Berkshire Busk! sees the return of comedian, juggler, contortionist, and stuntman Alakazam on its main stage on Friday, July 25. Then, on Saturday, the festival will host its very first Latin Night in collaboration with Festival Latino and Latinas413.
Friday Highlights: Alakazam, The Midnight Anthem, Close-up Magic
Alakazam, the moniker of Al Millar, is a professional street performer from Australia. Millar has taken his act across 36 countries and has won 25 international awards for street theater. He has also performed on television shows like “Australia’s Got Talent” and has given multiple Ted Talks. Currently based out of Boston, Millar is a frequent performer at Faneuil Hall and is celebrating his fourth season at Berkshire Busk! with his Friday night performance on Railroad Street.
On the other side of Railroad Street, Berkshire Busk! is thrilled to welcome back country act The Midnight Anthem. At the heart of Midnight Anthem is a trio of young women who refer to themselves as “cousins by birth, but sisters at heart.” Catherine, Sophia, and Grace, backed by even more family, consistently deliver airtight harmonies in their blend of originals and covers. While it may still be considered early days for the band, The Midnight Anthem has already opened for Travis Denning and has been featured in Tim McGraw’s 2022 tour. Their first EP, ”Here’s To The Dreamers,” was released earlier this month.
Throughout the rest of downtown Great Barrington, attendees can find other great musicians like Jacob Shipley, Mountain Ellis, and folk duo Roger and Lenny. Just Felice, an incredible close-up magician who hosts Boston’s only open-mic magic show, will also perform on Friday.
Saturday Highlights: Latin Night with all-new performers to Berkshire Busk!
Berkshire Busk! is thrilled to introduce an all-new theme night on Saturday, July 27. Latin Night features programming from Latinas413, an organization that aims to increase the representation of the voices, talents, and interests of Latinas across Berkshire County, as well as Festival Latino. Festival Latino’s primary day-long event will occur after the summer’s end, on September 28.
Thanks to these organizations, Berkshire Busk!’s Railroad Street stages will include Colombian Mariachi singer Diego Jesus González, Pittsfield native Clara Guatta, dancer/choreographer Luana Dias David, and the Cancioneros Mariachi Trio. The Saturday evening vendor market will also feature representatives from each organization, as well as other affiliated artisan vendors.
Additional Latin performers for the evening include established Berkshire Buskers like flamenco dancer Joanna Magdalena and Quarteto de Samba. Other standard Berkshire Busk! programming will occur throughout the night, including folk musicians like Warren Sieme and balloon twister John “Skeeter” Green.
Extended Schedule on Saturdays
Duo act Carol Leven and Nick Moran will perform a medley of jazz standards, Bossa Nova, and favorites from the Great American Songbook on Saturday afternoon at Berkshire Mountain Distillers. Families with young children can visit Facepainting by Debora outside of Robin’s Candy earlier in the day, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. In the morning, fan-favorite Michael Aaron will perform a medley of songs from the past few decades at the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market.
Berkshire Busk! is free to attend and takes place in downtown Great Barrington every Friday and Saturday evening, from June 28 through August 31. Primary festival programming begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit the Berkshire Busk! website for the full schedule of events.
