Shakespeare & Company presents ‘Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,’ a lively, costumed reading
Lenox— On Friday, December 15th at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 16th at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 17th at 2 p.m., Shakespeare & Company presents ‘Georgiana & Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,’ a lively, costumed reading written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon and directed by Ariel Bock.
Drawn from the pages of Jane Austen’s “Pride & Prejudice”, this imagined sequel takes place at the home of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, and focuses on Georgiana Darcy, an accomplished pianist wary of romance, and her best friend, Kitty Bennet, a bright-eyed optimist. These two younger sisters are ready for their own adventures in life and love, starting with the arrival of an admirer and secret correspondent. Meddlesome families and outmoded expectations won’t stop these determined friends from forging their own way in a holiday tale filled with music, ambition, sisterhood, and forgiveness.
The performances are on Friday, December 15th at 7 p.m., Saturday, December 16th at 2 p.m., and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 17th at 2 p.m. in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company on Kemble Street in Lenox. Tickets are $28 and $18 for students. Card to Culture accepted. Mike’s Place will be open one hour prior and following each show, offering a full bar, concessions, and gift-shop items. Tickets and more information can be found online or by calling 413-637-3353.
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Berkshire Pulse Dancers to Perform at The Mount’s NightWood
Lenox— On select events from December 16th through December 23rd, The Mount will offer a new dance component to its fantastical sound and light experience, NightWood.
Inspired by The Mount’s unique setting, NightWood combines scenic elements, theatrical lighting, and a dramatic score to create eight unique scenes that evoke wonder and awaken the imagination. On six nights, six esteemed teaching artists and choreographers from Berkshire Pulse will deliver choreographed routines at specific installations, “The Pool,” “The Crossroads”, and “The Stream”.
A moving and deeply introspective experience, NightWood lends itself well to the creative expression of Berkshire Pulse’s masterful dancers. “The theatrical lighting and ethereal soundscore provide a rich landscape for creating choreography that interacts with the installations,” shares Gillian Ebersole, Berkshire Pulse’s program coordinator. “We are excited to bring dance to the NightWood audience.”
The performances are on December 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd at The Mount on Plunkett Street in Lenox. Tickets are $25, $12 for youth ages 13 to 18, and free for children ages 12 and under. Card to Culture accepted. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Leonard Bernstein’s life and legacy celebrates in ‘Maestro’ at the Crandell Theatre followed by a Q&A with Bernstein’s daughter, Nina Bernstein Simmons and Christopher Rothko, son of abstract painter Mark Rothko
Chatham— On Saturday, December 16th at 7 p.m., The Crandell Theatre presents a benefit screening of ‘Maestro’ followed by a Q&A with Bernstein’s daughter, Nina Bernstein Simmons and Christopher Rothko, son of abstract painter Mark Rothko.
“Maestro” takes a sweeping, multi-decades look at Leonard Bernstein’s career and marriage to Costa Rican-Chilean actress and pianist Felicia Cohn Montealegre, a fashion icon who became a political activist. Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan deliver a glittering, complex portrait of the couple that radiates with the rhythms and melodic themes of Bernstein’s music.
Following a special screening of the film, Bernstein’s youngest daughter, Nina Bernstein Simmons, will take to the stage for a discussion of her father’s legacy and her family’s involvement in the genesis of the movie. Christopher Rothko, son of abstract painter Mark Rothko and a classical music critic, will join Bernstein Simmons to discuss the intersecting creative influences and achievements of two of the greatest artists of the 20th century.
The benefit is on Saturday, December 16th at 7 p.m. at The Crandell Theatre on Main Street in Chatham. Tickets are $20 and will benefit the theater’s upcoming restoration and renovation. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Artist Talks at the Center for Peace through Culture
Housatonic— On Saturday, December 16th at 3 p.m., The Center for Peace through Culture presents an artist talk, a fundraiser in connection with its “Landscapes, Portraits, and Still Lifes” exhibition.
