MASS MoCA to host live recording of RISK! podcast
North Adams — On Saturday, July 1, at 8 p.m., MASS MoCA will host a live recording of the RISK! storytelling podcast.
Hosted by Kevin Allison, RISK! is a live show and podcast during which people tell true, uncensored stories “they never thought they’d dare to share.” RISK! packs monthly residencies in Brooklyn and Los Angeles and travels the world to showcase local talent. RISK! has featured stories from Marc Maron, Margaret Cho, Patton Oswalt, Kevin Nealon, Andy Dick, Sarah Silverman, Reggie Watts, Lili Taylor and others. Allison was awarded the 2015 Excellence in Podcasting Award at New York City Podfest and is also a member of the sketch comedy group the State, whose 1990s MTV show remains a cult classic.
Tickets range from $12–$24. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact MASS MoCA at (413) 662-2111 or info@massmoca.org.
–E.E.
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Krakauer/Tagg Duo to perform as part of Rogovoy Salon series
Hudson, N.Y. — The Krakauer/Tagg Duo will bring its innovative blend of world music, jazz, classical, experimental techniques and electronics to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, July 2, at 7 p.m. as part of the Rogovoy Salon music and literary series curated and hosted by cultural journalist and music critic Seth Rogovoy.
Grammy Award-nominated clarinetist David Krakauer and South Africa-born pianist, composer and producer Kathleen Tagg will perform their “Breath and Hammer: Clarinet, Piano and Beyond” multimedia program, enhanced by an immersive video feed and featuring arrangements of works by composer John Zorn, Syrian clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and Cuban percussionist Roberto Rodriguez plus original compositions with influences ranging from interlocking African drumming patterns to Romantic symphonic music to minimalism to klezmer.
Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Club Helsinki Hudson at (518) 828-4800.
–E.E.
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Down County Social Club to welcome GoldenOak
Sheffield — Down County Social Club will present indie folk band GoldenOak on Thursday, June 29, at 8 p.m.
Conceived in the winter of 2013, GoldenOak’s woodsy, modern folk sound weaves together rich, four-part harmonies and piercing melodic lines over a unique blend of cello, guitar, trumpet and cajón. Named one of Maine’s “rising artists” by the Nova Design Group, they celebrated a January release of their debut album, “Pleasant St.,” which was recorded during a quiet spring in their house in Bar Harbor. They have since been performing regularly throughout the Northeast, sharing the stage with artists such as Jeremy Loops, Sonreal, the Way Down Wanderers, Parsonsfield, Lady Lamb, the Dupont Brothers and more.
There is a suggested donation of $10 to support the artists. For more information, contact Down County Social Club at (413) 229-2916.
–E.E.
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Bidwell House Museum to present talk on New York border wars
Tyringham — On Saturday, July 1 at 10 a.m., the Bidwell House Museum will present historian Gary Leveille in a talk titled “Massachusetts–New York Border ‘Wars’ in the 1700s” at Tyringham Union Church.
Dutch and English settlers on both sides of the border between what is now eastern Columbia County, New York, and western Berkshire County found themselves immersed in a political and economic struggle between the colonies of New York and Massachusetts. The dispute worsened as tenant farmers living in New York’s feudal-like system were encouraged by their Massachusetts neighbors to declare allegiance with Massachusetts and become free landowners instead of simply renters of their properties. In his presentation, Leveille will explore the feud, beginning with the puzzling land acquisitions from Mohican Native Americans known as Spoor’s Grant and the Shawenon Purchase.
Leveille is a writer, editor, researcher, educator, photographer and local historian who resides with his family in Great Barrington. He is the author of several books, including the best-selling photo history “Old Route 7 – Along the Berkshire Highway;” “Eye of Shawenon – A Berkshire History of North Egremont,” and “Legendary Locals of the Southern Berkshires.” Leveille serves on the Great Barrington Historical Commission and as archivist for the Great Barrington Historical Society.
There is a suggested donation of $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the museum. For more information, contact the Bidwell House Museum at (413) 528-6888 or bidwellhouse@gmail.com.
–E.E.