Art Omi presents Dion ‘TYGAPAW’ McKenzie’s ‘3WI’
Ghent— On Saturday, November 18th at 8 p.m., Art Omi presents the opening performance for Dion “TYGAPAW” McKenzie’s “3WI”, a newly commissioned installation combining video, sound, and performance.
“3WI”, or Third World immigrant, is a phrase which McKenzie uses to describe their experience of immigrating from Jamaica to the United States.The exhibition’s centerpiece is a live, solo modular synthesizer and drum machine performance taking place in Art Omi’s Newmark Gallery during the opening of the exhibition on November 18th. An audio recording of the live performance will be played back in the gallery throughout the run of the show, accompanied by video documentation of the event.
TYGAPAW grew up as Dion McKenzie in Mandeville, Jamaica. Today, the artist, producer, DJ, and label owner resides in Brooklyn, New York, where they have spent the better part of a decade uplifting frequencies representative of the Black electronic music diaspora. Their sonic palette—informed by the dancehall of their hometown as much as it is the techno emanating from the warehouses of Detroit—has made them an indispensable figure in Brooklyn’s electronic music scene.
The global migration of techno in many ways mirrors McKenzie’s own personal journey as a Jamaican immigrant to the United States and internationally recognized musician and artist. The ways in which techno has been hybridized and recontextualized are reflected in McKenzie’s singular style, which references many classic techno tropes while also incorporating a range of musical influences. By simultaneously existing as both a commodity in the nightlife economy and a hugely important and influential musical form connected to a rich lineage of Black music, techno is uniquely suited to frame an examination of the ways in which culture as a whole is instrumentalized, historicized, marketed, and celebrated.
Since 2014, McKenzie has been carving spaces in New York for queer people of color through their queer club night, and now label, Fake Accent. The platform is part of their broader mission to forge liberating spaces for marginalized people, particularly Black, queer, and trans people, an agenda embedded in the various layers of the artist’s work. Early records like the breakthrough EP “Handle With Care” (2019), “Ode To Black Trans Lives” (2020), and their debut album “Get Free” (2020) established McKenzie not only as a skillful producer, but further as an emotive storyteller. Through their production, they are known to weave together stories of queer immigrant life, radical self-preservation, and Black communal joy.
The exhibit will be on view through February 17th at Art Omi on County Route 22
Ghent. The live opening performance will be on Saturday, November 18th at 8 p.m. More information can be found online.
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MASS MoCA presents Grace Clark’s ‘In a New Light’ healing dirt activations
North Adams— Starting on Monday, November 13th during gallery hours, MASS MoCA presents ‘Like Magic’s Grace Clark’s ‘In a New Light’ Activations, healing dirt activations.
Humans have long sought healing, growth, regeneration, rejuvenation, and blessing from natural materials, whether at a healing spring in the Appalachian Mountains or from the dirt floor of a chapel in New Mexico. On the day of each new moon — believed by many to be a time of rebirth — visitors to Grace Clark’s “In a new light (Healing Dirt)” in “Like Magic” are invited to enter the chapel-like room and apply charcoal earth to parts of their body in need of healing, harnessing the magic of belief in change.
The event is on Monday, November 13th at MASS MoCA on MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. More information can be found online.
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Witch Slapped presents Angel Whispers Intuitive Healing for animal communications with a medium
Pittsfield— On Saturday, November 11th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Witch Slapped presents Angel Whispers Intuitive Healing for animal communications with living animals or those over the rainbow bridge.
The event is on Saturday, November 11th at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Witch Slapped on North Street in Pittsfield. There will be appointments available in 20 minute sessions for $35. Leashed animals are welcome, or you may bring a photo. Reservations and more information can be found online.
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Taconic Music presents Northbound Quartet for their Jazz in the Barn concert
Manchester— On Tuesday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m., Taconic Music presents Northbound Quartet for their Jazz in the Barn concert.
Drawing heavily on traditional jazz repertoire, the combo will explore pieces across multiple genres. The audience will be treated to compositions by jazz greats like Miles Davis and Joe Henderson, alongside arrangements of the Beatles, Paul Simon, or even Dvořák, all performed with soulful grooves and lively improvisation.
The Northbound Quartet consists of longstanding rhythm trio Meehan (drums), Benny Kohn (piano), and Andy Wrba (bass), the genesis of which was a decade-long Monday-night jazz series in the Berkshires. This series gave the trio an opportunity to stretch out and experiment with different kinds of music, developing a deep connection and chemistry that allows for both adventurous exploration and subtle interplay. During this time, the trio accompanied dozens of singers and instrumentalists, notably saxophonist Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers, who was a beloved mentor and instilled in the group a love of New Orleans music. Now rounding out the group is saxophonist Michael Zsoldos, whose warm sound and seemingly effortless technical capability is leading the quartet in new directions. With playing that is deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, the camaraderie that comes with knowing each other well ensures the Northbound Quartet’s sound is always fresh and inviting.
