Concert with competition winners

The University of Massachusetts Amherst Symphony Orchestra recently announced the winners of its Concerto/Aria Competition. Daniel Ryu, a graduate student; Laura Wang, a freshman; and Robert Grahmann, a graduate student, will perform with the UMass Symphony Orchestra on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Tillis Hall.

Grahmann, who plays marimba, will perform Richard Rodney Bennett’s “Concerto for Marimba and Chamber Orchestra.” Wang, who plays violin, will be featured on Pablo Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen Op. 20.” Ryu, who plays the cello, will perform Robert Schumann’s “Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in A Minor, Op. 129.”

The orchestra will also perform Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia Opus 26.”

In a press release, director Gonzalo Hidalgo Ardila said: “Our winners this time are very strong musicians with amazing skills and sensitivities in making music. The audience will have the chance to listen to three people who are young in age, but at the same time incredible professionals. I’m so proud of them and it is an honor to have the chance to conduct them.”

Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for youth, seniors, and students; and free for UMass Amherst students with a valid ID via fac.umass.edu.

‘Beetlejuice Jr.’

“Beetlejuice,” the hit Broadway show about “the ghost with the most,” is coming to Turners Falls. A 70-minute “junior” adaptation of the show will run at the Ja’Duke Theater on Friday, April 11, at 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at 2 and 6 p.m.; and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m.

The musical is about a teenager, Lydia Deetz, coping with the death of her mother, who moves into a new house and meets the eponymous demon. Some of its most famous songs – not including the Harry Belafonte tracks featured on the original and adapted soundtrack – include “The Whole ‘Being Dead’ Thing,” “Dead Mom,” and “Say My Name.” Note: this show features strobe lighting.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for children 12 and under, and $12 for seniors 65 and older at eventtickets2u.com/jaduke-theater.

Apply for an ArtsEZ grant

Artists, educators, and arts organizations in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds can apply for the Northampton Arts Council’s ArtsEZ grants, which “support creative projects that enrich the local community,” according to a press release.

Individuals and organizations in dance, film, literature, mixed media, music, theater, and visual arts are eligible to apply.

Projects must begin on or after Tuesday, July 1, and be completed by Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Grant applications open Tuesday, April 15, and are due by Thursday, May 15. To apply or learn more about eligibility and grant guidelines, visit northamptonartscouncil.org/artsez-grant.

Lend your voice to audio descriptions of art

Five College students, faculty, staff and members of the public are invited to provide audio descriptions of art at Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum on Thursday, April 17, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Per the event description: “Lend your voice to the Mead’s collection, and record descriptions of exhibited artwork for its online database.

Help increase accessibility for community members, visually impaired or otherwise. Come for an evening of fun, sweet refreshments and drinks, and important community work!”

Space is limited; register by Sunday, April 13, at amherst.edu/news/events/calendar/node/927029.

Album release show in Easthampton

Local singer-songwriter Harry Remer will perform an album release show at Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton on Friday, April 11, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Remer took time away from the music business 20 years ago to focus on marriage and a career in psychotherapy.

A few years ago, he contracted an illness that forced him to pivot his life and he decided to return to music. He began writing songs again and recorded his newest album in December.

“At 61,” Remer said in a press release, “I find my songs focusing outward, on the many people I’ve met along the way. I got the classic poor-me period out of the way a while ago.”

To learn more, visit harryremermusic.com.

Celebrate ‘413’ day

Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith, co-hosts of New England Public Media’s “The Fabulous 413,” will celebrate western Massachusetts on Sunday, April 13, with an all-ages event, “413 Day,” at CitySpace in Easthampton, starting at 1 p.m.

The day will feature performances and appearances by Erin McKeown; Glad Machine and the Tumble Podcast; Emily Brewster, the Word Nerd; Salman Hameed, Mr. Universe; Rep. Jim McGovern; Clark University history professor Ousmane Power-Greene; and more.

There will also be wine tastings and local food trucks.

Admission is free, but RSVP at nepm.ticketbud.com/413-day.