The Foundry presents Charming Disaster, the Brooklyn-based goth-folk musical duo Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris
West Stockbridge— On Sunday, September 24th at 7 p.m., The Foundry presents Charming Disaster, the Brooklyn-based goth-folk musical duo Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris.
Inspired by the macabre humor of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, the murder ballads of the Americana tradition, and the dramatic flair of the cabaret, the duo writes playfully dark songs that tell stories about death, crime, myth, magic, folklore, science, and the occult. Their latest album, “Super Natural History” is a musical cabinet of curiosities that unites the worlds of magic and science with songs that explore witchcraft, monsters, and the underworld alongside.
Charming Disaster’s music has been featured on the podcast “Welcome to Night Vale”, and they have opened for legendary cello-rock ensemble Rasputina, goth icon. Voltaire, and Amanda Palmer’s punk cabaret duo, The Dresden Dolls. Mixed Alternative says, “Charming Disaster are unusual, spooky, wickedly talented, and completely unafraid to delve deep into the underworld in exploration of all things lurking in the dark…they have a knack for making the macabre fun.”
The performance is on Sunday, September 24th at 7 p.m. at The Foundry on Harris Street in West Stockbridge. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. This is an indoor event. Visit the Foundry online for tickets and more information. 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.
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Jane Kaczmarek to star in ‘Our Town’ at Sharon Playhouse
Sharon— Starting on Friday, September 15th, the Sharon Playhouse presents Thornton Wilder’s timeless, Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Our Town”, directed by Andrus Nichols.
The company is led by Jane Kaczmarek, a multi-Emmy, Golden Globe, and S.A.G-nominated actress best known as Lois for seven seasons on “Malcolm in the Middle”.
Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written”, “Our Town” presents a small town in three acts: “Daily Life”, “Love and Marriage”, and “Death and Eternity”. Performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of two families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually, in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre, die.
The Playhouse leadership team of Artistic Director Carl Andress, Managing Director Rod Christensen, and Associate Artistic Director/Director of Education Michael Kevin Baldwin, stated: “Our Town has not been performed at the Sharon Playhouse in 60 years. If you have never seen this classic play, now is your chance. If you have seen it before, you won’t want to miss this new production. Edward Albee called it “the finest American play ever written.” Donald Margulies has called it “possibly THE great American play.” Our Town is a universal story about the beauty and importance of everyday life and we are proud to present a stellar, multi-generational cast, with our youngest cast member at 11 years old and our eldest cast member at 88 years old!”
Performances run from September 15th through September 24th at the Bobbie Olsen Theater at the Sharon Playhouse on Amenia Road in Sharon. Tickets are $30 to $50. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Hoosac Berkshire Valley, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum’s scenic train ride will be hosting a cemetery tour to benefit North Adams Historical Society
Adams— On Saturday, September 9th at 1 p.m., the Hoosac Berkshire Valley, Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum’s scenic train ride will be hosting a cemetery tour to benefit North Adams Historical Society.
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum has partnered with the North Adams Historical Society for a train ride to the historic Southview Cemetery and a tour of the property. The cemetery, which dates back to the late 19th century, is the final resting place of many notable businessmen, philanthropists, elected officials, and other prominent personalities from the area. Passengers can choose to take a long tour with a half-mile to a mile of walking or a short tour with a quarter-mile of walking.
The train departs on Saturday, September 9th at 1 p.m. from 4 Hoosac Street in Adams. Tickets are $30 and $20 from children ages three to thirteen. Two cemetery tours will be conducted by the North Adams Historical Society volunteers to choose from, a longer walk with a half-mile to a mile of walking or a shorter walk with a quarter-mile of walking. Please bring bottled water and wear comfortable walking shoes. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Town of Stockbridge hosts headstone cleaning sessions at the Stockbridge Cemetery
Stockbridge— Starting on Monday, September 11th, the Town of Stockbridge hosts headstone cleaning sessions at the Stockbridge Cemetery.
Help restore old Stockbridge Cemetery headstones and preserve old Stockbridge history! A multi-year project is underway to restore the old headstones in the Stockbridge Cemetery. The cleaning sessions are September 11th-14th, September 18th-21st, September 25th-28th, and October 2nd-5th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, weather permitting. The public, including children ages 12 and up, is invited to come and participate. No experience is necessary. Instruction will be given on site, and supplies will be provided.
The sessions begin on Monday, September 11th. On the date and time of your choice, go to the Stockbridge Cemetery on Main Street in Stockbridge entrance for your assignment. Work clothing and gloves are recommended. You are not expected to work the whole day. Registration is not mandatory, but emailing intention to participate to ccurrie@stockbridge-ma.gov is helpful.
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Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum welcomes Robert Oakes for a series of ghost tours
Lenox— Starting on Saturday, September 9th at 8 p.m., Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum welcomes Robert Oakes for a series of ghost tours.
Robert Oakes, author of “Ghosts of the Berkshires” and “Ghosts of Northwestern New Jersey”, leads you through the rooms and halls of this historic estate sharing tales of its hauntings. Stand in the places where the eerie encounters occurred, listen to the first-hand accounts of those who experienced them, and maybe even experience something unusual yourself.
