Week of June 16 - 22
Mural Openings with The Fantasies of Youth | Hannah Moushabeck on the Rooted Resilience Pod | Amherst and Holyoke Pride this Weekend | Events
We met up! Bloom Local connections
Every month, the Bloom Local Partner Network meets up for grounding and connection. It's a sweet time when we get to be together, gas each other up, and get vocal about our pride in what we do. It's a moment to breathe together and remember we're not alone—and we look forward to it every month.
The team at Small Victories opened up their Northampton, MA workshop for our May meet-up where we got a peek at their seed card creation process and were soothed by the sound of folding paper and packages being prepared as we met.
Seeking community? Join the Partner Network.
It’s a pivotal time to build and bolster local networks of care — and Bloom Local remains dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ and ally entrepreneurs in and beyond our region. If you are a creative, healer, educator, or entrepreneur of any focus and are part of the LGBTQ+ community (including active allies), we invite you to join Bloom Local’s queer-grown network of partners.
Dream up a mural with The Fantasies of Youth
The Fantasies of Youth (FOY) is currently offering five discounted spots for murals!
Wondering why FOY is offering discounts for murals?
I (Elayna, the solo human behind FOY) am an emerging artist wanting to build my portfolio and share my art with folks! I have done three murals in the past few years, and would love to do more. There is not much I enjoy more than painting on a wall, and I believe art brightens up any space. My method of mural design takes into account the environment in which I am creating it— incorporating a client’s aesthetic preferences and often including local flora and fauna.
Mural discounts range between 25-50%, with the larger discounts being given to organizations that are led by and or support folks of marginalized identities / historically less representation, or individuals who resonate with the same. I currently work out of Western MA — I am open to both local projects as well as traveling for projects. Inquire by July 15th if you would like to work together!
Mural discounts are good for projects started before October 2026. If you or someone you know works at a small business or office that could use some fresh art, or wants to spruce up a room in their home (the ideas are boundless) please reach out to me at thefantasiesofyouth@gmail.com with the title “Mural Discount Inquiry”. Thank you! I look forward to collaborating :)
ICYMI
Quick Links to Rad Stuff + Stuff We Covered Last Week
Listen to the latest episode of the Rooted Resilience podcast featuring local author, editor, and publisher, Hannah Moushabeck. Now available for download wherever you tune in.
Northampton Parents Center 2025 Summer Schedule is now available
Share your art, poetry, music, and more at the Rooted Resilience Open Mic and Potluck in celebration of the Summer Solstice
High Five Books is bringing a GAYSIANS Book Signing and Karaoke Party with author Mike Curato to BOMBYX next weekend
NEW DATE for Easthampton Sanctuary City Resolution → June 18
Shop our latest Gift Guide featuring affirming items and experiences from the Bloom Local Partner Network
🏳️🌈 Explore new additions to our Community Guide and keep supporting LGBTQ+-owned businesses and orgs
Weekly Poll
Bonus Poll
Curious about the results of last week’s poll?
Thank you for your responses!
Desire Lines Screening
Tuesday, June 17, Doors open at 6:30 PM, Screening at 7 PM | Weinstein Auditorium, Smith College, 5 Chapin Way, Northampton, MA
Join us for a free screening of Jules Rosskam's Sundance award-winning hybrid documentary, Desire Lines. In this film, past and present collide when an Iranian American trans man time-travels through an LGBTQ+ archive on a dizzying and erotic quest to unravel his own sexual desires.
*FREE*
Gather & Ground: Community Acupuncture Summer Series
Tuesday, June 17, 7:15 - 9 PM | Sanctuary, Thornes Marketplace Level 3, 150 Main St., Northampton, MA
Join Maya and Melanie for a nourishing experience at their popup Community Acupuncture Clinic — a space where healing happens together. Their sliding-scale treatments are offered in a peaceful group setting. Come as you are, rest for a time, and leave feeling more grounded, balanced, and connected.
*$25-$10 SLIDING SCALE*
Echoes of Nature: A Guided Walk
Wednesday, June 18, 9 - 11 AM | Meet at Belchertown Senior Center, 60 State St., Belchertown, MA
Join artists Kim and Jess for a relaxed, inspiring walk to Lake Wallace designed for access and inspiration. Enjoy a morning of storytelling, reflection, and connection with nature. Rain? No worries—we’ll bring the magic indoors!
*FREE*
Celebrate Freedom: Juneteenth at Wistariahurst Museum
Thursday, June 19, 12 - 3 PM | 238 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA
Wistariahurst and Genuine Culture are excited to collaborate once again to bring back this celebration for the third year. Enjoy activities and performances throughout Wistariahurst’s grounds.
