Saturday, June 14, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Bits & Bytes: ‘FLOW/FLUX/FOLD’ at TurnPark; Art Omi opening; Diane Taraz at the Bidwell House; free health talks; The Sea The Sea at Club Helsinki Hudson

Diane Taraz will explore the life of Elizabeth Freeman in the music of the time by performing in period clothing and accompanying her singing on lap dulcimer.

‘FLOW/FLUX/FOLD’ to open at TurnPark Art Space

West Stockbridge — TurnPark Art Space will hold an opening reception for FLOW/FLUX/FOLD by Liane Nouri and Jaanika Peerna Saturday, May 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Barn Gallery. Part of a season-long focus on landscape, the work of both artists represented in exhibit blurs the edges among color, shadow, line and plane.

Born in New York City, Hudson Valley-based Nouri studied architecture and painting at the City College of New York. Her work incorporates the use of building materials such as wood and plaster, and explores the relationship between how art is viewed and the space in which it is viewed. She has exhibited in Massachusetts, New Mexico and New York, and is the founder of Architecture for Art, illustrating the intersection of art and architecture through exhibits and documentaries.

Based in New York since 1998, Estonia-born Peerna explores transitions in light, air, water and other natural phenomena. Her work has been shown in in major cities around the word and has been acquired by the Fonds national d’art contemporain in Paris andGlynn Vivian Art Gallery in the UK as well as private collectors. In 2016, she was awarded the FID Prize for her work in drawing. She studied at Tallinn Pedagogical University in Estonia, the University of Art and Design Helsinki in Finland, and SUNY New Paltz, where she completed a MFA in intermedia design.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact TurnPark Art Space at info@turnpark.com.

–E.E.

*     *     *

‘Day Trip’ by Sarah Braman, left, and ‘Eureka’ by Brian Tolle at Art Omi. Photo courtesy Art Omi

Art Omi to open summer season

Ghent, N.Y. — Art Omi will open its summer season Saturday, May 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. with a celebration of recently installed work in the Sculpture and Architecture Park, as well as the opening of “To Be Of Use,” a solo exhibition by David Shrigley in the Newmark Gallery. In conjunction with the opening of this exhibition, Melissa Auf der Maur, Arone Dyer and Rebecca Ruth Borrer will perform at 3 p.m. using Shrigley’s Problem Guitars.

The 2019 exhibition season includes outdoor sculpture by Andrea Bowers, Sarah Braman, Atelier Van Lieshout, Matthew Geller, Goshka Macuga, Virginia Overton, Arlene Shechet, Brian Tolle and Christopher Wool. The season also includes solo exhibitions in the Newmark Gallery by Katherine Bernhardt, David Shrigley, Tschabalala Self, Francesca DiMattio and Abigail DeVille. In the Architecture Fields, May 25 marks the opening of newly installed pavilions by Yolande DanielsHou de Sousa, Aleksandr Mergold and BASE Studio. From 1 to 4 p.m., Art Omi: Education will host its annual block party in the Education Pavilions, where children and families can embark on a collaborative building project.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Art Omi at (518) 392-4747 or info@artomi.org.

–E.E.

*     *     *

Singer-songwriter Diane Taraz to perform at Bidwell House Museum

Diane Taraz performing at the Bidwell House Museum. Photo courtesy Bidwell House Museum

Monterey — The Bidwell House Museum will open its 2019 season Sunday, May 26, at 3 p.m. with the concert “A Free Woman: The Amazing Grace of Mum Bet” by singer-songwriter Diane Taraz. A reception with refreshments to celebrate the start of the season will follow the concert.

In 1781, during the American Revolution, a slave named Mum Bet sued for her freedom in a Great Barrington court of law. She won her case and chose a new name: Elizabeth Freeman. Taraz will explore the life of Elizabeth Freeman in the music of the time by performing in period clothing and accompanying her singing on lap dulcimer.

A Pittsfield native, Taraz has long made her home in the Boston area, performing extensively throughout New England. She is the director of the Lexington Historical Society Colonial Singers and a longtime member of the Gloucester Hornpipe and Clog Society.

The event is $15 for the general public and free for members. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the Bidwell House Museum at (413) 528-6888.

–E.E.

*     *     *

Fairview Hospital to offer free health programs

Great Barrington — Fairview Hospital will kick off its annual summer season of health education with two programs focusing on health issues faced by many members of the community.

On Tuesday, May 28, respiratory therapist Thomas Fleming will present “The Buteyko Method for Breath Management.” The Buteyko method is a complementary technique that can improve asthma symptoms and quality of life, as well as reduce bronchodilator requirement in adults with asthma. Fleming will provide information and short exercises to explain the method and how it is used to assist patients.

On Thursday, May 30, occupational therapist Betsy Curtis will offer “Managing Pain Without Medication: An Occupational Therapist’s Perspective.” Through the occupational therapy process, specific performance problems in daily living are assessed, valued activities are identified and evidence-based therapeutic approaches are used to address the individual’s goals.

Both programs are free and will take place at 4 p.m. in the hospital’s Ground Floor Conference Room. Pre-registration is requested. For more information or to register, call Fairview’s community relations office at (413) 854-9609.

–E.E.

*     *     *

Club Helsinki Hudson to welcome The Sea The Sea

The Sea The Sea

Hudson, N.Y. — Club Helsinki Hudson will welcome upstate New York-based indie folk-pop group The Sea The Sea Saturday, May 25, at 9 p.m.

The Sea The Sea’s 2014 debut release, “Love We Are We Love,” received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and others, gathering over 15 million streams on Spotify. The animated video for their song “Waiting” sparked viral interest including from BuzzFeed, Pitchfork and the international TED 2015 conference. Their latest album is 2018’s “From the Light.” When not touring, the duo divides their time between Charlton, West Virginia, and East Chatham.

Tickets are $15. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Club Helsinki Hudson at (518) 828-4800.

–E.E.

spot_img

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.

Continue reading

THEN & NOW: The Truman Wheeler House (AKA the Great Barrington Historical Society)

With the expensive “help” of a bank mortgage, the Great Barrington Historical Society saved the 1.4-acre property for use as their headquarters and town museum.

BITS & BYTES: Christine Bilé at Dottie’s; Clyde Criner tribute at ’62 Center for Theater and Dance; NAACP Berkshire County Branch Juneteenth celebration; Lee Juneteenth workshop...

Berkshire-based Christine Bilé is a singer-songwriter playing acoustic pop-folk music on guitar and ukelele — her music will empower you, make you smile, laugh, groove, and maybe even cry.

The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.