Community Access to the Arts (CATA) presents its annual art show, “I Am a Part of Art”
Pittsfield/Williamstown— Community Access to the Arts (CATA) presents its annual art show, “I Am a Part of Art”, featuring a vibrant collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures by more than 150 artists with disabilities. The exhibit takes place in partnership with the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown and the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield.
This annual exhibition is the culmination of hundreds of visual arts workshops that CATA holds throughout the year for teens, adults, and elders with disabilities across Berkshire and Columbia Counties. Through these workshops, CATA artists with disabilities grow creatively, learn new techniques, and find community. Works in the exhibit are professionally matted and framed, and available for sale, with proceeds providing commissions to the individual artists. The curated exhibit features a wide range of styles, including abstract and representational paintings, drawings, photographs, collage, sculpture, and printmaking.
CATA’s exhibit at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts runs from June 30th through August 23rd. A free opening celebration will be held on Wednesday, July 12th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with many of the artists in attendance. Refreshments will be provided. The gallery, located at 28 Renne Avenue in Pittsfield’s Upstreet Cultural District, is open Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free.
CATA’s exhibit at the Clark Art Institute’s Lunder Center at Stone Hill runs from July 15th through October 29th. A free “Meet the Artists” and Community Art Making event will be held on Tuesday, August 22nd from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with artists in attendance. Art supplies will be available for visitors to create their own work of art inspired by the exhibit. The Lunder Center, located at 227 South Street, Williamstown is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
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WAM, as part of it “Fresh Takes” series, presents “hollow roots” by Christina Anderson
Lenox— On Sunday, July 16th at 2 p.m., WAM, as part of its “Fresh Takes” series, presents “hollow roots” by Christina Anderson and directed by Trenda Loftin at the Mount.
Performed with live musical accompaniment, this dynamic and poetic solo play questions the notion of a “post-racial” society by looking at one woman’s quest to understand her identity. The protagonist challenges herself to find a person of color who has a “neutral” identity.
WAM Theatre’s Fresh Takes Play Reading Series presents ground-breaking stories that are imaginative and thoughtful explorations of complex issues affecting women and girls.
Featuring local professional actors and directors, the Fresh Takes play readings continue WAM’s commitment to connecting Berkshire audiences to female playwrights who are contributing to national and international theatre conversations.
The reading is on Sunday, July 16th at 2 p.m. at the Mount on Plunkett Street in Lenox. It is approximately one hour in length. A conversation with the artists will follow. Tickets run from $25 to $50. The $50 ticket includes a pay-it-forward donation. Attendees who incur caregiver costs in order to attend a WAM live theatre performance can request a reimbursement of up to $75. For tickets and more information, visit WAM online.
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Barrington Stage Company presents Pearl Cleage’s ‘Blues for an Alabama Sky’
Pittsfield— From July 18th through August 5th, Barrington Stage Company presents Pearl Cleage’s “Blues for an Alabama Sky” directed by Candis C. Jones.
The Harlem Renaissance fills the streets with jazz, gin, and opportunity, but not for singer Angel and her chosen family of artists and activists who navigate the cultural and social changes in their neighborhood. When a handsome young man from Alabama catches her eye, she must decide if she wants to pursue her dreams with her friends or seek easy comfort with her southerner. Originally produced in 1995, this dreamy, atmospheric work has won a newfound appreciation as a contemporary classic that was ahead of its time.
Blues for an Alabama Sky will feature Brandon Alvión (Broadway: “A Soldier’s Play”) as Guy Jacobs, Tsilala Brock (“The Book of Mormon” 2nd National Tour) as Angel Allen, Deleon Dallas (NBC: “The Blacklist”) as Leland Cunningham, Ryan George (Repertory Theater of St. Louis: “The Play That Goes Wrong”) as Sam Thomas, and Jasminn Johnson (Broadway: “Ain’t No Mo’”) as Delia Patterson.
The performances run from July 18th through August 5th at Barrington Stage Company’s Boyd-Quinson Stage. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting Barrington Stage Company online or by calling the BSC Box Office at 413-236-8888.
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PS21 presents the world premiere of “Four Meditations on Impermanence” by Susie Ibarra
Chatham— On Saturday, July 15th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., PS21 presents the world premiere of “Four Meditations on Impermanence” by Susie Ibarra.
