For the opening concert of the Center Series, Herbie Hancock and friends played to a sold-out concert hall in their tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane. After the show, the musicians, including Hancock, Michael Hargrove and Roy Hargrove attended a meet the artists' reception in the lobby. Hancock was very gracious in signing cd's, playbills, records, and photos for his many fans.

Bucking the Trend

Despite the national trend of decreased audience attendance at visual and performing arts events following 9/11, Fine Arts Center events have not seen a decrease in attendance. In fact, numbers have been up across the board. Center Series events have met or surpassed expectations, New WORLD Theater's production of Rome & Jewels on September 25 reached a sold-out audience, as did the Asian Dance & Music's Banraku Puppets on October 9th. Even the gallery openings have been very well attended. What does it all mean? Perhaps in this big community that we call the Pioneer Valley, family and friends have chosen the arts to help relieve the feelings of uncertainty, anxiety and sadness that has affected us all - a testament to the healing power of the arts.

4 x 500 = Pure Fun

What do you get when you combine a styrofoam carry-out cup, a cardboard tube, a piece of fishing line, a ruler, the Kronos Quartet and over 500 children? You have an amazing Performances Plus! program. Following their Center Series concert, the Kronos Quartet performed a children's concert, which included the opportunity for the children to perform with Kronos on their self-assembled string/wind/percussion instruments. The sound and the experience were unbelievable! Later that day, Kronos led a workshop for music educators from Western Massachusetts and UMass music education students titled "Incorporating world music in the traditional ensemble."

¡Muy Bueno!

While in residence at UMass, Ballet Hispanico not only gave a splendid performance for the Center Series and Performances Plus audineces, but they also hosted a Latin social dance open to the public. Held at the Red Barn at Hampshire College the night before the concert, members of the company joined chorographer Pedro Ruiz in conducting salsa lessons. After the lessons, a party ensued with music provided by WFCR's Tertulia host Luis Melendez and food provided by La Veracruzana. It was all fantastico!