Agenda

Valley Jazz Voices Concert

Jan. 10: Valley Jazz Voices, the Pioneer Valley’s longest-running community jazz vocal ensemble, will present a winter concert at the BOMBYX Center for Arts & Equity, 130 Pine St., Florence, at 3 p.m. The program features selections from the Great American Songbook organized around themes of the sun, the moon, the weather and love, all arranged and sung in the group’s signature fourpart jazz harmonies. The singers will be accompanied by a jazz trio led by pianist Dylan Walter, with Wes Brown on bass and Dillon Pinard on drums. Directed by Jeff Olmsted and founded in 2014, Valley Jazz Voices performs swing, bebop, cool, Brazilian, and popinspired jazz arrangements and highlights local vocal talent and community musicianship. The concert is a familyfriendly matinee that offers familiar standards presented with fresh arrangements and warm ensemble sound. Tickets cost $20 in advance or at the door; children under 12 are free. For tickets and information, visit bombyx.live/events/valley-jazz-voices-winter-concert.

Brick Marketing Webinar

Jan. 21: Boston digital marketing agency Brick Marketing announced that it will host a free, 60-minute digital marketing webinar designed to help businesses, teams, and marketing professionals refine and strengthen their strategies for 2026. The webinar, “Strengthen & Refine Your 2026 Digital Strategy,” will take place at 3 p.m. and will provide a structured framework for evaluating performance, identifying areas for improvement, and aligning efforts for greater clarity and results in the year ahead. This session is built for organizations seeking a practical way to review their current marketing approach and ensure it supports their goals for 2026. Attendees will begin with a deep dive into how to evaluate business goals and identify the KPIs that matter most. The webinar will explain how to connect metrics with the sales cycle and how these insights inform smarter investment decisions across core marketing channels. Participants will then explore website design, branding, and usability assessment techniques. This includes understanding whether the website experience builds trust, supports conversions, and aligns with brand expectations. The segment will highlight how to identify high-impact improvements without unnecessary redesigns or complexity. A comprehensive review of content, SEO, and AI search performance will follow. The presentation will outline how to determine whether content communicates expertise, how search engines and AI systems interpret the brand, and where opportunities may be missed to rank, be recommended, or capture demand. As AI continues reshaping how people search and interact with information, these insights are increasingly critical. The webinar concludes with a structured evaluation framework for social media and email marketing. Attendees will learn how to assess engagement quality, audience alignment, campaign consistency, and email performance to determine which channels deserve increased focus, which require refinement, and which may no longer support business goals. For more information and to register, visit www.brickmarketing.com/webinars.

Penguin Plunge

Jan. 24: Amelia Park Children’s Museum announced the return of the Penguin Plunge, to be held at 1 p.m. at Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. Proceeds from the Penguin Plunge will benefit the museum. Through the years, participants and sponsors of the Penguin Plunge have helped to raise more than $370,000 to support Amelia Park Children’s Museum. There are several ways to help, including taking the plunge, becoming a sponsor, encouraging others to plunge, donating to a participant, or donating online. Plunge participants may join as an individual or as a team. Each participant pledges to raise a minimum of $75 from friends and family and is encouraged to collect as many sponsors as possible. Those under the age of 18 will receive a registration discount of $25. There are monetary prizes of ‘cold hard cash’ for the top three individuals or teams that raise the most money; $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place. A costume contest is part of the fun, and participants are encouraged to come dressed creatively. There will be prizes for best individual costume and best team costume. People may register in advance online or on the day of the event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will receive a free 2026 Penguin Plunge T-shirt while supplies last. Sponsorship and donation opportunities, registration, and pledge forms are available at www.ameliaparkmuseum.org/penguin-plunge or can be picked up at the museum.

‘The Mission-Rich Experience Live’

Feb. 12-13: — Mission-Rich Academy will host its first-ever live intensive, “The Mission-Rich Experience Live,” bringing nonprofit leaders and micro-business owners from across the country to Western Mass. for a two-day, high-touch leadership intensive. Founded by LaTonia Monroe Naylor, a leadership strategist, author, and longtime regional leader, the intensive reflects more than an event — it represents decades of community-centered leadership. The two-day convening is designed to help mission-driven leaders strengthen funding access, build sustainable systems, and lead with clarity — particularly during a time of uncertainty. Attendance is intentionally limited to preserve depth of training, with participants leaving with proven frameworks, strategic clarity, and a practical plan they can begin implementing immediately. In addition to national participation, Mission-Rich Academy will award 10 leadership scholarships to cover full general admission for Springfield-based micro-businesses, supported through a community partnership with the Latino Economic Development Corp. (LEDC). Tickets are now available, with general admission and VIP options available. Because space is limited and pre-event bonus trainings are offered on a one-time basis, early registration is encouraged. Partnership and sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations and businesses interested in supporting leadership development and long-term community impact. For event details and ticket information, visit www.missionrichexperience.com.

Shining Stars Gala

Feb. 27: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2026 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire their community. This year’s honorees are Al Picard as the Ernest Laflamme Jr. Citizen of the Year, HB Real Estate as Business of the Year, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry as Nonprofit of the Year, and Heather Leclerc at Volunteer of the Year. The 41st annual Shining Stars Gala takes place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights on Memorial Drive. Tickets cost $75 per person and are on sale now. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 594-2101.