Berkshire Opera Festival presents ‘Breaking the Mold: Baroque, Bel Canto, and Beyond’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, July 22nd at 2 p.m., the Berkshire Opera Festival presents “Breaking the Mold: Baroque, Bel Canto, and Beyond” an afternoon of arias and ensembles that span over 200 years of operatic composition.
“Natura il fece, e poi roppe la stampa.” (“Nature made him, and then broke the mold.”) — Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando Furioso
In keeping with BOF’s vision to explore the entire operatic repertoire, these selections represent a wide range of musical styles, and are sung by strong characters who each “broke the mold” in their own way. BOF is proud to present a world-class slate of artists to perform this powerful music including soprano Jacqueline Piccolino, mezzo-soprano Megan Moore, tenor Alex McKissick, and baritone Ethan Vincent, with Travis Bloom on piano.
The concert is on Saturday, July 22nd at 2 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $60 of reserved seating, $20 for full-time students, teachers, and patrons under age 30 (must show I.D.), and $120 for premium* seating. *Premium ticket-holders are invited to a post-show reception with the artists, complimentary refreshments will be provided. The performance time is approximately two hours, which includes an intermission. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting Berkshire Opera Festival online or by calling the box office at 413-528-0100.
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The Bookstore hosts a “Reading, Conversation, and Book Signing: Two Novels that Cut to the Heart of the Abortion Debate”
Lenox— Friday, July 21st at 4 p.m., The Bookstore hosts a “Reading, Conversation, and Book Signing: Two Novels that Cut to the Heart of the Abortion Debate”.
Acclaimed novelists Jennifer Haigh will join Berkshire author Lucy Ferriss for a public conversation about their recent novels, “Mercy Street” and “The Misconceiver”, at The Bookstore in Lenox. Dawn Tripp, author of “Georgia”, based on the life of Georgia O’Keeffe, will moderate.
“Mercy Street”, by Jennifer Haigh, tells a tense, riveting story about the disparate lives that intersect at a woman’s clinic in Boston.
“The Misconceiver”, by Lucy Ferriss, was originally published in 1997 and reissued in late 2022, presents a disturbingly prescient view of the world on whose brink we find ourselves.
The event will is on Friday, July 21st at 4 p.m. at The Bookstore on Housatonic Street in Lenox. It is free and open to the public. A wine reception will follow at the Bookstore’s “Get Lit” bar. More information can be found by visiting The Bookstore online.
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MASS MoCA presents ‘Please, Touch the Exhibit: Gunnar Schonbeck” and MASS MoCA’s “No Experience Required’
North Adams— On Monday, July 17th, at 4 p.m., MASS MoCA presents “Please, Touch the Exhibit: Gunnar Schonbeck” and MASS MoCA’s “No Experience Required”
You are invited to attend the video premiere of “Please, Touch the Exhibit: Gunnar Schonbeck” and MASS MoCA’s “No Experience Required”, a short film highlighting the work of Gunnar Schonbeck, following a performance by co-curator and Bang on a Can All-Star Mark Stewart.
Mark Stewart is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, singer and instrument designer. In addition to working extensively with Paul Simon’s as his music director, Stewart is a founding member of the Bang on a Can All-Stars Band. He has also worked with Anthony Braxton, Bob Dylan, Cecil Taylor, Meredith Monk, Philip Glass, Bruce Springsteen, Edie Brickell, Don Byron, Paul McCartney, Marc Ribot, and in the duo Polygraph Lounge with Rob Schwimmer, with whom he also contributed to Simon & Garfunkel’s “Old Friends” reunion concert.
The event is on Monday, July 17th, at 4 p.m. in the Bradley and Terrie Bloom Gallery: Building 6: The Robert W. Wilson Building at MASS MoCA on MASS MoCA Way on North Adams. More information can be found by visiting MASS MoCA online.
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‘Pop-Up Play’ returns to the Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield— On Saturday, July 15th from 10 a.m. to noon, “Pop-Up Play” returns to the Berkshire Museum.
Children are invited to explore, play, collaborate, and build with the big blue blocks of the “Imagination Playground” during this time of unstructured play.
The event is on Saturday, July 15th from 10 a.m. to noon at the Berkshire Museum on South Street in Pittsfield. It is included with regular museum admission and is best enjoyed by children ages four to twelve. Museum admission is $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 4 to 17. Children age 3 and under are free. EBT Cardholders receive free admission for 2 adults and 2 children through Museums for All. Foster Families receive free admission for 2 adults and 2 children thanks to the Wonderfund. For more information, visit the Berkshire Museum online.
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The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents ‘Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back’
Great Barrington— On Friday, July 28th at 7 p.m., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (1980).
Discover the conflict between good and evil in the electrifying “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back”. The Rebels scatter after the Empire attacks their base on the ice planet Hoth. Han Solo and Princess Leia are pursued by Imperials, while Luke trains with Jedi Master Yoda. But when Luke battles Darth Vader, he learns the shocking truth of his past. (Rated PG, 2h, 4min.)
The showing on Friday, July 28th at 7 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $8 and $5 for children age 12 and under. ConnectorCare/WIC/EBT cardholders are eligible for four free tickets to movies or HD broadcasts per individual. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center online.
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Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents ‘Domingo Brunch featuring Chantell’
Pittsfield— On Sunday, July 16th 10 a.m. until noon, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents “Domingo Brunch featuring Chantell”.
Every Sunday Dottie’s serves up “Domingo Brunch”; delicious food and live music. They are thrilled to announce returning performer, Chantell, a classically trained Berkshire County transplant from Chicago. In her early career, Chantell performed on studio albums for PBS and Sesame Street. Recently, she has studied and performed with Broadway producers as well as opened for Yo-Yo ma and Emanuel Ax in a concert of hope dedicated to essential workers. Her passion and love for music and people are intrinsic within her vocal arrangements and songwriting. Whether she is sharing the stage or performing solo, her voice and is not one you want to miss!
The brunch is on Sunday, July 16th 10 a.m. until noon at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge on North Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found by visiting Dottie’s Coffee Lounge online.
