Spencertown Academy presents ‘Gary Lucas: Solo Electric and Acoustic’
Spencertown— On Saturday, February 24th at 7:30 p.m., Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concert Series presents “Gary Lucas: Solo Electric and Acoustic.”
The acclaimed guitarist and Grammy-nominated songwriter will perform a tour de force program of original songs, blues, tributes to collaborators Captain Beefheart and Jeff Buckley, covers of 30’s Chinese pop, Wagner, Stones, electronic soundscapes, and more. “Gary Lucas’s influence transcends boundaries and cultures,” says Dusty Wright, a member of the Academy Music Committee. “We’re in for a rollicking treat.”
Lucas has performed and collaborated with a who’s who of musical luminaries including Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet), Jeff Buckley, Leonard Bernstein, Lou Reed, John Cale, Patti Smith, Chris Cornell, Bryan Ferry, Nona Hendryx, Los Van Van, Bob Weir, Nick Cave, Thurston Moore, Lukas Ligeti, Martha Wainwright, Camille O’Sullivan, Steve Kilbey, and many others. He has recorded over 50 albums and has performed in over 40 countries.
The concert is on Saturday, February 24th at 7:30 p.m. at Spencertown Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium on State Route 203 in Spencertown, N.Y. Tickets are $25 and $20 for members. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Springfield Museums open a new exhibit ‘Animationland,’ which breaks down the art and science of animation
Springfield— On Saturday, January 13th, the Springfield Museums will open a new exhibit “Animationland,” which breaks down the art and science of animation and is perfect for adults and kids alike.
In “Animationland,” Tracey the pencil dog and her crew, Rooth, Drop, Inky, Uno, and Kari, invite visitors to join them on a fantastically immersive journey to create stories using science and imagination. Visitors will be encouraged to channel their creativity and develop their own animated production using storyboarding, sketching, stop-motion movie making, and more.
Developed and produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), “Animationland” empowers visitors of all ages to experiment, learn, and tell stories of their own through animation.
The exhibit opens on Saturday, January 13th and runs through May 5th on the second floor of the Springfield Science Museum located in downtown Springfield. It is free with museum admission. There is free parking. The opening day of the exhibition will feature an array of related hands-on activities across all five Museums. Members are invited to a complimentary member breakfast and an hour of early access from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on opening day. More information can be found online.
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Calling all Massachusetts Students to submit films to BIFF’s ‘nexGen Film Competition’
Great Barrington— In honor of their 18th season, the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) announced their new initiative, BIFF’s “nexGen Film Competition” for students across Massachusetts in an effort to encourage the work of the next generation of talented young filmmakers.
The competition aims to discover emerging student filmmakers and provide them a platform and benefits including helping students get into collegiate film programs, highlighting their talent in a festival setting, mentoring, industry job opportunities, and networking with film professionals at a filmmaker summit.
The competition is open now through March 10th. It is open to all student filmmakers currently in high school or college in Massachusetts. Submissions are free of entry fees through Film Freeway. BIFF will present 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners for both narrative and documentary films. All six films will be presented at the 2024 film festival held May 30th through June 2nd. The 1st place winners will be invited to attend the festival in person.
Film submissions must be produced and directed by a student who is attending a high school, college, or university in Massachusetts, must be shorter than 12 minutes, must be completed by March 31st, and the student must own or have cleared all rights of the submitted materials, including music. More information can be found online.
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Grand opening of ‘Check it Out,’ the Guthrie Center’s musical instrument loan program
Great Barrington— Today, Wednesday, January 10th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. is the grand opening of “Check it Out,” the Guthrie Centers musical instrument loan program, featuring entertainment by The Juckets, a Berkshire-based acoustic Americana-bluegrass band.
Designed to serve people of all ages and all instrument experience levels in Berkshire County, the collection offers a variety of instruments from strings to drums to electric keyboards. People can borrow for up to 30 days free of charge.
“Musical instruments should be played, not displayed,” said George Laye, Guthrie Center Director of Development and Founder/Director of the instrument loan program. “We are excited to imagine that future Beethovens or Beatles might emerge from our program and not fall through the cracks. Whether a beginner or professional, in school or retired, there’s an instrument for you.”
The musical instrument loan program reflects Guthrie Center founder Arlo Guthrie’s commitment to meeting the needs of the community and supporting cultural preservation and educational achievement. “Not everyone or every family can afford to rent or buy an instrument or is sure if they’ll stick with it,” said Laye. The lending program encourages fun and learning without any financial burden.
The opening is today, Wednesday, January 10th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Guthrie Center on Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington. The lending library hours will be Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the first Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and the second Tuesday of each month from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Email guthriecenter@gmail.com with any questions.
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Simon’s Rock food pantry accepting donations
Great Barrington— Simon’s Rock has officially opened an on-campus food pantry, the Rocker Pantry, for students who may be experiencing food insecurity or simply need extra assistance. Open to all students, the Rocker Pantry also provides necessary cold-weather gear, clothing, hygiene products, and various household supplies.
The Rocker Pantry is accepting donations on campus. Local community members can find donation boxes at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center. The Rocker Pantry is currently seeking donations of nonperishable food items and financial gifts.
“Food insecurity on college campuses across the country is unfortunately becoming more and more prevalent, even in small communities like Great Barrington and the Berkshires. With the Rocker Pantry, we’re aiming to address and meet the needs of students in our community in an accessible and stigma-free way, which is why the pantry is open to all of our students, no questions asked. We are also asking our local community to support the pantry with non-perishable food item donations, as well as financial donations,” shared Provost and Vice President John B. Weinstein.
If you are interested in giving a financial gift, please contact Tom Esch, Director of Institutional Advancement, at tesch@simons-rock.edu. For other inquiries, please contact Fiona Scruggs, Director of Communications and Marketing, at fscruggs@simons-rock.edu.
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Berkshire Community College is accepting applications for their Community Health Worker Certificate program
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) is accepting applications to its Community Health Worker program, part of the College’s Workforce Development curriculum. The next cohort takes place February 15th through May 7th.
The Community Health Worker program provides rigorous training for public health workers to serve as liaisons between traditionally underserved populations and health/social service providers. The program benefits anyone interested in exploring educational and career pathways in community health, human services, healthcare, or public health.
Students enrolled in the Community Health Worker program learn about essential topics relevant to community health work in Berkshire County, such as chronic diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, physical and mental disabilities, reproductive health issues, domestic violence, mental health, and trauma. The program also addresses community health work in emergency situations and contact tracing as a tool for preventing the spread of infectious disease.
The certificate program at BCC includes 42 hours of face-to-face instruction, 42 hours of online instruction, and 20 hours of fieldwork at a local non-profit organization. Three-hour classes are held once a week from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., alternating between face-to-face and online classes. Coursework content is designed by public health professionals and delivered by specialists directly involved in community health work in Berkshire County.
Workforce Training at BCC offers a wide range of educational resources designed for individuals, businesses, and organizations. In addition to community health worker certification, the department currently offers instruction for certified nursing assistants, medical interpreters, phlebotomy technicians, and group fitness instructors. For more information, contact workforce@berkshirecc.edu.
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The Stockbridge Board of Selectmen new monthly meeting schedule
Stockbridge— The Stockbridge Board of Selectmen have changed their monthly meeting schedule for 2024. They will now meet monthly on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6:30 p.m. The first meeting this month will be on Thursday, January 18th at 6:30 p.m.
