Client Newsletter / MArch 2020

March, 2020

Dear Clients, Colleagues, and Friends,

We’re pleased to share our clients’ activities.

The Big Broadcast! returns to Mount Holyoke College’s Chapin Auditorium for its 15^th edition on Saturday, March 7 at 2PM and 7:30PM. (Snow date is Sunday, March 8). This signature event at Mount Holyoke, created by and directed by Mark Gionfriddo, who also stars as “Matt Morgan”., and WWLP-TV22’s Brian Lapis, returning as emcee “Fred Kelley”. Caitlin Jaene Mercer, MHC02, a founding member of the Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College, appears with that ensemble in the recreation of a live radio broadcast from 1942. Caitlin, a bass player and chanteuse, fronts the band Hippopotamous. For details on her career and links to her YouTube: www.caitlinjaene.com. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at the UMass Fine Arts Center Box-Office and The Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. For details: 413-545-2511, 800-999-UMASS, or www.fineartscenter.com.  Mark Gionfriddo was interviewed by Brad Shepard for Pioneer Valley Radio. http://pioneervalleyradio.com/2020/02/18/radio-show-285-mark-gionfriddo-and-the-big-broadcast-at-mount-holyoke-college/

The Capitol Steps continue their 39^th season of political musical satire, putting the “mock” in democracy. In addition to their weekly Friday and Saturday performances in Washington, DC; their touring companies are playing coast-to-coast this month. You can check their national tour schedule: http://www.capsteps.com/live/ And, they post new material weekly on their website: www.capsteps.com. The Chicago Tribune interviewed veteran Steps member Bari Biern. https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/naperville-sun/ct-nvs-ent-capitol-steps-0228-20200218-bf37oxb6tjg7vgeaggxan5pz2m-story.html

Westfield Concerts, powered by Gaslight Entertainment, is off to a great New Year. Their March music weekend features  The Screaming Orphans, Celtic rock band on March 13; and Robbie Fulks on March 15. For details: www.westfieldconcerts.com.

More Shameless Self-Promotion

I’m looking forward to participating in marketing and public relations workshops at Western New England University on March 24, and at Westfield State University on April 3.

My weekly ArtsBeat column runs online every Wednesday in The Westfield News. Theatre reviews post generally a day or two after I review the performance. Find them at: https://thewestfieldnews.com/

ArtsBeat Radio/TV airs every Friday at 8AM on both 89.5fm/WSKB and WCPC15 in Westfield. They post to WSKB Community Radio’s YouTube shortly after they air. https://www.youtube.com/ Check out one of my favorite programs: a Valentine’s Day chat with regional actors/directors and spouses, Tara Franklin and James Barry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRBDRZ8OZ3g&t=2046s

Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard—Today airs my theatre previews and reviews, mostly on Tuesdays. Stream at: http://pioneervalleyradio.com/

My February article for Succeeding in Small Business, about state resources for start-ups, was prompted when I learned that Matt Pugliese, a colleague of mine at Connecticut Repertory Theatre and the Nutmeg Summer Stage, left the arts to work with small business development. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/are-you-a-start-up-business-your-state-can-help/#.Xk6jQxNKhQK

Here’s to Spring!