Bits & Bytes: ‘The Bitter Game’ at MASS MoCA; ‘How We Got to the Funk;’ Bushnell-Sage anniversary; BHS pop-up fundraiser; ‘A Christmas Carol’ auditions

Keith A. Wallace to stage ‘The Bitter Game’ at MASS MoCA

North Adams — Actor, writer and director Keith A. Wallace will present the solo theater piece “The Bitter Game” Saturday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA. “The Bitter Game” blends verse and prose that questions what it means to survive while Black in America. Wallace draws on his own youth in Philadelphia to examine the effects of racism, the question of excessive force used by police, and the value of Black lives.

Originally performed on an outdoor basketball court with its five acts structured as the four quarters and overtime of a basketball game, the multi-character performance explores the experience of being Black in America through the relationship between a young man named Jamal and his mother.

Since its debut, “The Bitter Game” has received critical acclaim from the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and the San Diego Tribune and others; has toured internationally; won the 2016 Princess Grace Theater Award; and was a semi-finalist in the 2016 Sundance Institute Theater Lab and the Eugene O’Neill Playwrights Conference. Wallace hopes the play will eventually reach beyond the theater to be used as a tool of sensitivity training for law enforcement and performed with schools and communities reflected in the story.

Tickets are $10–$30. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact MASS MoCA at (413) 662-2111 or info@massmoca.org.

–E.E.

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Jacob’s Pillow to present ‘How We Got to the Funk’

Jawole Willa Jo Zollar. Photo courtesy Urban Bush Women

Becket — Jacob’s Pillow will host the first event in its Pillow Party series, “How We Got to the Funk,” Saturday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. The party will take place in Jacob’s Pillow’s recently built $5.5 million, 7,373-square-foot Perles Family Studio.

Led by Urban Bush Women founder Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and dancers, the social dance class “How We Got to the Funk” is a participatory journey through African-American social dances from 1955 through the present and will feature live music by Brooklyn-based Craig Harris and Tailgaters Tales. The class will be followed by a dance party.

Tickets are $10 for adults and free for children under age 12. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Ariana Brawley at (413) 243-9919 x111 or abrawley@jacobspillow.org.

–E.E.

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Bushnell-Sage Library to celebrate anniversary

The Bushnell-Sage Library. Photo courtesy Bushnell-Sage Library

Sheffield — On Saturday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Bushnell-Sage Library will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in its current location of the former Sheffield Center School. The celebration will include live music; activities for children; literary quizzes for all ages; an ice cream social with choice of flavors and toppings; and a dedication of the downstairs art room downstairs to the late artist and Sheffield resident Gillian Seidl. The event will also feature displays highlighting library services like passes to local cultural venues, videos, CDs and the Library of Things, a collection of items such as a telescope and microscope, jigsaw puzzles, ukuleles and an acoustic guitar. The carefully restored Civil War uniforms of the Sheffield natives Maj. Gen. John Barnard and his son, both of whom served in the Union Army, will also be on view in cases on the main floor. For more information, contact the Bushnell-Sage Library at (413) 229-7004.

–E.E.

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Berkshire Humane Society, Mulberry Hair Company partner for fundraiser

Berkshire Humane Society’s Pittsfield headquarters. Photo courtesy Berkshire Humane Society

Great Barrington — On Saturday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m., Mulberry Hair Company at 27 and1/2 Rosseter Street, Great Barrington, will host a pop-up market to benefit the Berkshire Humane Society and Catwalk, BHS’ resale boutique of upscale women’s clothing. The market will feature local artists, jewelry, accessories, clothing, music, refreshments and more. Twenty-five percent of sales will be donated to BHS. Mulberry Hair Company hosted its first pop-up market in May, raising more than $1,000 for Railroad Street Youth Project. For more information, contact Mulberry Hair Company at (413) 644-9385 or mulberryhairinfo@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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Berkshire Theatre Group to hold auditions for ‘A Christmas Carol’

Pittsfield — Berkshire Theatre Group seeks non-Equity actors for its annual community production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, adapted by Eric Hill and directed by Travis Daly. Up to 20 children ages 9 and up as well as a number of adults are sought to fill roles in the production. Rehearsals will begin Sunday, Nov. 12, in Stockbridge and the production will run Saturday, Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 22, at the Colonial Theatre.

Auditions will take place Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 9.p.m at the Colonial Theatre. Those auditioning should prepare a short, traditional Christmas carol to sing and will be asked to read from the play. Auditions will be by appointment only. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact (413)448-8084 x23 by Monday, Oct. 16.

–E.E.