Wednesday, November 6, 2024

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Karen Dolmanisth, Virginia Bradley, and Chris Malcomson at Art on Main; Berkshires Jazz presents Grace Kelly; Becket Arts Center Wanda Houston Band; Berkshire Pride presents ‘PRIDEOWEEN!’; Susan B. Anthony reenactment at Arrowhead; Hoffmann Bird Club hosts bird walks

Guild of Berkshire Artists presents “ab-strac-tion Through Media, Process and Symbol,” experiential sculpture, alchemy, and abstraction by Karen Dolmanisth, Virginia Bradley, and Chris Malcomson.

Guild of Berkshire Artists presents Karen Dolmanisth, Virginia Bradley, and Chris Malcomson at Art on Main

West Stockbridge— From October 10th through November 3rd, Guild of Berkshire Artists presents “ab-strac-tion Through Media, Process and Symbol,” experiential sculpture, alchemy, and abstraction by Karen Dolmanisth, Virginia Bradley, and Chris Malcomson. The work illuminates the science and mysteries of transformation through art media, process, and symbol.

Karen Dolmanisth creates experiential sculpture environments, paintings, drawing, prints, video, photography, ceramic sculpture, and inter-disciplinary performative work that communicate through an abstract and symbolic visual lexicon that are process based and often temporal, illuminating cycles of change, the science and mysteries of transformation, and stages of integration and wholeness.

Alchemy and the performative aspects of painting are the basis of Virginia Bradley’s abstract painting practice. Environmental issues surrounding climate change have been formative in her practice.

Chris Malcomson’s abstraction paintings are often portals inviting the viewer to explore other layers of consciousness. Color and form are primary elements in his practice.

The exhibit runs from October 10th through November 3rd at Art on Main Gallery at 38 Main Street in West Stockbridge. There will be an opening reception on Friday, October 11th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., an artist talk on Saturday, October 26th at 2 p.m., and a closing reception on Saturday, November 2nd from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. More information can be found online.

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Berkshires Jazz presents the Grace Kelly Quartet with Kids 4 Harmony at Shakespeare & Company

Lenox— On Sunday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m., Berkshires Jazz, as part of their Fall Jazz Crawl, presents the Grace Kelly Quartet with Kids 4 Harmony at Shakespeare & Company. 

Saxophonist-songwriter-singer and musical prodigy Grace Kelly will perform a concert from her latest album “Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies,” which reimagines themes from current and classic movies for jazz quartet and orchestra. The concert will include the Kids 4 Harmony Advanced Strings Ensemble.

Grace Kelly. Courtesy Berkshire Jazz.

The concert is on Sunday, October 13th at 7:30 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online. Find the complete Fall Jazz Crawl line-up online. 

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Becket Arts Center presents the Wanda Houston Band to close out outdoor concert series

Becket— On Saturday, October 12th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Becket Arts Center presents the Wanda Houston Band to close out their outdoor concert series. 

Legendary singer, actress, and recording artist Wanda Houston will be joined by Jay Bradley on drums, Robert Kelly on keyboard, and Jeff Stevens on the horn.

Wanda Houston. Courtesy Becket Arts Center.

The performance is on Saturday, October 12th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Becket Arts Center on Brooker Hill Road in Becket. It is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. More information can be found online.

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Berkshire Pride presents ‘PRIDEOWEEN! Heroes and Villains,’ a spooktacular celebration on National Coming Out Day

Pittsfield— On Friday, October 11th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Berkshire Pride presents “Prideoween!” at The Stationery Factory. This special event will be held in celebration of Halloween and National Coming Out Day, offering a fun, safe, and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, filled with music, entertainment, a costume contest, a recourse fair, local market, and more.

The Prideoween party is an 18+ age event and will feature live performances, music from DJ BFG, and an epic costume contest with prizes for the best costumes, all set in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. At 9 p.m., Berkshire’s favorite drag queens take the stage for a Drag Disney Villain Extravaganza, featuring Bella Santarella, Jackie Legs, Jayde Violet, Poppy DaBubbly, and Vuronika Baked.

This Halloween meets Pride celebration is designed to bring people together, providing a chance to express yourself and have fun with friends, old and new. Whether you’re coming out for the first time or showing solidarity, this is a day to honor the journey of self-discovery and the power of community.

This year, Prideoween is embracing the theme of “Heroes and Villains!” Costumes are encouraged, and attendees are asked to embrace the “Heroes and Villains” theme for an extra bit of fun and creativity. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of spooky fun, celebration, and community connection!

Courtesy Berkshire Pride.

The event is on Friday, October 11 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Stationery Factory at 63 Flansburg Avenue in Dalton. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Susan B. Anthony reenactment at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead

Pittsfield— On Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m., Adams native Susan B. Anthony returns to The Berkshires’ to tell her story and encourage citizens across the state to vote in local, state, and federal elections.

Reenacted by Muriel Dyas of Herstorically Speaking, Susan tells the story of her childhood, early activism, and arrest for illegally voting in 1872.

Muriel Dyas as Susan B. Anthony.

The performance is on Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30 p.m. at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead at 780 Holmes Road in Pittsfield. All performances are free to the public, and attendees receive free admission to the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in Adams. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Hoffmann Bird Club hosts bird walks at Howden Farm and Parsons Marsh

Sheffield/Lenox— On Wednesday, October 9th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Howden Farm, and on Saturday, October 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Parsons Marsh, Hoffmann Bird Club will host bird walks. 

Courtesy Hoffman Bird Club.

On Wednesday, October 9th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., the Hoffmann Bird Club invites birders of all levels to explore Howden Farm, a beautiful landscape featuring fields, wetlands, and hedgerows. This walk covers up to two miles on mostly flat terrain, with some uneven sections. As this is a restricted-access property, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy birding on land not usually open to the public. Howden Farm is located at 303 Rannapo Road in Sheffield. Register by 8 p.m. on October 8th. The event is free, but registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online. 

On Saturday, October 12th from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., join the Hoffmann Bird Club for a walk through Parsons Marsh to search for migrating fall birds, including waterfowl. This .6-mile trail includes a boardwalk and overlooks one of the largest marshes in the central Berkshires. The walk covers a small meadow and woodland area, providing a variety of birding habitats. This walk is ADA accessible. Parsons Marsh is located at 170 Undermountain Road in Lenox. Register by 8 p.m. on October 11th. The event is free but registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.