Jacob’s Pillow, MASS MoCA to present ‘Poor People’s TV Room’
North Adams — Jacob’s Pillow and MASS MoCA will present Brooklyn, New York-based writer, performer and choreographer Okwui Okpokwasili in “Poor People’s TV Room” Saturday, April 7, at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA.
Created in collaboration with director and visual artist Peter Born, Okpokwasili’s “Poor People’s TV Room” looks at the intersection of history and women’s bodies, drawing from two incidents in Nigeria: the Women’s War of 1929 and the Boko Haram kidnappings, which sparked the Bring Back Our Girls movement. Looking backward and forward simultaneously, “Poor People’s TV Room” pulls audiences through an ancestral fever dream shared among four women, linked through time and fractured memories by a combination of text, movement and sound.
In partnership with collaborator Born, Okpokwasili creates multidisciplinary projects that are raw, intimate experiences. Their first New York production, “Pent-Up: A Revenge Dance,” premiered at Performance Space 122 and received a 2010 New York Dance and Performance Award for Outstanding Production. Their second collaboration, “Bronx Gothic,” won a 2014 New York Dance and Performance Award for Outstanding Production and continues to tour nationally and internationally. In June 2014, they presented an installation version entitled “Bronx Gothic: The Oval” as part of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s River to River Festival.
Tickets are $20–$50. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact MASS MoCA at (413) 662-2111 or info@massmoca.org.
–E.E.
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Annual 5K race to benefit Berkshire South’s youth programs
Great Barrington — Berkshire South Regional Community Center will hold its sixth annual 5K race/walk Sunday, April 8, at 9 a.m. at the Great Barrington Airport. Proceeds from the race will benefit Berkshire South’s Teen Outreach Nutrition Exercise program and other youth fitness programs.
Said Berkshire South’s executive director Jenise Lucey: “The TONE program is completely free for teens from 13-18. Not only does the program teach wellness and nutrition, but it also highlights self-care in an activity-driven time of life when self-care is often overlooked.”
All fitness levels are welcome. An award ceremony will follow the race and refreshments will be available. Participants are asked to note that the event is pet-free.
Race registration is $30 until Friday, April 6, at 5 p.m.; $40 thereafter; and free for participants who fundraise a minimum of $30. Fundraising incentives are available. Same-day registration will be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. A registration form will be required for each entry. Children ages 7 and under may participate for free alongside registered parent/guardian. For more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Berkshire South at (413) 528-2810 x35 or sleonard@berkshiresouth.org.
–E.E.
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ExtraSpecialTeas to host ‘blue party’ for autism awareness
Great Barrington —Teahouse and vocational day program for adults with special needs ExtraSpecialTeas will hold a “blue party” in honor of Autism Awareness Month Saturday, April 7, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Because the party celebrates autism awareness, the theme is blue. Community members and visitors are invited to wear blue and sample blue tea, gluten-free baked goods and candies made by ExtraSpecialTeas’ servers and staff. There will be face painting throughout the event and Berkshire Bateria will perform at 1 p.m. ExtraSpecialTeas’ tea partner Tiesta Tea will also participate.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact ExtraSpecialTeas at (413) 645-3247.
–E.E.
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Puppet play and play date at GBRSS
Great Barrington —Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School will host a puppet play and play date for young children and their families Saturday, April 7, at 10:30am in its early childhood building. Teachers will perform “Good Friends,” based on a Chinese folk tale and featuring animals busy with spring in the Berkshires, followed by playtime in the classroom.
Puppet plays are part of the curriculum of GBRSS’ early childhood program. During the play, a storyteller’s calm, rhythmic voice will accompany Steiner early-childhood teachers’ rendition of the story using the teachers’ own handmade marionette and needle-felted puppets.
The event is free and open to the community. For more information, call (413) 528-4015 x106.
–E.E.
