"New Dawn, Same Problems" by Michael Lavin Flower is included in an exhibit of his work at No. Six Depot in West Stockbridge.

Bits & Bytes: ‘Spaces and Perceptions;’ cemetery walk; Behold! New Lebanon tours; Jeff Klein on Syria; Madden Camp open house

The cemetery walk will cover the complex history of the Red Lion Inn, from its founding as a store to its place in Stockbridge today as the center of the town.

‘Spaces and Perceptions at No. Six Depot

West Stockbridge — Commercial and fine art photographer Michael Lavin Flower presents “Spaces and Perceptions,” a collection of landscape photography spanning three decades, No. Six Depot Roastery & Cafe through Wednesday, August 31. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, August 6, from 4 – 5:30 p.m.

“Spaces and Perception” includes images that contrast qualities particular to both natural and man-made environments: utilitarian spaces are intertwined with lush abstractions from nature. Intrinsic to all the work is Flower’s minimalist approach, offering an opportunity for reflection and interpretation of each space.

Michael Lavin Flower has been a practicing commercial photographer since receiving his BFA in photography and film from Philadelphia College of Art in 1980. Over his 35-year career, Flower has worked for both public and private educational institutions, tutored students privately and organized workshops for Berkshire Mountain Photographic Workshops, which he founded in 1997.

For more information, contact No. Six Depot at (413) 232-0205 or hello@sixdepot.com.

–E.E.

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Stockbridge Cemetery walk

Stockbridge — On Saturday, August 6, at 4 p.m. volunteers from the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives will present a cemetery walk entitled “The Red Lion Inn: From Stagecoach Stop to Community Center.” The walk will cover the complex history of the Red Lion Inn, from its founding as a store to its place in Stockbridge today as the center of the town. The walk will gather at the Stockbridge Cemetery gate on Main Street/Route 102. A $5 donation is suggested. For more information, call the Library at (413) 298-5501.

–E.E.

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Behold! New Lebanon August 6 tours

Michael Deegan and Sarah Conly. Photo: Uli Rose.
Michael Deegan and Sarah Conly. Photo: Uli Rose.

New Lebanon, New York — Behold! New Lebanon, the living museum of contemporary rural American life, has announced its schedule for Saturday, August 6. The programs include the following:

Reptile Rescue – Reptile rescuer Rhonda Leavitt will bring her animals for participants to learn to love–and maybe even handle, too.

Designing for the Theater – Theater designers Sarah Conly and Michael Deegan will give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at designing for the stage with an emphasis on their specialty of opera design.

Speed Demons – Longtime Lebanon Valley Speedway owner Howard Commander will lead a behind-the-scenes tour of the Speedway.

Say Cheese! – Learn how to make cheese with Willy Bridgham of Four Fat Fowl in Stephentown, N.Y.

Movement Is Art – Tour the rarely opened studio and outside sculpture garden of kinetic artist George Rickey with his artist son, Philip.

Tickets are $10 per program for adults, $5 for youth ages ages 5-16, and free for children ages 4 and under when accompanied by an adult. Advance ticket purchase is recommended for all programs. For more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Behold! New Lebanon at (518) 720-7265 or info@beholdnewlebanon.org.

–E.E.

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Cafe Palestina to present Jeff Klein

Jeff Klein.
Jeff Klein.

Great Barrington — Cafe Palestina will present Jeff Klein, who will give a talk entitled “What is Happening in Syria, the Middle East, and Why” at the South Berkshire Friends Meeting House on Tuesday, August 9, from 7 – 9 p.m. The presentation is free and open to the public.

In spring 2015 Jeff Klein traveled with an international delegation to Syria, and has traveled frequently to the Middle East over the past decade. Klein keeps issues of geopolitical power and justice at the forefront of his work and writings, both as a past union organizer and now as a commentator and teacher about the Israeli occupation, foreign military intervention, and U.S. attempts to control popular uprisings in the Middle East.

–E.E.

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Madden Open Hearts Camp to hold open house

Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp.
Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp.

Great Barrington – The Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp will hold an open house on Wednesday, August 10, from 3 – 6 p.m. The event will include tours of the camp and the chance to meet some of its campers. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to David Zaleon at hearts@openheartscamp.org.

–E.E.