Back by popular demand, Berkshire Busk! has newly added a second “Open Mic Night” this Friday, hosted by Jackson Whalan. Local talents are encouraged to sign up in person when they visit during the festival’s second-to-last weekend of the summer. In addition, musical trio The Sirens, Magic Brian, and more can be found in downtown Great Barrington beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22, and Saturday, August 23.
Friday Highlights: Black Legacy Project, Open Mic Night, New Magician
Open Mic participants can bring their simple setups to the Berkshire Money Management Stage, where they will play on a first-come, first-serve basis. In between, music producer and recording artist Jackson Whalan will perform. Whalan is a festival favorite for his busking freestyle performances, where he crafts raps centered around word suggestions from the audience.
Two all-new performers will come to Berkshire Busk!’s main stages. The Black Legacy Project, a musical celebration of Black history, will make their festival debut on the Haddad Subaru Stage. The project is produced by Music In Common, an Atlanta-based organization born out of the Berkshires. The nonprofit was previously designated as a CNN Champion for Change for their outstanding work in utilizing music as a connection point for people of widely varying cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Comedy-magic act Magic Brian can be found on the Warrior Trading Stage for the first time. Brian is a master of both close-up and big-stage entertainment; he has previously appeared not only at festivals like Adelaide Fringe but also on television with an appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Throughout the rest of downtown, new and returning acts such as comedian “It’s Chris,” guitarist Joel Blumert, and more can be found busking.
Saturday Highlights: The Sirens Return, Irish Step, More Music
On Saturday, the festival is pleased to welcome back Berkshire supergroup The Sirens at the Haddad Subaru Stage. The trio is made up of longtime Berkshire Busk! player Jaane Doe (also known as Elizabeth Berliner), as well as accomplished musicians Liv Cummins and Wanda Houston. The group performs songs written by the late Sandy McKnight.
Blues and rock artist David Reed will return to the festival at the Warrior Trading Stage with accompaniment by drummer Sam Earnshaw. Reed builds cigar box guitars, which are frequently featured in his infectiously joyous performances.
Two different acts will share the Berkshire Money Management Stage on Saturday. The Irish step dancers from Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc in Pittsfield bring performers of all ages to share their love of the traditional dance. When the students are not dancing, the duo Raffel & Ross will present a variety of sea shanties and traditional folk tunes, many of which are Celtic in origin.
New buskers Mud Wasp, Scott Hsu, and Brad Sanzenbacher are just a few of the additional musicians to be found throughout downtown Great Barrington.
Extended Schedule on Saturdays
The accomplished singer-songwriter Willy Welch will start the morning with his charming folk tunes at the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Balloon Ben will then begin his day at Robin’s Candy from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., before returning for more balloon twisting in the evening. From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Carol and Nick Duo will perform a selection of favorites from the Great American Songbook and more.
Berkshire Busk! is free to attend and takes place in downtown Great Barrington every Friday and Saturday evening, from June 27 to August 30. Primary festival programming begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit the Berkshire Busk! website for information on parking, free transportation options, and the full schedule of events.