The concert is on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the Inn at Manchester’s events barn on Main Street in Manchester. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30. There will be a cash bar. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Mill Town Foundation, in association with Jacob’s Pillow and Berkshire Pulse, presents the first annual Wandering Dance Festival
Pittsfield— On November 12th through November 18th, Mill Town Foundation, in association with Jacob’s Pillow and Berkshire Pulse, presents the first annual Wandering Dance Festival throughout downtown Pittsfield.
This week-long community dance festival is a vibrant celebration of movement, rhythm, and culture that brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, featuring an eclectic lineup of dance styles from contemporary and hip-hop to swing and salsa, providing a rich tapestry of artistic expression. Participants can engage in free workshops, learn from respected choreographers, and showcase their talents during open dance sessions. The goal of this festival is to foster a sense of community and inspire connections among neighbors and strangers alike as they move to the beat of life and celebrate the universal language of dance.
Olivia Martin, the Wandering Dance Society Coordinator said that “Wandering Dance Festival is a chance to immerse our community in the incredibly diverse dance experience we have in the Berkshires. This week is welcoming to everyone and anyone who wants to learn, connect, and grow together. Dance is a universal language and for this week we are all going to be speaking the same language.”
The festival culminates in a showcase performance at The Colonial Theatre on Saturday, November 18th at 7 p.m. Featuring local and nationally recognized dance artists, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for the entire community. Performances will feature Shakia “The Key” Barron as the headliner in addition to Berkshire-based dance artists Berkshire Dance Theatre, dysFUNKcrew, Erica Dankmeyer & Clara Pollock, Fern Katz & Co., Sarah Daunt, The Funk Box Dance Studio, Vincent Brewer, and Qualia Dance Collective. Tickets are viable online.
The event runs November 12th through November 18th in downtown Pittsfield with a showcase performance on Saturday, November 18th at 7 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre on South Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $15 to $30 with additional assistance available by emailing info@milltownfoundation.org. Card to Culture accepted. More information including a full schedule of free community workshops and classes can be found online.
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Berkshire Community College hosts ‘Handling the Holidays’, a personal enrichment workshop
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, November 15th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Berkshire Community College hosts ‘Handling the Holidays’, a personal enrichment workshop.
Are you starting to get a little anxious about the approaching holiday season? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the thought of all the socializing and traveling you’ll be doing? Join Life Coach Janet Forest to learn tips and strategies for taking care of yourself this holiday season. Forest will discuss the importance of paying attention to your needs and limits, setting boundaries with friends and family, and coming up with a plan to minimize stress and get through the holidays in one piece.
The workshop is on Wednesday, November 15th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Room F-102 at Berkshire Community College on West Street in Pittsfield. The cost is $25. Registration and more information can be found online.
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New Lebanon’s 8th annual holiday gift drive
New Lebanon— New Lebanon’s 8th annual holiday gift drive has begun. This wonderful program provides holiday gifts to New Lebanon children in need. Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our community, the program is 100% volunteer-run at zero cost to taxpayers.
The 8th Annual Gift Drive is now sponsored by Lebanon Valley Community Corporation (LVCC). Erminia Rasmussen, President of LVCC, says “For the first time, all donations to the gift drive will be tax-deductible, and LVCC will help the town reach more children than ever before.”
Volunteers are currently being recruited for the program. If you would like to volunteer or adopt a child or family, contact Tistrya by calling 518-794-8889 or by emailing supervisor@townofnewlebanon.com, or stop by Town Hall.
All types of brand-new, unwrapped toys, books, and children’s items are being accepted at the following drop off locations: New Lebanon Town Hall, New Lebanon Post Office, and Maverick’s on Rt 20.
If you want to make a monetary donation, or support a specific child or family, based on their wish list, you can make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal at tinyurl.com/PayPal-LVCC, or send a check made out to the Lebanon Valley Community Corporation and mailed to P.O. Box 74, New Lebanon, NY 12125. Please make sure to write “Holiday Gift Drive” in the memo section of your check.
If you live in New Lebanon and are in need of assistance this holiday season, please contact Tistrya at the Supervisor’s office before Thanksgiving. You can fill out a form for each child with clothing size, wish list, age, favorite colors, and other information so volunteers who go shopping can purchase items the children will love! Your family’s identity is kept 100% confidential. Contact Tistrya by calling 518-794-8889 or by emailing supervisor@townofnewlebanon.com, or stop by Town Hall.
