Great Barrington Public Theater presents Berkshire Voices readings at Saint James Place
Great Barrington— On May 6th and May 22nd at 7 p.m., Great Barrington Public Theater presents Berkshire Voices readings at Saint James Place.
On May 6th, there is a reading of ‘A Play Where Nothing Happens’ by Maizy Broderick Scarpa and directed by Leigh Strimbeck. Maura and Anna’s last summer before college utterly lacks the iconic adventures promised in films and novels. Instead, they daydream, sneak into movies with their friend Pete, and try (unsuccessfully) to “make a thing happen.” In the process, Maura forms an unexpected bond with Anna’s college-dropout cousin, and all four of them must contend with the difference between what they think they want and what they actually do.
On May 22nd, there is a reading of ‘Ocean Walk’ by Gianfranco Lentini and directed by Jonathon Loy. Fire Island is underwater. A cataclysmic storm finally breached the last of the island’s defenses. All residents have evacuated…except one: Harry, a longtime resident of the Pines, refuses to leave his submerged home even when Casey, a 17-year-old Senior Deckhand of the Sayville Ferry Service, shows up to fish him out.
The performances are on May 6th and May 22nd at 7 p.m. at Saint James Place, located at 352 Main Street in Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online (May 6th/May 22nd.)
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Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Spring Fest
Stockbridge— On Sunday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Berkshire Botanical Garden presents its annual Spring Fest with free admission all day.
Visitors can stroll the 24-acre grounds, enjoy the spring blooming bulbs and trees, and visit the gift shop. There will be kids’ activities including horseback rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and lawn games, including a traditional Maypole dance. Specialty foods and drinks will be available throughout the day including Victorian tea and tea sandwiches, an assortment of herb-infused cookies, and Mai Bowle, a May wine punch.
From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., the award-winning arts ensemble Arm-of-the-Sea Theater will perform “DIRT: The Secret Life of Soil.” Through live music, puppets, and masks, the theater company will explore relations between humans and the life-support networks of the planet. Tickets are free for children under 12.
There will also be a tree giveaway throughout the day. Eastern Pine, Silky Dogwood, White Oak, and Sugar Maple bare-root trees will be handed out with instructions on how to plant and care for your new tree.
The fest is on Sunday, May 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Berkshire Botanical Garden, located at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge. More information can be found online.
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Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘Creative Diversity,’ a spring exhibition at The Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield— From May 3rd to July 12th, Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘Creative Diversity,’ a spring exhibition in the lobby of The Colonial Theatre.
“Creative Diversity” consists of ten works of art selected by a jury. Media include oils on linen and canvas, photo transfer on metal, and Cochineal on paper-print, with styles ranging from realistic to the abstract. Works range from photographic realism to impressionistic landscapes to gestural abstract expressionism.
Steve Mitchell’s “Zander and Mary” is a poignant painting of a girl and a horse. One assumes it is her horse that she loves dearly…or maybe not. The horse is painted perfectly while Mary is a somewhat imperfect rendering again going back to Mitchell’ statement…or maybe not…
The exhibit runs from May 3rd to July 12th in the lobby of The Colonial Theatre, located at 111 South Street in Pittsfield. There will be virtual receptions on May 14th and 15th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Zoom (Meeting ID: 818 0138 6181. Passcode: 507158.) All works are for sale. More information can be found online.
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Cantilena Chamber Choir presents Ron Perera’s ‘Golden Door’ and special guests The Spirituals of Boston Arts Academy
Lenox— On Sunday, May 4th at 3 p.m., the Cantilena Chamber Choir will present its final performance of their 21st season with special guests, the award- winning youth choir The Spirituals of Boston Arts Academy.
Cantilena will be performing Ron Perera’s “Golden Door” for chorus and orchestra using texts from original Ellis Island diaries, a special presentation in this time of concern for our immigrant friends and neighbors. The program will also include rousing spirituals and a joint performance with both choirs.
The Spirituals of Boston Arts Academy is under the current direction of Music Department Chair Michael W. Bradley. This auditioned group of 32 sophomores, juniors and seniors at Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city’s only public arts high school, explores the evolution of the African American sacred choral music tradition. This past year The Spirituals shared the stage with six-time Grammy Award winning songwriter James Taylor and performed for the 50th Anniversary Concert of “Sweet Honey In The Rock.” The Spirituals have also been invited to perform in the “Debut Concert Series” at Carnegie Hall in New York City in May.
The concert is on Sunday, May 4th at 3 p.m. at Trinity Church, located at 88 Walker Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire HorseWorks presents ‘Book Club at the Barn’
Richmond— Beginning on Monday, May 5th from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Berkshire HorseWorks presents “Book Club at the Barn,” engaging discussions and experiential learning with horses.
This equine-assisted book club is designed to foster a love for reading, improve reading comprehension, social-emotional learning, while deepening children’s understanding of literary themes through interactive, hands-on experiences with rescued horses, ponies, and donkeys.
Children will read the assigned book before each session and come together to discuss themes such as friendship, bravery, self-esteem, and care for the environment. Following the discussion, participants will engage in a specially designed equine-assisted activity that brings the book’s themes to life. There is no riding involved in this program and no horse experience is needed.
The book club begins on Monday, May 5th from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. at Berkshire HorseWorks, located at 100 Patton Road in Richmond. It is open to all children, regardless of reading level. More information, including a list of books that will be read and discussed, can be found online.
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Southern Berkshire Chamber presents ‘Dinner & Trivia’ at Wyantenuck Country Club
Great Barrington— Tonight, Friday, May 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Southern Berkshire Chamber presents Dinner & Trivia at Wyantenuck Country Club.
You’re invited for an epic evening of dining, trivia, and community. Enjoy a catered dinner by Wyantenuck Country Club and two trivia games led by Dave Isby with a chance to win $200 per game. There will also be a raffle to win a curated Berkshire Basket valued at over $400.
The event is tonight, Friday, May 2nd from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Wyantenuck Country Club, located at 46 West Sheffield Road in Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online.
