Sheep shearing & wool craft event to be held at Stockbridge Library
STOCKBRIDGE — The Stockbridge Library will present a Sheepy Summer Pop-up event, on the lawn, Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Artisan vendors will be set up in the parking lot behind the Prado de Lana Shop at 44 Main Street. From 11 a.m.–2 p.m., the shop will present a sheep-shearing demonstration, followed by a working sheep dog demonstration, on the Library lawn.
The Stockbridge Library Association’s children’s librarian will run a craft table and a sheep-themed storytime at 11:30 a.m. Prado de Lana will host a Kid’s Coloring Table and place to “Snuggle a Sheep” all weekend. This program is open to the public, and the demonstrations, crafts, and storytime are free. Hot popcorn will be for sale at the event.
—A.K.
* * *
Berkshire Children’s Chorus to present concert June 12
SHEFFIELD — Berkshire Children’s Chorus invites the public to a concert on Sunday, June 12 at 4 p.m., at Old Parish Church, 125 Main Street in Sheffield. The concert, How Can I Keep from Singing, will celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary season, as well as its perseverance through the pandemic.
This will be Berkshire Children’s Chorus’ first public performance under the artistic direction of Ryan LaBoy, who joined the organization in June of 2021. The concert program will feature a world premiere orchestration of “O Colored Earth” by Steve Heitzeg, and special musical guests Stockbridge Sinfonia, under the artistic direction of Tracy Wilson. In honor of the Chorus’ 30th anniversary, founding Artistic Director Nancy Loder and Berkshire Children’s Chorus alumni have been invited to sing two songs with the current choristers. As part of the program, the Chorus will share its new film, “A Story for the Season.”
The concert will also showcase a new partnership between Berkshire Children’s Chorus and Berkshire Music School that has brought ukulele lessons to all Chorus members for 6 weeks this spring. The lessons were made available to families at no cost, thanks to the support of local cultural Councils and ukuleles on loan from The Magic Fluke Co.
Admission to the concert is free. Donations will be gladly accepted at the door. Seating will be limited and RSVPS are highly recommended, and can be made here. All audience members will be required to wear masks.
Looking ahead, the Chorus is currently welcoming new singers in grades 3-8 to audition for next season. Interested families are encouraged to fill out an interest form so the artistic director can follow up with more information about Chorus membership. The Chorus invites interested families to participate in this summer’s Kick it with the Chorus series of musical kickball games at Sheffield Town Park, on June 25, July 16, and August 13.
—A.K.
* * *
Esau’s Heel Trail to open in Becket June 18
BECKET — The Town of Becket will hold a grand opening ceremony for the newly created Esau’s Heel Trail, a 2.1-mile easy loop on Route 20. The trail was saved from auction by selectboard member Michael Lavery and community preservation fund grant money was approved to hire Greenagers, a local non-profit organization, to help add the loop section.
The trail will be officially opened for use at 10 a.m. on June 18 at the trailhead, approximately 1180 Jacob’s Ladder Rd. (Route 20) in Becket. (Near the deer statue.)
The trail name comes from similarly Biblically-named locations nearby: Jacob’s Ladder, Jacob’s Pillow, Jacob’s Well. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, according to the tale: Esau, born first, was grabbed by brother Jacob by the heel as he was being born. The trail is long and straight, with a bend at the end, similar to a leg with foot.
—A.K.
* * *
Berkshire Bach Society presents The Universal Harpsichord with Mariken Palmboom
GREAT BARRINGTON — The Berkshire Bach Society concludes its 2021-2022 season on Saturday, June 18, at 4 p.m. with distinguished harpsichordist Mariken Palmboom in a concert of harpsichord music from Germany, England, Italy, and France, at the New Marlborough Meeting House.
Educated at the Royal Conservatories in The Hague and Antwerp, Palmboom has performed throughout Europe and the U.S. as a soloist and ensemble player in early-music festivals and other venues. She teaches both here and abroad, and has frequently led Baroque chamber music workshops in Holland, California, the Berkshires, and elsewhere.
The program includes works by J.S. Bach, Byrd, Frescobaldi, Louis and François Couperin, and Domenico Scarlatti, and is an anniversary of sorts — the first book of Bach’s Well-tempered Clavier and François Couperin’s third book of his Pieces for Keyboard were both published in 1722, 300 years ago.
Tickets available at the door and online. All seats are $35, Berkshire Bach member discounts apply, and children under 18 and students with valid ID are admitted free.
—A.K.
* * *
BIFF announces 2022 prize winners
GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) announces the winners of the annual BIFF Juried Prize Award and the BIFF Audience Award. Patrons watched films in-person and online in BIFF’s first ever hybrid festival.
In the Juried Narrative category, the Lebanese film “Farah” was awarded the top prize. In the Juried Documentary category, the winner was “Open Field,” directed by Kathy Kuras. The subject of the film, quarterback Sami Grisafe, accepted the award for the team. The BIFF jury was made up of actor/director Karen Allen, Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment, screenwriter Maria Nation, casting director Gretchen Rennell, filmmaker and producer Kent Jones, and MTV programmer and creative consultant Greg Rhem.
The Audience Award Winner for favorite documentary film was too close to call, so the award was presented to both “Cirque du Cambodia,” directed by Joel Gershon and “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen,” directed by Daniel Raim. The Audience Award Winner for narrative feature went to “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On,” directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp.
The winner of the 12th annual Berkshire Bank Next Great Filmmaker Award was presented to the short film “To Wade or Row,” about a couple who stops for the night at a small-town hotel, but the destination turns out to be much more important than they know. The filmmaker Rebecca van der Meulen, a native of Berkshire County, was on hand to accept the award.
—A.K.
