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Bits & Bytes: ‘The Life and Times of Music Inn;’ dog dance at Jacob’s Pillow; ‘Altars, Amulets and Shrines;’ Gossamer Trio at Music & More; Lenox library book sale

The event will also mark the launch of the Music Inn book project, which aims to produce a physical interpretation of the digital archives including stories, clippings, memorabilia and images.

‘The Life and Times of Music Inn’

Lenox — As part of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the town of Lenox, the presentation “The Life and Times of Music Inn” will take place Friday, Aug. 25, at 3 p.m. at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School’s Duffin Theater. The event will feature stories, video, audio tracks, memorabilia and other Music Inn memories.

From 1950 to 1979, the Music Inn, situated just east of Tanglewood in the former barns and outbuildings of Wheatleigh, was home to a dynamic music scene that existed in several iterations from the original Lenox School of Jazz to the Music Barn to Lenox Arts Center, and performance stages for those who were or would become music icons such as Louis Armstrong, Pete Seeger, Dave Brubeck, Muddy Waters, the Band, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, the Kinks, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley and many more, Music Inn remains a piece of Lenox’s heritage.

Dave Brubeck and Eugene Wright performing in the Music Barn at Music Inn. Image courtesy Music Inn Archives
Dave Brubeck and Eugene Wright performing in the Music Barn at Music Inn. Image courtesy Music Inn Archives

David Rothstein – who, with partners Bob and Olga Weiss – took over Music Inn in 1969, embarked on a mission in 2010 to capture the story and spirit of Music Inn that still resonates in a wide community of people who played, worked, and attended concerts there. Rothstein enlisted photographer and graphic designer Lee Everett and multimedia producer Lynnette Najimy to research and build the Music Inn Archives, an online collection of articles, stories, images, live audio recordings and memorabilia contributed by hundreds of people connected to Music Inn. In 2007 Ben Barenholtz, George Schuller, Benjamin Barber, Casey Meade and others collaborated to produce Music Inn, a documentary film, which has not yet been made available publicly. Several Music Inn reunions and meet-ups have drawn attendees from around the Berkshires and across the country.

The event will include a remembrance of Barber, an active and enthusiastic contributor to the film and archives until his death in 2016 and whose mother, Stephanie, founded Music Inn and ran it in the 1960s. The event will also mark the launch of the Music Inn book project, which aims to produce a physical interpretation of the digital archives including stories, clippings, memorabilia and images.

Tickets are $10 for the general public and free for members of the Mount and will mutually benefit the Mount and Music Inn Archives’ upcoming book project. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Mount at (413) 551-5111 or info@edithwharton.org.

–E.E.

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Jacob’s Pillow to offer dog dance in honor of National Dog Day

Becket — Jacob’s Pillow Dance will celebrate National Dog Day with an invitation for dogs and their caregivers to participate in a dance choreographed just for them on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 11 a.m.

Presented by Maryland-based Dance Exchange artist Elizabeth Johnson, participants and their leashed canines will be guided through a series of patterns, gestures and tricks. After 45 minutes of rehearsal, there will be a short, 15-minute performance to demonstrate what the dogs and their companions have learned. The event will also feature local pet vendors and the opportunity to win prizes.

The event is free with a suggested donation to Berkshire Humane Society and registration is requested. Participating dogs must be leashed at all times and should comfortable with loud noises and being around other dogs. For registration and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Jacob’s Pillow at (413) 243-9919.

–E.E.

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David M. Hunt Library to host ‘Altars, Amulets and Shrines’ exhibit

'Ancient Souls' by Mary Lou Alberetti
‘Ancient Souls’ by Mary Lou Alberetti

Falls Village, Conn. — The David M. Hunt Library will premiere the group exhibit “Altars, Amulets and Shrines” curated by Gay Schempp Friday, Aug. 25, through Friday, Sept. 22. An opening reception with the artists and refreshments will be held Friday, Aug. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Axe amulet by Robert Dancik
Axe amulet by Robert Dancik

“Altars, Amulets and Shrines” expresses nine artists’ explorations of personal altars, amulets or shrines used to create external representations of interior mysteries, memories or links among people, things and realms. The works encompass a variety of disciplines and materials including sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, encaustic, assemblage and jewelry. Featured in the exhibit are works by Mary Lou Alberetti, Lori Barker, Suzanne Benton, Robert Dancik, Dawn Gaskill, George Herrick, Barbara Jaroch, Schempp and Diane Wright. All the artworks in “Altars, Amulets and Shrines” were created for the exhibit, which, after closing at the Hunt Library, will travel to the Underground Gallery in Collinsville Friday Oct. 13, through Sunday, Oct. 29; and 22 Haviland Street Gallery in Norwalk Saturday, Nov. 11, through Monday, Dec. 25.

For more information, contact the David M. Hunt Library at (860) 824-7424 or dmhuntlibrary@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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Music & More to present Gossamer Trio

The Gossamer Trio. Image courtesy Music & More
The Gossamer Trio. Image courtesy Music & More

New Marlborough — Music & More will present the Gossamer Trio on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 4:30 p.m. at the New Marlborough Meeting House, 154 Hartsville-New Marlborough Rd. A reception will follow in the Meeting House Gallery.

The Gossamer Trio is a collaboration of New York Philharmonic principal harpist Nancy Allen with internationally renowned flutist Carol Wincenc and cellist Claire Solomon. The three artists have won first prizes in U.S. and international competitions. As soloists, they have been featured with symphony orchestras and chamber orchestras across the country and in Hong Kong and England, and have performed, toured, or recorded with many esteemed chamber groups. The program will feature works by J.S. Bach, Ravel, Bartók, Fauré and others.

Tickets are $25 for the general public and $20 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association. For tickets and more information, contact NMVA at (413) 229-2785 or contact@newmarlborough.org.

–E.E.

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Lenox Library to hold book sale

Lenox — The Lenox Library will hold its 22nd annual book sale Friday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 27, featuring thousands of books in 40 categories donated from Berkshire homes. For a donation of $5, book dealers and members of the public can gain early admission from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Aug. 25, with the sale continuing with free admission from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The largest category is children’s books, followed by fiction, art and biography. Other categories include gardening, cookbooks, poetry, the Berkshires, military history, crafts and hobbies. Audiobooks, CDs and DVDs will also be offered for sale. A special interest selection will include collectors’ items such as books published in the 19th century and earlier, signed first editions and sets. This year’s sale will also feature artwork, including framed original paintings and prints.

All proceeds from the book sale will benefit the Lenox Library. Visitors to the event are asked to bring their own bags and boxes. For more information, contact Maris Katsir at mmkkatsir@gmail.com or Nancy Cohen at nancycohen1112@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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