Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art presents ‘CLICK! Photographers Make Picture Books,’ an exhibit of works by visionary photographer-illustrators, celebrating the art of photography in picture books
Amherst— From January 17th through June 7th, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art presents “CLICK! Photographers Make Picture Books,” an exhibit of works by visionary photographer-illustrators, celebrating the art of photography in picture books.
The work of Edward Steichen, William Wegman, Dare Wright, Mo Willems, Tana Hoban, Charles R. Smith Jr, Walter Wick, and more reveals the hidden beauty of our everyday surroundings, making the fantastic seem real in artfully choreographed collages and staged photos, documenting the amazing diversity of life on our planet. Guest-curated by Leonard Marcus, the exhibit features more than 90 photographic works and a selection of more than 20 rare children’s books dating from the 1890s onward, putting this vibrant, under-explored strand of children’s book art into eye-opening sharp focus.
The exhibit is on view from January 17th through June 7th at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, located at 125 West Bay Road in Amherst. From January 14th through the 22nd, families are invited to create their own “CLICK!”-inspired collage scrapbook. On February 5th, Carle After Dark will feature “CLICK!”-inspired photo ops, playful snapshots, and karaoke moments. More information can be found online.
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Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Indigo Comedy Night with David Drake
Great Barrington— On Saturday, January 17th at 8 p.m., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Indigo Comedy Night with David Drake, hosted by Thomas Attila Lewis.
“David Drake is a comedian. He is a very funny comedian. He has been featured on Comedy Central, HBO, Sirius XM, Cracked, Don’t Tell, and Fox. He was named one of Complex Magazine’s ‘Comics to Watch Under 30,’ although is now 38, and one of New York Comedy Festival’s ‘Comics to Watch,’ but they did not specify any age boundaries. He is a producer of the long-standing New York showcase ‘Comedians You Should Know NYC’ and a regular at the world-famous Comedy Cellar. With six stand-up albums and three specials under his belt, including the critically acclaimed ‘Big Break,’ David currently performs nationwide while working out a niche in New York’s legendary comedy scene, and sometimes he’ll eat fries off your plate. He feels bad about that. He’s sorry… I’m sorry. I’m David Drake. This was me the whole time,” commended David Drake.
The show is on Saturday, January 17th at 8 p.m. at the Indigo Room, located at 20 Castle Street in Great Barrington. There is café table seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Williams College Department of Music and I/O Fest 2025 present Gamelan Yowana Sari and I/O Ensemble at Clark Art Institute for an afternoon of new music for Balinese gamelan
Williamstown— On Sunday, January 19th at 3 p.m., the Williams College Department of Music and 1/O Fest 2025 present Gamelan Yowana Sari and I/O Ensemble at the Clark Art Institute for an afternoon of new music for Balinese gamelan, including recently commissioned works by Michael Gordon and Evan Ziporyn, alongside music by Vivian Fung and Balinese master composer and musician Dewa Alit.
A performing Balinese Art Ensemble in residence at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in New York City, Gamelan Yowana Sari has recently appeared at Bang on a Can’s Long Play Festival in Brooklyn and the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA. Recently, while in Bali, they studied and performed with Dewa Alit’s Gamelan Salukat.
I/O Ensemble, the Williams College contemporary music ensemble directed by Matthew Gold, joins Gamelan Yowana Sari for this performance. I/O, which stands for input/output, reflects the group’s ethos of letting lived experience bleed into their music. The ensemble is composed of musicians from the Williams College Department of Music faculty, student body, and local community, with guest artists from across the country.
The concert is on Sunday, January 19th at 3 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Yiddish Book Center presents ‘Recording Broadway: A Life in Cast Albums,’ a virtual book talk with Thomas Shepard
Amherst— On Thursday, January 15th at 7 p.m., Yiddish Book Center presents “Recording Broadway: A Life in Cast Albums,” a virtual book talk with Thomas Shepard.
Join author and Grammy award–winning record producer and composer Thomas Z. Shepard as he shares the story of his journey from small-in-stature piano prodigy from East Orange, New Jersey, to classical music and Broadway recording producer. Shepard will share intimate, behind-the-scenes stories from his collaborations with some of Broadway’s most legendary figures, including Julie Andrews, Leonard Bernstein, Placido Domingo, Gregory Hines, Fred Ebb, Danny Kaye, Angela Lansbury, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Stephen Sondheim, Barbra Streisand, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and many more.
Shepard is a Grammy Award–winning record producer and composer best known for his wide range of imaginative albums of Broadway musicals, including landmark original cast recordings of works by Stephen Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and Richard Rodgers.
The virtual talk is on Thursday, January 15th at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Bidwell House Museum, Monterey Historical Society, and Monterey Library to host a weekend celebration of the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox leading his Noble Train of Artillery through the Berkshires
Monterey— Beginning on January 16th, the Bidwell House Museum, the Monterey Historical Society, and the Monterey Library present a weekend celebration of the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox leading his Noble Train of Artillery through the Berkshires.
Beginning in December of 1775 from Fort Ticonderoga in New York, twenty five year old Henry Knox led an expedition to move 60 tons of captured British artillery to the Continental army in Boston to force the British to evacuate the city. Knox’s journey took three months and came through the Berkshires in January of 1776, during the depths of winter, using little more than ox and horse-drawn sledges and manpower.
The celebration begins on January 16th. A full slate of activities are planned for the weekend including an exhibit, talks, a hike, and stories and mulled cider around the fire. All activities for the weekend are free and open to the public, and pre-registration is not required. More information, including a schedule of events, can be found online.
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Guild of Berkshire Artists presents Painting in Oils with Bob Watkins at Berkshire South
Great Barrington— On Tuesdays, January 20th through February 24th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Guild of Berkshire Artists presents Painting in Oils with Bob Watkins at Berkshire South.
This traditional painting class, using environmentally safe materials, focuses on mixing colors with a limited palette. Still lifes and landscapes will be used to explore concepts of perspective, composition, and spatial relationships. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this class promises to be a supportive environment where creativity flourishes.
Bob Watkins is an experienced teacher, represented by galleries in Vermont and Connecticut, showing both landscapes and still lifes. His interest in landscapes are an attempt to capture the effects of fading light. The elusive hours of dawn and twilight, when light comes washing over the landscape are the most captivating moments to paint. He feels that the joy of being an artist is being able to take the time to explore the things that interest us personally and share that vision with others.
The class is from January 20th through February 24th at Berkshire South located at 15 Chrissy Road in Great Barrington. Space is limited. Registration and more information can be found online.
