Monday, November 4, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Bits & Bytes: “M Is Black Enough” at MASS MoCA; honors for Greenagers’ Will Conklin; ‘Feminism in Art;’ Downing at Community Land Trust Meeting; bat house-building workshop

Will Conklin, executive director of Greenagers, is being honored for his leadership of the organization’s outdoor jobs and environmental education program for youth.

‘M Is Black Enough’ at MASS MoCA

ZeiglerBonairAgardAkiho
From left: Jeffrey Zeigler, Roger Bonair-Agard, and Andy Akiho.

North Adams – On Saturday, March 26, at 8 p.m., MASS MoCA will present “M is Black Enough,” spirited conversation and debate through steelpan, cello, text, and voice. “M Is Black Enough” will feature cellist Jeffrey Zeigler of Kronos Quartet teaming up with composer and percussionist Andy Akiho, poet Roger Bonair-Agard, and percussionist Sean Dixon for a work-in-progress program of spoken word and music.

Cellist Jeffrey Zeigler is known for his work within the classical and new music realms. His debut solo album, “Something of Life,” features works by notable contemporary musicians including composers Philip Glass and Paola Prestini, and drummer Glenn Kotche of Wilco.

Andy Akiho is a steel pan master and composer of contemporary classical. His commissioned works have premiered with New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble ACJW.

Roger Bonair-Agard is a poet and spoken word performer from Trinidad and Tobago. He has published three books of poetry, is a two-time National Poetry Slam champion of the, a Cave Canem fellow, writer-in-residence with VisionIntoArt, and poet-in-residence with Young Chicago Authors.

Sean Dixon is a New York City-based composer, producer, percussionist, and bassist. He studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the New School before founding R&B-soul band the Chesterfields with Scott Sharrard. He is currently co-leader of experimental pop-rock-R&B duo SLV.

Tickets are $8 for students, $12 in advance, $18 the day of the show, and $22 preferred. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the MASS MoCA box office at (413) 662-2111 x1.

–E.E.

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Will Conklin named 40 Under Forty award winner

Will Conklin
Will Conklin.

Great Barrington — Will Conklin, executive director of Greenagers, has been named a 40 Under Forty award winner for his leadership of the organization’s outdoor jobs and environmental education program for youth.

Greenagers youth participate in a variety of community projects and events. They work on farms with farmers, raising organic crops and caring for animals. Crews clear and build trails throughout the region’s public outdoor recreation areas, and plant Front Lawn Food gardens for families and businesses. During the school year, youth work in area schools with after-school education and outdoor adventure programs.

Conklin, who is a Sheffield native, and his wife, Amelia, also own and operate Sky View Farm. Conklin will be honored with other award winners at a celebration on Thursday, March 24, at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield.

–E.E.

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‘Feminism in Art’ showcase and celebration

Francesca Shanks
Francesca Shanks.

North Adams – On Friday, March 25, the UNO Community Center will host the Feminism in Art showcase and celebration at 7 p.m. The event will include art, music, and spoken word, with information and resources courtesy of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ Susan B. Anthony Women’s Center, and some light refreshments. Cohoes, N.Y. poet Elizag will emcee the event.

The art, all by female artists, has been curated by Common Folk Artist Collective and features Augusta Rose Photography’s “Be Your Creature” project, detailed Madonnas and more by Misa Chappel, a self-portrait from photographer Julian Grey, and projects that reflect the spirit and strength of feminism in the Northern Berkshires and the wider world.

Sounds and Tones Records has lined up the musical acts for the evening: Mal Devisa of Northampton, Mass.; Darling Valley, an Albany, N.Y.-based indie folk band; North Adams-based folk ukulele player Francesca Shanks; and North Adams-based Sophie Lane, singer-songwriter and the winner of 2013’s Berkshire Idol.

Tickets to the event are $5 and proceeds will go to benefit women in recovery through Josh Bressette Commit to Save a Life.

–E.E.

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Community Land Trust annual meeting to feature state Sen. Ben Downing

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State Senator Ben Downing.

Great Barrington – On Friday, March 25, at 7 p.m., Berkshire Community Land Trust will hold its annual meeting at Crissey Farm. State Senator Ben Downing (D- Pittsfield) will be the featured speaker.

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires and the first anniversary of its new parent organization, Berkshire Community Land Trust. To celebrate the occasion, Senator Ben Downing has been invited to share his reflections on 10 years of public service as he concludes his tenure representing the Berkshire region.

Berkshire Community Land Trust manages 49 acres of community-owned land in Great Barrington and Egremont leased to 23 homeowners, Indian Line Farm, and a library. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing education programs on community stewardship and seeking donations of land for community use.

The event will begin with the annual meeting and board member election. Following Senator Downing’s talk and a question-and-answer session, all are invited to join in a celebration, with cake and coffee, of the 30th anniversary of Forest Row, an 18-home Great Barrington neighborhood established by Community Land Trust in the Southern Berkshires in 1986. The event is free and open to the public. For more information contact Billie Best at (413) 644-8971.

–E.E.

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Bat house-building workshop

Lenox – On Saturday, March 26, from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary will host a bat house-building workshop. Sanctuary staff will share information about bats and their natural history as well as how to identify an appropriate location for the bat house.

The program is open to families with children aged five an older. All materials and equipment are included in the program fee, which is $25 for adult members, $35 for adult nonmembers, and free for children. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (413) 637-0320.

–E.E.

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But Not To Produce.