Berkshire Community Land Trust’s Farmsteads for Farmers ‘Kiss the Ground’ screening and panel discussion
Great Barrington— On Sunday, May 19th, at 4 p.m., Berkshire Community Land Trust’s Farmsteads for Farmers will present a short educational version of “Kiss the Ground,” a compelling film about regenerative farming and climate impact.
Considered by many to be the “Most Important Film You’ll Ever Watch,” “Kiss the Ground” offers a hopeful message about climate change and the impact of regenerative farming. Regenerative farming techniques, which are thousands of years old and practiced by indigenous cultures across the world, working in sync with nature and science. In doing so these techniques focus on caring for the soil and helping it retain carbon.
This film and the ensuing panel will discuss practical, clear, and hopeful actions that will create a better future in the Berkshires and around the globe. The panel, moderated by Katy Sparks (Edible Natural World,) features Berkshire County farmers Elizabeth Keen (Indian Line Farm), Anna Houston (Off the Shelf Farm), and Will Conklin (Sky View Farm/Greenagers.)
The event is on Sunday, May 19th, at 4 p.m. at The Triplex at 70 Railroad Street in Great Barrington. Admission is free, and donations are much appreciated. Reservations are highly recommended. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Lee Greener Gateway Committee presents a screening and discussion of the award winning documentary ‘Kiss The Ground’ at the Lee Library
Lee— On Saturday, May 18th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Lee Greener Gateway Committee presents a screening and discussion of the documentary ‘Kiss The Ground’ at the Lee Library.
This multiple award-winning film is narrated by Woody Harrelson and features interviews with a wide range of authors, experts, farmers, researchers, and well-known personalities. It focuses on regenerating the world’s soils to rapidly stabilize earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems, and create abundant food supplies.
The event is on Saturday, May 18th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lee Library on Main Street in Lee. It is free and open to anyone interested in learning about soil regeneration to help reduce effects from climate change. More information can be found online.
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Roots Rising announces the opening of the Pittsfield Farmers Market for its 12th season
Pittsfield— On Saturdays from May 11th through October 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Roots Rising will host the 12th season of the Pittsfield Farmers Market on the Pittsfield Common.
Each week shoppers will experience a vibrant selection of fresh, local, and seasonal produce, meat, eggs, cheese, baked goods, flowers, artisanal items, alongside live music and engaging activities. “Supersized Second Saturdays” are back. These special monthly markets will feature a “Makers Market,” chef demonstrations, contests, fun for kids, and much more.
The Pittsfield Farmers Market is a powerful place where community, food justice, and our strong local food system come together. Through the “Market Match” program, the purchasing power of shoppers using SNAP, WIC, and senior benefits is doubled. This means that $30 in SNAP benefits transforms into $60 worth of tokens to spend at the market. The Pittsfield Farmers Market proudly hosts a “Giving Table,” providing a platform for both shoppers and vendors to contribute food to be donated to local pantries and shelters, and the market’s “Summer Eats” program addresses the summer hunger gap by offering free breakfast and lunch to all youth while school is out of session.
The market runs on Saturdays from May 11th through October 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Pittsfield Common on First Street in Pittsfield. More information can be found online.
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Egremont Garden Club’s annual plant and bake sale
Egremont— On Saturday, May 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Egremont Garden Club hosts their annual fundraising event, a plant and bake sale in the Egremont Town Hall parking lot.
To jump start your gardening adventures for the spring and summer, shop at the Egremont Garden Club’s annual plant and bake sale and find great deals on an array of perennials, annuals including natives, herbs, grasses and vegetables donated from the gardens of members and from generous contributions. There will also be fresh and dried flower arrangements for sale.
A tasty assortment of baked goods made by many of the members of the club will be for sale including breads, muffins, pies, cookies, and cakes. There will also be a raffle and silent auction at the membership table. New members are welcome!
Proceeds go towards planting and maintaining public spaces throughout the Town of Egremont, providing and arranging floral mugs to seniors of Egremont Council-on-aging and Meals-on-Wheels, and an eclectic summer lecture series to encourage and promote the enjoyment and sustainability of responsible gardening.
The fundraiser is on Saturday, May 18th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Egremont Town Hall parking lot at 171 Egremont Plain Road in Egremont. The rain date is Sunday, May 19th.
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Becket Arts Center to present a talk by by Chris Ferrero, a Cornell Master Gardener, on protecting your plants and vegetables from deer
Becket— On Thursday, May 9th at 5 p.m., as part of its speaker series, the Becket Arts Center will present “Deer Defense for Home Gardeners: Outwitting the Wiliest of Wildlife,” a talk on protecting your plants and vegetables from marauding deer by Chris Ferrero, a Cornell Master Gardener.
