Simon’s Rock to host pianist Peter Serkin, wind players from The Orchestra Now
Great Barrington — South Berkshire Concerts will present pianist and mentor Peter Serkin and The Orchestra Now wind players Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Daniel Arts Center.
Serkin has been a frequent presence at the Daniel Arts Center since his inaugural concert there in May 2004. Among the pieces to be performed are Mozart’s Quintet for Piano and Winds in E-flat major K. 452; Beethoven’s Quintet in E-flat, Op. 16; and Bach’s Oboe Sonata in G minor.
Serkin has successfully conveyed the essence of five centuries of repertoire. An avid champion of the music of many of the 20th and 21st centuries’ most important composers, Serkin has been instrumental in bringing to life the music of Schoenberg, Reger, Webern, Berg, Stravinsky, Wolpe, Messiaen, Takemitsu, Wuorinen, Goehr and Knussen for audiences around the world. His 2017–18 season began with concerts in Japan and continued with solo recitals in Oregon, California, New Jersey and Minnesota, performing Mozart sonatas paired with Bach’s Goldberg Variations. Serkin currently teaches at Bard College Conservatory of Music.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10. For more information, call (413) 528-7212.
–E.E.
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Mass. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to speak at BCC commencement
Lenox — Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash will serve as the keynote speaker at Berkshire Community College’s 58th commencement exercises Friday, June 1, at Tanglewood. The event is free and open to the public.
Ash is responsible for directing and executing Gov. Charlie Baker’s agenda on housing and community development, job creation, business development, consumer affairs, and business regulation. Since joining the Baker-Polito administration, Ash has prioritized efforts to grow jobs, help communities realize their economic development priorities, connect citizens to new economic opportunities and build prosperity across Massachusetts.
Said BCC President Ellen Kennedy. “Secretary Ash has spent much time in the Berkshires and on our campus. He understands the Berkshires and is a champion of our efforts. He helped us secure the additional funding for the Berkshire Innovation Center. Many of us have appreciated his wise counsel and his friendship. We should anticipate thoughtful and entertaining remarks.”
Under Ash’s leadership, the Commonwealth has increased its commitment to public infrastructure that unlocks economic development, the revitalization of brownfields, workforce training equipment, and the development and commercialization of emerging technologies. He has led efforts to increase affordable housing production, redevelop and modernize public housing communities, and substantially reduce the number of homeless families sheltered in motel rooms. Ash has played a leadership role in the recruitment and expansion of major employers including Amazon,General Electric, IBM Watson Health, Kronos, Mass Mutual and Siemens.
Ash previously served as the city manager of his native Chelsea from 2000 to 2014, growing the city’s housing stock, expanding its commercial base, developing 10 new parks, securing five credit rating increases, and winning two All-America City designations for Chelsea.
–E.E.
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Housatonic Valley Association to conduct Stream Team training
Great Barrington — The Housatonic Valley Association will conduct a Stream Team training Tuesday, May 15, from 5 to 7p.m. at the Mason Library. Stream Team volunteers will complete visual surveys of the Williams and Konkapot rivers this spring and summer by walking or paddling along assigned segments of river and recording information along the way. The information gathered and suggested recommendations will be compiled into a stream assessment report to be completed by October. For more information or to register, contact HVA at (413) 298-7024 or adixon@hvatoday.org.
–E.E.
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IS183 to present Camp Kitchykinky
Great Barrington — On Saturday May 19, the freshly discovered site of Eisner Camp will draw all manner of fabulous phenomena to it for IS183 Art School of the Berkshires’ annual gala, this year named Camp Kitchykinky. The silent auction, dinner and dance party benefit will combine summer camp and the films of John Waters in a celebration of the feel-good vibes that have attracted creative thinkers and makers to the Berkshires for decades.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a divine dinner curated by Brian Alberg, the troop leader of the canteen at Main Street Hospitality Group. Diners will feel as if they’re at a party hosted by Edna Turnblad in New Penzance, but with ingredients straight out of the Berkshires. They’ll have to save room for dessert to discover how Scout Master Alberg incorporates marshmallows and tears into sweet treats. Projections by Joe Wheaton will flow around dancers burning up the dance floor until 1 a.m. Attendees will also scout out a silent auction with one-of-a-kind experiences offered to the highest bidders.
Partygoers are already planning their outfits for the gala. Some will be dressed for the party in a retro campy vibe or bad-boy biker jackets and greased-up hair, or preppy squares mixed with khaki Girl Scout garb. While costumes are not required of attendees, creative outfits are encouraged!
Tickets begin at $35. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact IS183 at (413) 298-5252 x100 or peter@is183.org.
–E.E.
