Q-MoB presents ‘Celebrating Divas’
West Stockbridge— On Sunday, May 21st from 3 to 6 p.m., The Foundry is excited to host “Celebrating Divas”, a fundraiser for Q-MoB (Queer Men of the Berkshires). This party is a fundraiser for Q-MoB, a non-profit hub for diverse, intergenerational community organizing in the Greater Berkshires Region for rural queer men of all ages, races, income levels, and backgrounds to explore and manifest their individual and collective potential.
The party announcement reads, “Q-MoB is ‘Celebrating Divas’! It’s been a challenging three years of Covid19 lockdowns, economic upheaval, and war, but we have survived, and now it’s time to celebrate with a big Queer Diva Dance Party.” You’re invited to dress up as your favorite Queer Dance Diva from the past or just show up in your unique version of the queer diva you are or could be. This party is for all queer divas, regardless of their pronouns, sophistication, trashiness, or over-the-topness. Just be the biggest, best YOU you can pull off, so you can be loved and worshiped like the diva you are. If your idea of dressing up as a diva includes a flannel shirt, work pants, and sensible shoes, that is welcome because divas come in many forms of drag, and Q-MoB wants you to be you!
The host and performers of the event include Bella Santarella, a local drag performer, fundraiser for local queer causes, and part of the driving force of BerqsQueers and Berkshire Pride. Bella Santarella will be joined by Tom Truss, a long-time performance artists, dancer, choreographer, theater director, actor, and local Diva Extraordinaire!
Those who register for this event are asked, in the Spirit of the Pride Season, to nominate your favorite local diva and let Q-MoB know why you consider them worthy of the whole community’s adoration and respect. Several of the nominations will be read during the Queer Diva Dance Celebration, all will be posted on the diva altar, and if the nominees are present and willing, they will be invited to receive love & adoration for their service.
Those who register are also asked to consider signing up to volunteer. Help is needed to coordinate ride-shares and carpools, set up and decorate the space before the event, work the welcome table, and cleanup after the event. Many hands make light work, and Q-MoB volunteers always have the best time and meet the most people.
The party is Sunday, May 21st from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Foundry on Harris Street in West Stockbridge. Tickets are $5-$50 on a sliding scale. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. This is an indoor event. Parking is limited at the venue so please utilize the three public parking lots in town. To avoid a parking ticket, visit the Foundry online for further details.
For more information and to register for the event, visit Q-MoB online.
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‘Colors of Raga: A deep listening experience with Indian Classical Music’
Hudson— On Saturday, May 20th from 3 to 5 p.m., Hudson Festival Orchestra presents “Colors of Raga: A deep listening experience with Indian Classical Music” featuring Eric Fraser on the bansuri, Ehren Hanson on the tabla, Abhik Mukherjee on the sitar, and Dibyarka Chatterjee on the tabla.
Eric Fraser’s training in Indian classical music on the bansuri flute occurred in the Guru-Sishya Parampara tradition, meaning that he received training in Indian classical music while living with his teacher (Guru – late Pandit Gopal Roy), in Kolkata, India. Eric has received extensive taleem (oral teachings) and his flute playing conveys a purity of tone, authenticity, and tradition. The “sur” (tone and tune) of Eric’s flute lineage has a unique sound in the landscape of Indian music, telling the story of an old-world Kolkata vibe through a gayaki ang or “singing style” of bansuri flute.
Ehren Hanson is a professional NYC-based tabla player. He began learning tabla at age 15 and in 2000, he became a disciple of legendary tabla maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, with whom he has been a dedicated disciple ever since. His early training was from Misha Masud, and he has had the fortune of also receiving taleem from Ray Spiegel of Panjab gharana.
Abhik Mukherjee is an Indian classical sitar artist of the Etawah gharana known for his passion, charisma, and spontaneity as a performer and improviser. He received his musical training from Pandit Arvind Parikh and Pandit Kashinath Mukherjee, themselves the disciples of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Khan. Abhik began his sitar training at the age of six in Kolkata, India under the guidance of his father. His first performance was at the age of nine at the Governor’s House in Kolkata.
Dibyarka Chatterjee is the son and disciple of Pandit Samir Chatterjee, and as such represents the Farrukhabad Gharana of tabla playing. Having grown up in a musical environment, his natural inclination towards Tabla became apparent early in his childhood. At the age of five he was initiated by his father into the ancient system of pedagogy called the guru-shishya parampara (master-disciple tradition).
The concert is on Saturday, May 20th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hudson Presbyterian Church on Warren Street in Hudson. There is a suggested donation of $25-40, although a donation of any amount will gain admission. For more information, visit Hudson Festival Orchestra online.
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Brewing company presents Mother’s Day literary salon
Pittsfield— On Sunday, May 14th, Mother’s Day, at 2 p.m., local writers Anna Lotto, Matthew Muller, Lara Tupper, and Mike Dell’Aquila will be reading excerpts of their work, all of which will deal with the theme of motherhood in some way. The salon takes place at Hot Plate Brewing Company in Pittsfield.
