Singer-songwriter Joe Crookston to perform at the Guthrie Center
Great Barrington — Singer-songwriter Joe Crookston will perform the Guthrie Center on Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m. Crookston will play music from his latest released and much-anticipated fourth recording “Georgia I’m Here.” An internationally touring artist, Crookston has a reputation as an energetic and engaging live performer and master songwriter, and was among the artists voted “Most Wanted to Return” to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, New York.
Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for the general public. For more information about the concert or to purchase advance tickets, call the Guthrie Center at (413) 528-1955.
–E.E.
* * *
EMV chip card seminar for business owners
Great Barrington — On Thursday, August 20, Salisbury Bank & Trust Company will sponsor a seminar entitled “EMV Chip Card Technology: What Business Owners Need to Know” at the Mason Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
EMV chip card technology is becoming the global standard for credit card payments and merchants will need to upgrade to EMV-enabled credit card processing terminals in order to accept these chip cards and further enhance fraud protection. Seminar topics include what EMV is and the reason for the conversion, understanding EMV transaction processing, and best business practices for fraud prevention.
More information is available from the Berkshire Edge calendar. The talk is free but advance registration is requested. Registration is available online and via Kevin Norton at (860) 435-9801 x 1010 or knorton@salisburybank.com.
–E.E.
* * *
OLLI announces fall lifelong learning classes
Pittsfield — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI), will offer over 20 classes in literature, history, politics, the arts, and more this fall from September 16 to October 28. OLLI will be showcasing its fall semester of classes with a free open house on Saturday, August 22, at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Daniel Arts Center. The OLLI Fall Open House will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is open to the public. Attendees can pick up a catalog, find out more about OLLI membership, sign up for classes, and meet instructors and other OLLI members.
OLLI fall class highlights include “Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre,” and “Famous Trials That Helped Shape America and Her Institutions” in Great Barrington; “World War I: 1915,” “Epidemics: Past, Present & Future,” and “Vietnam: The Oft-Told, Untold, and Forgotten Stories” in Pittsfield; and “The World of Mass MoCA: What’s Next,” “Frontiers of Science” in north Berkshire County.
OLLI courses are non-credit and there are no grades, no tests, and no prior experience required. Class registration fees are $45 for one course, $90 for two or three courses, and $100 for four or more courses within a semester. OLLI membership is a prerequisite to registering for classes: memberships are $50 and are good for one year, allowing access to four semesters of courses. Reduced fee scholarships are also available.
OLLI’s fall course catalog can be accessed online. For more information or a free catalog, please call (413) 236-2190 or email olli@berkshirecc.edu.
–E.E.
* * *
Grammy Award-winning BeauSoleil at Helsinki Hudson
Hudson, N.Y. — Grammy Award-winning Cajun outfit BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet will bring its mix of Cajun, Creole and zydeco sounds to Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, August 20, at 8 p.m.
For over 40 years, BeauSoleil have blended the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana with elements of zydeco, New Orleans Jazz, country, and blues to become the most esteemed Cajun group in music. A 12-time Grammy Award nominee and two-time Grammy award winner (1998 & 2010), BeauSoleil was the first Cajun band ever to win a Grammy and has released 25 albums.
For more information see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Helsinki Hudson at (518) 828-4800.
–E.E.
* * *
August 3rd Thursday celebrates “All the World’s a Stage”
Pittsfield — Pittsfield’s 3rd Thursday street festival returns on Thursday, August 20, with the theme “All The World’s A Stage.” 3rd Thursdays are family friendly and open to all. North Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from West Street to Linden Street and will be filled with music, performance, food, and community activities.
The main stage at Persip Park will feature a performance of “Whatever Floats Your Boat” with the Pittsfield Town Players at 5 p.m. and live music from 8 Foot River at 6:30 p.m.
Other 3rd Thursday highlights include the Eagles Trombone Band at the Relax Street Stage, Dr. Seuss’ Balloonitik performance with Linda Peck, demos and performances from the Funk Box Dance Studio, an interactive hula hoop performance with Pittsfield City Hoopla, a “You Are Amazing/I Am Amazing” book signing with Ty Allan Jackson, life drawing at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, and a performance by the band Mindful Intuition. The Whitney Center for the Arts will host a 3rd Thursday afterparty featuring live music by the Easy Ridin’ Papas and refreshments for purchase. The Berkshire Museum will offer free admission for Berkshire County residents during the 3rd Thursday events.
3rd Thursday is organized by the City of Pittsfield’s Office of Cultural Development. For more information email slemme@pittsfieldch.com or call (413) 499-9348. 3rd Thursdays are held rain or shine and there is free parking throughout the Upstreet Cultural District.
–E.E.
