Attend the fundraiser and read along to ‘Moby-Dick’ at Arrowhead
PITTSFIELD — Join the Berkshire County Historical Society for their annual fundraiser on July 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy Herman Melville’s historic Arrowhead in the summer evening while supporting the Historical Society. The evening includes filling hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, and a special performance by Tom Truss and Matthew Cumbie based on their work Rewritten. A cash bar will be available. Tickets are available at two tiers here, Friend for $85 ($160 for 2), and Supporter for $125 ($240 for 2)
Sign up to read part of Herman Melville’s masterpiece Moby-Dick from his home of Arrowhead, Mass. July 29 through August 1. Come on your own or bring a group to read along 10am-5pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday, and from 1pm-5pm on Sunday.
Reading will be a mix of live readers and remote participants on Zoom. While you’re welcome to sign up for as many ten minute slots as you would like, we encourage you to not read for more than one consecutive slot. When you sign up, please specify whether you will be here in person or through Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the event. To donate and
A suggested donation of $5 is recommended but not required.
— S. B.
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Join the free open summer “Sing”
PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Concert Choir is holding a free summer “Sing” on Tuesday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the former St. Mark Episcopal Church at 39 Commercial St. In Adams, Mass. Singers of all skill levels are welcome to join the Berkshire Concert Choir sing Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” Artistic Director Matthew O. Thomas will lead the singers and Amy Renak will accompany on piano. If singing isn’t your thing, simply come to listen.
This event is free but consider bringing a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry.
Face masks will be required. The venue is handicap accessible.
For more information, email choruschick4@aol.com, call 413-422-6120 or visit www.facebook.com/berkshireconcertchoir
To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/385215258207.
— S. B.
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Antoinette Nwandu’s ‘Pass Over’ opens July 28
CHESTER — On July 28 the Chester Theatre Company will begin its two-week fun of “Pass Over,” directed by Christina Franklin. The three-actor play stars Austin Sasser as Kitch, Kayodè Soyemi as Moses and James Barry as Mister and Ossifer. The play highlights the complexities of the black male experience. Moses and Kitch want off their Chicago street corner—if only they can pass over. They dream of a fuller life, and things that would soothe them: clean socks, brown bunnies, the return of a dead brother. But the world keeps those desires beyond their grasp.
All performances will take place in the intimate setting of Chester’s Historic Town Hall, 15 Middlefield Road, Chester, MA. Individual ticket prices are $52.50 available here. Chester and Middlefield residents, members of the military and their families, ConnectorCare enrollees, and those holding EBT/SNAP cards may purchase discounted tickets by calling the box office. Student Rush $10 tickets are available the day of the show. Single tickets and season subscriptions may be purchased online at chestertheatre.org, or by phone at 413.354.7771. Special rates for groups of ten or more are available.
Proof of vaccination and masking are required for entry. See the website for details.
— S. B.
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Attend Bidwell in Bloom, the summer garden party fundraiser at the Bidwell House Museum
MONTEREY — The Bidwell House Museum in Monterey, MA, is holding its annual summer garden party on Friday, July 29th from 4 to 7 p.m. on the grounds of the Museum. The theme this year is Bidwell in Bloom to showcase the stunning, colorful and educational gardens on the property. Our honorees this year are Rob and Cindy Hoogs. Rob recently retired as President of the Board of Trustees after 12 years at the helm. Both Rob and his wife Cindy have dedicated countless hours to the Bidwell House Museum and we want to share how special they are with all of our summer party guests. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Bidwell House Museum.
Guests at the party will enjoy an evening with summer music for dancing by DJ Drew, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. The Summer Garden party is the major fundraising event of the year for the museum, supporting the historic 1700s homestead, educational programs, and the grounds, which are open to the community year-round.
Tickets to the Summer Gala start at $100 per person and may be reserved by contacting the museum office at 413-528-6888. Or you can purchase tickets on the museum website at https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/bidwell-in-bloom/
— S. B.
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Upcoming Litchfield Jazz Festival highlights performer Anton Kot
WASHINGTON, Conn. — The Litchfield Jazz Festival in Washington, Conn. performer spotlight is on Saturday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. with a performance by drummer, pianist, and composer Anton Kot. Accompanying Kot will be Don Braden on saxophone, Avery Sharpe on bass, Julian Shore on piano, and Jean Caze on Trumpet.
Kot, the youngest performer at the festival, was a child prodigy who joined the Litchfield Jazz Camp as a drum student at age 10. Kot’s career has now seen him perform world-wide with many outstanding musicians. Anton Kot is about to start his junior year as a talent scholarship student at NYU and finds himself catching up on gigs previously canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic and working toward a Music Performance degree.
The Litchfield Jazz Festival begins on July 29 at 5:45 p.m. with an Opening Gala at the Thomas S. Perakos Arts and Community Center.
Visit www.litchfieldjazzfest.com to learn more about the performances in store July 29 – 31. To purchase tickets to see Anton Kot and the whole July 30th Litchfield Jazz Festival Saturday lineup go to ljf2022.eventbrite.com.
— S. B.
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Jewish Theological Seminary in the Berkshires Talk on July 29
LENOX — On Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m. the Jewish Theological Seminary in the Berkshires presents a talk by Dr. Marjorie Lehman, “Get Thee To A Nunnery: Shakespeare and the Talmudic Rabbis In Conversation.” The talk will explore which women the rabbis considered to be “harlots” and how the legal framework they developed relates to anxiety about the integrity of the rabbinic household and the Jewish community in a post-Temple era.
Tickets are $15. Register at jtsa.edu/event/jts-in-the-berkshires-summer-2022/or buy tickets at the door. The talk is located at Shakespeare and Company, 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. For more on this program and other Federation events, visit our calendar of events at jewishberkshires.org.
— S. B.
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See Chris Isaak Live
GREAT BARRINGTON — On Wednesday, July 27 at 8 p.m. singer and actor Chris Isaak will perform at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. His music and film credits include nine critically acclaimed studio albums, and twelve chart-topping singles, along with several motion pictures. Isaak is widely known for his hit single “Wicked Game,” as well as songs “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing” and “Somebody’s Crying.”
Tickets range from $64 to $119 available here. Members receive $5 off Reserved, Preferred, and Premium tickets;
$15 ages 30 and under (call 413-528-0100, Wednesday-Saturday, 12-4pm). Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test. Marks are required.
— S. B.
