Simon’s Rock presents activist and author Shanae Watkins as the Keynote speaker for the Symposium on Social Justice and Inclusion
Great Barrington— On Saturday, October 28 at 3 p.m., Simon’s Rock presents activist and author Shanae Watkins as the Keynote speaker for the Symposium on Social Justice and Inclusion.
Shanae Watkins has reshaped the trajectory and ripped off each of the negative labels that society attempted to place on her, a failure, a reject, a violent criminal – all by the age of 11. While her painful but short past positioned her on a difficult, often solo course to navigate, the label that blared from headlines further pushed Shanae into a fight against odds that consumed her teen and young adult years. From one chaotic experience (being kidnapped) to another (a hit and an attempted run around the age of five), she evolved from a naturally curious, wise beyond her years, to a “runner,” leaving home for weeks at a time, unsure of her place anywhere so wanting to be everywhere. These choices, some hers and some made naively and more often predatorily for her, accelerated her from a little girl into a pre-teen who fell into misleading hands who took advantage of her desire to be free, that inevitably resulted in her freedom being taken away.
First introduced internationally in the cable documentary, “Girlhood”, she has appeared on Oprah, Geraldo, The Montel Williams Show, and MSNBC, with regional appearances on panels speaking on the juvenile justice experience, childhood and adult trauma. Today, Shanae is the proud mother, a business owner, and provider of services catering to femininity and adult health and wellness. Featured as a co-host to a podcast created to help women find clarity in love, life and spiritual healing, and a published author to the 2022 long-awaited release, “From Girlhood to Womanhood”. She is a flower of feminine, dynamic light, with an infectious spirit that captivates the hearts of all she meets.
Despite her circumstances, and despite the inner voice that sometimes spoke in unison of naysayers, Shanae refused to answer to the name that those experiences and society tried to give her, no matter the experience that society wanted to use to define her. Twenty years later, she is the rose that bloomed in darkness, and uses her own light in a frank, unapologetic, good good girlfriend way. She tells her story, in her debut as an author in her book “From Girlhood to Womanhood”, through profoundly personal words.
This Symposium provides designated time and space for the Simon’s Rock community to deconstruct barriers to action on important social justice issues using a theme. This year the theme is Collective Activism. Dr. Sarah Porter-Liddell, Dean of Students and Equitable Community at Simon’s Rock, commented on this year’s theme, “As we gaze upon the many social issues around us, we are choosing Collective Activism as our shield of strength to help give voices to those who have been silenced, bring awareness to issues that feel distant, and do our due diligence to bring hope to a changing society.
Collective Activism is action taken by a group of individuals who share a common goal for changing and enhancing conditions for others and themselves. The root word being Collective, meaning a group of individuals who have decided that despite their differences, despite their backgrounds and access, that they will work together to achieve a goal and make things better.
The Keynote address is on Saturday, October 28 at 3 p.m. in the McConnell Theater at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock on Alford Road in Great Barrington. It will be live streamed on Zoom. On Friday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fisher Lecture Center, there will be a screening of the documentary on Watkins’ early life, “Girlhood”. Both events are free and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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Race Brook Lodge presents Hinterlands, a remarkable accordion and violin duo that combines songcraft with improvisation
Sheffield— On Sunday, October 22nd at 8 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents Hinterlands, a remarkable accordion and violin duo that combines songcraft with improvisation.
Between new music and folk trance, the performances of violinist Ben Russell and accordionist Matt Schreiber conjure a musical world where boundaries blur and new resonance is born. Russell’s Drone-heavy violin stylings call upon western classical, North Indian, and Appalachian influences, and intermix with Schreiber’s virtuosic Balkan accordion bursts. Coupled with the raw intensity of shape-note singing in their original vocals, the two virtuosos evoke wild mountainous and oceanic soundscapes in varied time signatures and bold improvisations.
Both celebrated artists in their own right, Russell has toured and recorded with Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, the National, and more, while Matt, currently pursuing a PhD in ethnomusicology at CUNY, is an award-winning Balkan-style accordionist with roots in New Orleans and cabaret.
The concert is on Sunday, October 22nd at 8 p.m. on the Pine Grove Porch at Race Brook Lodge on South Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Tickets are $10. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Simon’s Rock, as part of the South Berkshire Concert Series, presents “Homage,” a solo piano recital by Thomas Sauer
Great Barrington— On Sunday, October 22nd at 3 p.m., Simon’s Rock, as part of the South Berkshire Concert Series, presents “Homage,” a solo piano recital by Thomas Sauer, includes works by Bach, Mozart, Meltzer, and Piazzolla, featuring Brahms’ “Variations on a Theme by Handel.
