Plena Libre brings the heat to PS21
Chatham— On July 2nd at 6 p.m., PS21 presents “Global Music: Plena Libre”.
Approaching their 30th anniversary as torchbearers of Puerto Rican plena, bomba, and salsa fused with Afro-Caribbean traditions, multi-Grammy Award nominated Plena Libre boasts 15 LPs and four Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations and a reputation for scintillating performances that deliver on their promise of unbeatable Latin dance parties. With mesmerizing hand drumming, raucous horns, and soaring three-part vocal harmonies, Plena Libre always brings the heat! Be ready to dance, and bring the whole family for an evening of music and celebration.
Audience members are invited to arrive early, at 5:30 p.m., for a crash course in the dance steps involved in plena, bomba, and salsa styles lead by the band. Uncover the rich history and heritage of the music through movement. Also, the grounds are open before the show picnics are encouraged.
The celebration is on July 2nd at 6 p.m. in the PS21 Open-Air Pavilion Theater on N.Y. Route 66 in Chatham. Tickets are $35 for pavilion seating, $10 for student pavilion seating, and children under age 12 are free. In an effort to give back to the local Latinx community PS21 is offering free tickets to Latinx youth and families. Reach out to boxoffice@ps21chatham.org for more information. Tickets can by purchased by visiting PS21 online.
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Tenor Karim Sulayman explores the love affair of Proust and Hahn
New Lebanon— On Saturday, July 8th at 7:30 p.m., Capital Region Classical presents tenor Karim Sulayman with Timothy Long (piano) and Wheelock Whitney (reciter) at Tannery Pond at the Darrow School. The program highlights the love affair between poet Marcel Proust and composer Reynaldo Hahn with songs by Hahn and his French contemporaries with readings of Proust interspersed.
The 2019 Best Classical Solo Vocal GRAMMY® Award winner, Lebanese-American tenor Karim Sulayman performs regularly on the world’s stages in opera, orchestral concerts, recital and chamber music. Recently Mr. Sulayman made his solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience, followed by the world premiere of his critically acclaimed original production, “Unholy Wars”.
Other recent highlights include engagements at Wigmore Hall, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and Ravinia Festival, as well as with the Chicago, Pittsburgh and National Symphony Orchestras, and the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, and leading roles with Drottningholms Slottsteater, Houston Grand Opera, Florentine Opera, New York City Opera, and Boston Lyric Opera.
Timothy Long is a pianist and conductor of Muscogee, Thlopthlocco, and Choctaw descent who is Music Director of Opera at the Eastman School of Music. Long has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, the Kennedy Center, National Sawdust, and Wigmore Hall, among others.
The concert is on Saturday, July 8th at 7:30 p.m. at Tannery Pond at the Darrow School. Individual tickets are $40. All children and students are free. For more information, call 518-941-4331 or visit Capital Region Classical online.
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Berkshire County Historical Society presents ‘ReWritten’, which explores the intimate relationship between Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne
Pittsfield— Running from Thursday, July 13th through Sunday, July 16th at 7:30 p.m., the Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS)presents “ReWritten”, an immersive performance created and performed by Tom Truss and Matthew Cumbie.
“ReWritten” explores the intimate relationship between Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne through dance, live music, projection, art installations, and text moving in and around the grounds of Arrowhead, reimagining an intergenerational queer love story that has shaped American literature.
“We are so happy to welcome back Tom and Matt and the ‘ReWritten’ crew for a third year,” said Lesley Herzberg, BCHS Executive Director. “Each year’s performance is a unique experience. This year Tom and Matt will be weaving in the stories of some of the women central to the lives of Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne. It should be a powerful performance, as always.”
Performances run Thursday, July 13th through Sunday, July 16th at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting the Berkshire County Historical Society online.
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Race Brook Lodge’s Down County Social Club presents Wes Buckley
Sheffield— On Thursday, July 6th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Race Brook Lodge’s Down County Social Club presents Wes Buckley.
Buckley has performed in over 40 states, Canada, and the EU. He is a guitar, bass, ukulele, songwriting, and instrument building teacher and band instructor. Throughout Berkshire County, Buckley teaches songwriting workshops, instrument construction and lessons both privately and for groups. He has partnered with Community Access to the Arts, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Montesorri School of the Berkshires, Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Country Day School, Wood Brothers Music, Berkshire County House of Corrections, and other local organizations. He also runs a weekly therapeutic music program at Laurel Ridge Assisted Living.
The Down County Social Club, beneath the Stagecoach Tavern at Race Brook Lodge, features a handpicked selection of extraordinary and rare entertainment presented in an intimate speakeasy style environment.
The concert is on Thursday, July 6th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Down County Social Club beneath the Stagecoach Tavern at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For tickets and more information, visit the Race Brook Lodge online.
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Berkshire Botanical Garden hosts “An Exploration of Native Plant Communities”
Stockbridge— On Thursday, July 13th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (online lecture) and Saturday, July 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (field study), Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) hosts ecologist Ted Elliman to lead a lecture and field study of forest, meadow, and wetland habitats found in the Berkshires.
Join ecologist Ted Elliman for an exploration of native New England plant communities. A Thursday evening Zoom lecture will cover many of the forest, meadow, and wetland habitats found in Berkshire County, discussing their physical and ecological features including topography, geology, soils, and moisture, as well as their characteristic plant associations, including both common and rare plants.
The Saturday field study will take us to a variety of forested, open, and wetland habitats, taking a close look at the flora and features of each of them. Ted will also discuss the impacts of invasive species and possible changes to natural communities in response to climate change.
Ted Elliman worked for many years for Native Plant Trust as a staff botanist, invasive species program manager, and instructor of botany, ecology, and conservation classes. His book, “The Wildflowers of New England”, an identification guide to much of the region’s native flora, was published in 2016 by Timber Press. Ted founded and directed an environmental education and wilderness adventure center in the Berkshires. He also periodically leads natural history tours to southwest China, where he worked for two years as a teacher and forest ecologist.
This two-part hybrid event takes place on Thursday, July 13th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Zoom online lecture) and Saturday, July 15th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (field study). Participants will meet at Berkshire Botanical Garden on West Stockbridge Road in Stockbridge and will travel in the BBG passenger van. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a bagged lunch. Tickets are $70 and $65 for members. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting Berkshire Botanical Garden online.
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‘Kick It’ with Berkshire Children’s Chorus
Sheffield— On Saturday, July 1st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Berkshire Children’s Chorus is bringing back its popular “Kick It With The Chorus” event at Sheffield Town Park.
Families who are curious about joining Berkshire Children’s Chorus are invited to make music, play kickball, and eat lunch with the Chorus at the park. The day’s agenda includes games, singing, a pick-up game of kickball, and a hot dog lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options. The event is an excellent way to learn more about Berkshire Children’s Chorus and how to register for the upcoming year.
The event is on Saturday, July 1st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sheffield Town Park on Depot Square in Sheffield. Families with children in 3rd through 8th grades are encouraged to attend. Siblings and parents are welcome to join. Children under age 6 require a parent to stay with them. Participation is free. Berkshire Children’s Chorus ball caps will be offered for $15 each. RSVPs are kindly requested. An RSVP and more inspiration can be found by visiting Berkshire Children’s Chorus online.
