The Fisher Center at Bard presents legendary circus activists, Bread and Puppet Theater’s new show, ‘The Heart of the Matter Circus’
Red Hook— On September 9th at 4 p.m., the Fisher Center at Bard presents legendary circus activists, Bread and Puppet Theater’s new show, “The Heart of the Matter Circus” at the Montgomery Place Estate.
“The Heart of the Matter Circus” is a brand new show in the tradition of the iconic Bread & Puppet circuses that began in 1970. The show draws on traditional circus tropes and familiar Bread & Puppet iconography to draw attention to the urgent issues of the day. Stilt dancers, paper maché beasts of all sizes, and a riotous brass band make a raucous, colorful spectacle of protest and celebration. Featuring more than 20 live puppeteers, musicians, and performers, the event concludes with sharing of the company’s famous home-baked rye bread.
“This show is in response to our totally unresurrected capitalist situation, not only the hundreds of thousands of unnecessarily sacrificed pandemic victims but our culture’s unwillingness to recognize Mother Earth’s revolt against our civilization. Since we earthlings do not live up to our earthling obligations, we need resurrection circuses to yell against our own stupidity.” -Peter Schumann, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Bread and Puppet Theater.
The colorful, celebratory, and thought-provoking performance is on September 9th at 4 p.m. at the Montgomery Place Estate on Gardiner Way in Red Hook. The grounds open at 3 p.m. The performance is free is open to everyone of all ages, but reservations are recommended. The estimated run time is 60 minutes. Reservations and more information can be found online.
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OLLI presents at forest bathing workshop with Kathleen Schoenberg at Pittsfield State Forest
Pittsfield— On Friday, September 8, 10:00 a.m., OLLI presents a forest bathing workshop with Kathleen Schoenberg at Pittsfield State Forest.
A forest bathing session is a two-hour guided program designed to encourage mindfulness and facilitate the participant’s connection with nature. The journey begins with a meditation designed to connect the senses to the forest. The meditation is followed by short, mindful walks partnered with a series of invitations to explore nature in multiple ways. The session concludes with a tea ceremony. Forest bathing can elevate your mood, reduce stress, and improve your health. All physical abilities are welcome. Please note that a distance of less than a mile on an accessible trail will be covered.
Kathleen Schoenberg lives in Pittsfield and is a certified Forest Therapy Guide. She has experience leading both one-on-one and group walks. She has a deep connection to the outdoors and enjoys facilitating participants’ own connections with nature.
The in-person workshop is on Friday, September 8, 10:00 a.m. at the Pittsfield State Forest on Cascade Street in Pittsfield. Cost of attendance is $20 and $15 for OLLI members. Registration and more information is available online or by calling 413-236-2190.
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The Hop Brook Community Club of Tyringham presents a lecture by James Brooke, journalist and expert on Russia and Ukraine
Tyringham— On Saturday, September 16th at 5 p.m., the Hop Brook Community Club of Tyringham presents “Russia/Ukraine: Will Putin Survive?”, a lecture by James Brooke, journalist and expert on Russia and Ukraine.
The lecture is on Saturday, September 16th at 5 p.m. at the Tyringham Town Hall on Main Road in Tyringham. Admission is free, but donations to the Hop Brook Community Fund are gratefully accepted.
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The Bennington Museum hosts and artists reception for “The North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show” aka “NBOSS”
Bennington— On Friday, September 8th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Bennington Museum hosts and artists reception for “The North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show” aka “NBOSS”.
The 26th annual “NBOSS” features sculptures by over 40 artists scattered throughout the village of North Bennington. You’re invited to celebrate the collective creativity of this year’s talented NBOSS artists. The event will coincide with the final Concert in the Courtyard of the season, featuring rock dynamo, SIRSY, and fabulous circus stilt-walking for the kiddos by Troy Wunderle.
Sirsy is an indie pop-rock duo with lots of heart, soul, and sass. Sirsy is known for their passionate, honest, heartfelt live performances that have a charming intensity and intimacy usually reserved for folk.
Troy Wunderle is an internationally acclaimed circus performer, director, and producer. His stilt walking antics have been witnessed throughout New England for the past 27 years. He has walked for tv shows, movies, countless celebrities and even a president.
The reception is on Friday, September 8th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the courtyard of the Bennington Museum on Main Street in North Bennington. It is free and open to the public. Bring your own chair or blanket and feast on hotdogs and PBR as you enjoy this unique display of outdoor art and creativity. The “NBOSS” exhibition will be on view to the public throughout the fall through November 11th. The exhibit is open 24/7, self-guided, and free to the public. More information including a map of the exhibit can be found online.