The salon is Sunday, May 14th at 2 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Company on School Street in Pittsfield. To learn more, visit Hot Plate Brewing Company online.
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Bennington Museum presents Mother’s Day concert
Bennington— On Sunday May 14th, Mother’s Day, at 2 p.m., Bennington Museum is pleased to present two stellar regional performers, Joana Genova and Gili Melemed-Lev. This violin/piano duo will perform works by Beethoven, Kreisler, Chopin, Telemann, Beach, Esmail, Boulanger, Grant Still, Joplin, and Piazzolla- a perfect follow-up to your Mother’s Day brunch or just a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
“What a great thing to treat your mother, a special woman in your life, or yourself to,” says Deana Mallory, Director of Public Programming at Bennington Museum. “Joana and Gili are amazingly skilled musicians and know how to engage their audience to create a comfortable listening environment. I am particularly excited about the female composers included in this program. New Hampshire native Amy Beach’s wide sweeping romantic music is so powerful, and Reena Esmail is an up and coming talent we don’t get to hear nearly enough of, with beautifully haunting Indian influenced melodies.” She continues, “Arrive early and prepare to be wowed!”
This concert is presented as part of the popular “Music at the Museum” concert series, founded in 2015, which presents diverse live performances both on-site and recorded. These concerts are free and open to all ages thanks to the support of Alison Nowak and Robert Cane. Reservations are not required.
Music at the Museum concerts are held in the Ada & Paul Paresky Court at Bennington Museum on Main Street, Bennington. Concerts typically last about an hour and a half and the Museum will be open with regular admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. should audiences wish to explore some of the new spring exhibits before or after the performance. To learn more, visit the Bennington Museum online.
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The Clark hosts a special event for mothers
Williamstown— On Sunday May 14th, Mother’s Day, from 1 to 4 p.m., the Clark hosts a special event for mothers. Bring that special someone to the Clark and enjoy a walk through the galleries using our Mother’s Day-themed self-guide (available at the Admissions desks in the Clark Center or Manton Research Center). After getting inspired by the mothers in our collection, decorate a card or bookmark for your mother or another special person in the Clark Center lower level.
This event is on Sunday, May 14th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. The event is free with gallery admission. For more information, visit the Clark online.
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Close Encounters with Music presents the Escher String Quartet
Great Barrington— On Sunday, May 21st at 4 p.m., Close Encounters with Music presents the Escher String Quartet playing Tchaikovsky, Ravel, and Ruth Crawford Seeger at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
The Escher String Quartet receives international acclaim for its profound musical insight and rare tonal beauty. The Escher Quartet takes its name from the Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, inspired by Escher’s method of interplay between individual components working together to form a whole.
The Souvenir de Florence String Sextet takes us on a musical excursion to Italy, where Tchaikovsky spent some of his happiest times— reflected in the unforgettable tunes and warm cantabile style. Assessments of the work’s national style—Italianate or inescapably Russian—differ, but the sextet is quintessential Tchaikovsky, suffused with his characteristic longing and incomparable melodies. Ravel’s Quartet in F Major is decidedly impressionistic and non-European, with exotic modes and mysterious, ethereal beauty. Listening to it is almost akin to exploring a foreign planet. The “1931” Quartet by Ruth Crawford Seeger, the first woman composer to be awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, is a tour-de-force for string ensemble.
The concert is Sunday, May 21at at 4 p.m. at the Mahaiwe on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $52 for orchestra and mezzanine, $28 for balcony, and $15 for students. Virtual tickets are also available. For tickets and more information visit Close Encounters with Music online.
In the Close Encounters With Music tradition, each performance is followed by an “Afterglow” reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine provided by local restaurants. Audiences can savor the music and fun as well as the culinary connections with us at our thematic concerts and post-concert receptions this season!
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Berkshire Music School announces talent and merit scholarship auditions
Pittsfield— On Sunday, May 21st, the Berkshire Music School (BMS) is pleased to continue its enhanced scholarship program to support musicians of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. For the 2023-2024 academic year, BMS will offer increased need-based financial aid for private lessons, as well as competitive talent and merit based scholarships to attract the most talented and promising musicians in the region.
Students accepted into BMS Talent & Merit Scholarship Program will benefit from: generous financial assistance (up to 100% tuition); invitations to participate in masterclasses with guest artists; audition coaching and workshops; complimentary tickets to performances at BMS and other venues; and performance opportunities throughout the Berkshires including individual and group recitals.
Auditions will be held by appointment on Sunday, May 21st for a panel of professional musicians. Auditions are open to the entire community, and musicians do not have to be a current BMS student to be considered. BMS encourages people of all ages and diverse backgrounds to audition for these scholarships.
The auditions will be held at the Berkshire Music School on Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield. For more detailed information and to schedule an appointment for an audition, call 413-442-1411 or visit www.berkshiremusicschool.org.
