First Fridays Artswalk on July 3
Pittsfield — The July 3rd First Fridays Artswalk will encompass nineteen different art shows featuring work by over 30 students and accomplished regional artists in Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District. The July First Fridays Artswalk will kick off with opening receptions and artists present throughout the walk from 5 pm to 8 pm. There will be a guided walking tour beginning at 5 pm at the Intermodal Center at BRTA. The evening will culminate with an afterparty and social gathering with the night’s artists from 8 pm to 10 pm at the Whitney Center for the Arts.
Community Access to the Arts will present “I Am a Part of Art,” a celebration of CATA’s visual artists and writers. “Proserpine Path Series” by artist Eric Korenman will be Hotel on North’s inaugural First Fridays Artswalk exhibit. Berkshire Paint and Sip presents its first show: “LIQUID MOTION,” contemporary Realism, acrylic and oil on canvas by Michelle Iglesias. Dottie’s Coffee Lounge will present Burlesque Life Drawing. There will also be an artist reception for “Inspiration/Intention,” a two man show featuring the drawings, prints and 3D work of Stephen Lussier and Michael Vincent Bushy. Bob Melnik of Green River Woodcraft will showcase his works at Shire City Sanctuary for the month of July. New shows from local artists will also be displayed.
First Fridays Artswalk is presented by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. Most art exhibits are on display in participating venues throughout the month. Please check with venues for hours of operation. For more information on First Fridays Artswalk and to view a listing and map of all participating artists and locations, visit them online or call 413-443-6501.
–E.E.
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BUTI piano recitals by faculty and young artists
Lenox — The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is proud to present four piano recitals this summer in the great hall of Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. Faculty and students from BUTI’s Young Artists Piano Program (YAPP) will perform selections from the classical repertoire. The recitals are open to the public with free admission, though donations are appreciated.
YAPP’s director, international recording artist Boaz Sharon, will present recitals on Mondays July 6th and 27th at 7:30 p.m. Students from the program will perform on Mondays July 20th and August 10th at 7:30 p.m.
Sharon’s first program on Monday, June 6, will include Rudepoema, by Heitor Villa-Lobos (dedicated to Arthur Rubinstein); Scenes from Childhood, by Robert Schumann; Tango by Isaac Albeniz/Leopold Godowsky; Tango by Igor Stravinsky and An American in Paris, by George Gershwin/transcribed by Boaz Sharon.
For further information contact Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
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Behold! New Lebanon free to town residents on its opening day
New Lebanon, N.Y. — Behold! New Lebanon, the living museum of contemporary rural American life, is opening its doors free of charge to all New Lebanon residents on opening day, July 4. The new museum-without-walls celebrates the rich historical and cultural heritage of New Lebanon and is inviting residents to join any of its programs this Saturday.
The following programs are scheduled for Independence Day, 2015:
The Zen of Woof (10-11 a.m.): A rare opportunity to get advice from Peg Munves, a highly sought-after dog trainer.
Speed Demons (10:30-11:30 a.m.): Walk behind the scenes of Lebanon Valley Speedway with owner Howard Commander.
Stuffed (1:30-3 p.m.): What goes into a good sausage? Phoebe Young explains, and demonstrates how they are made.
Auctioneering 101 (1:30-3 p.m.): Dolores Meissner, New Lebanon’s veteran auctioneer, talks about her personal journey, how she learned the auction business, and the rise of her fabled auction house.
With 60 different tour programs over the course of the summer, rural guides greet visitors at their farms, studios, and workspaces where they practice cooking, farming, cattle raising, automobile racing and mechanics, wood-working, foraging, and much more. The presenters are not costumed actors or docents recalling old-world skills; they are the real townspeople of today whose lives and work challenge myths about country life.
In order to assure a place, all spots must be reserved in advance by calling (518) 720-7265 or emailing info@beholdnewlebanon.org no later than noon on Friday, July 3.
–E.E.
