Wat Santivana is situated quietly in the town of Pelham, Massachusetts. Seeming unassuming and small, the Buddhist temple, or rather, the place of practice, since it also is home to Poarn Leak and his fellow monk, is an important part of the constellation of Cambodian Buddhist communities in New England. This film documents Poarn Leak’s practice of chanting every evening.
Nested in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley, the Hampshire Young People’s Chorus (YPC) has helped kids develop an understanding and love of music since 1999. Kids travel from across the valley to meet weekly and delve into music in different languages, from across the world.
St. Nicholas Church serves as the place of worship for many Orthodox people, both Russian and not, within the broader Springfield, Massachusetts area. Services happen throughout the week, but the most important and highly attended service is the Divine Liturgy, which is celebrated on Sunday mornings.
Amity House is one of the most affordable living options in Amherst. It allows house members to dedicate more of their lives to their art than might otherwise be possible. In a series of interviews with Zach, a self-proclaimed amateur and member of the house, we are shown a facet of the multidimensional space.
Queer venues like Majestic Saloon and 10 Forward contribute to the local queer community by hosting regular events that sustain the community and center queer BIPOC performers and audiences. This film explores the spatial complexities of those venues and communities.
An exploration of the meta-sensory nature of how modern youth navigate our troubled world. Absurdist humor, abrasive music, and a delight in performance as standing (sometimes kneeling) affront conjure images of that confrontationally obtuse ruckus-causing lineage: the cult of the electric guitar.
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo sees themselves as having a responsibility to share their culture and promote a culture of appreciation for mariachi music while inspiring future generations of mariachi musicians to build upon their legacy in the Connecticut River Valley.
Larry is truly an engineer and influencer of sound in the Pioneer Valley and throughout Massachusetts.
The Smith College Change Ringing group based out of the Mendenhall Tower at Smith College is incredibly enthusiastic about the sounds created by bells and sharing that joy with others.
Pioneer Valley Roller Derby is a member-run and -organized flat-track roller derby league in Florence, MA.
