Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program presents ‘Come out of the Cold,’ a seasonal concert with renowned opera singer Stephanie Blythe and the singers of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program
Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y.— On Friday, December 20th at 7 p.m., Bard Graduate Vocal Arts Program presents ‘Come out of the Cold,’ a winter and holiday-infused cabaret spectacular with renowned opera singer Stephanie Blythe with the singers of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program and the Conservatory Piano Fellows.
A renowned opera singer and recitalist, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe is one of the most highly respected and critically acclaimed artists of her generation. Ms. Blythe has performed on many of the world’s great stages, such as Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, Paris National Opera, and many more. Ms. Blythe was named Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year in 2009, received an Opera News Award in 2007 and won the Tucker Award in 1999. She is the Artistic Director of the Fall Island Vocal Arts Seminar at the Crane School of Music, and was appointed Artistic Director of the Graduate Vocal Arts Program at Bard College in the fall of 2019.
Audiences will be treated to a variety of cherished holiday songs and classical works, including Benjamin Britten’s “Sound the Trumpet,” Pola & Wyle’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Martin & Blane’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”
The concert is on Friday, December 20th at 7 p.m. at the LUMA Theater in Bard’s Fisher Center, located at 60 Manor Avenue in Red Hook, N.Y. More information can be found online.
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Yiddish Book Center presents ‘How the Holocaust Changed the Yiddish Language’ with Hannah Pollin-Galay
Amherst— On Sunday, December 15th at 2 p.m., the Yiddish Book Center presents ‘How the Holocaust Changed the Yiddish Language’ a conversation with associate professor of literature Hannah Pollin-Galay and professor Avi Patt about Pollin-Galay’s new book, “Occupied Words: What the Holocaust Did to Yiddish.”
The conversation will explore the radical transformation of Yiddish perceived by Eastern European Jews during and immediately after World War II. This perception inspired some intellectuals to create dictionaries and glossaries that deciphered the metamorphosis of Yiddish words. Others incorporated this new strain of Yiddish into their poetry and prose. Following the conversation, Mikhl Yashinsky will perform dramatic readings of Yiddish texts from and about the Holocaust, and the event will conclude with a book signing.
The event is on Sunday, December 15th at 2 p.m. at the Yiddish Book Center, located at 1021 West Street in Amherst, and will also be live-streamed on Zoom. More information can be found online.
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Wander presents ‘First Line: Community Storytelling,’ a night of storytelling and connection
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, December 18th at 6 p.m., Wander presents “First Line: Community Storytelling,” a night of storytelling and connection, part of a new month story telling series.
Hosted by Casi Kristant, also known as Berkshire’s own drag queen Poppy DaBubbly, this event will celebrate the art of storytelling. In this unique format, each storyteller is given the first line of a story and will craft a 5-minute tale to share with the audience, no notes, just pure connection. The first line for the December event is “The holiday memory I will never forget began when…”
The event is on Wednesday, December 18th at 6 p.m. at Wander, located at 34 Depot Street, Suite 101 in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Pride hosts a name and gender marker change workshop
Pittsfield— On Thursday, December 12th at 5:30 p.m., Berkshire Pride will host a free name and gender marker change legal workshop with attorney Jessie Fried.
This workshop will guide you through the legal steps for updating your name and gender marker, providing valuable information on the process, necessary documents, and resources available to support you. Attorney Jessie Fried will answer questions and offer guidance to help you navigate this important step with confidence. Don’t miss this opportunity for free legal support in a welcoming and informative setting. There will be a Notary and a Spanish translator on site.
The free workshop is on Thursday, December 12th at 5:30 p.m. at Berkshire Pride, located at 34 Depot Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Community College’s Paterson Recreation Complex welcomes community members
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC)’s Paterson Recreation Complex welcomes members of the Berkshire community to join.
The Paterson Field House maintains a fitness center, basketball court, turf field, two grass soccer fields, three adult outdoor tennis courts, two youth tennis courts, and a seasonal outdoor pool. Members of Paterson recreation enjoy a number of opportunities, including free trips facilitated by the Adventure Program, yoga, pilates, fitness courses, open recreation hours, and Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) classes for people 65 and older.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Use of the facilities is free for BCC students, faculty, and staff. Memberships for community members are $25 per month, $70 for three months, $125 for six months, or $250 per year. Seniors (ages 60 and over,) BCC alums, members of the military, first responders and non-BCC students enjoy a discounted rate of $20 per month, $55 for three months, $100 for six months or $200 per year. Day passes are available for $7. More information can be found online.
