BMS to celebrate 75 years with gala concert and perform-a-thon
Pittsfield – Berkshire Music School (BMS) will celebrate 75 years of music education with a gala concert on Sunday, April 3, at 4 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, and a perform-a-thon at its own Taft Recital Hall at 30 Wendell Ave. in Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The gala anniversary concert will feature BMS alumni performers violinist Madalyn Parnas, vocalist Deborah Rentz Moore, guitarist/vocalist Billy Keane, composer Kari Steinert, and pianist/composer Ben Talmi. The concert will also include performances from BMS ensembles such as the Suzuki string group, Teen Voices, and Cabaret to Go; BMS merit scholarship winner pianist YeeJin Yuk; and returning Merit Scholarship winner pianist Paul Celebi. Silent and live auctions will take place in the lobby prior to and during the intermission of the concert, and video tributes from around the country will be shown. The concert will be hosted by Broadway actor and stage director James Warwick. Tickets are $28, $45, and $150. Tickets and more information are available via the Berkshire Edge calendar and the Colonial ticket office at (413) 997-4444.
The day-long perform-a-thon of music will feature BMS students in individual, five-minute performances. A bake sale and music shop will be offered, and audience members are invited to come and go as they please or stay as long as they wish. Over the course of the day, over 100 students of all ages will perform to a rotating audience of 30 – 400. The perform-a-thon is free and open to the public.
For more information about either event, contact BMS Executive Director Tracy Wilson at (413) 442-1411.
–E.E.
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Sausage Fest at the Meat Market
Great Barrington – The Meat Market will host its fifth annual Sausage Fest on Saturday, April 2, from noon – 6 p.m. This year’s event will feature 12 housemade sausages to simulate an international trip with a South African boerewors, an Asian-inspired corn dog, a weisswurst made with local guinea hens and cider syrup, and many others. Also featured will be housemade sides and mustards, games, live music, and a “Tour de Frank” sampler plate for those who want to try a bit of everything. The Meat Market will be partnering with Hive, who will be serving cocktails out of an Airstream trailer lounge.
Reservations are not required, but it is recommended that those interested arrive early and hungry. For more information call the Meat Market at (413) 528-2022.
–E.E.
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WAM Theatre’s 24-hour theatre project goes to UAlbany
Albany, N.Y. – WAM Theatre’s 24-Hour Theatre Project will return to the Performing Arts Center at the University at Albany on Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. Combining the spontaneous creativity of improvisational theatre with the rigorous professionalism and production value of scripted theatre, the project brings together the best playwrights, directors, and actors from across the Capital Region and the Berkshires.
Said WAM Theatre Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven, “The space at UAlbany is perfect for this project. We can’t wait to fill it with artists and create five new plays in 24 hours!”
This year’s participants include playwrights Kat Koppett, Jessica Provenz, Maizy Scarpa, Yvette “Jamuna” Sirker, and Jane Denitz Smith; directors David Adkins, Michael Burns, Molly Clancy, Yvonne Perry, and Chris Woodworth; and actors Brendan Cataldo, Brenny Rabine, Colleen Lovett, Don Paul Shannon, Eileen Schuyler, JV Hampton VanSant, Kathleen Carey, Kelsey Keane, Ward Dales, Corinna May, Leigh Strimbeck, Lia Russell Self, Marnie Andrews, Peter Delocis, Sean Dolnick, Stephanie Carlson, Tom Jaeger, Tyiesha Dejesus, and Ulisses Gonsalves.
The production staff and designer team includes scenic designer Juliana von Haubrich; costume designers Brittney Belz and Peggy Walsh; lighting designers Robyn Warfield and James Bilnoski; sound designers Beth Lake and Michael Chaney; technical director Sam Craig; production stage manager Hope Rose Kelly; stage managers Joe Sicotte, Kadie McTeigue, Laura Gomez, Melissa Rao, and Shannon McManus; and set crew members Annaleigh Lester, Eddie Knight, and Maghen Ryan.
