Montague is a town of five villages on the Connecticut River in Franklin County, western Massachusetts: Turners Falls, Montague Center, Millers Falls, Lake Pleasant and Montague City. Together they have one of the region's most creative small-town music scenes. A bar runs open mics on alternating Mondays, a Polish social club has a weekly open mic, the spiritualist village of Lake Pleasant hosts a monthly listening-room open mic, and a historic hall runs a folk-friendly series. This guide covers Montague's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Montague
The Great Falls of the Connecticut River were a major fishing place for the Pocumtuck and other Native peoples. In May 1676, during King Philip's War, colonial forces attacked a Native encampment at the falls, killing many people, mostly women, children and elders. The event, once called the "Falls Fight" and now remembered as the Peskeompskut massacre, gave Turners Falls its name, after militia captain William Turner.
Montague was incorporated in 1754. In the 1860s, industrialist Alvah Crocker planned Turners Falls as a mill town, building a canal and dam to power paper and cutlery mills, and immigrants from Ireland, French Canada, Poland and beyond filled its brick neighborhoods. The village of Lake Pleasant became a famous Spiritualist summer camp in the 1870s.
As the mills closed, Montague's villages became havens for artists and makers. Today Turners Falls's Avenue A is lined with galleries and restaurants, the Great Falls Discovery Center tells the river's story, and the Montague Bookmill draws book lovers to its riverside mill.
The Montague Music Scene
Montague's music life is spread across its villages. In Turners Falls, The Shea Theater hosts concerts and co-presents open mics, and The Rendezvous is a beloved music bar. Montague Center has the Montague Bookmill and Montague Common Hall, and Lake Pleasant's historic Thompson Temple hosts the monthly Voices in the Village open mic.
Greenfield, just across the river, adds the LAVA Center's open stages and jazz jams and the summer Green River Festival.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Montague
- The Shea Theater (Turners Falls) – A historic community theater for concerts and performances.
- The Rendezvous (78 Third St., Turners Falls) – A music bar with an open mic.
- St. Stanislaus Society (Turners Falls) – A Polish social club with a weekly open mic.
- Montague Bookmill and Montague Common Hall (Montague Center) – Riverside books and a historic hall with an open mic series.
- Thompson Temple (2 Montague Ave., Lake Pleasant) – Home of Voices in the Village.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Montague
Montague's villages offer open stages most weeks, with Greenfield right next door. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
In Montague's Villages
- The Rendezvous Open Mic (78 Third St., Turners Falls) – Alternating Monday nights.
- St. Stanislaus Society Open Mic (Turners Falls) – Wednesday nights.
- Voices in the Village Open Mic (Thompson Temple, 2 Montague Ave., Lake Pleasant) – Third Tuesdays; sign-ups 6:00 p.m., music 6:30–9:00 p.m. A sober, intergenerational listening-room open mic co-presented by The Shea Theater. $5–$20 suggested.
- Montague Common Hall Open Mic (34 Main St., Montague Center) – A periodic Saturday series, 6:30–9:30 p.m. (sign in by 6:15 p.m.), for musicians, poets, dancers and storytellers.
Nearby
- Open Stage and Jazz Jam @ LAVA (324 Main St., Greenfield) – Periodic Thursday open stages (five minutes per act) and jazz jams for all levels. $1–$5 suggested donation.
- Thursday Open Mic at Floodwater Brewing (40 State St., Shelburne Falls) – Thursdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Montague-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday (alternating) | Open Mic | The Rendezvous, Turners Falls | All Styles |
| Tuesday (3rd) | Voices in the Village (6:30 p.m.) | Thompson Temple, Lake Pleasant | Acoustic / Original |
| Wednesday | Open Mic | St. Stanislaus Society, Turners Falls | All Styles |
| Thursday | Open Mic (7 p.m.) | Floodwater Brewing, Shelburne Falls | All Styles |
| Thursday (periodic) | Open Stage / Jazz Jam | LAVA Center, Greenfield | All Styles / Jazz |
| Saturday (periodic) | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | Montague Common Hall | Music / Poetry |
Tips for Playing Montague-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Bring quiet songs to Lake Pleasant. Voices in the Village is a true listening room.
- Explore Avenue A. Turners Falls's main street is walkable and full of art.
- Plan for winter. Back roads between the villages can be icy.
Helpful Local Resources
- Arts Hub of Western Mass (artshubwma.org) – Franklin County arts and open mic calendar.
- Greenfield Recorder (recorder.com) – Weekly music listings.
- The Shea Theater – Concerts and co-presented open mics in Turners Falls.
