and ballads; March 7 with musical storyteller and folk activist Eli Elkus; and April 4 with The Terry, Matt and Ann Trio, joined by singer Vivian Eliza.