Join High Five Books and local author Lesléa Newman for a celebratory launch of her inclusive new picture book, RAINBOW COOKIES, illustrated by Z.B. Asterplume, on Saturday, May 30, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.

Join High Five Books and local author Heidi E.Y. Stemple for a celebratory launch of her springy new picture book, LYDIA LOVE BUGS, illustrated by Yuliya Pankratova, on Saturday, May 23, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.

Come to an after-hours, forts & flashlights celebration of the newest book by local author Christina Uss!

Transhealth’s Freedom to Be Ourselves Annual Benefit is on Saturday, May 16th at the Academy of Music in Northampton, MA. Celebrate and support Transhealth’s mission of protecting and expanding access to gender-affirming care with an unforgettable evening that will illuminate the power of hope, the warmth of joy, and the courage required to live authentically.

Forrest Fleur, New England’s FREAK of nature, brings her tantalizing farm drag production SHE ATE to Kitchen Garden Farm in Sunderland, MA as part of her 2026 tour! Come OUT on the farm to celebrate nature, queer artistry, our local food system, and the resilience that is our community.

Join High Five Books and local author Nicholas Day for the release of his thoughtful new picture book NICE WORK on Saturday, May 16, from 10-10:30am. This storytime is free and all families are welcome.

Calling all fans of the Dragon Masters early reader series! Bestselling author Tracey West is coming back to Northampton to celebrate book #31: Dragon Masters: Defending the Swamp Dragon on May 9, 2026, from 11am-12pm, at BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity.

Echoes of Nature is a collaboration between Kim Hoff and Jess Martin. What began as a local project in Hampshire County has blossomed into a multi-county journey of art, resilience, and community. 

Join the Forbes Library for a May 5 “cat pawty” and storytime with Caldecott honoree Brian Lies! The event is focused on Cat Nap, a beautiful and playful picture book that follows a sleepy kitten whose afternoon nap transforms into an epic chase through nine iconic artworks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collections. Cat-themed activities and crafts will follow the storytime presentation.

Join High Five Books and local author Vicki Johnson for a celebratory launch of her affirming new picture book, MAC WEARS A HAT, illustrated by Gillian Reid, on Saturday, May 2, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.

The MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth would love to invite you to our Drag Lab, hosted in partnership with local performers and Hampshire Pride.

Kids and caregivers are invited to join children’s book creator and ceramic artist Anna Alter for a hands-on workshop where you will design and illustrate your own ceramic tile, fired in time for Mother’s Day.

They are honored to partner with WANDER Berkshires to host an event called “Out Here: Mapping Our Power” on April 25th from 12:00-3:00 PM. This event will include workshops focused on how to be an advocate and organize in your rural community, as well as a space to share about your experiences in MA.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 11am-12pm, meet author/illustrator Esme Shapiro, who painted a bespoke mural in the new programming room. Esme will read her new picture book Ruthie, and we will do a Ruthie-themed craft.

Acting Class: 2 Fast 2 Furrious is part drag extravaganza, part theatrical masterclass, part group ritual, part clown riot — blending drag, commedia dell'arte, experimental performance, and deeply human silliness into an evening that you won’t soon forget, even if you try. Expect chaos, wisdom, unexpected animals, sassy puppets, and the kind of absurdist joy that only a 1,200-year-old drag grandma and her disreputable colleagues can provide. 

Join Transhealth on April 19 for Trans Joy! A Fundraiser for Transhealth. Indivisible Northampton/Swing Left Western Mass in collaboration with Transhealth have organized this event as a concrete way to support the transgender community at this critical time.

Acting Class: 2 Fast 2 Furrious is part drag extravaganza, part theatrical masterclass, part group ritual, part clown riot — blending drag, commedia dell'arte, experimental performance, and deeply human silliness into an evening that you won’t soon forget, even if you try. Expect chaos, wisdom, unexpected animals, sassy puppets, and the kind of absurdist joy that only a 1,200-year-old drag grandma and her disreputable colleagues can provide. 

Come meet bestselling novelist Kate Milford! The author of the GREENGLASS HOUSE series will be in the High Five Books studio after school from 4-6pm on Friday, April 17 to celebrate the launch of her new magical mystery book, RIALTO. Please join us for a free meet-and-greet with Kate, who will answer Qs about writing and inventing new worlds.

Throughout April, Dry Humor's joining forces with local collage artist Michael Sjostedt to host Wheels for Meals, an art fundraiser to support the Easthampton Community Center (ECC).

Join Lavender Fields Social Club for a rousing afternoon of BINGO! In honor of Trans Day of Visibility (March 31), we'll be donating all net proceeds to Translate Gender. Pop in at New City Brewery to try your luck, play a couple rounds, or stay the whole time.

Compete against other teams to complete a word search, fold and throw a paper airplane, write a haiku, and other minute-to-win-it activities! This event is meant to be fun, friendly event, and the activities are all G rated in nature so feel free to compete with the family! Raise money for Pride, have a drink, and challenge friends!

Have a creative kiddo in your life? Don't miss the next Kids Art class at Wistariahurst Museum. Instructor Laura Amazeen-LaPlante will instruct children ages 6-12 in this guided painting class.

Wedding season is just around the corner and Dry Humor is joining forces with local small business owners Baldwin & Rose, Jessica Sarah Beauty and Deejay Architect to host a fun and inspiring mini-bridal expo!

Join in for Translate Gender's upcoming 4th Annual Trans Day of Visibility Resource & Art Fair on Saturday, March 28th from 11am-4pm at the Holyoke Council on Aging.

The ‘Snacks + Social Justice' series is BACK! On Friday, March 20, 5:30-7pm, join the High Five team and special guest, somatic therapist Luke King!

Wistariahurst Museum is excited to announce an upcoming performance sharing the story of Elizabeth “MumBet” Freeman in celebration of Massachusetts’ 250th anniversary. This historical interpretation from Freeman’s perspective will highlight her experiences and contribution to Massachusetts history. This event will be held Sunday, March 15th during Civic Learning Week.

Join High Five Books and author Lindz Amer for a grownup presentation and chat about their adult nonfiction parenting book, RAINBOW PARENTING: YOUR GUIDE TO RAISING QUEER KIDS AND THEIR ALLIES. Families will learn about best practices for supporting their child(ren) and can engage with Lindz about their experience as a community leader in the LGBTQIA+ space.

Add some dazzle to the winter darkness with Golden Girls-themed bingo! High Five Books presents three evenings on the lanai at BOMBYX, filled with rowdy bingo, Golden Girls trivia, and laughs with your pals among the palm fronds.