Tuesday, November 30, 2021

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 11/30/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. Remembering Stephen Sondheim. Christmas on The Rocks at TheaterWorks, A Bing Crosby Christmas at Goodspeed, A Swinging Little Christmas at The Mahaiwe and more. Segment begins at 3:30 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-monday-november-30-2021/

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/30/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/30/21. Jane Lynch in Great Barrington, Kristin Chenoweth in Storrs, and other holiday fare in area theatres. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-holiday-season-preview-part-2/

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 11/26/21

PROGRAM NOTE: NEW ArtsBeat TV/Radio FRI 8AM on WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. Joe Landry and Rachel Alderman preview “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Hartford Stage, Acrobuffo’s Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone share some “Air Play”. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6eblvO4cKs

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/23/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/23/21. Holiday fare in area theaters from Goodspeed to Hartford Stage to Theatreworks. And, BSO musicians make a major gift to MOSSO. Plenty to be thankful for. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-holiday-season-preview-part-1/

Pioneer Valley Radio ArtsBeat 11/23/21

“White Christmas” at Berkshire Theatre Group; “It’s A Wonderful Life” at Hartford Stage. “Air Play” at the Fine Arts Center. The holidays are here!. New ArtsBeat tomorrow after 6AM on Pioneer Valley Radio. Plenty to be thankful for. Segment begins at: 1:52 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-november-23-2021/

Monday, November 22, 2021

MOSSO Press Release. Longmeadow Brass Quintet Concert December 14

MOSSO to Present a Holiday Brass Concert on December 14 in Longmeadow Springfield, MA -- The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) will present a family-friendly performance, MOSSO and Friends Holiday Brass Concert, on Tuesday, December 14, at 7PM, at St. Andrew’s Church on 335 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA. According to Stephen Perry, MOSSO co-founder and concert organizer, the program will include the Carol of the Bells, traditional holiday songs from Russia and France, holiday music from Hollywood to Springfield, the Hanukkah Suite, and jazz interpretations of traditional holiday songs. The MOSSO and Friends Holiday Brass Concert features the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Trombonist Brian Diehl, French hornist Robert Hoyle, and Principal Tubist Stephen Perry. They also happen to be members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO), and are joined by their HSO colleagues, trumpeters John Charles Thomas and Scott McIntosh, in this performance. Tickets for the December 14 concert, all general admission, are $20.00 for adults, and $10.00 for children of high school age and younger. Tickets must be purchased in advance. No door sales will be available. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold to permit social distancing. All ticket holders will be required to wear masks, and all ticket holders over the age of 12 must show proof of vaccination. For tickets: www.springfieldsymphonymusicians.com. For further information about MOSSO’s upcoming programs, including a performance at the new Longmeadow Adult Center on December 17, join our mailing list and contribute towards future concerts by visiting MOSSO at SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com, or find MOSSO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. Donations to MOSSO, including checks made payable to MOSSO, Inc., can be sent to: MOSSO, PO Box 3513, Amherst, MA 01004. All such donations made to MOSSO will be used to produce live musical events for the Springfield community. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. -30-

Friday, November 19, 2021

Pioneer Valley Radio Recap: The Berkies

Now on Pioneer Valley Radio: a recap of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association 2021 “Berkies” awards for excellence in our regional theatre. Segment begins at 4:08 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-friday-november-19-2021/

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: The Band's Visit

Now on Pioneer Valley Radio, my review of the Tony Award winning musical, “The Band’s Visit”, at The Bushnell in Hartford through the weekend. You won’t want to miss this charmer of a show. Segment begins at: 4:20 .https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-thursday-november-18-2021/

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

MOSSO Press Release 11/16/21

Dateline: November 16, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS: Musicians of The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) Beth Welty, Assistant Principal Second Violin, 339-368–2996 Bob Lawrence, First Violin, 917-841-3307 Miho Matsuno, First Violin, 917-523-5329 Thomas Bergeron, Principal Trumpet 413-221-9504 Boston Symphony Orchestra Musicians to Donate $10,000 to Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) Springfield, MA -- The Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MOSSO) have received a $10,000 donation pledge from their counterparts at the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). According to Beth Welty, a violinist and MOSSO co-founder, “James Markey, BSO trombonist and Chair of the BSO Players’ Committee, informed us that this gift is being sent ‘with sincere and heartfelt support.’ We are deeply moved and grateful for this wonderful gesture of solidarity from our fellow musicians in Boston.” Welty added, "The BSO musicians are giving this gift not just to MOSSO, but to all of our audience members here in Western Massachusetts. They know how vital our presence is for the economic and cultural well-being of our community — just as theirs is for the Boston area." According to principal trumpeter Thomas Bergeron, another MOSSO co-founder, “In addition to this generous donation from the BSO musicians, MOSSO has received $43,000 from over 130 donors since September, sending a clear message that our audience wishes to see and hear SSO musicians return to Symphony Hall. All of the money we have raised will be used to present live music in Western Massachusetts, including upcoming holiday brass quintet concerts.” Miho Matsuno, a violinist and also a MOSSO co-founder, explained that the musicians founded MOSSO earlier this year in response to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s failure to schedule any concerts for the 2021-22 season. “The Springfield Symphony Orchestra last performed live in Symphony Hall in March, 2020. With no agreement in place between the SSO Board and the musicians, no Executive Director, no Music Director, and no concerts planned, the musicians formed MOSSO, a nonprofit organization, to produce live classical music concerts. We've received tremendous community support, and have been gratified by the enthusiastic response of our audiences. The encouragement of both community leaders and music lovers has bolstered our resolve to continue to program and perform concerts.” MOSSO is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, which is not a subsidiary of nor affiliated with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Inc. For further information about MOSSO’s programs, visit MOSSO at SpringfieldSymphonyMusicians.com, or find MOSSO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. -30-