The lecture is on Thursday, May 9th at 5 p.m. at the Becket Arts Center at 7 Brooker Hill Road in becket. The event is free, but donations are welcome. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Concert Choir and Berkshire Children’s Chorus presents ‘The Sounds of Music,’ two free concerts
Pittsfield— On Friday, May 17th at 7 p.m. in the Common Room of Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield and Saturday, May 18th at 3 p.m. at St. James Place in Great Barrington, the Berkshire Concert Choir in collaboration with the Berkshire Children’s Chorus welcomes the public to two spring concerts at the Common Room of Zion Lutheran Church.
The concerts will feature an audience singalong of favorites from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The Sound of Music”, as well as an exploration of global sounds of music, including Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Waltzes,” and “Everyday Wonders: The Girl from Aleppo,” a cantata by contemporary British composer Cecilia McDowall based on the true story of a teenage Syrian refugee.
The combined choruses include 75 singers ages eight to 80 conducted by Ryan LaBoy, Artistic Director of the Berkshire Children’s Chorus and Music Director of the Berkshire Concert Choir. Says LaBoy, “We seek to embrace the true sounds of M.U.S.I.C. – the Music of Understanding, Spirit, Inclusivity, and Connection. In addition to beautiful music, it is a demonstration of the rich and diverse community that exists here at home.”
The concerts are on Friday, May 17th at 7 p.m. in the Common Room of Zion Lutheran Church on First Street in Pittsfield and Saturday, May 18th at 3 p.m. at St. James Place on Main Street in Great Barrington. Both concerts are free, with donations appreciated. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Lyric presents their annual young singers concert
Stockbridge— On Saturday, May 18th at 3 p.m., Berkshire Lyric presents their annual young singers concert at the Stockbridge Congregational Church, featuring the Lyric Children’s Chorus and Lyric’s select ensemble for high school girls Melodious Accord in a program with a spring theme.
Conducted by Lyric’s director Jack Brown and accompanied by Joe Rose, the children’s chorus will present a cycle of charming songs for young voices by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, who is better known for his serious sacred music for chorus. The Berkshire Lyric Choral Scholars will be performing several solo songs by composers including Mendelssohn, Schumann, and Mozart.
The concert is on Saturday, May 18th at 3 p.m. at the Stockbridge Congregational Church at 4 Main Street in Stockbridge. Admission is free with donations welcome. More information can be found online.
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The Bookloft 50th anniversary celebration
Great Barrington— On Saturday, May 11th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., get ready for a story-filled extravaganza as The Bookloft celebrates its 50th anniversary with a book-tacular event filled with games, scavenger hunts, shopping specials, and more.
At 1 p.m., Drag Story Hour Berkshires will take the stage for a fabulous storytelling session that’s sure to inspire readers of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of books through the eyes of these captivating storytellers.
The free celebration is Saturday, May 11th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Bookloft at 63 State Road in Great Barrington. More information can be found online.
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‘Community Dog Day’ at Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge— On Sunday, May 19th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in partnership with the Great Barrington Kennel Club and Berkshire Humane Society, Norman Rockwell Museum presents Faithful Friends: Community Dog Day,” inspired by Norman Rockwell and his love of dogs.
From the very beginning of Norman Rockwell’s career, dogs were integral to his art. Often they convey the emotion of a scene, as when a family pet bounds forward to greet a soldier returning from war, or sadly nuzzles a young man departing for college. Rockwell had a special facility with his canine models, who were sometimes his own dogs, Raleigh the German shepherd, Butch the springer spaniel, and Pitter the beagle mix.
Free and open to all, this dog-centric event features a dog show, dog demonstrations, themed activities for families, an obstacle course, therapy dog story time, “people food” from local vendors, and opportunities to show off your faithful friends. Attendees will also have a chance to connect with dog-loving Berkshire businesses and find dog-themed merchandise. There will be raffles and prizes awarded for Most Rockwellian Dog, Best Smile, Dog-Owner Look-Alike, and Dog with the Waggiest Tail.
This event is on Sunday, May 19th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain or shine) on the Norman Rockwell Museum campus at 9 Glendale Road in Stockbridge. Attendees are asked to bring dogs who are comfortable around large groups of people and other dogs, and always keep them leashed on a non-retractable lead. The event is fully outdoors. Attendees who RSVP will be entered to win a free dual-plus membership to Norman Rockwell Museum, with reciprocal admission to thousands of other museums across the country, and a special dog-themed gift bag! More information can be found online.
