We’ll start introducing you to some of the amazing performers taking stage at Northampton’s First Night Celebrations. This year over 100 musicians, actors, dancers, and more will delight folx as they ready to ring in the new year, and first on our docket is the East African centered sounds of Zikina, in  yet another live music Wednesday to lift up the middle of your week. 

And although we know that "slop" topped Merriam Webster’s 2025 list and became word of the year, it’s just as interesting to see who was pretty close to the finish line, so we’ll chat with Word Nerd Emily Brewster about this year’s runners up for that distinction. 

Plus the local musical community has been rocked with the loss of Evelyn Harris, who has been a pillar of vocal music in this area for decades. We’ll talk about our experiences with her and her impact in Western Mass both in performance and practice.