Neal and Tyer to present screening of heroin documentary
Pittsfield — On Tuesday, July 19, at 5 p.m., Congressman Richard Neal will join Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer, North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler, and Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless for a community screening and panel discussion of the HBO documentary “Heroin: Cape Cod USA” at Berkshire Community College’s Koussevitzky Arts Center.
The event will begin promptly at 5 p.m. with brief remarks from Neal, Tyer, and Capeless. The documentary’s producer Lise King, will introduce the approximately-77-minutes-long film. A panel discussion about current efforts to reduce the drug problem in Berkshire County will follow. Berkshire Health Systems Vice President and General Counsel John Rogers will moderate the discussion. Panelists will include North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler, Pittsfield Chief of Police Michael Wynn, Dr. Alex Sabo of Berkshire Medical Center; Railroad Street Youth Project Executive Director Ananda Timpane, and the Brien Center CEO Chris MacBeth.
The event is free and open to the public and is expected to conclude by 7:45 p.m. It will be broadcast by Pittsfield Community Television.
–E.E.
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Shakespeare & Co. to present ‘Artistic Insights’
Lenox — Shakespeare & Company will present “Artistic Insights,” a series of five weekly talks designed to provide a deeper background for its 2016 productions, in the Company’s Bernstein Studio Three. Kicking off the series on Tuesday, July 19, at 5 p.m., Company Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer and Company actor Jonathan Epstein will give a talk entitled “Shakespeare and the Jews,” which will explore Shakespeare’s controversial play “The Merchant of Venice.”
The series will continue with “Thoroughly Modern (Women) Playwrights” with WAM Theatre Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven on Tuesday, July 26; “Designed for Theatre” with Company design professionals on Tuesday, August 2; “The Art of Healing/Trauma in the Theatre” with Christianna Nelson of “Ugly Lies the Bone” and Stephen Wolfert of “Cry ‘Havoc!’” on Tuesday, August 9; and “The Spirit of (MS) St. Louis: Troubled Times for Immigration” on Tuesday, August 16.
All talks will begin at 5 p.m. and will cost $8 for adults and $4 for students. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the Shakespeare & Company box office at (413) 637-3353.
–E.E.
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‘Nudes Beyond the Prado’
North Adams – As a tie-in with the “Nudes at the Prado” exhibit at Clark Art Institute, Eclipse Mill Gallery is featuring “Nudes Beyond the Prado,” an exhibit of contemporary view of nudes in paintings and prints by area artists Jim Peters, Roy Volkmann, and Nadine Robbins through Sunday, July 24. A reception with the artists will be held on Saturday, July 16, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. with artists’ talks beginning at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Brill Gallery Productions at (413) 664-4353 or info@brillgallery109.com.
–E.E.
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Carole Owens book signing
Richmond – On Saturday, July 16, at 11:30 a.m., the Richmond Free Public Library will host author and Edge columnist Carole Owens, who will talk about the roles of New England women in the 1700s and sign copies of her new book “Remarkable Women of New England.” The event is free and open to the public. Colonial refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Library at (413) 698-3834 or richmondfreepubliclibrary@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Hevreh rabbi to participate in theatre discussion
Chester – On Sunday, July 17, Rabbi Neil P.G. Hirsch of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire in Great Barrington will participate in a talkback discussion at the Chester Theatre Company (CTC) after a 2 p.m. performance of Anat Gov’s play “Oh God.” Reverend Nancy Webb Stroud of the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Westfield will also be part of the discussion, which will be moderated by CTC’s Producing Artistic Director Daniel Elihu Kramer. General admission tickets are $37.50 and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the CTC box office at (413) 354-7771.
–E.E.
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Housatonic River paddle trip
Lee — On Tuesday, July 19, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m., the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) will offer a six-mile paddle trip along the Housatonic River through Lee to South Lee. Some paddling experience is preferred as there are sections of quick water and downed trees to negotiate. Canoes and equipment will be provided, but participants may bring their own boats. The cost of the program is $15 for HVA members, $20 for non-members, $25 for HVA member families, and $35 for non-member families. Space is limited and advance registration required. For more information or to register, contact HVA at (413) 394-9796 or adixon@hvatoday.org.
–E.E.
