Join Washington, D.C.-based, African-American a cappella ensemble, Sweet Honey in the Rock®, in Celebrating the Holydays. With five-part harmonies and sign language interpretation, Sweet Honey’s sound ranges from African to blues to gospel and jazz. Celebrating the Holydays offers a rare fusion of traditional American holiday spiritual songs and hymns, as well as songs from other cultures and religions ranging from Africa to Israel. The show will feature an exciting lineup of remote guests sharing musical performances and messages of hope to feed the soul as we head into winter.

The three-time Grammy® Award-nominated and internationally renowned group will also perform songs from the group’s extensive repertoire, which includes We Are, Let There Be Peace, The Women Gather, and Come Ye. Since 1973, Sweet Honey has empowered and inspired with songs about a range of social issues, blending potent messages with gorgeous artistry to stir the mind and the soul.

“During the holy day season in this COVID pandemic, we want to offer music and messages that will help to heal the spirit. From Diwali (the festival of lights) to Three Kings Day, we will celebrate this special time of year. Wishing all a blessed, inspired and beautiful holy days season” - Carol Maillard, Founding Member (Sweet Honey In the Rock)

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Currently consisting of members Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Aisha Kahlil, and featured musician Romeir Mendez on upright acoustic bass and electric bass. 

This performance will include an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. 

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Afternoon Performance at 3pm

Evening Performance at 8pm

Tickets: https://thirdrow.live/events/sweet-honey-in-the-rock/

Stephane Wrembel, one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music, presents Django a Gogo Festival celebrating the life and music of legendary musician, Django Reinhardt. The day begins at 11am with an interactive guitar workshop and during the afternoon (3pm) and evening (9pm) we present two very special concerts. Join the live interactive audience for one or all of the festival events. For a small additional fee, you can watch the live-recorded broadcast for one week.

Learn More: https://thirdrow.live/artists/stephane-wrembel/

Get Tickets: https://thirdrow.live/events/stephane-wrembel-friends/

Stephane is quite simply one of the finest guitar players in the world specializing in the Django Reinhardt style. Reinhardt is considered one of the most influential musicians of modern times and is the inventor of “gypsy jazz.”  

“A revelation…”--Rolling Stone

“Stephane Wrembel just might be the greatest acoustic guitarist alive.”—The Aquarian Weekly

Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, the home of Impressionism and Django Reinhardt, Wrembel— who learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside— has had a remarkable career. Since 2002, this prolific, virtuoso guitarist has released over a dozen recordings under his name and the nom de plume, The Django Experiment. Wrembel is best known for his original composition “Bistro Fada,” the theme song from the 2011 Woody Allen Academy Award® winning film, “Midnight In Paris,” which also won a Grammy Award® for the soundtrack.  Subsequently, Wrembel was hand-selected by award winning composer/producer Hans Zimmer to perform at the 2012 Academy Awards® as part of his “All Star Band.” 

Wrembel has been based in the NYC area for the past 20 years and since his studies at Berklee College of Music. He has toured around the world including venues and festivals in the U.S, Canada, France, Israel, Nigeria and India. Wrembel has headlined at Lincoln Center, recorded with mandolin legend David Grisman, toured with master violinist Mark O’Connor and shared stages with a long list of world renowned musicians.  

In 2003, Wrembel created his own annual event, Django a Gogo Festival, where he and other musicians influenced by Django Reinhardt celebrate the Sinti guitar style. Django a Gogo is a world class evening of gypsy jazz performed at the highest level of musicianship. The concert repertoire follows the Django canon and veers into reinterpretation, improvisation and interplay between musicians from various backgrounds. 

Django a Gogo has been presented at such legendary venues as Carnegie Hall and The Town Hall in New York City.  Now, you can experience the show (or shows) in the comfort of your living room!

This event is presented in partnership with Water is Life Records, Arté Boréal, Town Hall and Alliance Française Toronto - with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States.

This is a virtual event. A livestreaming link will be sent to ticketholders prior to the show. Please purchase tickets here.

The Academy of Music Theatre and New England Public Media celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Valley Voices Story Slam. Audience members have selected the top three stories from the five Valley Voices Story Slams held during this unprecedented season. We heard stories from New City Brewery in Easthampton, Hawks & Reed in Greenfield, storyteller’s dining rooms to zooming from the Academy stage. Now, we gather the best of the best to tell their stories from the Academy stage into your living room through zoom.

These top stories by local storytellers will be shared as a live stream event to compete for the top prize – Best of Valley Voices! Join us as we choose the winner of this competition based on the art of first person narrative storytelling. It puts emphasis on content and performance, encourages storytellers to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. It’s an exercise in crafting stories within a set time limit, without notes or props, and it’s entertainment.

Age recommendation: 15+