News and Updates

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Dancing Through Time

Andrea Kamens is strongly involved in the storytelling community as a raconteur, teacher, and listener. Joy Kelly Smith is a multicultural storyteller, musician, and theatrical artist. Together Kamens and Smith create a unique storytelling experience. The duo aims to challenge perceptions, playing with words and reality while showcasing the collaborative nature of storytelling.

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Harmony in Storytelling

Andrea Kamens is strongly involved in the storytelling community as a raconteur, teacher, and listener. Joy Kelly Smith is a multicultural storyteller, musician, and theatrical artist. Together Kamens and Smith create a unique storytelling experience. The duo aims to challenge perceptions, playing with words and reality while showcasing the collaborative nature of storytelling.

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A Universe of Serendipity

Mauro DePasquale is a multiple award-winning jazz artist, popular local television host, entertainer, and a highly recognized community luminary. We had the opportunity to learn more about his inspirations, artistic approach, and recent endeavors ahead of his performance with JAZZED UP at atac on January 26, 2024.

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Palestinian Stories: Through a Clear Lens

Michael Maria is the programming director for The Boston Palestine Film Festival. Starting in 2007, The Boston Palestine Film Festival brings Palestine-related cinema, narratives, and culture to New England audiences. Featuring a variety of young filmmakers and expert commentators the film festival allows emerging artists to share honest and independent views of Palestine and its history, culture, and geographically dispersed society.

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Found Family with FHAM508

We had the chance to chat with two members of FHAM508, the Framingham-based collective and label ahead of their showcase at atac on Saturday, January 13th. Owskie (@owskie_) and Leumas (@leumas.xi) talk background, bests, and what to expect.

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Sharing Light & Color

Tova Speter is an artist, art therapist, and art educator. Ahead of her interactive exhibit, Brighter Ignited, we had the chance to discuss the intersection of community and art.

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Cosmic Unions & Celestial Battles

Samela St. Pierre is an illustrator and community artist working in Framingham, Massachusetts. Deriving inspiration and great wisdom from the folktales of Pre-Columbian cultures in South America. Her path in life is to illustrate and tell these tales to the best of her ability. With the goal of elevating these myths to their rightful place next to the famed mythologies of the Egyptians, Greeks and Norse.

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Vortex headed for MetroWest

Vortex is Shoko Nagai and Satoshi Takeishi. The duo’s improv-driven mission is to integrate cultural, technological, and musical elements that surround us in everyday life into coherent structures, expanding the sonic palette of contemporary jazz. In advance of their gig at atac on October 28, 2023, we spoke with Shoko via email.

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Return of the King

Jeff Krick, Jr. is one of the most successful and endearing Elvis tribute artists in the country. In 2016, at only 19, Jeff placed as high as #6 at the prestigious “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest,” and in the Top 10 at the “Images of the King Contest” in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis. On Thursday September 28, Jeff brings the King to MetroWest.

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Getting Sentimental with Philomela

Philomela is a Boston-based Bengali band known for their original compositions about the sentiments. On October 8th, the group’s coming to atac for a 100% free show; their first live gig in some time. RSVP today and get ready for one of the area’s best acts.

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Hiroya Tsukamoto: Acoustic Transcendence

Hiroya Tsukamoto is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter. His group, INTEROCEANICO, has released three acclaimed records, and Hiroya has released three solo albums. Hiroya has played internationally at the Blue Note (NYC), United Nations, and Japanese National Television (NHK), and on Sept 30th, comes to atac.

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Autumn’s just around the corner.

Autumn Hollow's homespun Americana shapeshifts with the seasons, weaving a warm strain of roots rock that's ideal for soaking in sunny days or providing shelter from the storm. In advance of their upcoming show at atac with Comanchero, we got to know songwriter and lead vocalist Brendan Murphy a bit better.

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Buffalo Rose plays atac. Again.

A house favorite, Buffalo Rose returns to atac on Saturday October 21st. We caught up with mandolinist Bryce Rabideau to see what’s new with the band, and learn more about his MetroWest upbringing. Buffalo Rose’s most recent release, Again, Again, Again, is shimmering and sophisticated, building on recent work with Tom Paxton.

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Introducing the MetroWest Artists List

MetroWest Artists List (MWAL) seeks to connect MetroWest working artists and performers with creative opportunities initiated by area businesses, municipalities, organizations, and community groups. We aim to increase professional opportunities for artists, reduce gatekeeping, and help bring more art into all aspects of our communities!

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Fire Stilt-Walk with Me

You need a stiltwalker? We know a guy. Michael “Mooch” Mucciolo is a performing artist, co-founder of The Boston Circus Guild, and all-around nice human. Be it juggling fire or contracts, Mooch is helping foster public appreciation for circus arts, and the skilled performers who make magic every day. Performers from the Guild will be with us on June 16 for A Night at the Circus, so we had a little chat with Mooch to get the full backstory.

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Getting Down with the Clown

Nathaniel Joslin is a local artist, member of the Framingham Cultural Council, and occasionally embodies Bakē Bean—a friendly clown who brings moments of joy to the mental health profession. Well versed in the artform’s history, Joslin talked to us about the relationship between joy and happiness, evolving traditions, and clowns who fight Nazis.

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A Homegrown Sound

Boston-based Los Sugar Kings’ roots-rock-reggae repertoire pays respect to the forefathers of Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa and Rumba-Flamenca music, infusing tradition with rich harmonies and top-tier musicianship. Their live sets are similarly spontaneous, passionate, thoughtful, and joyous.

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Kemp Harris’ Song Stories

Kemp Harris is a singer and songwriter, a master weaver of American musical styles. He’s an actor, activist, author, and storyteller, and an award-winning educator who has taught young public school students for more than 40 years. The Kemp Harris Group returns to atac on Friday night, June 2nd.

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