Tenth Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow
Bennington, Vt. — For two days Bennington will be the center of Native American arts in a gathering that will highlight the richness, diversity, and beauty of indigenous cultures. The 10th annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow will be held on the grounds of the Vermont Veterans’ Home on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9.
A variety of American Indian cultures will expressed through vendor exhibits of arts, crafts, demonstrations, music, and contemporary and traditional foods. This year the pow wow will honor veterans and the Abenaki tribe and share an indigenous perspective on sustainable living. The Bennington Farmer’s Market community and local not-for-profit organizations will also be represented. The pow wow will feature special performances by award-winning Native American violinist, flute player, singer, and storyteller Arvel Bird and Aztec dance group Danza Aztec. Aaron Athey of the Mohegan Nation will be master of ceremonies, Red Blanket will be the host Southern Drum, Rez Dogs the Head Northern Drum, and intertribal drummers the Wampum Boys will also participate. A special veterans’ honoring and presentation will take place during the Grand Entry on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.. All veterans and their families are welcome to participate. There will also be an honoring of the Abenaki Bands of Vermont.
One-day admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors 65+ and youth 11-17, and $1 for children under 10. More information is available online.
–E.E.
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‘Icebergs in August:’ The Olana summer party
Hudson, N.Y. — The Olana Partnership’s summer party returns on Saturday, August 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year’s theme, “Icebergs in August,” celebrates Frederic Church’s epic 1859 voyage to Newfoundland and Labrador and will offer guests an evening of ice, art, and arctic-inspired hors d’oeuvre.
The evening will open with a host committee reception in a reimagined ice house designed by architect Albert (Beau) Simons IV. Reception guests will enjoy an “Icebergs in August” cocktail with views from an open-sided ice house. Under the main tent at 6 p.m., top regional chefs will present northern-inspired hors d’oeuvre, wine, and cocktails. The main tent will feature polar scenery designed by Mr. Simons in tribute to Church’s 1861 painting “The Icebergs.”
For more information and tickets, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (518) 828-1872.
–E.E.
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OLLI presents conductor Stefan Asbury in conversation
Pittsfield — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College, continues its tenth anniversary Distinguished Speakers Series with an onstage conversation with Tanglewood conductor Stefan Asbury and Tracy Wilson, executive director of the Berkshire Music School on Saturday, August 8 at 10:30 a.m. at Berkshire Community College.
For the past 20 years, Stefan Asbury has served on the faculty of the Tanglewood Music Center and currently holds the Sana H. Sabbagh master teacher chair on the Conducting Faculty which he has held since 2005. From 1999 to 2005 he was Associate Director of New Music Activities. His masterclasses are featured in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Inside the TMC film series.
Tracy Wilson, executive director of the Berkshire Music School, will be interviewing Mr. Asbury on stage. Wilson is an active musician, serving as conductor of the Stockbridge Festival Chorus and collaborative pianist for many community groups. She served for seven years with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as Director of Tanglewood Annual Funds and Community Relations, and at the Berkshire Museum as Development Director and twice as interim director/co-director.
Admission is $10 for OLLI members, $15 for non-members, and free to youth 17 and under and Berkshire Community College students and staff. For more information, and to reserve tickets, call (413) 236-2190.
–E.E.
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Shakespeare & Co. opens ‘Red Velvet’
Lenox — Shakespeare & Company proudly presents a production of Red Velvet, written by award-winning playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Daniela Varon, and starring OBIE Award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson. This powerful and emotional drama joins the Tina Packer Playhouse repertory on August 6 and runs through September 13.
An imagined version of real events, Red Velvet recalls the pride and prejudice that greeted the pioneering young American actor named Ira Aldridge, who dared to follow his dreams of playing Shakespeare in nineteenth-century London. Aldridge becomes the first black man to play Othello on the legitimate stage, even as the public riots in the streets while Parliament considers the Slavery Abolition Act.
Tickets and more information are available via the Berkshire Edge calendar and by calling Shakespeare & Company at (413) 637-3353.
–E.E.
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Behold! New Lebanon rural guide tours
New Lebanon, N.Y. – Behold! New Lebanon, the living museum of contemporary rural American life, has announced its Rural Guide schedule for Saturday, August 8. The August 8 programs include:
Surviving in the Forest – New Lebanon’s resident mushroom expert and forager Roger Boutard will share his knowledge of the food that grows all around the area.
Reptile Rescue – Rhonda Leavitt has never met a snake she couldn’t love – or an alligator or turtle or lizard for that matter. Queen of the Reptile Rescuers, Rhonda will bring her animals for you to learn to love, too.
Rescuing and Restoring an Historic House – Join historic preservationist Deborah Gordon on a tour of a historic New Lebanon building.
Movement is Art – Tour the rarely opened studio and outside sculpture garden of the famed kinetic artist George Rickey with his artist son, Philip.
Working Dogs – Visitors to the Johnson family’s farm will learn how herding breeds of farm dogs are trained and worked.
Advance ticket purchase is recommended for all programs. More information can be found via the Berkshire Edge calendar, by calling (518) 720-7265, and by emailing info@beholdnewlebanon.org
–E.E.
