Bits & Bytes: Rimon gathering; First Night of Funny; Martin Luther King Jr. Day poetry; the Lucky 5 at the Linda

Rimon to offer evening gathering

Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman. Photo: Fredrik Reiz

Stockbridge — The Rimon Resource Center for Jewish Spirituality will offer a gathering Saturday, Dec. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman, Lisa Jane Lipkin and Jay Hitt at the First Congregational Church. Attendees will learn, sing and share the third meal of Shabbat together while exploring the themes of yearning, redemption and light. The evening will conclude with Havdalah, a short ceremony to say goodbye to the Sabbath and welcome in the new week.

The gathering is free and open to the public, though donations will be gratefully accepted. Participants are asked to bring a vegetarian dish or dessert to share. For more information, contact Andrea Jacobson at dr.andreajacobson@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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First Night of Funny to visit Colonial Theatre

Kevin Bartini. Photo courtesy First Night of Funny

Pittsfield — Berkshire Theatre Group will present First Night of Funny Sunday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre.

Emceed by Jennifer McMullen, who has performed with “Comedy Supermoms,” the event will showcase comedians Ross Bennett, who has been featured on “The Late Show with David Letterman”; Eddie Clark of Netflix’s “House of Cards” and Comedy Central; and Lee native Kevin Bartini, who has performed on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report.”

Tickets are $30 through Sunday, Dec. 24, and $35 thereafter. The show is appropriate for people ages 16 and over. For tickets and more information, See the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Colonial Theatre ticket office at (413) 997-4444.

–E.E.

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WordXWord invites poets to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Pittsfield — WordXWord invites poets to participate in an event to be held Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, at 7 p.m. at the Berkshire Museum that will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Poets of all ages and styles are invited to present work that reflects on, is inspired by or otherwise connects with the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Participating poets are asked to keep their work under four minutes. Interested poets are asked to preregister due to limited space. For more information, contact WordXWord at info@wordxwordfestival.com.

–E.E.

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The Lucky 5 to present New Year’s swing dance

Albany, N.Y. — The Lucky 5 will present an evening of swing dancing to kick off the holiday weekend Friday, Dec. 29, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Linda. A one-hour swing-dancing lesson with Jason Fenton will begin at 7 p.m. followed by music and dancing at 8 p.m.

The Lucky 5 blends swing and gypsy jazz, and performs original compositions as well as jazz standards. The band is comprised of highly seasoned touring musicians who have been parts of the Hunger Mountain Boys, and Lauren Ambrose and the Leisure Class; and traveled, performed and recorded with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Tony Bennett, Neko Case, Iris Dement, Bobby Previte, Del McCoury, Jim Lauderdale and others.

Tickets are $20 each and include a complimentary glass of champagne. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Linda at (518) 465-5233 x158.

–E.E.