Tickets for the 24-Hour Theatre Project are $15 for the general public and $10 for students, seniors, and UAlbany faculty and staff in advance; and $20 for the general public and $15 for students, seniors, and UAlbany faculty and staff on the day of the performance. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (518) 442-3997.
–E.E.
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Lakeville gallery crawl
Lakeville, Conn. – Downtown Lakeville will play host to an early spring art celebration and gallery crawl from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.
WaterWorks, a gallery and watercolor painting school founded by artist Leslie Watkins, will celebrate its grand opening with a reception at its 325 Main St. location. The White Gallery will host a closing celebration of its “Winter Warmer” group show featuring artists Sarah Martinez, Harry Rich, Debra Losada, Carolyn Edlund, Nancy Lasar, Janet Iffland, David Dunlop, Frances B. Ashforth, Joan Jardine, Kate Stiassni, and Avery Danziger. SomethinsGottaGive will feature crafted objects by tri-state-area artisans. Argazzi Art will continue its winter show with an array of paintings by both emerging and established artists. Lakeville Interiors will feature art by Great Barrington-based artist Isha Nelson.
Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served at some of the galleries. Contact Lawrence Davis-Hollander for more information at (413) 229-8316.
–E.E.
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Gilded Age cottages talk at Ventfort Hall
Lenox — Historian and wallpaper specialist Robert Kelly will introduce his audience to “The Indispensable Mr. Peters: Maintaining Lenox Gilded Age Cottages” in a Tea & Talk at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum on Saturday, April 2, at 3:30 p.m.
Arriving to America in 1872 as an ambitious but penniless immigrant carpenter, Lenox’s Leonard C. Peters (c.1850-1928) rose to become president of the Lenox National Bank by 1918. Ultimately Peters built one of Lenox’s most distinctive local landmarks, later known for many years as the Talbot’s building on Walker Street, in the architectural style of his hometown of Kent, England.
Robert Kelly has been in the wallpaper business for over 30 years and has written over 50 articles, many for the Wallpaper History Society Review. His book, “The Backstory of Wallpaper,” has been nominated for the Historic New England book prize and is scheduled to be nominated for the Association for Preservation Technology‘s Lee Nelson Award.
Tickets for program are $22 in advance and $27 on the day of the event. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. For information or reservations, contact Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
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Kilpatrick Athletic Center to offer free adult swim lessons
Great Barrington — To increase awareness of swimming safety, Bard College at Simon’s Rock will offer free swim lessons in April to adults in the Berkshire tri-state area. Free individual swim lessons will be held at the Kilpatrick Athletic Center every Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening throughout the month beginning on Sunday, April 3, and ending Wednesday, April 27. Registration is required.
During the program members of the Kilpatrick’s PaceMakers Masters swim team will volunteer their time to teach one-on-one swim lessons to adults aged 19 and older. The lessons will cover basic swimming techniques for beginners and advanced safety instruction for those with greater proficiency.
–E.E.
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Boys and Girls Club to hold Berkshire Youth Expo
Pittsfield — The Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires will host the first annual Berkshire Youth Expo on Saturday, April 2, from noon – 4 p.m. The Expo will feature informational booths, performances, demonstrations, and other events focused on getting young people involved in healthy, positive activities. Teachers, agencies, coaches, businesses, trainers, tutors, and mentors from around Berkshire County will showcase their offerings for area youth. Admission is free, but donations will be appreciated.
Organizations, performers, and groups scheduled to take part in the Expo include the Taconic Skills program, Berkshire Elite All-Star Cheerleading, Funk Box Dance Studio break dancers, Pittsfield Family YMCA, Hancock Shaker Village, Boy Scouts of America, Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, Kiwanis International, ZenQuest Martial Arts Center, Youth Alive Step Team, IS183 Art School of the Berkshires, and DJ Young Champ.
For more about information about the Berkshire Youth Expo contact The Boys & Girls Club at (413) 448-8258.
–E.E.
