Sunday, February 9, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: ‘Dog Funeral’ at The Foundry; Big Yellow Taxi at The Colonial; Matthew Aucoin and Conor Hanick at The Clark; Guild of Berkshire Artists at Berkshire Botanical Garden; ‘Women Walking to Water’ at MCLA’s Gallery 51; ‘Family Days’ at American Mural Project; ‘Start with Art’ at The Clark

Take the “fun” out of “funeral” and throw the rest away in this absurd ode to mourning.

The Foundry presents ‘Dog Funeral,’ an absurd ode to mourning

West Stockbridge— On Friday, February 7th at 7:30 p.m., The Foundry presents “Dog Funeral,” a work in progress, performed by Zoe Wohlfeld and directed by Jack Grossman.

Zoe Wohlfeld, renowned professional mourner, showcases her talents with the saddest funeral she can imagine: Dog Funeral. Sadness is Zoe’s passion, and Dog was Zoe’s best friend, so join this solemn ceremony and let Zoe show you how to pay respects with the big boys. May they rest in peace. Take the “fun” out of “funeral” and throw the rest away in this absurd ode to mourning.

The work-in-progress performance is on Friday, February 7th at 7:30 p.m. at The Foundry. The doors open at 7 p.m. This performance is for ages 16+ and audience participation is encouraged. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Berkshire Theatre Group presents ‘Big Yellow Taxi: The Music & Genius of Joni Mitchell’ at The Colonial Theatre

Pittsfield— On Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group presents “Big Yellow Taxi: The Music & Genius of Joni Mitchell” at The Colonial Theatre. 

Courtesy Berkshire Theatre Group.

Big Yellow Taxi, New England’s premier Joni Mitchell tribute band, brings Joni’s extraordinary music to life. From her early folk roots to pop masterpieces and jazz-inspired compositions, Big Yellow Taxi immerses audiences in the emotional depth and brilliance of Joni’s work delivering an intimate journey through Joni’s best-loved songs. The performance transcends mere tribute, offering a genuine experience of Joni’s musical genius that leaves audiences entertained, moved and inspired.

The concert is on Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre, located at 111 South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.

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Clark Art Institute presents a two-piano recital by composer-pianist Matthew Aucoin and pianist Conor Hanick

Williamstown— On Saturday, February 8th at 6 p.m., the Clark Art Institute presents a dazzling two-piano recital by composer-pianist Matthew Aucoin and pianist Conor Hanick.

Matthew Aucoin. Courtesy The Clark.

The pair teams up for an inventive concert featuring a new work composed by Aucoin for Hanick. In addition to Aucoin’s new piece, which is inspired by the luminous recent poetry of Ben Lerner, Hanick and Aucoin play a program divided into “introverted” and “extroverted” halves. In the former category is a mysterious and meditative work by Morton Feldman and in the latter category is a selection of jubilant and thrilling music for one and two pianos by Gabriella Smith, Julius Eastman, and John Adams, including Adams’s ebullient Hallelujah Junction. 

The concert is on Saturday, February 8th at 6 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘Dreamscapes….Journeys into Nature,’ a juried members show at Berkshire Botanical Garden

Stockbridge— From February 7th through the 23rd, the Guild of Berkshire Artists presents “Dreamscapes….Journeys into Nature,” a juried members show at Berkshire Botanical Garden. 

Natalie Tyler, ‘Icicles.’ Courtesy Guild of Berkshire Artists.

In this juried show featuring artwork by the Guild of Berkshire Artists, each artist was challenged to interpret their concept of what nature means to them. Is it colors, textures, or the amazing beauty of life in nature? Does it reflect a reverence for the power nature can unleash or the fragility of every living thing? Is it the complexity as well as the simple beauty of spring tulips, fall leaves, and sunsets? Each artist expresses their intent through drawing, painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture, textiles, glass, or ceramics. The results are as bountiful and often as dreamy as nature herself.

The exhibit runs from February 7th through the 23rd at Berkshire Botanical Garden, located at 5 West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Friday, February 7th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a tea and walkabout with the artists on Saturday February 15th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found online. 

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MCLA’s Gallery 51 and MOSAIC present ‘Women Walking to Water: A Wilderness Mindset Convening’

North Adams— On Friday, February 7th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., during North Adams’ “First Fridays,’ MCLA’s Gallery 51 and MOSAIC celebrates the opening of “Women Walking to Water: A Wilderness Mindset Convening,” an exhibition of artwork created in response to regular walks to a mountain cold swimming/dipping hole in the Greylock range foothills.

Courtesy MCLA’s Gallery 51.

To practice wilderness mindset, you begin with the self as subject and researcher. Then, you deliberately place yourself into spaces that challenge and force acceptance of the unpredictability of the present moment. This practice of presence, when paired with walking can assuage longing, loss, a whole host of things through connection to the earth.

Within this mindset, Melanie Mowinski convened a group of women, once a month from May through October, for a walk to a mountain swimming hole where each participant dipped, played, and sometimes even soaked in water that ranged in temperature from 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold-water immersion challenges and forces acceptance. It’s impossible to think of anything else. After the dip, the women walked back to share a meal and conversation. At each convening, Mowinski served as interlocutor, providing a different question and readings to center each conversation around her idea of Wilderness Mindset, a framework for engaging with the uncomfortable and the unknown.

Something happened within this regular convening of women as they conversed with each other and the river: every participant identified as an artist. Their mediums range from paper and drawing to textiles and printmaking. As the months progressed, water and immersion into it began to show up in their artistic practices. The exhibition showcases this work, as well as a print exchange made specifically for this exhibit.

The exhibit opens with an artist reception on Friday, February 7th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MCLA’s Gallery 51, located at 51 Main Street in North Adams. The reception is open to the public free of charge and refreshments will be served.  More information can be found online.

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American Mural Project presents a new ‘Family Days’ program for all ages

Winsted, Conn.— Beginning on Saturday, February 8th, American Mural Project (AMP) presents “Family Days,” a new monthly program for all ages. 

Courtesy American Mural Project.

The four-month series is designed to bring families together in the mural gallery for learning, creativity, and fun, with a focus on a different occupation each month. Activities include art creation, story-time, games, and an educational presentation by a special guest. The February 8th program is called “Who Works with Snakes? A Herpetologist!”

The new programs are offered on the same days as AMP’s popular Teen Art Studio, a drop-in makerspace for ages 13 to 18 where young artists explore mediums of their own choosing with the guidance of a teaching artist. The combination of programming makes the whole day of activities appealing to all ages.

“Family Days programming builds on the success of our Teen Art Studio,” shared Amy Wynn, AMP’s Executive Director. “We wanted to offer something on the same day that would include all family members. Now children of all ages, and their caregivers, can creatively explore the arts, sciences, and humanities in age-appropriate ways during ‘Family Days’ at AMP.”

The first ‘Family Day’ is on Saturday, February 8th at American Mural Project, located at 90 Whiting Street in Winsted. More information can be found online. 

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Clark Art Institute presents ‘Start with Art,’ free art-making activities for preschoolers

Williamstown— On Saturday, February 8th at 10 a.m., Clark Art Institute presents ‘Start with Art,’ free art-making activities for preschoolers. 

Courtesy The Clark.

The free activity program for young children focused on “Faces and Feelings.” Specially designed for three- to six-year-olds and their caregivers, this event includes fun art-making activities and interactive artwork talks.

The free activities are on Saturday, February 8th at 10 a.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown. More information can be found online.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.