MASS MoCA presents multi-award winning contemporary jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn
North Adams— On Saturday, June 28th at 8 p.m., MASS MoCA presents multi-award winning contemporary jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn.
Called one of “the most exciting young vocalists in jazz” by The New York Times, Jazzmeia Horn has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards on top of winning the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and the 2015 Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition. Shortly after, she was signed by Concord Records. Ms. Horn continues to tour nationally and internationally to get across her message about the global need for love and social change in the world.
The concert is on Saturday, June 28th at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center, located at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. Black Nile will open. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Boston Symphony Orchestra presents Jon Batiste, one of history’s most brilliant, prolific, and accomplished musicians, at Tanglewood
Lenox— On Saturday, June 28th at 7 p.m., Boston Symphony Orchestra presents Jon Batiste, one of history’s most brilliant, prolific, and accomplished musicians, at Tanglewood.
After receiving both a B.A. and M.F.A. at the world-renowned Juilliard School,fFrom 2015 until 2022, Batiste served as the bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Most recently, Jon was awarded a Sports Emmy in the category of “Outstanding Open/Tease” for his 2022 NCAA March Madness piece. In 2018, he received a Grammy nomination for Best American Roots, and in 2020, he received two Grammy nods. In 2020, he won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for the Disney/Pixar film “SOUL,” an honor he shared with fellow composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Jon’s work on “SOUL” also earned him a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, a NAACP Image Award, and a Critic’s Choice Award.
Batiste’s album, “WE ARE,” was released in March 2021 to overwhelming critical acclaim. Subsequently, he was nominated for eleven GRAMMYs across seven different categories, a first in GRAMMY history. He went on to win five of those GRAMMYs, including Album of the Year. Batiste’s latest album, “World Music Radio,” draws inspiration from his mission to create community and expand culture with the power of music. His most ambitious work yet, Batiste breaks down the musical barriers of “genre” and collaborates with global superstars Lana Del Rey, Lil Wayne, NewJeans, and more. Following its release, Batiste was nominated for another six GRAMMYs, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year.
The Matthew Heineman-directed Netflix documentary “American Symphony,” released in partnership with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company, chronicles this meteoric rise in Batiste’s career, all while composing a symphony for Carnegie Hall as his wife, bestselling writer Suleika Jaouad, undergoes cancer treatment.
The concert is on Saturday, June 28th at 7 p.m. at Tanglewood’s Koussevitzky Music Shed, located at 297 West Street in Lenox. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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PS21 Chatham presents the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of all-women salsa sextet Las Guaracheras
Chatham., N.Y.— On Saturday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m., PS21 Chatham presents the Afro-Caribbean rhythms of all-women salsa sextet Las Guaracheras.
Las Guarachera’s bold compositions and powerful lyrics champion the visibility and voices of women in the Latin Music scene in Colombia, celebrating female strength as a source of love, hope, resilience, and creativity. With vibraphone, percussion, bass, piano and vocals, Las Guaracheras presents an explosive show that provokes dancing and singing while simultaneously creating moments for reflection.
The group comes to PS21 before heading to Lincoln Center later this summer. Las Guaracheras have also been featured atLotus Festival, Freight & Salvage, and in 2025 will be at LACMA Latin Sounds, Twin Cities Jazz Festival, and others. They have performed in Europe and the Americas at venues such as Sunfest, Cubadisco, BIME, Portamérica Latitudes/FIMpro, and El Zócalo.
The concert is on Saturday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m. at PS21 Chatham’s Pavilion Theater, located at 2980 Route 66 in Chatham, N.Y. Ticket holders are invited to come early for a free salsa dance workshop. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Jacob’s Pillow presents ‘Djapo’ by Marie Basse-Wiles and Omari Wiles
Becket— On Friday, June 27th at 5:30 p.m., Jacob’s Pillow presents ‘Djapo’ by Marie Basse-Wiles and Omari Wiles.
Omari Wiles, a force in New York’s ballroom and dance scenes, joins his mother, Marie Basse-Wiles, a revered figure in African diasporic dance, for “Djapo,” a vibrant new work commissioned by Works & Process, bringing together their companies Les Ballet Afrik and Maimouna Keita School of African Dance.
