Jacob’s Pillow presents ‘Every Body Move: Community Residency’ with Camille A. Brown and Dancers at Zion Church’s Community Room in Pittsfield
Pittsfield— From June 28th through the 30th, Jacob’s Pillow is excited to welcome Camille A. Brown’s “Every Body Move” initiative for a multi-day community residency.
In collaboration with Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) and Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP), enjoy a series of intergenerational movement workshops that celebrate the rich history and cultural significance of African Diasporic Dance. Led by talented dance artists Ethel Calhoun and Maxine Montilus, these workshops invite participants of all ages to celebrate and learn through dance.Workshops are intergenerational, inviting participants of all ages to join in celebration and learning through dance.
On Friday, June 28th from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., there is a Black Girl Spectrum workshop. This unique program aims to empower women and girls of all ages to develop pride, joy, collaboration, and confidence through the art of African American social dance. The workshop will provide participants with a safe and supportive space to explore and express creativity and cultural heritage.
On Saturday, June 29th from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., there is a West African dance workshop. Explore the rich and rhythmic world of West African dance with artist Ethel Calhoun.
On Saturday, June 29th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., there is a Move & Groove dance party. Groove to dances from Lindy Hop to the Electric Slide, from the Kid-n-Play to the Running Man, and more.
On Sunday, June 30th from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., there is a Haitian Folkloric dance workshop. Led by artist Maxine Montilus, experience the rhythm and passion of Haiti’s rich dance heritage.
On Sunday, June 30th from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there is a Soca dance workshop. Led by Ethel Calhoun, immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of the Caribbean, with spirited beats and joyful movements.
Sabrina Allard, Deputy Director of Railroad Street Youth Project, said “I’m excited for young people in the Berkshires to experience the magic and power of social dance across the Black cultural diaspora. Having a shared experience and education allows us to deepen our roots and learn about our legacy of connection.”
The free workshops are on June 28th through the 30th at The Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street in Pittsfield. Snacks will be provided. More information can be found online.
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Becket Arts Center to exhibit ‘Reaching,’ a juried mixed media group show
Becket— On Friday, June 28th from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Becket Arts Center will host a free opening reception for the exhibition “Reaching,” its second juried show of the season.
The group show features artists representing a variety of media including Julian Craker (watercolors,) Olwen Dowling (monotype, dry points, intaglio etchings); Pat Gilhooly (photography,) Polly Kurasch (mixed media,) and Elmer Orobio (wood and metal sculpture.)
The exhibit runs through July 21st at the Becket Arts Center open Brooker Hill Road in Becket. Hours are Wednesdays through Sunday noon to 4 p.m. For more information, please see becketartscenter.org.
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Norman Rockwell Museum presents artist James Warhola, nephew of Andy Warhol with filmmaker Bonnie Bien for film screening and talk
Stockbridge— On Friday, June 28th at 6 p.m., Norman Rockwell Museum presents artist James Warhola, nephew of Andy Warhol with filmmaker Bonnie Bien for film screening and talk.
What to do if your uncle is Andy Warhol? Become an artist, of course! That has been the life path of renowned illustrator James Warhola, nephew of pop art icon Andy Warhol. Join James Warhola and filmmaker Bonnie Bien for a special evening that includes a preview of selected scenes from Bien’s yet-to-be-released documentary film, titled “My Nephew Jamie,” about Warhola’s career as an illustrator and his relationship with his famous uncle.
Warhola’s body of work includes over 300 sci-fi book covers, the creation of the wildly popular Garbage Pail Kids card series, 35 children’s picture books, and covers and illustrations for MAD Magazine. A regular contributor to MAD for 35 years, Warhola is among the artists featured in Norman Rockwell Museum’s landmark summer exhibition, “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine.”
The event is on Friday, June 28th at 6 p.m. at Norman Rockwell Museum at 9 Glendale Road in Stockbridge. Tickets are $20 and free for members. Snacks and a cash bar will be available. More information can be found online.
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Pride weekend at the Fisher Center Spiegeltent
Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y.— On June 28th and 29th at 8 p.m., the Fisher Center presents Drag Race Darling, Monét X Change.
Known for her immaculate lip-syncing skills, comedic chops, and (mostly) pitch-perfect live singing voice, entertainment spitfire Monét X Change makes her Spiegeltent debut with her show “Life Be Lifin’,” which takes audiences on a journey through the drag star’s adolescence, her college years studying opera performance, worldwide stardom via RuPaul’s Drag Race, and beyond. Directed by fellow standout Drag Race alum BenDeLaCreme, X Change has crafted a revealing story about the search for her inner voice, dramatic at one turn and side-splitting the next.
The performances are on June 28th and 29th at 8 p.m. at the Fisher Center Spiegeltent at 60 Manor Avenue in Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y. Tickets start at $50. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Race Brook Lodge presents Cecilie Beck and Gabriel Gordon
Sheffield— On Thursday, June 27th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents Cecilie Beck and Gabriel Gordon.
Cecilie Beck is a celebrated multi talented musician, songwriter, producer, and visual artist from Denmark who has released several albums of her own. Gabriel Gordon is a singer/songwriter and producer from Santa Cruz, CA who has toured and/or recorded with Natalie Merchant, Soup Dragons, Brazilian Girls, Andrew Roachford, and more. Don’t miss this night of music from the power couple who have come from across the sea to serenade you with their songs about light, love and wandering.
The concert is on Thursday, June 27th from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Race Brook Lodge at 864 South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. More information can be found online.
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Gedney Farm to host a Vinas Mora wine dinner
New Marlborough— On Thursday, June 27th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Gedney Farm will host a Vinas Mora wine dinner.
The Vinas Mora wine dinner features Kreso Petrekovic and his stellar wines from Croatia. He sources from old vines in Plješivica and lower Styria (Slovenia) from farmers who are longtime friends of the family. Some of the grapes like Riesling and Pinot Gris are familiar, while others such as Sipalj, Stajerka, Kraljevina, Smarnica, and Plavec are much more localized to these central European terroirs.
Chef Michele Ragussis will serve a menu to compliment these wines perfectly.
The dinner is on Thursday, June 27th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Gedney Farm at 34 Hartsville-New Marlborough Road in New Marlborough. More information can be found online.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents ‘Bernstein and the Hebrew Muse,’ with Laura Wetzler
Pittsfield— On Thursday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m., as part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series, join singer, songwriter, guitarist, recording artist, and lecturer Laura Wetzler for “Bernstein and the Hebrew Muse,” a multimedia presentation that explores the enormous influence Leonard Bernstein’s Jewish heritage had on his work as a composer.
Laura Wetzler has devoted years of study and performance to diverse world music, as well as to the history of American popular entertainment and European art music. She takes particular joy in sharing the fascinating and beautiful contributions of Jewish-American and African-American artists to our musical cultural heritage.
This free program is on Thursday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. at Knesset Israel at 16 Colt Road in Pittsfield. A community lunch will follow. Advanced lunch reservations are required and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program. Lunch is free for adults over 60 years of age with a suggested donation of $7 for everyone else. All are welcome. More information can be found online.
