‘Macbeth’ performance for Shakespeare’s birthday
Lenox — Shakespeare & Company will kick off its 2016 performance season with a Shakespeare 400 Bard Birthday Celebration in its Tina Packer Playhouse on Saturday, April 23, at 7 p.m. The event will include a performance of “Macbeth” by the Northeast Regional Tour of Shakespeare followed by a post-show reception with birthday cake.
“We always celebrate among ourselves in some way, but this year is especially notable in that it marks the 400th anniversary of the man’s death,” said Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Jonathan Croy.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the box office at (413) 637-3353.
–E.E.
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GBFG to hold Earth Day celebration
Great Barrington – On Saturday, April 23, Great Barrington Fairgrounds (GBFG) will hold a Community Garden Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The event will introduce the public to GBFG’s Community Garden Project, which will connect people of all levels of expertise and income by providing access to the resources, skills, and information necessary to grow their own food. Raised beds with organic soil are available for lease for $100 per season on GBFG property in a fenced area with a tool library available for registered gardeners. A sliding fee scale is available.
Meryl Joseph, producer and director of the film “City Farmers,” will speak at 11 a.m. Music will begin at noon, featuring Howard Hlieberman, Eric Reinhardt, Francine Ciccarelli, Bill Dodds, and Dreamaholic.
For more information, contact info@gbfg.org.
–E.E.
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Magical Strings to perform at Camphill Ghent
Chatham, N.Y. — The Celtic duo Magical Strings will perform in the Culture Hall at Camphill Ghent on Friday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m.
Magical Strings’ Philip and Pam Boulding perform lively dance tunes and soulful airs woven with poignant stories and compositions inspired by their world travels. The couple has toured internationally for 37 years and recorded more than 20 albums on four labels. They perform on their own handcrafted Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers along with whistles, accordion, and concertina. They also design and build Celtic harps, run the School of Magical Strings and host the Magic Hill Summer Harp Camp at their home in the Pacific Northwest.
There is a suggested donation is $10 at the door. For more information, call (518) 392-2760.
–E.E.
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Gospelfest 2016 at Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, Conn. — Hotchkiss School’s gospel choir will host Gospelfest 2016 in the Katherine M. Elfers Hall of the School’s Esther Eastman Music Center on Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m. to listen and join in the celebration of song. The event is free and open to the public.
Led by music director Michael Whitney Brown, Gospelfest strengthens and deepens community ties. And will include performances from gospel choirs of other area boarding schools including Westover School, Taft School, and South Kent School. For more information, call (860) 435-4423.
–E.E.
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Beekeeping workshop at BBG
Stockbridge – On Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. – noon, Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG) will present the workshop “Spring Management for Backyard Beekeepers,” led by Ken Warchol.
Ken Warchol is the state bee inspector for the eastern part of Massachusetts and has been a beekeeper for more 40 years. During the workshop, Warchol will offer techniques for proper spring hive management that will ensure the healthy buildup that is most critical going into the summer. He will also address the many reasons for the decline of honeybees and what beekeepers, gardeners, homeowners, farmers, and the community can do to help them survive and be productive.
The workshop is free but registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Elisabeth Cary at (413) 298-3926 x15.
–E.E.
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Floral design demonstration
Sheffield – On Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. – noon, the Friends of the Sheffield Senior Center will present a floral design demonstration by Garden Club of America floral design judge and Lenox Garden Club member MaryEllen O’Brien at the Sheffield Senior Center. Light refreshments will be served.
Proceeds from the demonstration will help raise funds needed to complete the Senior Center’s lower level. Three floral arrangements will be raffled off to attendees and the suggested donation amounts of $20, $15, and $10 will include a corresponding number of raffle tickets. For more information of to register, call (413) 229-7037.
–E.E.
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Litchfield Jazz Camp fundraiser
South Kent, Conn. – On Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m., Litchfield Performing Arts will present “An Afternoon of Jazz & Friends,” a fundraising event for Litchfield Jazz Camp musician scholarships. The event will feature a cocktail hour; live and silent auctions; and performances by pianist Luca Scoppetta-Stern, drummer Larry Davis, bassist Daryl Johns, and vocalist Veronica Swift.
Jazz & Friends is sponsored by two Litchfield Performing Arts members who will host the event at their home. Tickets are $125 and tax-deductible. For more information, call the Litchfield Jazz Fest at (860) 361-6285.
–E.E.
