Ze’eva Cohen film screening and master class
Housatonic — On Saturday, November 21, Berkshire Pulse will present a screening of “Ze’eva Cohen: Creating A Life In Dance,” a documentary directed and edited by Sharon Kaufman. The screening of the 32-minute film, which focuses on dancer and choreographer Ze’eva Cohen, will take place at 11:30 a.m. A Q&A with Ms. Cohen, who will also lead a repertory workshop from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., will immediately follow the screening. The event is free and open to the public, although there is a suggested donation of $10.
The film presents a model of how an artist can survive in the dance world by carving an independent path for herself. Primarily narrated by Ms. Cohen, the documentary spans 70 years, encompassing her life as a young dancer in Israel, her work in the U.S. as a soloist, her pioneering 12-year solo repertory concerts, her choreography for diverse dance companies, as well as her educational work at Princeton University where she founded and directed the dance program from 1969 to 2009.
Filmmaker Sharon Kaufman made her producing and directing debut with this film and has a long career as a film and video editor for the ABC, NBC, and CBS television networks, including for the 1992 Winter Olympics, the PBS series “Heritage: Civilization and the Jews,” and many other news magazine stories and long-form documentaries. She is the recipient of numerous awards including an Emmy Award and a George Polk Award.
After the screening the workshop will begin with a brief warm-up, after which Ms. Cohen will teach short selections from her rich and diverse repertoire. Students with varying degrees of experience (intermediate level and above) will be challenged and encouraged to experience the many expressive qualities embedded in each of the dances.
For more information contact Berkshire Pulse at (413) 274-6624.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Grown to present holiday farmers’ markets
Great Barrington — Berkshire Grown will present holiday farmers’ markets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays November 21 and December 19, 2015 and January 16 and February 13, 2016 at Monument Valley Regional Middle School and on Sundays November 22 and December 20, 2015 at Williams College’s Towne Field House.
The events will feature locally grown and produced foods and gifts, including fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, yarn, and more plus live music, lunch fare, and children’s activities during months when farmers’ markets are not open in the region. Admission is free and the markets will be equipped to process EBT cards and SNAP benefits on site.
The Williamstown markets will feature traditional acoustic music by the MoCA jam band, and face painting and seasonal crafts activities for children led by local artist Jisela Vasquez. The Great Barrington markets will feature a variety of musical acts as well as children’s activities.
For more information contact Berkshire Grown at (413) 528-0041.
–E.E.
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Mary Stokes Waller to present ‘Family Life and Fine Horses’
Lenox — Nationally recognized for her equestrian accomplishments, Mary Stokes Waller of Stockbridge will illustrate a century of “Family Life and Fine Horses: The Procters and Stokeses of Orleton Farm” using photographs from her mother’s album. She will present her program at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum on Saturday, November 21 at 3:30 p.m. followed by a Victorian tea.
In 1912, Mary’s maternal grandfather, Harley T. Procter of Procter & Gamble Co., built Orleton (now The Gateways Inn) in Lenox, but he needed a farm for his pedigreed coaching steeds. He bought a farm on Prospect Hill, where Mary and her husband Harvey still live and operate a stable, the center of carriage-driving activities throughout the Northeast. This unusual talk will illustrate an active, local figure’s recounting of her own family’s storied past and love for their property.
Tickets for the Tea & Talk are $22 in advance and $27 the day of the event. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. For information or reservations call Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or email info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
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Lauren Clark Fine Art gallert events
Great Barrington — Lauren Clark Fine Art will offer several events this week. On Thursday, November 19 at 6:30 p.m., Richard Britell will give a talk entitled “Conspicuous Consumption” which will discuss the term coined by Thorstein Veblen in his book “The Theory of the Leisure Class.” On Saturday, November 21, the exhibit “17 Painters and a Sculptor,” featuring new work by sculptor Joe Wheaton and 17 other artists from around the Berkshires and beyond, will open with a reception from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. On Saturday, November 21 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 22 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., the gallery will host Israeli artist Sharon Levy for a trunk show of her jewelry and metalwork.
Contact the gallery for more information at (413) 528-0432.
–E.E.
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Watson Fund helps families in need
Great Barrington — The Watson Fund is soliciting donations to help families this holiday season. Berkshire Eagle reporter John Watson started the Fund in 1936 in order to address some of the hardship brought on by the Great depression. The Fund collects food, clothing, and monetary donations to be distributed by the Great Barrington Rotary Club to Berkshire County families in need.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be mailed to The Watson Fund, c/o Berkshire Bank, 244 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Donations will be acknowledged publicly unless otherwise requested.
–E.E.
