Berkshire Theatre Group presents ‘A Celtic Family Celebration’
Pittsfield — Berkshire Theatre Group will present “Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond: A Celtic Family Celebration” on Saturday, November 7 at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy have received both industry acclaim and a loyal fan following by combining their individual talents. Since marrying in 2002, they have been captivating audiences all over North America with their musical skills and joy at performing together. Now, for the first time on stage, they’ll feature their children alongside dancers and singers from their homes of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and Lakefield, Ontario. The evening will highlight the unique talents, influences, and stories of this family of traditional fiddlers through dancing, singing, and world-class music-making. This multimedia tour features exclusive video footage of Natalie and Donnell, as well as endearing stories of Cape Breton Island.
Tickets to “Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond: A Celtic Family Celebration” are $65, $55, and $35 and are available, along with more information, from the Berkshire Edge calendar and the Colonial ticket office by calling (413) 997-4444.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Natural History Conference at Berkshire School
Sheffield — The inaugural Berkshire Natural History Conference, which will feature presentations by local and regional naturalists as well as acclaimed authors, will take place on Sunday, November 8 at Berkshire School’s Bellas/Dixon Math and Science Center. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will appeal to natural history lovers as well as the general public.
The conference will feature presentations from Peter Alden and Brian Cassie. Peter Alden is the author of 15 books on North American and African wildlife and an acclaimed international natural history tour leader. Brian Cassie has worked with the National Audubon Society and Butterflies Through Binoculars Tours and is president of both the Nuttall Ornithological Club at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Butterfly Club.
Other programs on the agenda include an introduction to S. Waldo Bailey, original warden at Bartholomew’s Cobble, with Rene Wendell; “Insect Biodiversity” with Tom Murray; “Our Local Rattlesnakes” with Anne Stengle; “The Richmond Boulder Train” with Tim Flanagan; “Berkshire’s Neatest Butterflies” with Bill Benner; and “Native Berkshire Fishes” with Andrew Madden.
The event will also include exhibits, a book sale, and a raffle.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Admission includes brunch and access to all of the natural history presentations. In the event of inclement weather, a storm date is scheduled for Sunday, November 15. More information and tickets are available through the Berkshire Edge calendar.
–E.E.
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Stephen Kurkjian and ‘Master Thieves’ at Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield — Award-winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian will discuss and sign copies of his new book “Master Thieves: The Boston Gangsters Who Pulled Off the World’s Greatest Art Heist” on Saturday, November 7, at 10:30 a.m. at the Berkshire Museum.
The 1990 theft of 13 artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum was the largest art theft in history, carried the world’s largest reward offer, and spent longer on the FBI’s list of biggest unsolved art crimes than any other save one. Two men disguised as Boston Police officers tricked their way into the Gardner Museum after midnight, tied up the two night watchmen, and made off with an estimated $500 million worth of artwork, including three works by Rembrandt and a Vermeer masterpiece. In “Master Thieves” Kurkjian reveals how the two criminal gangs battling for control of the Boston underworld knew of the museum’s poor security and that one had a motive to pull off the theft — to fashion an exchange that would result in the release of its leader from federal prison.
Kurkjian also will speak on another famous art heist with a local connection, about which he also write: seven paintings, including a Cezanne still-life, were stolen from a Berkshire home in 1978 in one of the biggest house robberies in Massachusetts history. Twenty-one years later the Cezanne was recovered and auctioned for $29 million.
A Boston native, Stephen A. Kurkjian spent nearly 40 years as an editor and reporter for The Boston Globe before retiring in 2007. During his career he shared in three Pulitzer Prizes and won more than 20 regional and other national awards. Educated in the Boston public schools, Kurkjian is a graduate of Boston University and Suffolk University Law School. He is a non-practicing member of the Massachusetts Bar.
The talk and book signing will be included with regular museum admission. For more information call the museum at (413) 443-7171.
–E.E.
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Conspiracies, rumors, and loves with Stephanie Abrams
Pittsfield — On Thursday, November 5 at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will host nationally syndicated radio travel talk show host and media resource for travel-related issues Stephanie Abrams. This free program at Congregation Knesset Israel is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community series.
Stephanie Abrams has been recognized as an expert in the travel industry and has been named to Travel Agent Magazine‘s list of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Travel,” and is also a first time novelist who will be discussing her new book “Rumors.” She’ll also talk about her soon-to-be published travel guide, “1001 Reasons to Visit Ireland.”
For more information call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
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Hillcrest Holiday Wish program
Pittsfield — Hillcrest Educational Centers‘ 2015 Holiday Wish Program is underway. The Holiday Wish Program provides gifts for the 150 special needs children in Hillcrest’s care who are unable to spend the holidays with their families.
Interested individuals, community groups, and businesses can request Holiday Wish cards with descriptions of the gifts the children would like for the holidays. Delivery of the cards can be arranged by contacting holidaywish@hillcrestec.org or by calling Tim Gallagher at (413) 499-7924 x133. Hillcrest requests that the cost of all gifts not exceed $25.
Those interested may also donate online or by mail and Hillcrest will purchase a child’s gift in their names. Donations can be sent to Hillcrest Educational Centers, Attn: Tim Gallagher, 788 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
As a guide $150 sponsors one child’s wish list, $25 will buy a gift, $10 will fill a child’s stocking. More information is available by contacting Katrina Cardillo at kcardillo@hillcrestec.org or (413) 499-7924 x114.
–E.E.
