Andrea Kamens is strongly involved in the storytelling community as a raconteur, teacher, and listener. Joy Kelly Smith is a multicultural storyteller, musician, and theatrical artist. Together Kamens and Smith create a unique storytelling experience. The duo aims to challenge perceptions, playing with words and reality while showcasing the collaborative nature of storytelling.

Andrea Kamens is strongly involved in the storytelling community as a raconteur, teacher, and listener. Joy Kelly Smith is a multicultural storyteller, musician, and theatrical artist. Together Kamens and Smith create a unique storytelling experience. The duo aims to challenge perceptions, playing with words and reality while showcasing the collaborative nature of storytelling.

Mauro DePasquale is a multiple award-winning jazz artist, popular local television host, entertainer, and a highly recognized community luminary. We had the opportunity to learn more about his inspirations, artistic approach, and recent endeavors ahead of his performance with JAZZED UP at atac on January 26, 2024.

Michael Maria is the programming director for The Boston Palestine Film Festival. Starting in 2007, The Boston Palestine Film Festival brings Palestine-related cinema, narratives, and culture to New England audiences. Featuring a variety of young filmmakers and expert commentators the film festival allows emerging artists to share honest and independent views of Palestine and its history, culture, and geographically dispersed society.

We had the chance to chat with two members of FHAM508, the Framingham-based collective and label ahead of their showcase at atac on Saturday, January 13th. Owskie (@owskie_) and Leumas (@leumas.xi) talk background, bests, and what to expect.

Tova Speter is an artist, art therapist, and art educator. Ahead of her interactive exhibit, Brighter Ignited, we had the chance to discuss the intersection of community and art.

Samela St. Pierre is an illustrator and community artist working in Framingham, Massachusetts. Deriving inspiration and great wisdom from the folktales of Pre-Columbian cultures in South America. Her path in life is to illustrate and tell these tales to the best of her ability. With the goal of elevating these myths to their rightful place next to the famed mythologies of the Egyptians, Greeks and Norse.

Vortex is Shoko Nagai and Satoshi Takeishi. The duo’s improv-driven mission is to integrate cultural, technological, and musical elements that surround us in everyday life into coherent structures, expanding the sonic palette of contemporary jazz. In advance of their gig at atac on October 28, 2023, we spoke with Shoko via email.

Jeff Krick, Jr. is one of the most successful and endearing Elvis tribute artists in the country. In 2016, at only 19, Jeff placed as high as #6 at the prestigious “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest,” and in the Top 10 at the “Images of the King Contest” in Elvis’ hometown of Memphis. On Thursday September 28, Jeff brings the King to MetroWest.

Philomela is a Boston-based Bengali band known for their original compositions about the sentiments. On October 8th, the group’s coming to atac for a 100% free show; their first live gig in some time. RSVP today and get ready for one of the area’s best acts.

Hiroya Tsukamoto is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter. His group, INTEROCEANICO, has released three acclaimed records, and Hiroya has released three solo albums. Hiroya has played internationally at the Blue Note (NYC), United Nations, and Japanese National Television (NHK), and on Sept 30th, comes to atac.

Autumn Hollow's homespun Americana shapeshifts with the seasons, weaving a warm strain of roots rock that's ideal for soaking in sunny days or providing shelter from the storm. In advance of their upcoming show at atac with Comanchero, we got to know songwriter and lead vocalist Brendan Murphy a bit better.

A house favorite, Buffalo Rose returns to atac on Saturday October 21st. We caught up with mandolinist Bryce Rabideau to see what’s new with the band, and learn more about his MetroWest upbringing. Buffalo Rose’s most recent release, Again, Again, Again, is shimmering and sophisticated, building on recent work with Tom Paxton.