Jacob’s Pillow, MASS MoCA to present Richard Move’s ‘XXYY’
North Adams — Jacob’s Pillow and MASS MoCA will present a one-night-only work-in-progress showing of performing artist, choreographer and TEDGlobal Oxford Fellow Richard Move’s “XXYY” on Friday, Jan. 20, at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA. The new collaboration is conceived and directed by Move and features an original sound score by electronic music pioneer Martux_m and costumes by theatre artist Alba Clemente.
Widely known for incarnating modern dance legend Martha Graham in his performances, director, choreographer, filmmaker, performing artist and artistic director Move has created work for PARADIGM, Italy’s Opera Ballet of Florence, New York City Ballet’s Helene Alexopoulos, Guggenheim Museum/New York, Parrish Art Museum, Deborah Harry, Dame Shirley Bassey, Isaac Mizrahi, Martha Graham Dance Company and others. Move is the recipient of a New York Dance and Performance Award among other accolades.
Move’s newest work, “XXYY,” is a poetic and otherworldly dance-theater event exploring the multiplicities of the gender spectrum while deconstructing the conventional binaries of male and female. The work combines Move’s highly-stylized choreography with Clemente’s inventive and elaborate costuming to create a provocative, alternative vision of the world. “XXYY” incorporates text from “Autobiography of an Androgyne,” written at the turn of the 20th century by Ralph Werther. The original sound score by Italian electronic music pioneer Martux_m includes the Vatican’s last castrato Alessandro Moreschi (1858–1922), the only castrato to make solo recordings. “XXYY” is performed by Move and his longtime collaborators Catherine Cabeen and Katherine Crockett. Lighting design is by Donalee Katz. The work will have its premiere in March at New York Live Arts as part of the cross-disciplinary series Mx’d Messages.
Tickets range from $5–$22. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call MASS MoCA at (413) 662-2111.
–E.E.
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Edge editor, publisher to speak about Berkshires news media
Pittsfield — On Thursday, Jan. 19, at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present David Scribner, editor of the Berkshire Edge, who will talk about recent changes in the Berkshires news media landscape in a free program at Congregation Knesset Israel. He will be joined by Edge publisher Marcie Setlow.
The presentation will explore the change that news media in the Berkshires has undergone in the past several decades as a result of the emergence of the Internet, how the evolution of media has affected the Berkshires, and what’s in store for the future.
Scribner, editor of the Berkshire Edge, was editor of the Berkshire Eagle for 10 years (1995-2005). A graduate of Amherst College, Scribner‘s short stories have appeared in literary journals; his photographs have been exhibited at the International Center for Photography in New York City; and his essays, reports and profiles have appeared in TIME and Life magazines and Yankee Magazine and on WFCR, New England Public Radio.
Marcie Setlow has had a distinguished career in public television in New York City, and is responsible for having produced such programs as “Nature.”
For more information, contact the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 or jfb.officemanager@verizon.net.
–E.E.
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Ghent Playhouse to stage ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
Ghent, N.Y. — The Ghent Playhouse will present “Once Upon a Mattress” Friday, Jan. 20, and runs through Sunday, Feb. 5.
Based on the popular fairytale “The Princess and the Pea,” the musical love story of “Once Upon a Mattress” features Playhouse artistic director Cathy Lee-Visscher as Queen Aggravain and Don Dolan as King Sextimus the Silent who rule a small, 15th century European medieval kingdom with Sam Reilly as Prince Dauntless, Michael Meier as Sir Harry, Arielle Lant as Lady Lucille and Joseph Sicotte as the Jester. Rounding out the cast are Erin Harwood, Robyn Brahm, Megan Moran, Dylan Widjiono, Adrian Alcala, Andy Johnston, Charlotte Hays, Micaela Conte, Mark Lant and Maeve Nielsen.
Tickets are $20 for general admission, $17 for Playhouse members and $10 for students with ID. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar of call 1 (800) 838-3006.
–E.E.
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Dalton Preschool to host open house
Dalton — Dalton Preschool, also known as Dalton Co-op Nursery School, will host an open house on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Families of prospective preschool students aged 2 years, 9 months through 5 years old that interested in obtaining information about the program and touring the classroom are invited to drop in. Prospective students are encouraged to attend with their parents and open-play activities will be available. Administrative director and lead preschool teacher Paula Harris and current parent representatives will be available to meet families and answer questions about the program.
Appointments are not necessary. Applications for current and late-year enrollments as well as applications for the 2017/2018 academic year will be available. Additional open house events will be held from 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 4, and Saturday, April 8. For more information, contact Paula Harris at (413) 684-1064 or daltonpreschool.dcns@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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350Mass Berkshires to hold monthly meeting
Pittsfield — 350Mass Berkshires will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church. The meeting will include the beginning of the formation 2017 node committees and campaign teams as well as an update from Jane Winn of Berkshire Environmental Action Team regarding the Connecticut Expansion Project in Sandisfield, further steps and action opportunities. A snack potluck will precede the meeting 5:30 p.m. Those interested in attending the meeting are asked to RSVP online.
–E.E.