American pianist Thomas Sauer performs regularly as a soloist, chamber musician, and recital partner. His extensive and varied repertoire encompasses Bach to the present day and includes both staples and neglected masterworks. Audiences and critics alike praise his playing for its clarity, expressivity, and assured stylistic sense.
Thomas Sauer describes what “homage” means to him, “The act of homage, paying respect or tribute to another, is embedded in the transmission of musical practice from one generation to another, whether in the sphere of composition, improvisation, or performance. Our musical traditions have evolved to a state of complexity that presupposes careful study through a lengthy apprenticeship; imitation and emulation loom large in the life of any young musician. This program explores several vectors of musical homage: student to teacher, teacher to student, composer to composer, composer to athlete(!), and even son to father.
“I open the program with a tribute to my late teacher Edward Aldwell, whose performances of the Bach F-major Prelude were miraculous in knitting together linear and harmonic progression; they remain an inspiration in my memory to this day. Mozart’s Sonata KV 332 draws together many stylistic strands, among them a profligate melodic invention, operatic sense of singing at the keyboard, a theatrical use of silence, and a buoyancy of pianistic figure. These render it an ideal teaching piece, and I play the sonata today in homage to the many students to whom I have assigned it over the years, and whose patience I have tested with long winded explanations of its finer points.”
The concert is on Sunday, October 22nd at 3 p.m. at the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock on Alford Road in Great Barrington. It is free and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire presents ‘A Family Revealed: From Slavery to Hope’
Housatonic— On Wednesday, October 25th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire (UUMSB) presents ‘A Family Revealed: From Slavery to Hope,’ a concert and conversation featuring folk singer and social activist Reggie Harris and educator Wallis Wickham Raemer as they discuss the discovery and development of their special journey as two descendants of a Confederate enslaver.
On stage together, in an honest and heartfelt interaction, these two cousins, one Black and one white, discuss what it has been to discover each other’s existence and then navigate deeply held feelings, pain, and hope in the truth of a divided slavery-colored past. Since 2012, they have opened themselves to the task of engaging hope out of division as they embraced each other as cousins. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear and see a model of what is possible when truth is acknowledged and revealed with a commitment to not being defined by the past.
To underscore the experience, Reggie, a prominent musician and interpreter of historical movements for social change, punctuates their story with original songs.
The event is on Wednesday, October 25th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire on Main Street in Housatonic. Tickets are $10 general admission and free for students, youth age 17 and under, and those holding WIC, EBT/SNAP cards. A Q&A follows the presentation. Tickets and more information can be found online.
This program is sponsored by: Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire, Multicultural BRIDGE, NAACP Berkshire Branch, and OLLI at Berkshire Community College.
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Simon’s Rock to host ‘Kim’s Video’ documentary screening
Great Barrington— On Sunday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m., Simon’s Rock will host filmmakers David Redmon and Ashley Sabin and a screening of their documentary “Kim’s Video”.
Straight from Sundance and Tribeca Film festivals, “Kim’s Video” follows modern-day cinephile and filmmaker David Redmon on a seemingly quixotic quest to track down the whereabouts of the massive video collection of the now-defunct Kim’s Video, an iconic NYC video rental store with more than 55,000 beloved and rare movies. Playing with the forms and tropes of cinema, Redmon’s bizarre and increasingly obsessive quest takes him to Sicily, where he becomes entangled in a web of local politics, and to South Korea where he tracks down the enigmatic Mr. Kim in the hope of influencing the collection’s future. An ode to the love of cinema, this film will strike a chord with anyone who has ever rented a movie.
The screening is on Sunday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Center at Simon’s Rock on Alford Road in Great Barrington. There will be a post-screening Q&A with the filmmakers. This event is free, open to the public, and does not require prior reservation. More information can be found online.
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The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents a free screening of ‘El gran León’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, October 21st at 7p.m., The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents a free screening of “El gran León” (2018) with a post show Q&A with the cast and director.
León Godoy (Carlos Alcántara) is 4-feet, 6-inches tall and intimidated by no one. Ivana Cornejo is a beautiful, divorced lawyer whom he meets by chance. An immediate connection arises, and both must face and combat social prejudices, their own and others’, to verify that great love stories always present themselves in the least imagined ways.
The free screening is on Saturday, October 21st at 7p.m. at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. It is in Spanish with English subtitles. Reservations are requested. Reserve online or by calling 413-528-0100.
