News & Resources from the Network
Exquisite Project | Valentines for Transhealth | Lavender Fields Social Club | Queer Prom | Rainbow Exodus | Save the Date: Franklin County Pride | Pamela Means on Rooted Resilience . . .
An Exquisite Project Takes Shape
Western Mass-based musical collab. featuring Jess Martin, Erin McKeown, Nate Mondschein, James Robinson, and Joe “Joey” Fitzpatrick
Singer songwriter, Jess Martin recently launched Exquisite Project, a four-song collaborative experiment built around the “exquisite corpse” writing exercise — where artists respond to each other’s work in sequence, without seeing the full picture, letting instinct and surprise shape the final result. In this case, the process centers producer voice: each producer was invited not just to polish a song, but to meaningfully redirect it.
The first release is Bridge of No Returning, produced by Joe “Jopey” Fitzpatrick (Jopey Studios, Belchertown), Martin’s longtime collaborator. The song emerged from a brand-new ensemble and a process focused on listening, groove, and collective shape-making. A radio launch is planned for this week, with more releases on the way.
“At Jopey Studios, I’m always interested in process — how players listen to each other and shape a song together,” says Fitzpatrick. “Bridge of No Returning came out of that kind of collaborative tightening, and it fits naturally into the spirit of Exquisite Project.”
Other producers in the project include Erin McKeown, Nate Mondschein, and James Robinson — all Western Massachusetts–based artists.
Erin McKeown is an internationally known musician, writer, and producer celebrated for their prolific disregard of stylistic boundaries. Over the past 20 years, Erin has released 11 full-length albums and written for film, television, and theater, all while refining a bold, playful mix of American musical forms. Their work on Not Callin’ You a Vampire pushed the song into theatrical, camp-forward territory:
“When Jess first approached me about the Exquisite Project, I was thrilled. It is just the kind of invitation and provocation my creative practice embraces… The song [Not Callin’ You A Vampire] opened up when we leaned into theatricality, camp, and rhythm — letting voice and character excavate something even more mischievous and alive than first proposed.”
Exquisite Project grows out of Martin’s interdisciplinary work with Shadow, Sound, Spectacle; their troupe specializes in songwriting, storytelling, puppetry, and multimedia. The current show, Literary Monsters, is part concert, part puppet show, and part ghost story — a theatrical reimagining of classic literary monsters through live music, shadow puppetry, video, and narrative — all through a queer lens.
Shadow, Sound, Spectacle recently received funding to bring the show to Brockton and Easthampton, and are exploring festival and regional presentations in 2026.
To learn more and stay attuned to live shows and new releases, visit JessMartin-Music.com.
Send Love for Transhealth
This Valentine’s Day, let Transhealth help you deliver a little love! For each $25 you donate, Transhealth will send a Valentine (designed by trans artist Courn Ahn) to a special person in your life.
Card(s) ordered by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 at NOON will be in the mail on Tuesday, February 10 (if there is inclement weather on February 9, they will be mailed by Wednesday, February 11). Recipient address(es) must be in the United States.
New in the Network: Lavender Fields Social Club
Founded in 2025 by Hannah and Marissa Pryfogle (who fell in love in 2021 and got hitched in 2023), Lavender Fields Social Club is designed to foster connection and bring strangers together in Western Mass. Through thoughtfully curated events, LFSC aims to “nourish every corner of you: game-show style competitions to scratch your brain, crafting nights for your idle hands, artistic performances to warm your soul, and nostalgic themed parties to awaken your inner child.”
💕 FRIENDSHIP PHOTO SESSIONS with LFSC
Sat, Feb 14 from 2pm - 4pm
Join Lavender Fields Social Club for some nostalgic Sears-style photo sessions with Ray Brod Photography: awkward poses with immaculate vibes. Does your friendship deserve documentation? Do you want to redo those childhood photos from the mall? Then this event is for YOU!
📍theSTUDIO x DAVIDHEISLER - Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St, Easthampton, MA
Queer Prom Returns to NCFA
“A celebration of love, expression, and community”
Join Northampton Center for the Arts for their second annual Queer Prom:
A radiant night of dancing, self-expression, and joy in a space where everyone belongs. This isn’t just a party - it’s a bold celebration of queer identity, creativity, and community care. Whether you come solo, with a partner, or in a group of chosen family, you’re invited to show up exactly as you are. Expect music, movement, outfits that sparkle, and the kind of love that transforms rooms.
Quick Links:
Rainbow Exodus returns to Double Edge Theatre February 11 - 14
→ a solo performance created and performed by Karol Matuszak and directed by Double Edge Theatre Co-Artistic Director, Travis Coe. It premiered at Double Edge’s Farm Center in 2022, at a moment when “LGBT-free zones” were appearing across municipalities and regions of Poland—public declarations that LGBTQ+ people were unwelcome. From this charged landscape emerges one man’s journey to break free from the confines of his conservative upbringing, setting out from his homeland in search of a place where he can live openly and wholly, without hiding.Save the Date: Franklin County Pride Parade & Festival is Saturday, June 13th! Form a team and join the Trivia Night Pride Fundraiser on Friday, Feb 27th at Four Phantoms Brewing in Greenfield.
Rooted Resilience podcast recently interviewed Pamela Means:
Access Mental Health Services & Resources
Find a local service provider:
Colorful Resilience (Bloom Local Partner)
Transhealth (Bloom Local Partner)
Keith Aron Transformational Coaching (Bloom Local Partner)
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.
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
Events now have their own weekly newsletter.
Check it out!
Are you hosting an upcoming event that centers and/or directly LGBTQIA+ community members in Massachusetts?
Bloom Local can help spread the word.
Members of Bloom Local’s Partner Network can publish events on our Calendar anytime, and we welcome listings even if partnership isn’t totally right for you.