Rooted in the rhythms of Senegal and Mali, this electrifying performance blends traditional West African dance with contemporary African club culture, Afrobeats, and live percussion, shaped through the duo’s intergenerational collaboration. Company dancers come together for an in-process performance of Djapo, exploring the evolution of movement, music, and community, celebrating the deep ties between past and present while amplifying the visibility of African cultural traditions in today’s global dance landscape.
The performance is on Friday, June 27th at 5:30 p.m. at Jacob’s Pillow’s outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage, located at 358 George Carter Road in Becket. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Dorothy’s presents songstress Chantell with guitarist Josh Hirst
Pittsfield— On Saturday, June 28th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Dorothy’s presents songstress Chantell with guitarist Josh Hirst.
One of the Berkshires’ most sought after vocalists, Chantell is a classically trained artist from Chicago, now residing in the Berkshires. In her early career, Chantell performed on studio albums for PBS Kids and Sesame Street, and she has shared the stage with multiple Grammy winning and nominated artists.
Josh Hirst is a multi-instrumentalist/producer who has been playing professionally for the past 20 years. He founded the funk ensemble, Fat Bradley, and has backed local heavyweights Mary Jane Jones, Lexi Weege, Brother Sal, and many more. For the past 5 years he’s held down bass and music director duties for the legendary New Orleans soul/jazz singer Glen David Andrews.
The dinner is served from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. with live music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dorothy’s, located at 444 North Street in Pittsfield. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 413-443-1792. More information can be found online.
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Guthrie Center presents the Wanda Houston Band
Great Barrington— On Saturday, June 28th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Guthrie Center presents the Wanda Houston Band.
Wanda Houston’s the Berkshire’s very own diva. Born in Chicago, she started singing in gospel choirs, and has performed in LA, Hollywood, Las Vegas, Europe, and Australia. In 2006, she settled in the Berkshires full-time, drawing us in with a mesmerizing mix of mid-20th century jazz and R&B. The band includes accomplished musicians Robert Kelly, Jeff Stevens, and Jay Bradley.
The concert is on Saturday, June 28th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Guthrie Center, located at 2 Van Deusenville Road in Great Barrington. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Boston Early Music Festival presents Telemann’s ‘Pimpinone and Ino’ at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Great Barrington— On Friday, June 27th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Boston Early Music Festival presents Telemann’s “Pimpinone and Ino” at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.
Inspired by the Italian comic intermezzi chamber opera, “Pimpinone” approaches social class and seduction with brilliant humor and evocative humanity as the narcissistic Pimpinone is stung by the beauty and barbs of his charming chambermaid, Vespetta. The cantata “Ino” is a true hidden gem with a thrilling story drawn from Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Written late in Telemann’s life, this miniature masterpiece is a bridge between the Baroque and Classical eras, full of dynamic theatricality and gorgeous music.
Grammy-winners Paul O’Dette and Stephen Stubbs join with stage directors Gilbert Blin and Marie-Nathalie Lacoursière to lead a magnificent staging featuring opulent costumes, Baroque stagecraft, and outstanding performances from the all-star chamber ensemble and a stellar cast featuring sopranos Amanda Forsythe and Danielle Reutter-Harrah and baritone Christian Immler.
The performance is on Friday, June 27th from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington. There is a pre-show talk at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Foundry presents ‘A Night of Drama’ with Jack and Zoe Comedy
West Stockbridge— On Saturday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m., The Foundry presents “A Night of Drama” with Jack and Zoe Comedy.
After a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and successful performances in NYC, “A Night of Drama” returns to The Foundry. This isn’t just any comedy show – it’s a true cult classic. Picture this: a group of brave improvisers and clowns take to the stage, fueled by grand visions of a stunning dramatic masterpiece. Little do they know, the audience is armed, not with applause, but with a barrage of banana peels!
The show is on Saturday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m. at The Foundry, located at 2 Harris Street in West Stockbridge. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Great Barrington Libraries presents ‘OtherWords,’ poetry readings by Carol Diehl, Sue Landers and Zoe Tuck at Mason Library
Great Barrington— On Saturday, June 28th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Great Barrington Libraries presents ‘OtherWords,’ poetry readings by Carol Diehl, Sue Landers and Zoe Tuck at the Mason Library.
