Guild of Berkshire Artists presents ‘Go Figure,’ a group exhibit at Art on Main
West Stockbridge— From June 5th through June 29th, Guild of Berkshire Artists presents “Go Figure,” a group exhibit at Art on Main.
Four Guild of Berkshire Artists, Jane Craker, Pattie Lipman, Julie Love Edmonds, and John Huffaker, express their thoughts, impressions and love of the figure in an exhibit of paintings, sculptures, and drawings sure to make you ‘go figure!’
The exhibit runs from June 5th through June 29th at Art on Main, located at 38 Main Street in West Stockbridge. There is an opening reception on Saturday, June 7th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Close Encounters with Music presents ‘L’Amour Toujours’ and a world premiere at The Mahaiwe
Great Barrington— On Sunday, June 8th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Close Encounters with Music presents “L’Amour Toujours,” and a world premiere at The Mahaiwe.
It’s all about love! A new work for clarinet trio by composer Seth Grosshandler celebrating young love, courtship, and serendipity of meeting one’s intended will receive its inaugural performance. Signature love arias from favorite operas and Broadway sung by Metropolitan Opera soprano Danielle Talamantes and Baritone Kerry Wilkerson. The program will also include Schubert’s “Shepherd on the Rock” is a tour de force meshing clarinet and soprano. A scholar and close friend of Brahms praised the Clarinet Trio, writing.that “It is as though the instruments were in love with each other.”
Sharing the stage is artistic director, cellist Yehuda Hanani and clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein.
The concert is on Sunday, June 8th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets, including a Gala dinner package, and more information can be found online.
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OLLI presents a staged reading of ‘Jacob’s Torah’ written by Jesse Waldinger at Knesset Israel
Pittsfield— On Sunday, June 8th at 2 p.m., OLLI, with Congregation Knesset Israel and Temple Anshe Amunim, presents a staged reading of “Jacob’s Torah” written by Jesse Waldinger at Knesset Israel.
“Jacob’s Torah” is a dramatic reading of how a Torah was rescued the night before Kristallnacht, journeyed to the U.S., and was dedicated 50 years later for the use of students at a Hebrew Day School. This odyssey of a mystical Torah and the people who loved and protected it was written by the late Jesse Waldinger and directed by Barbara Waldinger, the play was inspired by a family story of Berkshire County resident, and OLLI instructor, Phil Halpern.
The reading is on Sunday, June 8th at 2 p.m. at Knesset Israel, located at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield. It will be followed by a short epilogue and refreshments. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents ‘Uncovering Jewish Pasts, Reimagining
Pittsfield— On Thursday, June 5th at 10:45 a.m., Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, as part of the Connecting With Community series, welcomes author, filmmaker, and historian Katka Reske for a talk about Jewish life, culture, and memory in contemporary Poland.
In the wake of communism’s collapse, an “unexpected” generation of Jews emerged in Poland, descendants of those who had lived through silence, secrecy, and erasure. Once home to the largest Jewish community in the world and later the site of its greatest tragedy, Poland began experiencing what has been called a “Jewish renaissance.” Yet beneath the surface of this revival lie deeply personal and often fraught journeys of rediscovery.
Drawing from personal experience and research, Katka Reszke explores the complexities of memory and identity in uncovering Jewish roots in post-communist Poland. Reszke will also be talking about her upcoming memoir, “The Meshugene Effect: A Memoir of Loss, Remembering, and Hunches,” an irreverent exploration of grief, Jewish identity, and the uncanny hunches that lead people to rediscover their heritage.
The in-person program is on Thursday, June 5th at 10:45 a.m. at Knesset Israel, located at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield. A Kosher lunch will follow. Advanced lunch reservations are required by calling 413-442-2200 on June 4th before 9 a.m. More information can be found online.
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Bennington Theater presents comedian Myq Kaplan
Bennington— On Saturday, June 7th at 7:30 p.m., Bennington Theater presents comedian Myq Kaplan.
Smart, rapid-fire, and endlessly witty, Myq “Mike” Kaplan returns to the Bennington Theater. You’ve seen him on The Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and America’s Got Talent, now catch him live at Bennington Theater! With his acclaimed special “Small, Dork, and Handsome” on Amazon and his latest Dry Bar special “Live From The Universe,” Myq delivers razor-sharp humor that’s as thought-provoking as it is hilarious. Don’t miss this night of brilliantly crafted comedy!
The event is on Saturday, June 7th at 7:30 p.m. at Bennington Theater, located at 331 Main Street in Bennington. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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An Evening with Alison Larkin, a book launch and fundraiser for The Stockbridge Library at The Unicorn Theatre
Stockbridge— On Sunday, June 8th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., spend an evening with Alison Larkin, a book launch and fundraiser for The Stockbridge Library at The Unicorn Theatre
Alison Larkin will entertain and read excerpts from her brand new book, “Grief…A Comedy,” the follow up to her hit one-woman show of the same name. Called a “gorgeous love story” by The Daily Mail, the book starts when Alison’s fiancé Bhima shows up at her kitchen table six weeks after he died, determined to help her find love again. It’s imaginary, of course. Or is it? When Archbishop Desmond Tutu heard what happened, he insisted she tell this story as widely as possible, “because,” he said “it will bring hope.”
The event is on Sunday, June 8th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Unicorn Theatre, located at 6 East Street in Stockbridge.There will be a Q&A with the author. The ticket includes a signed copy of the book. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Environmental Action Team presents at wild edible plant hike with Russ Cohen
Great Barrington— On Sunday, June 8th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Berkshire Environmental Action Team presents a wild edible plant hike with Join Russ Cohen, author of the book “Wild Plants I Have Known…and Eaten.”
Berkshire County is home to over 80 species of edible wild plants, some of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species, like Hazelnut and Yellow Birch; non-native weeds, like Ox-eye Daisy and Plantain; and invasive species, like Garlic Mustard and Multiflora Rose. Participants will learn about at least two dozen species of edible wild plants. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with info on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods, as well as general guidelines for safe, ethical, and environmentally-responsible foraging.
The three-hour, somewhat strenuous hike is on Sunday, June 8th from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Alford Springs Reserve, located at 2-20 Old Village Road in Great Barrington. Registration and more information can be found online.
