Saturday, July 19, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: Images Cinema presents award-winning short; Crandell Theatre presents FilmColumbia; Andrew Dawson at Race Brook Lodge; WAM Theater at Shakespeare & Company; Harry Levenstein at Daniel Arts Center; Third Thursday at Olana; MCLA to host panel of drag performers; Lecture series at MCLA; Tommy T and Black Velvet at Dalton United Methodist Church; BCC’s Harvest Run

Images Cinema presents a screening of John Tedeschi’s award-winning short film “A Book by Their Cover,” which was filmed locally and inspired by last year’s “Genderqueer” controversy.

Images Cinema presents a screening of John Tedeschi’s award-winning short film ‘A Book by Their Cover’

Williamstown— On Saturday, October 19th at 11:30 a.m., Images Cinema presents a screening of John Tedeschi’s award-winning short film “A Book by Their Cover,” which was filmed locally and inspired by last year’s “Genderqueer” controversy.

Filmmaker John Tedeschi. Courtesy the filmmaker.

“A Book by Their Cover” is a compelling film that captures the emotional journey of a tween girl as she discovers her sexual orientation through a book. As she grapples with this personal revelation, the film explores the reactions of her small town, highlighting the challenges LGBTQIA+ youth face when seeking understanding and acceptance. Through its sensitive and insightful storytelling, “A Book by Their Cover” addresses the need for open conversations and support, emphasizing that self-discovery should never be a secretive process.

The screening is on Saturday, October 19th at 11:30 a.m. at Images Cinema at 50 Spring Street in Williamstown. There will be There will be an introduction and Q&A with the filmmaker. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Crandell Theatre presents FilmColumbia 2024

Chatham, N.Y.— From Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 27th, the Crandell Theatre presents FilmColumbia 2024. 

FilmColumbia is celebrating its 24th year with the year’s best upcoming American, international, and animated features, documentaries, and shorts. This year’s lineup includes a treasure trove of new films, breakouts, new and seasoned talent, and stellar standouts from the festival circuit that have not yet opened commercially, featuring 50+ exceptional new films and shorts you won’t see in wide release until later this fall and winter.

Walton Goggins. Courtesy Crandell Theatre.

The annual Kick-Off Party at the home of Crandell benefactor Jack Shear, to be held this year on Sunday, October 20th, will honor Emmy-nominated actor and area resident Walton Goggins, with appetizers and full buffet by Bimi’s Canteen. Tickets are available online. 

The festival is Friday, October 18th to Sunday, October 27th at the Crandell Theatre at 48 Main Street in Chatham, N.Y. Tickets and a complete line-up of screenings and events are available online. 

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Race Brook Lodge presents world-renowned mime and theatre experimentalist, Andrew Dawson

Sheffield— From October 19th to the 20th, Race Brook Lodge presents world renowned mime and theatre experimentalist, Andrew Dawson for a three-day run of his most beloved multidisciplinary performance work, “Space Panorama.”

“Space Panorama” is an utterly hypnotic solo recreation of the Apollo 11 moon landing, using only Dawson’s hands, to create a constantly entrancing documentary of the entire mission. Accompanied by Shostakovich’s 10th symphony and a dramatic, lively narration, he takes us from Houston to the moon and returns us safely to earth, conveying the colossal distances and the risks involved simply through the skilled movement in his hands.

Andrew Dawson. Courtesy Race Brook Lodge.

Created in 1987, “Space Panorama” has played at theaters and festivals throughout the world from an astronaut reunion dinner in Houston for Buzz Aldrin and John Young to the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at the Kennedy Centre to the Intrepid Air and Space museum (under the wing of the shuttle) in New York to Tom Hanks’ 67th birthday. 

The performance runs from October 19th to the 20th at Race Brook Lodge at 864 South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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WAM Theater presents ‘Galileo’s Daughter’ at Shakespeare & Company

Lenox— From October 18th to November 3rd, WAM Theater presents “Galileo’s Daughter,” written by Jessica Dickey and directed by Reena Dutt.

Rattled by a personal crisis, a playwright flees to Florence to study the letters between Galileo and his eldest daughter Maria Celeste. Caught up in the threats against her father, Maria must abandon her work and join a convent. The writer’s discovery of Maria’s strength and tenacity inspires her own pursuit of purpose. Alternating between past and present, this play is a personal examination of faith, forgiveness, and the cost of seeking and speaking truth.

Courtesy WAM Theater.

Performances run from October 18th to November 3rd at Shakespeare & Company at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. The Flying Cloud Institute will be the beneficiary of this production. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Daniel Arts Center presents ceramics exhibition by faculty member Harry Levenstein

Great Barrington— From October 18th to January 15th, the Hillman-Jackson Gallery in The Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock is pleased to present “flores cinis terra,” an exhibition of ceramic artworks by Simon’s Rock Ceramics program resident artist and adjunct ceramics faculty member Harry Levenstein.

The show will include a grouping of ash-glazed stoneware and porcelain pots exploring Levenstein’s take on traditional forms and techniques that have influenced his own personal aesthetic philosophy. The decorative imagery of this show centers around an archetypal flower rendered by hand using sgraffito, slips, inlays, and sprigs. Attendees can expect to see visual nods to ceramics made by Korean, Japanese, South Indian, Grecian, and English masters found in prominent museum collections.

