Sō Percussion to perform ‘A Gun Show’ at MASS MoCA
North Adams — The Sō Percussion ensemble will explore America’s fraught relationship with guns in the theatrically staged concert, “A Gun Show,” on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA.
“A Gun Show” is one of several recent programs that have responded to the rise of gun-related tragedies post-Sandy Hook. Teaming with three-time Obie Award-winning director Ain Gordon and emerging choreography sensation Emily Johnson, the group studied all things guns: they visited gun ranges, ordered rifle parts, and culled through dark memories to inform this new work. The concert-length result is a balance of gripping percussion music, video projections, and spoken word.
Eager to demonstrate the ties between music, politics, and social studies, Sō Percussion was formed by four Yale School of Music students studying under distinguished professor and performer Robert van Sice and initially focused on a repertoire of 20th-century classics. Pivoting its focus to original compositions, Sō Percussion now performs multimedia, multi-genre works rooted in current events and social change.
Tickets range from $12 to $30. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the MASS MoCA box office at (413) 662-2111.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Concert Choir to give Valentine’s-themed concert
Lenox — Known county wide for their joy of singing and led by conductor Paula Nuss and accompanist Aurora Cooper, the 35-member Berkshire Concert Choir will perform at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. The choir will sing a special Valentine’s Day “Boy Meets Girl” concert followed by refreshments of cake and coffee.
The group will sing a range of piece including three folk songs by Brahms, “Estudiantina” by Paul Lacombe, “The Longest Time” and “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel, “You’re Just in Love” by Irving Berlin, “Weep O Mine Eyes” by John Bennet, “In These Delightful Pleasant Groves” by Henry Purcell and “I Know a Young Maiden Wondr’ous Fair” by Orlando di Lasso.
Tickets are $22 and reservations are recommended. For tickets and more information, contact Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
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Music on Main to present ‘Love, Romance, Passion’
Stockbridge — The Music on Main series at the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge will present internationally-acclaimed artists cellist Ronald Feldman and harpist Elizabeth Morse in an afternoon program of French and Spanish pieces titled “Love, Romance, Passion” on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 4 p.m. A light reception will follow.
The program will include “Romance,” “Girl with the Flaxen Hair” and “Beau Soir” by Claude Debussy; Lou Harrison’s Suite for Cello and Harp; and Maurice Ravel’s Habanera. Selections by Williams, Saint-Saens, Salzedo, and Piazzolla will also be performed. The artists will speak from the stage about the pieces as well as some of the special effects of the harp.
Feldman has achieved critical acclaim for his work as conductor and cellist, and has appeared as guest conductor with major orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops, as well as many regional orchestras. In August 2016, he recorded three albums of music by Kevin Kaska with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Morse, principal harpist with the Berkshire Symphony and formerly with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, is artist associate of harp at Williams College. She has had solo appearances with the New England Philharmonic, Albany Pro Musica and numerous chamber music collaborations. She has also performed frequently on National Public Radio.
There is a suggested donation of $20 for the general public and $15 for seniors and students at the door. Proceeds from the concert will help support the music ministry of the church, including a 2015 refurbishment of its rare and historic 1908 Steinway B piano.
–E.E.
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‘NAACP Is Not an Anachronism!’
Pittsfield — On Monday, Feb. 13, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will welcome Dennis Powell, president of the NAACP – Berkshire County Branch, who will present “NAACP is not an ‘ANACHRONISM!’” at Congregation Knesset Israel, a Black History Month exploration of the institution’s history and work in the present day.
Founded on Feb. 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. The NAACP’s more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization. Powell will share the story of its founders and will also recount the organization’s local history. The first Berkshire branch of the NAACP was established in 1918 and functioned until the mid-1920s. Reactivated in 1945, a local office was located at 467 North St., Pittsfield. During that first year of reactivation, members organized a peaceful march to support the AF&M order of Masons in Pittsfield and the Beulah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Powell is a longtime community activist who has been president of the local NAACP chapter since 2015. He retired from a career as an executive chef, culinary educator, and consultant to the food service and hospitality industry.
For more information, call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
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Second annual Stockbridge photo contest
Stockbridge — The Laurel Hill Association and the Stockbridge Land Trust have launched their second annual photo contest. “The contest celebrates Stockbridge’s natural beauty and supports our organizations’ conservation efforts,” said contest coordinator and SLT board member Stewart Edelstein. “We invite people to submit up to ten photos of Stockbridge’s natural environment, in any season, by Friday, March 31, including photos taken before now. There is no fee for submission.”
LHA president Shelby Marshall added, “the winning and honorable mention photos will appear on the Laurel Hill Association website, and the winning photos will also appear on cards and other items the Laurel Hill Association and Stockbridge Land Trust will sell as a joint fundraiser.”
Edelstein reported that local merchants have been selling the 2016 cards, and there is already demand for cards from this year’s contest. All proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to SLT and the LHA. This year’s contest is in two categories: up to and including age 18, and older than 18. Five winning photos will be selected in each category. The contest rules are available online.
–E.E.