The artist talk will feature three Berkshire-based artists who will share insights and processes behind their work featured in the exhibition. Talks will focus on “The 100 Matchbox Project”– a mixed-media installation by Laura Didyk; impressionistic landscape and still life oil paintings by Harvey Kimmelman; and an ethereal watercolor and pencil landscape by Ted Phelps.
Each artist’s work is among the 14 artists exhibited in “Landscapes, Portraits, and Still Lifes” exhibition, featuring oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed-media works, and photographs that hold strong influences from and connections to the Berkshires. The exhibition is on view through December 29th.
The talk is on Saturday, December 16th at 3 p.m. at the Center for Peace through Culture on Front Street in Housatonic. There is a suggested $10 donation. More information can be found online.
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Afghan pottery demonstration and pop-up at Bon Dimanche
Great Barrington— On Saturday December 16th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Bon Dimanche presents a live wheel throwing demonstration and slideshow by a 7th generation potter from Afghanistan who has recently found Asylum in the US.
17 years ago, Molly de St André, co-owner of Bon Dimanche, a new boutique store and studio on Railroad Street in Great Barrington, left the US to work with an NGO called Turquoise Mountain Foundation in Kabul Afghanistan (TMF). She worked closely with a family of potters, the sons of the head of Istalif, Afghanistan’s premiere pottery village which is outside of Kabul. They were the seventh generation of potters who had lived in Istalif and had subsisted on the sale of their work for more than 200 years. ”The youngest of the sons, a 20 year old potter named Matin Malikzada, stood out to me. He was extremely motivated, positive and incredibly talented.” Says de St André.
In early August of this year, de St André and her husband Aurelien de St André opened Bon Dimanche. “Just before the opening of the store, we read an article in a local newspaper about an Afghan potter coming to showcase his work at the Butternut Summer Arts Festival,” said Aurélien de St André. “Looking at the picture, we could not believe our eyes! It was Matin, our dear friend from Istalif from many years before.”
Malikzada, his wife, and four children were granted US visas 18 months ago, after the Taliban retook Afghanistan. “My life was destroyed completely for the second time when the Taliban took power again.” Malikzada says. “And my American colleagues helped us out of Afghanistan and suggested Connecticut as a place for my family to live.” Malikzada and his family are in the process of seeking asylum. He has established his pottery in the US with the help of a number of committed volunteers who have helped him navigate all facets of the system. He is now showing his work in stores, artist markets, national galleries, and museums.
Molly and Aurelien de St André have reunited with their old friend and are featuring his work at Bon Dimanche. Malikzada will be onsite with his pottery wheel to do a live demonstration and a slide show of his work and its history. He will have an expanded collection of his pottery for sale and be available for questions and discussion. The free event is on Saturday December 16th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bon Dimanche on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. More information can be found online.
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‘Winter Around the World,’ a winter solstice celebration at Olana
Hudson— On Saturday, December 16th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Olana State Historic Site presents ‘Winter Around the World,’ a winter solstice celebration at Olana.
Celebrate the changing of the seasons during this special community day featuring a series of free opportunities to experience the Hudson Valley‘s beautiful winter landscape and explore some of the cultures and countries that inspired the artist Frederic Church and his family. Enjoy free access to Olana’s historic interiors, bilingual story time, activities, bonfire, sunset, and live music by Heard World Jazz. Everyone’s favorite miniature donkey, Hank, will be back by popular demand.
The free celebration is on Saturday, December 16th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Olana State Historic Site on State Route 9G in Hudson. More information can be found online.
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15th annual gingerbread house decorating party at Dottie’s
Pittsfield— On Sunday December 17th from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents its 15th annual gingerbread house decorating party.
You’re invited for a festive tradition! Dottie’s provides a completely edible and home made gingerbread house that is assembled and ready to be decorated and all the decorations you can imagine to create a unique and fabulous creation.
The party is on Sunday December 17th from 3:30p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge on North Street in Pittsfield. The cost is $50 per house and there is a two person maximum per house. Hot chocolate and coffee will be served. To reserve your house you must pay in full through Venmo (@dottielatte) or in person at Dottie’s. More information can be found online.
