The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas
Great Barrington— On Sunday, December 17th at 7 p.m., The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas.
A superstar in the Celtic music world, fiddler and step-dancer Natalie MacMaster has built a sterling, multi-decade career on electrifying playing and must-see live performances. Her husband, Donnell Leahy is known as one of the best fiddlers in the world. He has been playing and performing for most of his life, and his skills as an instrumentalist are unmatched.
The married pair realized early on that being on the road without their kids at Christmastime was infinitely harder than touring with them, and the family act was born. “Christmas is where it started, and we are very excited to be traveling as a family again” says Leahy. “It’s a perfect time to travel with the children and bring light and happiness to families and fans across the country.”
The performance is on Sunday, December 17th at 7 p.m. at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $34 to $79, and $15 for youth ages 30 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Shakespeare & Company presents acclaimed audiobook narrator Alison Larkin to read from Pride and Prejudice
Lenox— On Saturday, December 16th at 5 p.m., Shakespeare & Company presents acclaimed audiobook narrator Alison Larkin to read from “Pride and Prejudice” and lead a 45-minute discussion called, “Pride and Prejudice: Then & Now”, centered on Austen’s most famous characters and the parallels with how we live and love today.
Alison Larkin is a comedienne, award winning audiobook narrator/producer, screenwriter, actress, the bestselling author of the novel, “The English American.” She is also the narrator of over 250 audiobooks including “The Complete Novels of Jane Austen,” which is the number one bestselling Austen audiobook in the world. She is also the narrator and host of The Jane Austen Podcast with Alison Larkin, a recent Sunday Times Pick of the Week. “Narrating the novels of Jane Austen reminded me that no matter how much the world changes, human nature never does,” Larkin said.
As an actress, Larkin appeared on Broadway in Stanley at the Royal National Theater and Off Broadway with the Royal Shakespeare Company. As a stand-up she headlined at the Comic Strip in N.Y. and the Comedy Store in L.A.
The free event is on Saturday, December 16th at 5 p.m. in the Jane Iredale Lobby at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company on Kemble Street in Lenox. Cake will also be served along with a full cash bar and concessions for purchase. Larkin’s audiobook will be offered to attendees for a discounted rate. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Hudson Film Festival: Winter Watch, advanced showings of four of the most acclaimed films of awards season
Hudson— On Saturday, December 16th, Hudson Film Festival, in partnership with NEON, presents “Winter Watch,” advanced showings of four of the most acclaimed films of awards season. Be the first to see “Eileen,” “Perfect Days,” “Robot Dreams,” and the Winner of the Palme d’Or, Cannes 2023, “Anatomy of the Fall.”
At 11 a.m., see “Perfect Days”. Hirayama is content with his life as a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Outside of his structured routine he cherishes music on cassette tapes, books, and taking photos of trees. Through unexpected encounters, he reflects on finding beauty in the world. Winner of “Best Actor” and “Prize of the Ecumenical Jury” at Cannes 2023, from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Wim Wenders, “Perfect Days” is the Japanese entry to the Academy Awards.
At 1:30 p.m., see “Robot Dreams.” DOG lives in Manhattan and he’s tired of being alone. One day he decides to build himself a robot companion. Their friendship blossoms to the rhythm of the 80’s. One summer night, DOG, with great sadness, is forced to abandon ROBOT at the beach. Will they ever meet again? From Goya-winning filmmaker Pablo Berger and one of the most acclaimed and poignant animated films of the 2023 film festival season, “Robot Dreams” is based on the popular graphic novel.
At 3:30 p.m., see “Anatomy of a Fall.” For the past year, Sandra, her husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel’s suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel’s death but an unsettling psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel’s conflicted relationship. Winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023 and Best International Feature at the 2023 Gotham Awards, from multiple Cesar Award-nominated filmmaker Justine Triet, do not miss the chance to see in theaters the film everyone is talking about.
