Spencertown Academy presents Dinitia Smith in conversation with Ruth Reichl
SPENCERTOWN, N.Y. — Spencertown Academy Arts Center, in collaboration with The Chatham Bookstore, presents Dinitia Smith in an event celebrating her new book, “The Prince: a Novel” (Arcade Publishing, 2022) on Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. She will be joined in conversation by author Ruth Reichl. Advance reservations are required. Tickets ($10) are available online.
“Money. Power. Sex. Family. Dinitia Smith’s retelling of ‘The Golden Bowl’ by Henry James is a modern classic with twists and turns that even James couldn’t imagine,” said Academy Board Member Jill Kalotay. “And we are thrilled that our esteemed Spencertown neighbor Ruth Reichl will participate in what will no doubt be a fascinating conversation.”
Smith uses the modern equivalent of the glittering high society setting of the Golden Age to tell the story of a father and daughter and the prince who comes between them. Set partially on Woodford Island, based on Gardiners Island off the coast of East Hampton, New York, “The Prince” reconstructs the claustrophobic tension of the original while exploring the four central relationships with a fresh, contemporary gaze.
Smith is the author of four previous novels and her short stories have been published in numerous magazines. For 11 years, she was a reporter at the New York Times, where she wrote on literary topics and intellectual trends. She has won awards for her writing, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the MacDowell Colony, and the Bread Loaf Writers Conference. She is also an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker. Her film, “Passing Quietly Through,” was chosen for the New York Film Festival, and shown at the Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.
Reichl was the restaurant critic and food editor at the Los Angeles Times, restaurant critic at the New York Times, and the last editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine. She has written a novel, two cookbooks and five memoirs. Her most recent book, “Save Me the Plums,” is about her time at Gourmet. She was a judge on Top Chef Masters and host of “Adventures with Ruth” on PBS. She is the recipient of six James Beard Awards. At the moment she is working on another novel and a documentary about American food.
Books by both authors will be for sale and the authors will be available for signing after the conversation. Ticket-holders will receive 10% off books purchased at the event.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Botanical Garden to host its first Spring Hoppening April 16
STOCKBRIDGE — Berkshire Botanical Garden will begin its 88th season with its inaugural Spring Hoppening on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
A highlight of the Hoppening will be egg hunts taking place in Procter Garden and Lucy’s Garden. With the help of the Garden’s herb associates and other volunteers, upwards of 2,000 “eggs” will be made and distributed throughout the gardens, each containing regionally native seeds ready for spring planting.
The Spring Hoppening will also include craft activities for kids, baby chicks on hand, a photo booth, rides on a mini horse-drawn cart, and opportunities to have photos taken with a rather large and friendly bunny. The Garden’s gift shop will be open with plants and garden items for sale. Beverages, including a mimosa bar and snacks, will be available.
At 11 a.m. the first of two egg hunts begin for children up to 4 years old, followed at 11:30 a.m. with an egg hunt for children ages of 5 through 12. At noon, Wenonah Webster will lead an early spring tree identification tour, as leaves begin to bud throughout the 24-acre property. Admission is $8 per person; free for children under age 4. The event will be held rain or shine.
—A.K.
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Shakespeare & Company launches Free Friday Talks; Wednesday Walks return
LENOX — Shakespeare & Company has announced the creation of a new, free lecture series slated to launch on Friday, April 22. Hosted by educator and member of Shakespeare & Volunteer Company Ann Berman, Free Friday Talks will examine various themes surrounding many of the Company’s 2022 season works and will feature various directors, cast members, design-team members, or others at each presentation.
Talks begin Friday, April 22 at 10:30 a.m., under the Tina Packer Playhouse tent, with a discussion of “The Approach” by guest speakers Mark Farrell and Tina Packer, co-directors. The series will continue one Friday per month through August 26.
This lecture series is free, but tickets are required. Donations will be accepted at the end of each event. In the event of inclement weather, an indoor location will be chosen, and ticket holders notified via email.
Additional Free Friday Talks
- May 20 – An Iliad: Ann Berman hosts director Jeffrey Mousseau
- June 17 – Much Ado About Nothing: Ann Berman hosts director Kelly Galvin; assistant director Sarah Shin; Patrick Brennan and Kiki Smith, designer team members
- July 22 – Measure for Measure: Ann Berman hosts director Alice Reagan and other guests
- August 26 – Golden Leaf Rag Time Blues: discussion TBD, with the director and other guests
Free Friday Talks join Wednesday Walks — returning after a pandemic pause — as another weekday activity option at Shakespeare & Company. Held July 6–August 31 at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday Walks offer behind-the-scenes looks at everything the Company does.
General Manager Steve Ball and hid dog Willie lead a two-hour walk through the Company’s stages; rehearsal studios; costume, prop, and set construction and storage areas; and its weapons armory. Participants will meet some of the artisans while touring the facilities. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, including a $2 facility fee. Wednesday Walks will be held July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, at 10:30 a.m.
—A.K.
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BAA announces fellowship show, award recipients
PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Art Association (BAA) 2022 Fellowship Show is on view at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield until April 30. Art students from Berkshire County colleges, along with Berkshire County residents who major in art anywhere in the country, were invited to participate in this juried show. This year, out of 24 students, 14 were chosen by a panel of three jurors.
2022 Fellowship Show artists:
- Sylvia Broom, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- *Sergio Demo, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- *Dara Etienne, Williams College
- *Tiffany Ferreira, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- *Calen Geiser-Cseh, Williams College
- Falcon Laina, Bard College at Simon’s Rock
- Nhi Lam, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- **Owen McCarter, Rhode Island School of Design
- William McCormick, Williams College
- *Joseph Messer, Williams College
- *Vina Nweke, Williams College
- *Phillip Pyle, Williams College
- *Javier Robelo, Williams College
- *Hannah Stillman, Williams College
*Fellowship Award Winner
**Winner of the Norman and Rose Avnet Fellowship Award for Berkshire County Residents
—A.K.
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COVID-19 Fund partners award $11,500 to Help the Helpers
BERKSHIRE COUNTY – The COVID-19 pandemic took a significant toll on the Berkshire County community, especially its nonprofit professionals, who provide direct services to the most vulnerable.
In appreciation and acknowledgement of the service offered during challenging times in early-learning classrooms, after-school programs, community health care settings, and other places, Berkshire United Way (BUW), Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Northern Berkshire United Way (NBUW), and Williamstown Community Chest agreed to Help the Helpers with grants from the Berkshire County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Learn how the grants are being used.
Local nonprofits were invited to apply for 16 grants of $500 each to be used toward staff well-being activities. After seeing 23 applications come in, the partners stepped up to fund the gap and award grants for all 23 proposals, ranging from projects focused on team building and staff recognition to wellness and other activities.
“These Help the Helpers grants will ensure that over 380 frontline professionals in nonprofits across Berkshire County are seen, appreciated, and celebrated,” said BUW president and CEO Tom Bernard.
Earlier this year, BUW and NBUW awarded eight childcare programs $500 each to show appreciation for their staff, thanks to funding from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley through the Childcare Relief Fund. Read more about this additional funding.
—A.K.
