A ‘Rent’ reunion

Rentheads, rejoice! Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (who played Roger and Mark, respectively, in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical) will perform together at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Bowker Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m.

The show, “Adam Pascal And Anthony Rapp: Celebrating 30 Years Of Friendship And Music,” will feature “songs from throughout their careers, including some iconic hits from RENT, as well as music that has influenced and inspired Pascal and Rapp on stage and in life,” according to the event description.

Not including fees, tickets start at $15 for Five College students and children 17 and under, and $40 for all others. They’re available at fac.umass.edu.

Quabbin Photo Group to meet

The Quabbin Photo Group will hold its monthly meeting on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

The meeting will include a presentation by Michael Milicia titled “What makes a bird photograph great?” The presentation will explore several key elements that can help transform a bird photo from a simple documentation shot to an artful and compelling image. These insights will help guide your actions both in the field and when culling images at home.

Included along the way will be tips on composition, lighting, camera angle, lens choice, field techniques, poses, perches, flight shooting, backgrounds, reflections, silhouettes, minimizing noise, depth of field, and more.

After working 27 years as a software engineer, Milicia embarked on a second career as a nature photographer in 2005 and soon began specializing in birds. His publication credits include National Geographic Magazine, Smithsonian, Ranger Rick Jr., Audubon, Outdoor Photographer and Nature’s Best. He has authored three articles for the National Audubon Society’s web site and served as the technical editor for Marie Read’s “Mastering Bird Photography” book.

All meetings are free and open to the public. However, voluntary contributions are encouraged to help defray expenses. To join, contact Gail Platz via email: gspqpg@gmail.com.

Mount Toby Concerts hosting Dear Ella on Jan. 18

LEVERETT — Mount Toby Concerts will continue on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. with musical trio Dear Ella.

The group, made up of Ann Percival on guitar, ukulele and snare; Mary Witt on bass; and Annie Patterson on banjo, guitar and snare, came together during the pandemic with a repertoire including swing, R&B and acoustic folk music.

A suggested donation of $15 to $20 is requested at the door. To reserve seats, email diacrowe@yahoo.com or call 413-835-1695. The concert venue is at 194 Long Plain Road (Route 63).

‘Created in Color’ exhibition

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst will showcase illustrations by Raúl Colón in a new exhibition opening Saturday, Jan. 18, and running through Sunday, June 1.

The exhibition, “Created in Color: The Picture Book Art of Raúl Colón,” features more than 80 of Colón’s works in five themed sections that have exhibition text in both English and Spanish.

Associate Curator Isabel Ruiz Cano said in a press release, “A daydreamer since childhood, Raúl Colón has never stopped capturing the world around him or imagining new cinematic situations. Whether recounting a folk tale, an inspiring biography, or interplanetary journey, every scene Colón illustrates opens an entire universe to get lost in.”

Colón will also take part in a gallery talk on Jan. 18, which will include a book signing and a tour of the exhibition.

Admission to the Carle is $15 for adults; $8 for children, students, and teachers; and free for members.

’Don’t Tell Comedy’

On Saturday, Jan. 18, The Drake in Amherst will host a live standup comedy show with a special twist: until the show starts, the lineup is a secret.

The company Don’t Tell Comedy (which also produces shows in more than 100 other cities in North America) puts together shows with mystery combinations of 4-7 comics at local venues around the country.

The show is 21+. Tickets are $25 at thedrakeamherst.org/events/dont-tell-comedy.

MLK Day Service Fair to be held at Bombyx

NORTHAMPTON — Community members and organizations are invited to participate in an MLK Day Service Fair at Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity on Monday, Jan. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, at 130 Pine St.

The event, a continuation of a post-election workshop “What Do I Do Now?” responding to widespread interest in strategic, purposeful local engagement and activism, is designed to connect people looking to get more involved in their communities with organizations that are making a difference.

The Service Fairc will serve as a dual-purpose platform. Individuals will have the opportunity to discover meaningful ways to engage in local service and activism, offering immediate avenues to contribute to positive change. Organizations will have a chance to share their mission through concise, 2-minute pitches and directly connect with interested participants.

This year, MLK Day, a national day of service, falls on Inauguration Day, creating a powerful backdrop for community action and reflection. The event is co-sponsored by Florence Congregational Church and BeitAhavah Synagogue, the faith communities that call Bombyx home.

Organizations must sign up in advance to secure their spot. Community members can RSVP via bombyx.live/events/mlk-day-service-fair/ For more information, contact Marisa Egerstrom, pastor@fccnorthampton.org.