NORTHAMPTON — LookStock, a music festival that kicked off 35 years ago is making a grand return now under the guise of Transformance 35: Immigrant Song.
The concert to benefit Northampton Public Schools will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at Pines Theater, inside Look Park. Presented by the Northampton Arts Council, the show will feature a uniquely curated music odyssey once again.
Formerly known as Transperformance, this beloved event invites talented local musicians to step into the shoes of legendary international artists. This year’s theme, Immigrant Song, pays tribute to the journeys of people across the globe — past, present and future — with performances inspired by global superstars and non-American bands such as Bjork, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Kraftwerk, Sinead O’Connor, Fela Kuti, Daft Punk and many more.
“LookStock was a tribute to Woodstock and because it’s at Look Park, it’s funny, right?” said Northampton Arts Event Producer Steve Sanderson with a laugh. “So that kind of theme, we’ve always tried to keep it. There’s always been a theme every year and bands get together and perform somehow related to that theme.”
Sanderson said the event was born in response to the massive budget cuts to the arts in Massachusetts that took place 35 years ago.
“A lot of the people who are still around today, making a difference in the arts here, got together and said the Mass Cultural Council has a great model. We get grant money from them every year that the local council distributes. Why don’t we follow that model and create a second round of grants per year,” Sanderson explained. “The model will be, we’ll develop these shows, and we’ll raise money through live art to fund other artists. And Northampton became the first city in the commonwealth of Massachusetts to do that and give out two rounds of arts grants.”
Sanderson said he was first introduced to the show in 1996, when he and his band, The Drunken Stuntmen, were part of the show.
“That was my first introduction to what was called transperformance at that time, and the thing is, once you go to and or play it, you want to go every year. So, I was hooked immediately,” Sanderson shared. “It is just the best feeling event full of families having a great time. There’s food. Each band does 10, 12 minutes, and everybody gets into it. Everybody pretends they are who they are pretending to be. People stay in character. It’s really fun and a really, really fun tribute style show.”
The concert is also serving as a vital fundraiser that supports art enrichment in Northampton Public Schools and local parent teacher organizations.
“We’ve got thousands of people who have the same passionate feelings about this amazing show and about raising money for our local public schools. To carry on this tradition is an absolute must because Western Massachusetts expects it of you,” Sanderson said.
He added the PTOs from all the city’s school directly benefit from the sale of food and drinks and assists them in their operating funds for things like field trips and celebration days. Ticket sales will go into a general arts EZ fund where a portion of the money raised will be earmarked and streamlined for people involved with the schools who can apply for grants and if they meet the basic criteria.
Sanderson added the theme of the big show’s return being Immigrant Song was a decision made by the arts council, due to the current political climate in the country, and he hopes the evening will serve as a reminder of how this country was built off people who came to the country to make it their home.
“I think with all the political rhetoric that’s happening and the horrifying actions of disappearing people who are valued members of our community, it’s incredibly wrong and I feel incredibly passionate about keeping that in the conversation in a positive way, by bringing to the forefront that we are all immigrants,” Sanderson said. “This country was built by immigrants, and the enemy is not the immigrant, it’s ridiculous to even think that. It’s heartbreaking to see what we’re doing today. And I have to say we because we’re allowing things to happen that should not be happening.”
Sanderson continued, “To keep a positive light, I want to celebrate the fact that this country is built by immigrants, and we still rely to this day on the immigrant to bring character and love to our country. It’s everywhere you go. Our food. Our music. Absolutely everything we cherish and hold dear to our communities. This is celebrating the fact that this country wouldn’t be what it is without immigrants. I mean, god dammit, we’re on stolen land to begin with. Who the hell do we think we are deporting people?”
Tickets are available for purchase online at tinyurl.com/3advzvef, or over the phone by calling 678-701-6114. If you prefer to buy tickets in person, they can be picked up at State Street Fruit Store in Northampton and Cooper’s Corner in Florence for no fee.
For more information on the event or regarding tickets visit northamptonartscouncil.org.
“And not to mention, I mean Led Zepplin’s awesome, so we get to tie a really meaningful theme in with one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time,” Sanderson concluded.
