Third Thursday at Olana State Historic Site
Hudson, N.Y.— On Thursday, January 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Olana Partnership will hold its monthly Third Thursday at Olana State Historic Site, a free monthly community day of tours and programs for all ages.
At 9:30 a.m., start the day with Morning Mindfulness in the Sharp Family Gallery. This hour-long session will be led by artist and Creative Arts Therapy student Alison Fox (MFA) and will include mindfulness practices to deepen your experience of the artworks on view.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., visitors are welcome to stop by the Wagon House Education Center for a free “Drop-in Drawing with Pen and Pencil” workshop for all ages, led by Olana teaching artists and educators. Visitors are encouraged to use inspiration from their visit to Olana to create personal works of art. All materials and refreshments will be provided.
From 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., visitors are invited to enjoy free historic landscape and house tours. A Spanish language tour will be given at 2:45 p.m. Tours are first come, first served.
The event is on Thursday, January 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Olana State Historic Site, located at 5720 State Route 9G in Hudson, N.Y. More information can be found online.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires presents journalist and author Larry Tye to talk about his new book ‘The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America’
Pittsfield— On Thursday, January 16th at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, as part of “Jewish Literary Voices: A Federation Series in collaboration with The Jewish Book Council,” presents journalist and author Larry Tye to talk about his new book “The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America.”
Honoring the life and accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights change-makers, join reporter Larry Tye for a discussion of his book, which looks at three maestros’ lives off the bandstand, and how they wrote the soundtrack for the civil rights revolution.
Tye is a former reporter at The Boston Globe. “The Jazzmen” is his ninth book, with others including “Home Lands,” the upbeat tale of a thriving Jewish diaspora; “Superman,” the biography of America’s longest-lasting (Jewish) hero; and “Bobby Kennedy,” which looks at RFK’s transformation from Joe McCarthy’s protege to a liberal icon.
The virtual presentation is Thursday, January 16th at 10:45 a.m. on Zoom. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Cantilena Chamber Choir presents annual Martin Luther King Concert
Lenox— On Sunday, January 19th at 3 p.m., the Cantilena Chamber Choir will present its annual Martin Luther King Concert with special guests the Urban Choral Arts Society from Baltimore, Maryland.
The Urban Choral Arts Society, a combined choir of youth and adults, is under the direction of Ronald McFadden and based at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center. The society is dedicated to improving the achievement and esteem of Baltimore area youth through music and cultural arts. Its mission is to build a community of artists, preserve music of the African diaspora, and empower youth with competitive artistic skills for innovation.
Dr. King will be remembered in a combined choir performance of the choral music of composer Adolphus Hailstork and spirituals by Roland Carter and Moses Hogan. The featured work on the program will be Adophus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Thine Eyes.”
The concert is on Sunday, January 19th at 3 p.m. at Trinity Church, located at 88 Walker Street in Lenox. More information can be found online.
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Queer Skies presents ‘Post Holi-Slays’ a sober drag show at Wander
Pittsfield— On Saturday, January 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Queer Skies presents ‘Post Holi-Slays, an all-ages sober drag show at Wander.
Join Sativo Green as he brings ‘Queer Skies’ to Wander. Beat the post holiday blues with a mix of festive, spooky, and fun. Sign up to perform during open stage, co-hosted by Miz Rebel.
The event is on Saturday, January 18th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wander, located at 34 Deport Street in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Becket Cultural Council announces 2025 grant awards
Becket— Leigh Davis, State Representative of the 3rd Berkshire District, and Cathy Terwedow, Chair of the Becket Cultural Council, are pleased to announce the awarding of 22 grants totaling $13,500 for 2025. The grants will support a wide range of arts, humanities, and science programming for people of all ages in Becket.
“I’m proud to support the Becket Cultural Council and its dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to enrich our community through the arts, culture, and local initiatives,” stated Leigh Davis. “Their thoughtful stewardship ensures that every grant strengthens the fabric of Becket, benefiting residents and inspiring creativity for all.”
Decisions about which activities to support are made at the community level by a board of municipally appointed volunteers. The members of the Becket Cultural Council are Cathy Terwedow, chair; Andrea Pecor, treasurer; Lisa Rosier, secretary; Sarah Reedy, publicity; Andi Cawein, Shelley Chanler, Karen Ludington, and Jane Markham.
This year’s grants include:
- Becket Arts Center for its Music Brings Communities Together
- Becket Athenaeum for its Museum Passes program and community programs
- Becket Beat for local journalism
- Becket Washington School for Interactive Science Exploration, BTG Plays!, and Jacob’s Pillow Curriculum in Motion
- Becket Washington School PTO for Picnic in the Park and a STEAM Assembly & Events
- Berkshire Music School, Inc. for Rhythms of Brazil: A Journey Through Traditional Musical Instruments
- Facepaint, Inc for the donation of books and online resources to the Becket Athenaeum
- Jodi Hostetter for Music in the Park
- Kate Hubbell for Introduction to Tools and Carpentry Basics
- Berkshire Art Center for the ARTcentric after-school program at the Becket Washington School
- Mollie Kellogg for Incognito Witch, the Musical
- Laurel Lenski for Kinesthetic Learning with Intrinsic Movement
- Jana Pfeiffer for The Juckets
- Q-MoB Inc for Celebrating Becket/Hill Town Pride Queer History & Culture
- Sevenars Concerts for their 57th Anniversary Season
- The Stockbridge Sinfonia, Inc. for their concert series
- Town of Washington for Family Fun Day
- Lara Tupper for Beginning to See the Light: A Cabaret Evening with Lara Tupper and Benny Kohn
Applications for 2026 grants will be available online in early September.