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Comedians Luke Thayer and Abbi Crutchfield highlight of the second night of Transformer Fest
Pittsfield— On Friday, October 20th at 8 p.m., Hot Plate Brewing Co. presents comedians Luke Thayer and Abbi Crutchfield, as part of Transformer Fest 2023.
Luke Thayer is a member of the prestigious and world-famous Friar’s Club, has been in numerous comedy festivals, and tours worldwide. He has a silly, yet biting and unorthodox view of social norms and insight into people’s choices, childhood, parenthood, and the neighborhood. He has appeared on “Gotham Comedy Live”, FOX, TruTV, and The Food Network, to name a few. Luke is regularly heard on SiriusXM Radio and has been their “Comedian of the Month”. His Dry Bar Comedy Special was released in May 2023, and you can listen to his debut album “Hopes + Dreams” on Amazon, iTunes, and wherever you get your music.
Abbi Crutchfield is a comedian, actress, and television personality. You have seen her on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee,” Comedy Central, and as the host of “You Can Do Better” on TruTV and “Up Early Tonight” on Hulu.
The 18+ event is on Friday, October 20th at 8 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Co. on School Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $20 general admission. priority will be given to those who come early and order dinner via phone from neighboring Brazilian restaurant, Espetinho Carioca, who will deliver your food right to your table. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The final night of Transformer Fest ‘23 will feature illustrious comedian Shane Torres headlining Dottie’s Coffee Lounge
Pittsfield— On Saturday, October 21st at 8 p.m., the final night of Transformer Fest ‘23 will feature illustrious comedian Shane Torres headlining Dottie’s Coffee Lounge.
As a standup comedian Shane has appeared on “CONAN” twice, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” NBC’s “Last Comic Standing,” “Half Hour Special with Comedy Central,” and “This Week From The Cellar” on Comedy Central, just to name a few. He released his debut album “Established 1981” with Comedy Central records to rave reviews in 2018. You can see him touring all around the world. “Mr. Torres has a laconic drawling delivery with deliberate pacing, placing him firmly in the tradition of dry deadpan specialists like Tig Notaro and Todd Barry. But his style is warmer, relying on punchlines with corkscrew turns that have moments of vulnerability and even melancholy.” — The New York Times.
The event is on Saturday, October 21st at 8 p.m. at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge on North Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $20 general admission. Seating will be prioritized for patrons who reserve tables for pre-show dinner by calling 413-443-1792. Tickets and more information can be found online.
General admission tickets and seating is on a first come, first serve basis. Seating will be prioritized for patrons who reserve tables for pre-show dinner. Contact Dottie’s for reservations at 413-443-1792.
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NAACP Berkshire County Branch to host Pittsfield mayoral debate
Pittsfield— On Monday, October 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the NAACP Berkshire County Branch, in collaboration with the UpStreet Comeback Group, will host a Pittsfield mayoral debate featuring candidates John Krol and Peter Marchetti, in person at Conte Community Elementary School.
The debate will be moderated by former branch president Will Singleton, who was instrumental in restarting the NAACP Berkshire County Branch in 2013. “Holding debates by nonpartisan organizations like the NAACP Berkshire County Branch allows voters to be able to hear the differences in candidates’ opinions and approaches to things that affect our community and ensure voters have the most information before they cast their vote”, Dennis Powell, President of the NAACP, Berkshire County Branch.
The debate is on Monday, October 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Conte Community Elementary School on West Union Street in Pittsfield. It is free and open to the public. It will also be live streamed on the NAACP Berkshire County Branch’s and Pittsfield Community Television’s Facebook pages. For more information email naacpberkshirecounty@gmail.com.
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Berkshire Theatre Group announces auditions for Non-Equity Actors for its Community Production of ‘A Christmas Carol’
Pittsfield— On Monday, October 23 from 6 to 9 p.m., Berkshire Theatre Group is holding auditions for for its community production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by Eric Hill.
BTG is seeking local non-Equity male and female identifying actors of all ethnicities including a small group of children (grades 3 and up) and some adults to fill the roles in the production. Actors should prepare one short traditional Christmas carol to be sung acapella, which they may or may not be asked to sing. Actors will be asked to read from the play. Callbacks will take place the same evening.
Rehearsals will begin on Thursday, November 9th and will be held after school, evenings, and weekends in Pittsfield. Attending all rehearsals is required. The production runs December 7th through December 23rd with two 10 a.m. student matinees. All performances will take place at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge.
Auditions are on Monday, October 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Colonial Theatre on South Street in Pittsfield. Auditions are by appointment only and must be scheduled by 5 p.m. on October 20th. Appointments can be made by emailing auditions@berkshiretheatre.org.