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The Bard Queer Leadership Project will host its inaugural Queer Leaders Vision Forum
Great Barrington— On Thursday, September 7th at 7 p.m., the Bard Queer Leadership Project will host its inaugural Queer Leaders Vision Forum.
The Bard Queer Leadership Project will feature Jim Fielding, CEO and author of “All Pride, No Ego”, and Schuyler Bailar, inspirational speaker and first openly transgender NCAA Division I swimmer in conversation with the Bard Queer Leadership Project leaders Carla Stephens and John B. Weinstein.
The forum will be held on Thursday, September 7th at 7 p.m. in the McConnell Theater at the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon’s Rock on Alford Road in Great Barrington. The event is free, open to the public, and available on livestream. More information can be found online.
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The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents ‘A Modern Day Benjamin Tudela’ with Rabbi Arthur Starr
Pittsfield— On Thursday, September 7th at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents “A Modern Day Benjamin Tudela” with Rabbi Arthur Starr.
Benjamin of Tudela was a medieval Spanish-Jewish rabbi, traveler, and explorer who passed through large swathes of Europe, Asia, and Africa 100 years before Marco Polo. Rabbi Arthur Starr recently served as rabbi on a cruise around the world, teaching passengers about the Jewish communities that would be visited. He will share his research and experiences including fascinating facts of Jewish life in surprising locations.
The free presentation is on Thursday, September 7th at 10:45 a.m. at Knesset Israel on Colt Road in Pittsfield, followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $3 suggested donation for adults over 60 or $7 for all others. Reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling 413-442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program. More on Jewish Federation programs can be found online.
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The Stockbridge Library presents ‘Cider Making in New England’ with Dennis Picard
Stockbridge— On Thursday, September 7th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Stockbridge Library presents “Cider Making in New England” with Dennis Picard.
Dennis Picard presentation is called “A Drink When We Want It and a Cup for a Thirsty Traveler, Traditional New England Cider Making, History, and Techniques”.
Picard has held the position of Assistant Director and Director at several sites including Fort Number Four in New Hampshire, the Sheffield Historical Society, and has recently retired after 27 years at Storrowton Village Museum in West Springfield. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Pioneer Valley History Network and a member of the editorial board of the Country School Journal.
The presentation is on Thursday, September 7th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stockbridge Library on Main Street in Stockbridge. This event is for adults. More information can be found online.
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The Becket Arts Center hosts the first ever ‘Arts & Crafts Marketplace’
Becket— On Saturday, September 9th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Becket Arts Center hosts the first ever “Arts & Crafts Marketplace”.
The fair will feature jewelry makers, woodworkers, painters, photographers, sculptors, textile experts, and other talented Hilltown artists. Some of these artists will also be opening their studios on Sunday, September 10th for those who want to learn more about their work.
The marketplace is on Saturday, September 9th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Becket Firefighters’ Pavilion on Washington Street in Becket. More information can be found online.
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High school students invited to submit to Bennington College Young Writers Awards
Bennington— Bennington College is now accepting submissions from high school students around the world for its 2023-2024 Young Writers Awards.
This annual competition, which accepts entries in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, is free to enter and open to all high school students in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. A first-, second-, and third-place winner is selected in each of the categories, with cash prizes up to $1,000 awarded.
Young Writers Award finalists and winners are also eligible for undergraduate scholarships at Bennington. YWA finalists who enroll at Bennington will receive a $10,000 scholarship every year for four years, for a total of $40,000. YWA winners who enroll at Bennington will receive a $15,000 scholarship every year for four years, for a total of $60,000.
Submissions for the 2023-2024 Young Writers Awards will be accepted through November 1, 2023, with winners announced in spring 2024. More information can be found online.
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Call for Sheffield Cultural Grant Applications
Sheffield— The Sheffield Cultural Council, made up of volunteer members of our community, is committed to funding a diverse number of cultural activities taking place in Sheffield, Ashley Falls, and nearby towns. That means arts projects and exhibitions, theater, dance, poetry, music, and performances of all kinds, as well as educational, cultural, and environmental programs.
We invite all local artists, performers, and educators to apply for a grant. Programs must take place between July 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Preference is given to projects that are of interest to residents of Sheffield or Ashley Falls. The window for submissions opens on September 1st and closes October 17th.
The application process is via the Mass Cultural Council online.
