Sixth annual Berkshire Drum & Dance Fest
Pittsfield — The 6th annual Berkshire Drum & Dance Fest will be held on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Boland Theater of the Koussevitzky Arts Center at Berkshire Community College and will feature over 75 drum and dance artists from the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and beyond performing drum and dance styles such as Japanese taiko, step dance, West African, Caribbean, heavy metal/hard rock, rap/beatbox, Brazilian, tap dance, jazz, funk, and more. The Fest is a fundraiser for the nonprofit Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center’s “Raise the Roof” project to build a sustainable nature and cultural education center and to conserve 32 acres of highland Boreal forest in Windsor. The drum fest is curated by Tamarack Hollow director and co-founder drummer Aimee Gelinas, M.Ed, and the Tamarack Hollow board members.
Featured drum and dance fest performance artists include the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers, Mountain River Taiko, Aimee Gelinas and members of Gaia Roots with Marie Georgefils and Berkshire Pulse, Iroko Nuevo, Ayizan and Azouke Sanon, Forefeather, Beat Feet, Youth Alive, Wood Brothers/Tommy Brown, Joel Moodie/Funk Box Studios, Beat Mob/Garret Caesar, and Sifer. Also featured will be Serenity Circles LED hula hooping, zumba with live drumming with Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness and Ryan Blanchard, Freedom Culture Youth Drummers and Dancers led by Satya Ferreira, and a Community Drum Jam Finale led by Aimee Gelinas and her drum students, the Berkshire Rhythm Keepers. Attendees are encouraged to bring a drum for the finale.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. for a pre-show silent auction and Tamarack Hollow Trading Marketplace. There is a suggested donation of $10-$20 at the door. Email aimee@gaiaroots.com for more info, to volunteer, or to donate a silent auction item. All donations are tax-deductible.
–E.E.
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Second annual BerkshireSPEAKS
Great Barrington — The 2nd annual BerkshireSPEAKS is scheduled for Sunday, October 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire. The afternoon will feature brief presentations by six Berkshire trendsetters discussing their work, their passions, and their visions for the future. The event is open to the community and will be followed by a reception with the speakers.
The presenters will include Big Head Books founder Ty Allan Jackson; Berkshire Fringe co-artistic director Sara Katzoff; of LympheDIVAs Chief Medical Officer and Vice President Howard Levin, M.D.; Mezze Restaurant Group co-founder and proprietor Nancy Thomas; Berkshire Community College’s Multicultural Center coordinator Eleanore Velez; and journalist and author Simon Winchester.
Registration is $15 in advance and/or online before noon on Friday, October 16 and $18 at the door check or cash on the day of the event. Call (413) 528-6378 for more information or to register.
–E.E.
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Great Barrington historic markers to be unveiled
Great Barrington – On Saturday, October 17 at 10 a.m., the Historic District Commission will unveil the historic markers that now adorn the Town Hall at 334 Main St., Mason Library at 231 Main St., and Ramsdell Library at 1087 Main St. in Housatonic. The event will officially kick off the Historic Marker Program in Great Barrington. Also happening will be the reburying of a time capsule from the former Bryant School.
The event is open to the public and all are welcome. Cider and donuts will be served. Further information about the Historic Marker program will be available at the event and on the town website. For more information about the event, contact Historic District Commission Chair Dan Bailly at (413) 274-5022.
–E.E.
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Choral workshop and concert
Lenox — The Cantilena Chamber Choir will join the Berkshire Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) for a choral workshop and concert on Saturday, October 17 at Trinity Episcopal Church. The workshop, entitled “Beyond Beat Patterns: Truly Musical Gestures,” will be presented by Boston-based choral conductor Jennifer Lester at 2:30 p.m. Pre-registration for the workshop is recommended, the form for which is available online. Those who participate in the workshop will also have the opportunity to rehearse with the Cantilena Chamber Choir and perform in a few selections in the evening’s 7:30 p.m. concert which will feature Berkshire County organists Tim Weisman, Scott Bailey, Ed Lawrence, Anita Stuart, and John Terauds performing choral and organ works by Dett, Langlais, Mendelssohn, Bainton, Dupré, and Stanford.
The workshop is open to the public and music will be provided. Admission for the workshop is $10 for non-AGO members. Concert tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and free for children 12 and under.
–E.E.
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Berkshire South to host Craft Beer Festival
Great Barrington — Berkshire South Regional Community Center will host a Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, October 17 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Attendants can purchase 10 tasting tickets for $40 and enjoy craft beers from Lefty’s Brewing Company, Big Elm Brewing, Wandering Star Craft Brewery, Glass Bottom Brewery, and many others. There will also be live music, games, and a raffle. Local restaurants will have tables with food for sale. All attendees must be 21 years old with proper identification. For more information or to purchase tickets, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call 413.528.2810 x10. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. All proceeds will benefit Berkshire South Regional Community Center.
–E.E.