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 11/19/21

NEW ArtsBeat FRI 8AM on WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. Broadway’s Gregg Edelman brings “White Christmas” to Berkshire Theatre Group. Maestro Tianhui Ng shares the Pioneer Valley Symphony season. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXx_ZPil3cc

Westfield News Review: The Band's Visit

My Westfield News review of the Tony Award winning "The Band's Visit" at The Bushnell through Sunday. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-beautiful-music-immense-charm-in-the-bands-visit/

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/15/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/16/21. "A Crossing" streams from Barrington Stage; Acrobuffos "Air Play" at The Fine Arts Center, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-nov-16-22-2021/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 11/16/21

New Arts Beat on Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard Today. Remembering musician David Grover. “A Crossing” streams from Barrington Stage. The Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestras stream a fall concert and arts news from the region. Segment begins at: 2:33 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-november-16-2021/

Monday, November 15, 2021

Athenaeum Spotlight 11/17/21

PROGRAM NOTE: New Athenaeum Spotlight, WED 8AM, on WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB and now Southwick Community Programming. Guy McLain and Mark G. Auerbach chat with artist Laura Radwell. Watch! Listen! Stream! . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-PcEtAW3Ig

Thursday, November 11, 2021

ArtsBeat TV/Radio 11/12/21

NEW ArtsBeat tomorrow 8AM on WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. International artist Daniel Alexander Jones got his start in Springfield; and Gail Burns and Peter Bergman preview the 2021 Berkshire Theatre Critics Awards. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wq1CUekhfs

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Pioneer Valley Radio Review: Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Today on Pioneer Valley Radio. If the recent MOSSO concert made you miss classical music in Springfield, check out what’s playing at The Hartford Symphony Orchestra. My review is available for streaming. Segment begins at 13:50 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-wednesday-november-10-2021/

Westfield News review: Hartford Symphony

My Westfield News review of The Hartford Symphony Orchestra. https://thewestfieldnews.com/review-hartford-symphonys-masterworks-worth-the-trip/

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

On The Mark TV/Radio 11/10/21

PROGRAM NOTE: New On The Mark, tomorrow 8AM, on WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB and now Southwick Community Programming. Buzz Engine’s Jacques Lamarre and Wheeler Connect’s Nancy Wheeler share points on networking, connectivity, and more. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfdi_9MR9l8

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/09/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/09/21. Barrington Stage's Julianne Boyd to retire. Goodspeed announces its 2022 season. Mark St. Germain at Great Barrington Public Theatre and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-nov-9-15-2021/

ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio 11/09/21

New ArtsBeaton Pioneer Valley Radio. Julianne Boyd retires at Barrington Stage. “The Band’s Visit” comes to Hartford. Ted (The Love Boat) Lange headlines a Christmas on the Rocks benefit at TheaterWorks, and arts news for WMass and No.CT. segment begins at 1:47 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-november-9-2021/

Thursday, November 4, 2021

ArtsBeat TV /Radio 11/05/21

PROGRAM NOTE: All NEW ArtsBeat tomorrow 8AM on WCPC15, Southwick Community Programming and 89.5fm/WSKB. Life is a cabaret for Myka Plunkett and Ken Comia at K&E Theatre. Joshua Torrance introduces us to the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. Watch! Listen! Stream! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geo4q8yNp2E

November Article: Succeeding in Small Business

My November column for Succeeding in Small Business. https://www.succeedinginsmallbusiness.com/getting-your-board-onboard/

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/02/21

Westfield News ArtsBeat 11/02/21. Life is a "Cabaret" at K&E, a new Shakespeare & Company documentary, "Kamloopa" streams from WAM and arts news for WMass and No.CT. https://thewestfieldnews.com/arts-beat-nov-2-8-2021/

Athenaeum Spotlight 11/03/21

PROGRAM NOTE: New Athenaeum Spotlight on tomorrow 8AM, on WCPC15, 89.5fm/WSKB and now Southwick Community Programming. Guy McLain and Mark G. Auerbach chat with Benjamin Dunham, author of Etched in Memory: The Elevated Art of J. Alphege Brewer. Watch! Listen! Stream! . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8ATMUn2Sps

Pioneer Valley Radio ArtsBeat 11/2/21

New ArtsBeat on Pioneer Valley Radio. Goodspeed’s 2022 season, Bernstein and Copland at Hartford Symphony “Don’t Dress for Dinner” at The Majestic, Pilobolus at Jorgensen, and arts news for WMass and NoCT. Segment begins at: 3:14 https://pioneervalleyradio.podbean.com/e/brad-shepard-today-tuesday-november-2-2021/