Area briefs: Holiday tree collection event in Northampton; ‘STILL Singing’ at A.P.E. Gallery; Holyoke’s police chief swearing in; Author to talk retirement at Amherst Books

“STILL Singing,” a performed, staged reading of a musical memoir, written and composed by Marcia Gomes, and directed by Roberta Uno, opens on Jan. 18 at A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main St. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Published: 01-05-2025 11:01 AM |
NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Public Works will collect holiday trees for recylcing on Saturday, Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Trees should be brought to the front, right parking lot of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St.
All trees must be clear of ornaments, lights, tinsel, plastic bags, netting and metal wires. Artificial trees will not be accepted.
This tree collection will be open to all residents of Florence, Leeds and Northampton. A transfer station sticker will not be required for this collection, but proof of residency (driver’s license or vehicle registration) may be required.
For further information, contact the DPW at 413-587-1570 or dpwinfo@northamptonma.gov.
NORTHAMPTON — “STILL Singing,” a performed, staged reading of a musical memoir, written and composed by Marcia Gomes, and directed by Roberta Uno, opens on Jan. 18, with performances at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main St.
“STILL Singing” portrays a Black woman’s journey to heal herself and liberate the youngest generation of children in her family from a cycle of intergenerational trauma. Through compelling storytelling, dance, and original songs, the path to healing is revealed as the wisdom of her ancestors lights the way to joy.
This work in development is the first musical composed and written by Gomes, an accomplished vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor, and graduate of Berklee College of Music. The play is directed by Roberta Uno, founder of New WORLD Theater at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Sheryl Stoodley, artistic director of Serious Play Theatre Ensemble, is the production advisor. The play is made possible with support from A.P.E. Gallery and the Scarlet Sock Theater Foundation.
For reservations, visit justkeepclimbingmusic.com. Ticket prices are a suggested $15-$25 donation.
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HOLYOKE — The public is invited to the Oath of Office ceremony for Brian Keenan, Holyoke’s incoming police chief.
The ceremony will take place in the ballroom at Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 11 a.m. Father Mark Stelzer will offer an opening prayer.
The speakers will be Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia, state Senator John Velis, and Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. Judge Tina Wescott Cafaro will preside and administer the oath of office.
AMHERST — Amherst Books, 8 Main St., will host author Teresa Amabile on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m., who will read from and talk about her new book “Retiring: Creating a Life That Works for You” (co-authored with Lotte Bailyn & Marcy Crary).
Retiring goes beyond the typical advice on retirement, providing insights to guide you in broader areas of life — identity issues, relationship challenges, and questions about creating a retirement life structure that works for you.
Amabile is primarily known for her research and writing on creativity, dating to the late 1970s. Originally educated as a chemist, Amabile received her doctorate in psychology from Stanford University in 1977. She now studies how everyday life inside organizations can influence people and their performance.
Her research encompasses creativity, productivity, innovation, and inner work life — the confluence of emotions, perceptions, and motivation that people experience as they react to events at work.