Oakes has led ghost tours at The Mount in Lenox and has represented the museum and its ghosts on Syfy’s “Ghost Hunters” and Jeff Belanger’s “New England Legends” on PBS. Copies of his book, “Ghosts of the Berkshires”, are for sale in the museum gift shop.
The tours will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 9th, Saturday, September 23rd, Saturday, October 7th, and Friday, October 27th. Admission is $30 and the event is limited to those age 12 and over. Registration is strongly recommended as tickets are limited. Registration and more information can be found online or by calling 413-637-3206. Please note that the tours are not active investigations.
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Fire-in-the-Temple Productions presents the world premiere of a historic spirit drama, ‘Fire in the Temple’, a new play by Glen Williamson
Copake— Starting on Friday, September 15th at 7 p.m., Fire-in-the-Temple Productions presents the world premiere of a historic spirit drama, “Fire in the Temple”, a new play by Glen Williamson, directed by John McManus.
At the end of his life, Rudolf Steiner, one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century joins with the Archangel Michaél to confront mysterious demons in 1923 Europe, as the Nazi party is just beginning to emerge. Don’t miss this powerful and moving drama about some of the most significant questions of our time. Whether or not audiences have previously encountered Rudolf Steiner’s work to renew education, agriculture, medicine and the arts, this is a special opportunity to theatrically experience the dramatic final years of his life, promising to be a vivid and captivating portrayal of a battle for the soul of humanity.
The performances run from September 15th through September 24th at Fountain Hall in Camphill Village on Hall Pond Road in Copake. Tickets start at $20. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Witch Slapped presents ‘Spooky Family Fun with Witch Slapped and Poppy DaBubbly’ as part of Pittsfield’s ‘Let in Shine!’ event
Pittsfield— On Saturday, September 9th from noon to 4 p.m., Witch Slapped presents “Spooky Family Fun with Witch Slapped and Poppy DaBubbly” as part of Pittsfield’s “Let in Shine!” event.
Poppy DaBubbly kicks off the event at noon with a free spooky story time and the magic continues with free spooky ornament making until 4 p.m. Free spooky fun for the whole family.
Recently crowned the inaugural Majesty of the Berkshires, Poppy DaBubbly was born in Chicago while starring as Snow White in “Snow White & the Seven Drag Queens”, Boystown’s longest running musical. Her work can be seen on television and on web series. She has performed internationally including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is the resident drag mother for Camp YATC with hundreds of drag students.
The afternoon of spooky, family fun is on Saturday, September 9th from noon to 4 p.m. at Witch Slapped on North Street in Pittsfield. It is free and open to all. More information can be found online.
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Dungeons, dragons, and other delights at the fifth annual ShireCon gaming convention
North Canaan— On September 15th and 16th, the North Canaan Colonial Theater hosts the Fifth Annual ShireCon, a gaming convention.
Over 100 fans and collectors from nine states are expected to be in attendance, converging to enjoy sessions in a number of popular roleplaying systems, including the most iconic of tabletop RPG (role playing game) platforms, “Dungeons & Dragons” (“D&D”).
The convention is not limited to “D&D”. Over the past decade, the tabletop gaming hobby has exploded, giving birth to hundreds of original systems including fantasy, science fiction, horror, and post-apocalyptic survivalism. Attendees will have a chance to adventure in a variety of these unique systems including a “Magic the Gathering” draft event on Friday evening for fans of the fantasy card game.
There will be free raffle drawings and a silent auction. Additionally, several local businesses will be offering promotional perks to help support the event. Great Falls Brewing is offering first-pour coupons and stickers, Industry Kitchen is staying open later in the evening, and ILSE Coffee is offering coffee specials. Local vendors will be selling comics and collectibles at the convention as well.
The convention is on September 15th and 16th at the North Canaan Colonial Theater on Railroad Street in North Canaan, Connecticut. Cost of admission is $30 for pre-registered guests and $35 at the door. Pre-registration closes on September 11th. More information can be found online.
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The Clark Art Institute presents a gallery talk designed specifically for people living with dementia and their care-partners
Williamstown— On Monday, September 18th at 1:30 p.m., the Clark Art Institute presents “Meet Me at the Clark”, a free gallery talk program designed specifically for people living with dementia and their care-partners.
On select Mondays, while the museum is closed to the public, trained educators will guide open-ended conversations about art and how it celebrates our shared humanity. The conversation on Monday, September 18th will focus on people living with dementia and their care-partners.
The talk is on Monday, September 18th at 1:30 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. There is no cost, but advanced registration is required and capacity is limited. Caregivers must also register. To register, call 413-458-0563. More information can be found online.
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Free car seat check event at Lee Bank
Lee— On Saturday, September 9th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., there is a free car seat check event at Lee Bank at 75 West Park Street in Lee.
Did you know that 80% of car seats are installed incorrectly? Make sure your child is in the right seat by attending a free car seat check event. The car seat installation and inspection take about 30 to 45 minutes and include education on installing the seat, proper use of the seat, and general vehicle safety.
The event is on Saturday, September 9th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lee Bank at 75 West Park Street in Lee. Appointments are strongly encouraged. Appointments can be made online. This event will take place rain or shine. If you have general questions about this event, please call Jill Sweet at 413-717-7209.
Are you in need of a new car seat? Free car seats are available.
This event is hosted by the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative, Lee Bank, the Massachusetts State Police, the Lee Police and the Lee Fire Department.
