CATA presents gala, matinee, virtual performance
GREAT BARRINGTON — Community Access to the Arts (CATA) will present its gala and annual performance on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 at Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse in Lenox. A free livestreamed gala will follow on Saturday, May 21.
CATA’s annual performance is the culmination of hundreds of performing arts workshops that serve over 800 people with disabilities in Berkshire and Columbia counties. CATA artists hone their talents throughout the year, then share their artistry with the community in the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event of the year.
“The heart of this year’s event is an electrifying new film produced by filmmaker Ben Hillman and packed with breathtaking performances by CATA artists—in dance, acting, singing, drumming, comedy, juggling, and more,” said Margaret Keller, CATA’s executive director. “This year’s gala theme “AND…” is a terrific springboard for CATA artists’ creativity. Our show co-directors Kelly Galvin, Olivia Martin, and Stefanie Weber scouted out inventive locations across the Berkshires to film, and with CATA faculty, they’ve directed CATA artists in unforgettable performances.”
The gala is a critical fundraiser for CATA: one-third of the nonprofit’s annual budget comes from gala donations and every dollar raised supports life-changing arts programs for people with disabilities.
Saturday evening’s gala is sold out, but tickets are available for the Sunday matinee, which begins at 1 p.m. A film screening and special, on-stage appearances by CATA artists will be followed by a cast party. Matinee tickets are “Pay What You Wish” and are available online or by calling the Shakespeare & Company box office at 413-637-3353. Vaccinations are required for CATA’s in-person events and masks are required in the theater during the performance.
CATA’s virtual performance will take place Saturday, May 21 at 6 p.m. The evening kicks off with a short “red carpet” pre-show, followed by CATA’s new film with performances by CATA artists, and culminates in a live fundraiser. The free event, which runs approximately one hour, will be streamed live on CATA’s website. RSVP at CATAarts.org.
—A.K.
* * *
Free Eagles Band concert to be held May 1 in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD — The Eagles Band, the longest continuous performing ensemble in the Berkshires, will perform a free concert at the First United Methodist Church, 55 Fenn St. in Pittsfield, on Sunday, May 1 at 3 p.m. Selections include Alfred Reed’s “The Hounds of Spring,” Henry Fillmore’s “Miss Trombone,” and “Pixar Movie Magic” arranged by Michael Brown. The Eagles Trombone Ensemble will start the show and be followed by the concert band.
Donations are welcome, and there will be prize giveaways and a bake sale. For the health and safety of all, masks will be required.
Additional Upcoming Concerts
- Sunday, May 15 at 3 p.m. Eagles Trombone Ensemble at Sommers Center for Music and Art, Adams
- Saturday, June 11 at 11 a.m. Eagles Trombone Ensemble at the Rhubarb Festival, Lenox
- Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m. Eagles Concert Band in the Park at the Common, Pittsfield
- Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. Eagles Stage Band in the Park at the Common, Pittsfield
- Tuesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. Eagles Concert Band at Springside Park, Pittsfield
- Wednesday, July 20 at 5 p.m. Eagles Trombone Ensemble at Band Stage Concert Series, Great Barrington
- Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. Eagles Concert Band at Dalton CRA
- Sunday, Aug 14 at 2 p.m. Eagles Stage Band at Hinsdale Dayz
- Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. Eagles Band Concert in the Park at the Common, Pittsfield
- Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. Eagles Band Concert at the Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
—A.K.
* * *
Berkshire Flyer weekend passenger train service to begin July 8
PITTSFIELD — Amtrak, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), recently announced a pilot seasonal passenger rail service (known as The Berkshire Flyer) will operate this year and in 2023, with a route between New York City and Pittsfield. The service will be initiated on July 8 and will operate on weekends through the summer months, with a similar schedule next year. The Berkshire Flyer will include a Friday afternoon departure from New York’s Penn Station to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, via Albany-Rensselaer, New York. A return trip will be provided on Sunday afternoons. Each train will make several station stops.
“We’re appreciative of the support and cooperation of CSX for the Berkshire Flyer service, which will offer a more comfortable and convenient transportation option, that’s also more environmentally friendly,” said Amtrak President & CEO Stephen Gardner.
The Berkshire Flyer pilot’s success will be evaluated to further understand the feasibility and demand of the service before continuing the service, deciding on its schedule if it is to continue, and identifying specific infrastructure improvements or service changes that may be necessary.
The Berkshire Flyer will depart from Penn Station at 3:16 p.m. on Fridays and arrive at Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center, 1 Columbus Ave. in Pittsfield, at 7:12 p.m. The train will make all the intermediate station stops as the typical Amtrak Empire Service train does on Fridays: Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany-Rensselaer. The Sunday return trip, making all the same stops, will depart Pittsfield at 3 p.m. and arrive in New York at 7:05 p.m.
“Passenger rail is an essential ingredient for a healthy economy, a healthy environment, and a healthy workforce,” said U.S. Senator Ed Markey. “Improving rail is an important step forward in combatting climate change, increasing economic opportunities, and allowing the tourism industry in the Berkshires to continue to flourish.”
Efforts to evaluate passenger rail service between the Berkshires and New York have been ongoing since 2018, during which time pilot service has operated and conversations about the service have involved Berkshire County groups, municipal officials, and elected leaders. Amtrak, MassDOT, and NYSDOT have collaborated with CSX Transportation to prepare for the service’s startup this year after an agreement was reached with CSX to utilize its tracks.
Berkshire Flyer customers can expect the same amenities onboard as they do on all other Amtrak trains, including free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times, the ability to travel with small pets on many trains, spacious seats with ample leg room, no middle seat, and one of the most generous baggage policies in the travel industry, applicable for two personal items and two carry-on bags.
Tickets are not yet available, but will be sold beginning in May on Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL.
—A.K.
* * *
Lenox Library Association seeking book donations for annual sale
LENOX — The Lenox Library Association is now accepting book donations for its 2022 book sale, to be held Saturday, Sept. 3 and Sunday, Sept. 4. The book sale committee welcomes hardcover and paperback books in very good condition, as well as DVDs and CDs. The book drive cannot accept books with musty odors, mold, tears or markings, or dictionaries, encyclopedias, thesauruses, magazines, atlases, textbooks, LPs, VHS tapes or cassettes.
Donations can be dropped off at 10 Kemble Street (Spring Lawn) in Lenox on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m.—12 p.m., and on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.—12 p.m. To arrange for an alternative drop off time or for more information, please contact Nancy Cohen at 413-652-1327 or nancycohen1112@gmail.com, or visit the book sale webpage. Due to limited storage space in the library building, the book sale committee respectfully requests that all donations are dropped off at 10 Kemble Street.
Each year, the sale offers more than 12,000 books in over 30 categories. All proceeds benefit the Lenox Library Association, which funds the library’s programs, activities, and collections for people of all ages and interests.
Directions to book drop-off: Turn south onto Kemble Street from Walker Street. The Kemble Inn will be on your right. The two driveways immediately after the Inn go to 10 Kemble Street, a yellow mansion set back from the road. A yard sign near the driveway marks the location.
—A.K.
