Academy of Music — Attraction in Northampton

A true gem that continues to serve well after all these years.

Now in its 3rd century of serving the residents of Northampton and all those that trek thereto, it continues to be an excellent venue for local and international entertainers.

We were fortunate enough to get to see it for the first time when The High Kings and Gaelic Storm musical groups played there in tandem and overlapping shows. The acoustics were good and with the seats being higher, row after row, the visuals were excellent. That is of course until the groups asked folks to stand and those who chose not to, were behind the 8 ball so to speak.

Beers at the break, at $9 were a tad steep so we passed.

The restrooms were large and adequate for the sold out show. The women exiting the ladies room all had a smile on their face and many commented, that for the first time there was a line to the men's room and not one to the ladies room. No complaints from the men's side. It moved along fast enough.

It reminded me of some of the other beautiful old theaters and auditoriums that have been preserved and have escaped the clamshells thanks to repurposing over the years. I am reminded of The Beverly in the town so named in MA, and of the gorgeous Portsmouth Music Hall in NH, and the beautiful Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME.

P.S. The show rocked, too. If you ever get the chance to see either or both groups, take it. Even if you are no a descendant from the other side of the Pond, you will still be singing along and doing a lot of toe tapping and...

The Academy of Music is one of the treasures of Northampton. When I was a child the theater was a bit rough around the edges but magical and showed foreign unrated art films and documentaries. Then the building was paintakingly restored to its original glory in almost every detail. I met the Director whose name was Dwayne in the late 80s and was sometimes treated to free tickets with just his signature and Admit Two (I always preferred seeing moviescalone and never invited a guest) written on a napkin he would hand me as part of his tip when he dined where I waited tables while doing an MA in French Lit at UMASS. These days the Academy seems to be used as a music venue more than anything. There used to be several beautiful cinemas in downtown Noho...sadly none remain. The Garden in Greenfield still shows movies although the grand old cinema has been adapted to survive as a multi-room entertainment complex. The owners live their baby but it would takes bucjets of cash to restore the Garden to its Glory. There were trompe-l'oeil villages on the walls, star-shaped lights in the beautiful main hall, rich draperies, a huge pipe organ and even artificial clouds fliating...

On this night I had my 1st visit to this gem of a venue. I traveled around the country to see a certain iconic Band. I have been to a good amount of venues on the east coast From Maine to Florida. So I tell you this because, I'm surprised, I have not been to this beautiful slice of New England in Massachusetts. Its quant, with the musicians being so near the audience , it gives a intimate vibe that musicians can feed from. Of course it's reverse was my vantage. I was a bit late arriving to see John Hiatt. When I entered the theater from the lobby it was very dark so I did not entertain going to my seat. I stood at the wooden rail and wall separating the back top of the orchestra section. I didn't go any further the rest of the show. It was perfect. It does not matter in this theater. I don't know the capacity, but it was almost full. If there is a chance to go, or if a Artist or Band you like are playing h BK p here, do yourself a favor and don't miss the opportunity at the wonderful theater the Academy of Music 274 Main St. Northampton Mass. Trust me You'll be glad you did....