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Date: 6/14/2022
NORTHAMPTON – The city of Northampton is fortifying their outdoor arts programming with an outdoor performance venue in the Masonic Street parking lot in downtown.
The Masonic Street annex, called Masonic Street Live, will feature a performance stage, public seating, and outdoor seating from Iconica Social Club coffee shop on 1 Amber Lane. According to the city, performances will be a continuation and expansion of what Iconica Social Club has already been offering and will be coordinated by the Arts & Culture Department, Iconica Social Club and the Parlor Room.
This addition is the latest in the city’s efforts to support economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The city is also once again partnering with businesses this year for Summer on Strong, a blocked-off, pedestrian only area on Strong Avenue that also features performances.
The Summer on Strong initiative was introduced in 2021, and it has already returned to downtown Northampton a little over a month ago.
The Masonic Street parking lot annex will be the second opportunity to experience outdoor performances. The city is presenting local artists on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m., as well as salsa lessons from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays. The salsa lessons are located in the same spot as the Masonic performances, and they are free and open to the public, much like the performances.
According to Brian Foote, the director of the city’s Arts & Culture Department, the mayor’s office was “really impressed” with how Summer on Strong has impacted outdoor activity, so they contacted Foote to help initiate the Masonic Street Live series.
Foote said that the salsa lessons on Mondays will be a good opportunity for beginners to build confidence before the city’s annual Salsa in the Park series, which is occurring from July to August this year. The lessons will be hosted by DJ Roger Jr.
As for the performances, Foote said the city received close to 100 inquiries from local artists who are interested in participating in the Masonic Street Live series. “We know we have a lot of connections, so we’re looking around for availability,” said Foote, who added that the Arts & Culture Department scheduled the next six weeks of performers at the end of last week.
“I think the city strategy and the business community strategy of activating space is excellent,” said Foote. “I think it’s something that community members in Northampton wanted for a long time, and I think it’s going to have a positive effect. We’re just trying to bring that experiential vibe to Northampton again.”
To learn more about Masonic Street Live and see who is performing, residents can visit the Arts Council website at https://www.northamptonartscouncil.org/2022/06/masonic-street-live.html.