Composer/percussionist Susie Ibarra is joined by Tashi Dorji, Phyllis Chen, and area percussion groups in the premiere of the multi-ensemble version of Four Meditations on Impermanence, a meditation on forests conceived and developed in PS21’s landscape. Inspired by the Thich Nhat Hanh quote, “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.”, Ibarra presents four pieces focused on the sonic world of four elements – metal, skin, wood, and water. Drawn by the cultural diversity of languages in nature, she creates a percussive piece grounded in these natural elements—one that is impermanent, yet also able to adapt and grow.
Susie Ibarra is a Filipinx composer, percussionist, and sound artist. Her interdisciplinary practice spans formats, including performance, mobile sound-mapping applications, multi-channel audio installations, recording, and documentary.
The concert highlights a full day of community-wide, multidisciplinary engagement with PS21’s varied natural topography. Part of Ibarra’s Rhythm in Nature residency, the day includes a participatory performance along the Stony Kill, a musical procession through the forest, sound mapping, and visual and movement projects, all free and open to all.
The world premiere is on Saturday, July 15th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the PS21 “Open-Air” Pavilion Theater on N.Y. Route 66 in Chatham. Ibarra will also lead a Rhythm in Nature Community Listening Lab in the morning. For more information, visit PS21 online.
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Knosh & Knowledge presents Letty Cottin Pogrebin to discuss her family memoir ‘Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy’
Great Barrington— On Friday, July 14th at 10:45 a.m., Knosh & Knowledge presents Letty Cottin Pogrebin, who will talk about her acclaimed (and controversial) family memoir “Shanda: A Memoir of Shame and Secrecy”. Joining her will be moderator Rabbi Shira Stern.
The word “shanda” is defined as shame or disgrace in Yiddish. This book, “Shanda”, tells the story of three generations of complicated, intense 20th-century Jews for whom the desire to fit in and the fear of public humiliation either drove their aspirations or crushed their spirit. While unmasking their charades and disguises, Pogrebin also showcases her family’s remarkable talent for reinvention in a narrative that is, by turns, touching, searing, and surprisingly universal.
The free talk is on Friday, July 14th at 10:45 a.m. at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire on State Road in Great Barrington. For more on this program and other Federation events, visit the Federation calendar online. Books will be available for purchase (or bring your own copy) for signing by the author.
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The Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes international best-selling author Mark Vanhoenacker to Arrowhead
Pittsfield— On Thursday, July 27th at 5:30 p.m., the Berkshire County Historical Society welcomes international best-selling author Mark Vanhoenacker to Arrowhead for a conversation with noted poet Kirun Kapur.
Mark Vanhoenacker is a native of Pittsfield, a commercial airline pilot and the author of the international bestseller “Skyfaring”, as well as a columnist for the Financial Times and a frequent contributor to the New York Times. In his latest book, “Imagine a City”, “a love song to cities the world over,” according to the Wall Street Journal, he explores the storied metropolises he visits as an airline pilot, through the lens of the hometown his heart has never left.
Kirun Kapur serves as the editor of the Beloit Poetry Journal, one of nation’s oldest poetry publications and teaches at Amherst College where she is the director of the Creative Writing Program. Her newest book, “Women in the Waiting Room”, was a finalist for the National Poetry Series and is out now from Black Lawrence Press (2020). Poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil calls it “a must-read for these times and beyond.” Her first collection, “Visiting Indira Gandhi’s Palmist”, was awarded the 2013 Antivenom Poetry Award and was a finalist for the Mass Book Prize, the Julie Suk Award, and several other prizes. Described as a “stellar debut by a major new voice” (Andre Dubus III), it was published in 2015 by Elixir Press.
The conversation is on Thursday, July 27th at 5:30 p.m. at Arrowhead on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Tickets are $15 or $10 for BCHS Members. Advance reservations are not required, but can be made by visiting the Berkshire County Historical Society online.
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The Town of Great Barrington offers two free summer programs
Great Barrington— The Town of Great Barrington offers two summer programs (staffed by the Berkshire South Regional Community Center) to the residents of Great Barrington free of charge.
The first is a youth program at the Alice Bubriski Memorial Playground, the former Housatonic School playground. Park Coordinators are on site Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. through August 25th.
The second program is lifeguards at Lake Mansfield. Lifeguards are on duty (weather permitting) everyday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through August 29th.