Carol Diehl is an exhibiting artist and art critic who has been a blogger and early slam performance poet. A former Contributing Editor to “Art in America,” she has taught both painting and writing at Bennington College and the Graduate Fine Arts Program of the School of Visual Arts. Diehl has been Visiting Artist and lecturer at, among others, Yale University, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Rochester institute of Technology, and the University for the Creative Arts in the U.K. Her book, “Banksy: Completed,” was published by The MIT Press in 2021.
Sue Landers’ latest book “What to Carry Into the Future” emerged from riding every New York City subway line from end to end. She is a former executive director of Lambda Literary. She is also the author of “Franklinstein,” “248 mgs., a panic picnic” and “Covers.” Her chapbooks include “Sidewalk Naturalist,” “15: A Poetic Engagement with the Chicago Manual of Style” and “What I Was Tweeting While You Were On Facebook.”
Zoe Tuck is the author of “Bedroom Vowel,” “Terror Matrix,” and the chapbooks “Vape Cloud of Unknowing” and “The Book of Bella.” She is the co-editor of Hot Pink Magazine. She teaches literature and creative writing classes through her school, Threshold Academy.
The readings are on Saturday, June 28th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mason Library, located at 231 Main Street in Great Barrington. Wine, cider, and snacks will be served. The event is free and all are welcome. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Natural Resources Council celebrates opening of Tom Ball Mountain Reserve with two days of tunes, trails, and community connection
Great Barrington— On Saturday and Sunday, June 28th and 29th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) celebrates the opening of Tom Ball Mountain Reserve with two days of tunes, trails, and community connection.
The Tom Ball Mountain Reserve represents one of BNRC’s most ambitious conservation achievements to date, protecting over 580 acres of forested ridgeline and habitat just outside downtown Great Barrington. Tom Ball Mountain stands as a promise to future generations: that the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires will be protected, shared, and celebrated.
The Reserve’s new Longview Loop Trail is thoughtfully designed to welcome hikers, families, and nature lovers alike, featuring moderate climbs, lush, wooded paths, and scenic lookouts perfect for a quiet pause. Tom Ball also links to regional conservation efforts, anchoring part of BNRC’s vision for a Berkshire High Road—a connected network of trails linking towns to trails across the county.
Come experience this spectacular new reserve firsthand. Guests can enjoy trail walks, a DIY hiking stick station, a trail mix bar provided by Berkshire Food Market, sweet treats courtesy of Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, and a chance to meet BNRC staff and volunteers who helped bring this project to life.
The event is on Saturday and Sunday, June 28th and 29th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tom Ball Mountain Reserve Trailhead, located at 152 Alford Road in Great Barrington. It is free and open to the public, no registration is required. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Environmental Action Team presents a tree identification walk at The Clark
Williamstown— On Saturday, June 28th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) presents a tree identification walk with BEAT’s Programs Director Chelsey Simmons at the Clark Art Institute.
On this guided walk, participants will learn key characteristics of trees commonly found in Western Massachusetts. Led by a Berkshire naturalist and tree enthusiast, the walk will offer tips and tricks for recognizing tree species throughout the year, regardless of the presence of leaves. In addition to learning how to identify trees, participants will have the opportunity to view some of the artwork integrated into the natural landscape of The Clark.
The walk is on Saturday, June 28th at 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown. It is free and open to the public. Outdoor footwear/clothing and drinking water are recommended. Registration is required. For more information or to register, email chelsey@thebeatnews.org.
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Berkshire Community College to hold varsity baseball tryouts
Pittsfield— On Saturday, June 28th at 1 p.m., the Berkshire Community College (BCC) Falcons will host tryouts for the new varsity baseball team’s spring roster.
There are no age restrictions for tryouts, but anyone securing a spot on the roster must meet NJCAA eligibility requirements:
- A student-athlete must be a graduate of a high school with an academic diploma, general education diploma or a state department of education approved high school equivalency test; and
- the student must be an amateur.
Tryouts are on Saturday, June 28th at 1 p.m. at Renfrew Field, located on Renfrew Street in Adams. A full schedule will be released on August 22nd. Home games will be played at Clapp Park and Taconic Field. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online. For questions about the team or about tryouts, email coach Michael Muscato at mmuscato@berkshirecc.edu.
