Where did “Mad Men” go? Ten months have passed since the airing of a new episode of the AMC drama, conceived and produced by NESCAC alum Matthew Weiner (Wesleyan ’87). With this past Sunday’s premiere of the seventh and final season, the actors, writers and production team behind one of cable’s most critically-acclaimed shows bring us back into the world of ad-man Don Draper (Jon Hamm) and his smoking, boozing, lying associates at Sterling Cooper & Partners.

As Amherst students, we’re pretty spoiled with theater, dance and music performances, art exhibits and cultural activities. With the Mead Art Museum, regular shows put on by our on-campus a capella groups, and various other arts events, sometimes it seems that there’s little need to leave the College to get a culture fix. Though supporting on-campus groups by attending their concerts and recitals is great, sometimes escaping the Amherst bubble seems necessary and a change of pace feels sorely needed. Luckily, the Pioneer Valley is ripe with venues to see high-quality music and theatre.