Dorrance Dance and Toshi Reagon collaborate in The Blues Project
Becket – Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents tap sensation Dorrance Dance with famed singer/songwriter Toshi Reagon and her band BIGLovely in the return of The Blues Project in the Ted Shawn Theatre. Founded in 2011 by Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award recipient Michelle Dorrance, Dorrance Dance features some of today’s best tap artists performing alongside co-choreographers of The Blues Project Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards and Derick K. Grant. Award-winning musician and composer Toshi Reagon created the music for The Blues Project, which is performed live by Reagon and members of her band BIGLovely on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, drums and percussion, and violin.
The Blues Project premiered at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 2013 to sold-out houses. A tribute to tap’s historical roots in blues music, the work features a diverse selection of dance styles including tap, zydeco, Appalachian flatfooting, and Lindy Hop, all performed by Dorrance’s collection of topflight, uniquely talented dancers. The Blues Project is a creative collaboration that explores the relationship between music, sound, and movement. Tap sensation Dorrance was also joined in the creation of the work by Grant and Sumbry-Edwards, both driving forces in the tap world, well-known for their dance captain roles in the hit Broadway musical Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk.
This performance is included in Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival’s Weekend OUT celebration July 3-5, which features performances, talks, a special Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers tour, a film screening with Elizabeth Streb, and a July 4th dance party for all Saturday ticket holders. For information, tickets and schedules, consult the Berkshire Edge calendar.
–E.E.
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Hotel on North offers family summer vacation packages
Pittsfield – The new Hotel on North is offering a choice of one of two classic musicals at the Berkshire Theatre Group’s Colonial Theatre and entrance to the Berkshire Museum via its Family on North package which encourages families to explore the downtown arts district of Pittsfield.
The Family on North package features two nights’ accommodations in a standard room with double queens, a special continental breakfast for four delivered in-room daily, four tickets (two adult, two children) to Mary Poppins or Bells Are Ringing at the Colonial Theatre, and four tickets (two adult, two children) to the Berkshire Museum. Families are also invited to use the outdoor pool at sister property The Red Lion Inn.
Rates for the package begin at $890 for two nights for the July production of Bells Are Ringing; and $685 for Mary Poppins in August. All families who book the Family on North package will also unearth ancient Egyptian mummies and follow animal tracks and see famed fine art with complimentary admission to the Berkshire Museum.
For more information and reservations, call Hotel on North (413) 358-4741.
–E.E.
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Ken Otsuka romance novel cover paintings at the Emporium
Great Barrington – Le Petit Musee at the Emporium, 319 Main St., presents the work of fine artist Ken Otsuka. Ken Otsuka spent a portion of his 40-year career painting covers for paperback romance novels, some of which will be on display for the month of July, with an opening reception on July 5 from 3 – 5 p.m.
For more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the Emporium at (413) 528-1660.
–E.E.
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Williamstown’s Hometown Fourth of July celebration
Williamstown – Williamstown will celebrate the 250th birthday of its incorporation with its annual Hometown Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 4th.
A parade will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Following the parade a free one-hour concert by the Patriot Brass Band will be given along with complimentary hot dogs, chips, watermelon, cookies, and beverages. At Chapin Library on the Williams College campus at 1:30 p.m., Principal Assessor Bill Barkin will read Williamstown’s Note of Independency. A reading of the Declaration of Independence will follow, read by Eric Bogosian and Jessica Hecht as well as the British reply by Daniel Sharman and Mary Wiseman, all actors from the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
The library will be open from noon to 3 p.m. for viewing of the original Founding Documents housed in its collection.
At 6:30 p.m. the North Adams Steeplecats will take on the Laconia Muskrats at Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams. A fireworks display will end the evening.
More information is available from the Berkshire Edge calendar and the Willamstown Chamber of Commerce.
–E.E.