At 7:30 p.m., see “Eileen.” Based on the book of the same name by bestselling author, Ottessa Moshfegh, and set during a bitter 1964 Massachusetts winter, young secretary Eileen becomes enchanted by Rebecca, the glamorous new counselor at the prison where she works. Their budding friendship takes a twisted turn when Rebecca reveals a dark secret, throwing Eileen onto a sinister path. Starring Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie, the twist-filled psychological thriller is “rippling with sly humor and a bold command of the tropes of classic Hitchcockian suspense,” says The Hollywood Reporter.
The festival is on Saturday, December 16th at Time & Space Ltd on Columbia Street in Hudson. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Triplex Cinema presents ‘Bring Back the Movies – Holiday Edition’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, December 16th at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., the Triplex Cinema presents a new holiday version of its popular fundraiser “Bring Back the Movies,” offering live readings of scenes from iconic movies or the plays on which they’re based.
The Holiday Edition will include scenes from both old favorites, such as “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Christmas Carol,” as well as newer classics, such as “Home Alone”, “Love Actually,” and “Elf.” Like the August edition of “Bring Back the Movies”, these scenes will be performed by an all-star cast of local professionals, including Karen Allen, Jayne Atkinson, Greg Boover, McConnia Chesser, Michel Gill, Daniel Osman, and David Rasche. Music will again be provided by Gigi and Tom Teeley, and Michelle Joyner will reprise her role as director. Attendees will be greeted upon arrival by local vocalists James King Harris and Francis Stone.
Nicki Wilson, President of the Triplex Board of Directors said, “Our last event sold out quickly, so we hope people will buy their tickets as soon as they can. Last August we had some adult content, but this will be a joyous, family-friendly holiday event, perfect for all ages. In addition to the movie scenes, we’ll have holiday songs and live music. Part of the mission of the Triplex is to bring our community together over the shared memories that movies give us. The warmth of those memories can mean a lot, particularly in winter, when the cold tends to isolate us and the lack of sunshine can be depressing. So we invite you to come out and get warm.”
The event is on Saturday, December 16th at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Building at Simon’s Rock College on Alford Road in Great Barrington. Admission is $50 and $25 for youth ages 16 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Simon’s Rock jazz ensemble winter concert
Great Barrrington— On Friday, December 15th at 8 p.m., Simon’s Rock will present its Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert.
Conducted by faculty member John Myers, the concert will include new arrangements of pieces by Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others, including John Myers’ original “Blues for Socrates.” Along with the talented student players, the concert will also include faculty guest artist Allan Dean on trumpet and emeritus faculty guest artist Bill Dunbar on vocals.
The concert is on Friday, December 15th at 8 p.m. at the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Building at Simon’s Rock College on Alford Road in Great Barrington. This event is free and open to the public.
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Saint Ann Church presents ‘I’ll Stand By You: A Christmas Celebration – Ten Years with Sam & Ron’
Lenox— On Friday, December 15th at 7 p.m., Saint Ann Church presents “I’ll Stand By You: A Christmas Celebration – Ten Years with Sam & Ron.”
Samantha Talora and Ron Ramsay join forces with Music Director, Broadway Composer Barbara Anselmi to present “I’ll Stand by You,” a journey through cherished holiday favorites and lesser-known gems that will tug at your heartstrings and spark that holiday joy.
Ramsay steps out from behind the piano to deliver warm tones, silky vocals, and whimsical wit alongside Talora’s soulful blend of sultry blues and velvety soprano tones. Anselmi, well known for her 2015 Broadway hit musical, “It Shoulda Been You”, brings a fresh blend of gospel, blues, and jazz-enriched arrangements of beloved and time-honored favorites, making the notes fly off the page.
This concert is a love letter to the Berkshire community that has supported Talora and Ramsay in their decade-long partnership together. They blend their voices one more time before embarking again on their solo careers. Featuring music from Frank Loesser, Mel Tormé, Stevie Wonder, Sara Bareilles, and everything in between, this show is built for the listener and is crafted to soothe weary souls, lighten heavy hearts, and make you feel good from head to toe.
The concert is on Friday, December 15th at 7 p.m. at Saint Ann Church on Main Street in Lenox. Tickets are $40, $30 for members, and free for children ages 14 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online.