*FREE*
Visit The Fantasies of Youth at the Queer Artisan Market at the Mill District
Saturday, June 21, 10 AM - 4 PM | 91 Cowls Rd., North Amherst, MA
This outdoor market will feature 30+ community artisans including The Fantasies of Youth (FOY). ADA Accessible Parking Lot & Bathrooms are available on site. This is an outdoor smoke-free market, scents should be minimal. Masking encouraged.
*FREE*
GAYSIANS Book Signing & Karaoke Party with Mike Curato
Saturday, June 21, 7 - 10 PM | BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St., Florence, MA
Grownups, come celebrate the hometown release of GAYSIANS by award-winning Northampton author-illustrator Mike Curato. In his adult book debut, the acclaimed author of the young adult graphic novel FLAMER comes a heartwarming story following four gay Asians navigating love, identity, and friendship—a celebration of queer chosen family.
*$10 TICKETS | $42 TICKETS W/ BOOK*
Open Mic and Potluck: Summer Solstice Celebration
Friday, June 27, 6 - 9 PM | Two Mamas Farm, 11 Porter Hill Rd., Cummington, MA
Join Rooted Resilience for a Summer evening of shared song, poetry, and nourishment in celebration of the Solstice.
*$0-$20 TICKETS*
Yoga and Sound
Saturday, June 28, 12 - 1:30 PM | Sanctuary, Thornes Marketplace Level 3, 150 Main St., Northampton, MA
Workshop with Fran Astino. Immerse yourself in this blissful workshop of movement and sound meditation. This 90-minute Yoga & Sound workshop combines a revitalizing yoga practice with the deeply relaxing and restorative benefits of sound meditation.
*SLIDING SCALE $30-$50*
Western MA
🏳️🌈 Holyoke Pride — Saturday, June 21
🏳️🌈 Queer Artisan Market in North Amherst — Saturday, June 21
🏳️🌈 Amherst Pride — Sunday, June 22
Do you have photos from a recent Pride celebration to share?
Send to hello@bloomlocal.live with a caption in the email.
Trans Relocation Support (TRS) Western MA
TRS is committed to helping people move to Western Mass from states with anti-trans legislation. They aim to connect people with networks of mutual aid, resources, and community in this area. The process is a temporary support bridge that facilitates long-term local int(ter)dependence. TRS seeks to grow community care, mutual aid, and alternative systems of care for gender diverse people.
Connect with TRS: Learn & Volunteer | Give Support | Get Support
Access Free Notary Services
Forbes Library (Northampton): (413) 587-1011
Easthampton Public Library: (413) 527-1031
Chicopee Public Library: (413) 594-1800
You can also try (fees may apply): your local town hall, AAA, banks
Legal Aid for Immigrant Families
The Immigrant Defense Hotline (617-988-0606) is staffed by attorneys from Lawyers for Civil Rights’ pro bono network. Callers who leave a message will receive same-day response to questions about immigration enforcement and reports of immigration raids. Please reach out to Hotline@LawyersForCivilRights.org if you would like to get involved.
Request for Mutual Aid
Support Long-Time Community Organizer
Our dear community member, long-time organizer, and trans youth mental health worker, Shai, has suffered a spinal fracture as a result of a fall caused by landlord negligence in their current living situation. They are unable to move around safely by themself or complete daily tasks.
Please answer this urgent call for funds to pay for housing, medical care-takers, medical expenses, and legal expenses. Donate + share the GoFundMe for Shai.
☕️ Love this newsletter? Buy us a coffee!
Seeking community? Join the network.
It’s’s a pivotal time to build and bolster local networks of care — and we remain dedicated to connecting LGBTQ+ and ally entrepreneurs in and beyond our region. If you are an LGBTQ+ creative, healer, educator, or entrepreneur of any focus or an ally business serving communities throughout Western MA, we invite you to join our queer-grown network of community partners.
Partners receive: (1) an active listing in our Community Guide (2) visibility in our weekly newsletters (3) access to partners-only resources and opportunities including monthly Partner Meet-Ups.
*NEW* No-Fee Network Membership for QTBIPOC Entrepreneurs
As one of our commitments to reparative justice, we offer one year of no-fee partnership to QTBIPOC (Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) small business owners. This initiative is one move we’re making to foster a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem in the River Valley.
If you are a QTBIPOC small business owner and you are interested in becoming a partner, we invite you to apply and check where indicated if you would like to access one year of no-fee membership.
Learn more about the program at: BloomLocal.Live/Partner-Program and contact us with questions anytime.
Hosting an upcoming event? Let us spread the word!
Calendar listings and event promotion in this newsletter (5K reads/month) are benefits of Bloom Local’s Partner Program. To submit an event listing without a partner network membership, email your event details to: Hello@BloomLocal.live. A sliding scale fee of $5-$30 applies to each accepted submission.
Keep Connecting
Email Hello@BloomLocal.Live
Learn about the Partner Program