Harry Levenstein. Courtesy Daniel Arts Center.

The exhibit runs from October 18 to January 15th at the Hillman-Jackson Gallery in The Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock at 84 Alford Road at Great Barrington. There is an opening reception on Friday, October 18th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information can be found online. 

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Olana Partnership presents Third Thursday at Olana State Historic Site

Hudson, N.Y.— On Thursday, October 17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Olana Partnership presents Third Thursday, a free community day, at Olana State Historic Site.

There will be free house access, landscape tours, and a guided tour in Spanish. At 11 a.m. there will be a lunch and learn. Learn more about the origins and influences of the rural cemetery movement during this free lecture with Drs. Lynn Radlick and Michael Radlick. Using the Albany Rural Cemetery as a key example, they will discuss the beginnings of the cemetery movement in Europe, followed by its spread across cities in the U.S.

At 1 p.m.,there is a free all-ages drop-in workshop in the Wagon House Education Center. All materials are provided. At 4 p.m., join educator Andrea Del Cid to learn more about the Guatemalan legend behind “Worry Dolls” or las munecas quitapenas. During this special workshop, participants will learn about this beautiful story and craft their own dolls to address worry and emotions through art. This workshop is open to all ages and will be presented in both English and Spanish. 

‘Worry Dolls’ or las munecas quitapenas. Courtesy Olana.

The event is Thursday, October 17th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Olana State Historic Site at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson, N.Y. More information can be found online.

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MCLA to host panel of drag performers to celebrate queer identities and performance art 

North Adams— On Wednesday, October 16th at 5 p.m., Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) invites the community to a thought-provoking evening of discussion and insight featuring a panel of local drag performers as part of the annual Lavender Lecture.

Panelists Vuronika Baked, Gemini DaBarbay, and Jackie Leggs will share their personal experiences with drag and their journeys in exploring their queer identities. Moderated oil a Q&A format, the panel offers a unique opportunity to hear from the performers about the role of drag in their lives, the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced, and how the art form has shaped their self-expression and activism.

Vuronika Baked, Gemini DaBarbay, and Jackie Leggs. Courtesy MCLA.

The free event is on Wednesday, October 16th at 5 p.m. at MCLA’s Venable Hall at 375 Church Street in North Adams. More information can be found online. 

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MCLA launches ‘Politics of the Visual’ lecture series 

North Adams— On Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m., MCLA kicks off their 2024-25 ‘Politics of the Visual’ lecture series with “Technologies of Magic: Contemporary Artists and Rituals, Talismans, and Folklore ,” with Alexandra Foradas.

This dynamic series will explore critical questions about the political dimensions of visuality, the power structures behind perception, and the phenomena of spectacle in contemporary culture.  Continuing through April, the series will feature leading scholars, artists, and curators, who will dive into the complex intersections of art, politics, and society.

The first lecture is “Technologies of Magic: Contemporary Artists and Rituals, Talismans, and Folklore,” by Alexandra Foradas on Wednesday, October 16t at 6:30 p.m. Alexandra Foradas, an art historian and curator at MASS MoCA, will explore how contemporary artists engage with rituals and folklore in their works, reflecting on exhibitions like Like Magic and Deep Water.

Installation view of Petra Szilagyi, Bless Your Hard Drive, 2021–2023. Mixed media. As installed in Like Magic at MASS MoCA. Photo by Kaelan Burkett. Courtesy of the artist. Made with MASS MoCA.

The lectures are free and open to the public, and will be held at MOSAIC events space, located at 49 Main Street in North Adams. More information can be found online. 

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Dalton United Methodist Church presents a church dinner-dance with Tommy T and Black Velvet

Dalton— On Friday, October 18th at 5 p.m., Dalton United Methodist Church presents a church dinner-dance with Tommy T and Black Velvet.

The Western-themed event will begin at 5 p.m. with a $20-per-plate dinner of barbecue pork, baked beans, coleslaw, biscuits, salad, coffee/tea, and dessert. At 6 p.m, Tommy T and Black Velvet will perform, providing an opportunity to dance to country and western music covers. 

Tommy T and Black Velvet.

The event is on Friday, October 18th at 5 p.m. at Dalton United Methodist Church at 755 Main Street in Dalton. No reservations are required. 

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Berkshire Community College’s annual Harvest Run

Pittsfield— On Saturday, October 19th at 8:30 a.m., Berkshire Community College (BCC) will hold its annual Harvest Run to benefit BCC’s Nursing & Allied Health Programs.

The event, led by Integritus Healthcare, includes a 5K trail run and one-mile Fun Run for kids. This year’s theme, 1990s Nickelodeon cartoons, promises to be fun for the whole family. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. In addition, there will be a cook-off competition with delicious samples, kids’ activities, and a craft table.

Courtesy BCC.

Bib pickup begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Paterson Field House, located on BCC’s main campus at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield. The 5K run begins at 10 a.m,, and the Fun Run begins at 10:45 a.m. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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