Western Mass Junction-Connecting The Western Mass Experience

entertainment in isolation

For the first time ever there’s nothing to do in Western Mass. Well, at least not in public. Plenty of Western Mass creatives and businesses are bringing entertainment to you. Many of these will require a facebook or instagram account but some are open to anyone.

Plenty of local musicians are bringing tunes to you during the shutdown. Some are doing it weekly, some daily, some more sporadically and schedules are always changing.

Check out some music releases from local bands. Maybe even shell out a few bucks for a download if you can afford to.

Amherst Cinema may be closed but you can still support them by renting movies through their “Virtual Cinema.” You can find more details on their website.

Watch some movies shot in Western Mass. They aren’t all exactly classic movies but maybe you’ll recognize some locations or extras.

Speaking of movies if you haven’t seen “The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then Bigfoot” yet check it out on Hulu and then see some behind the scenes photos from the filming

community in quarantine

We can still stay connected even while being socially distant. Some businesses and institutions have found fun ways to engage with the community online.

We may be socially distant but you can still keep up with your favorite businesses and institutions on social media. These are just a few accounts that have been

Join me over on instagram for Where In Western Mass Wednesdays. I post a photo from somewhere in Western Mass and see who can guess where it is. I kind of keep score and had been planning to give a prize eventually but I have no idea what it will be.

I built a website around a collection of letters my grandma saved while working at Montgomery Ward in the 1930s. The content isn’t Western Mass related but I’m from Western Mass and this is my damn website so I’m going to self promote. Some of the letters are free but most require a subscription. If enough people subscribe to this I will be able to keep Western Mass Junction up and running.

shop local online

Most businesses have been deemed non-essential but supporting them is still very much essential. Many stores have set up ecommerce stores and will ship or deliver items to you.

Check back later for a searchable guide for what local businesses are offering. In the meantime here’s a list of resources that are already active.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce

Belchertown Cultural Council

Greenfield Business Association

Downtown Northampton Association