Indigenous culture and history explored at OLLI University Days
Pittsfield — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College is presenting a multidisciplinary series of programs focused on the culture and history of Indigenous peoples of the Northeast to be held from August 26 through September 29. We Are Still Here: Indigenous Peoples of the Northeast includes concerts and art shows by Indigenous artists, tours of historic sites with emphasis on connections with the Indigenous community, guided reading groups focused on books by Indigenous authors of the Northeast, and four online lectures.
All aspects of We Are Still Here will include Indigenous leaders. OLLI is partnering with a variety of local non-profits, Berkshire Community College, and the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area to ensure a broad audience.
The OLLI University Days on Indigenous People of the Northeast will be held at various locations throughout Berkshire County. All events are free except for the Hawk Henries concert on September 8. Space is limited for some events. To register for events, and to view the complete program, visit: berkshireolli.org/universitydays2022. For more information, call 413.236.2190.
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Laurel Hill Day 2022 to celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted
Stockbridge— At this weekend’s “Laurel Hill Day,” Laurel Hill Association will present special programs celebrating the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, the founder of American landscape architecture.
Laurel Hill Association (LHA) is the oldest civic beautification organization in the country, founded in 1853 by Stockbridge resident Mary Hopkins. Today, LHA continues to work to improve the quality of life and of the environment in Stockbridge, and maintains public land and beautification efforts for residents to enjoy.
Laurel Hill Day 2022 will feature a keynote by the President of the National Association of Olmsted Parks, Anne ‘Dede’ Petri, titled, “The Genius of the Place: A Look at Frederick Law Olmsted” Olmstead is responsible for over 40 projects throughout the Berkshires, and championed the idea that parks ought to be accessible to everyone, not merely the elite.
The weekend’s events begin on Friday, August 26, with a 5:30 p.m. panel discussion titled Olmsted and the Berkshires. This event is already sold out, but interested parties can contact LHA if they wish to be added to the waitlist. The event will be held at the Red Lion Inn in the Hitchcock Room.
Saturday’s events will be held at Laurel Hill Park, and will begin at 1 p.m. with activities for children, including games, Children’s Procession and a scavenger hunt. Register your child in the scavenger hunt at this link
At 2 p.m., the Laurel Hill Day program will begin with an invocation by a Munsee Stockbridge Tribe member and music by the Berkshire Brass. The keynote by Dede Petri is a part of the national celebration of Olmsted 200, recognizing the enduring contributions of Frederick law Olmsted to the American landscape. This free event is held rain or shine.
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Harry Conklin Fund for Farmsteads Concert Series: Time on Fire and Revival Revival
Egremont— A Friday night concert at the Egremont Barn will raise funds for affordable farmland. The event, beginning at 8 p.m., will open with Time on Fire, a local country rock band which will be celebrating its album release party on this night as well! The rest of the night will feature Troy, New York’s Revival Revival, playing the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival and other classic rock hits.
The Harry Conklin Fund for Farmsteads, which the concert will benefit, was founded when Colfax Farm lost its lease in 2021. This highlighted the land insecurity faced by many Berkshire farmers who are essential to shaping a resilient local food system in a time of climate change. Through community donations, the fund acquires farmland to lease to a local farmer for growing and housing. The first leaseholder will be Molly Comstock of Colfax Farms. Donations made at this concert will go directly to help save Berkshire farmland and find a new home for Molly Comstock and Colfax Farm.
Tickets are $20, and additional donations are appreciated. For more information about the concert and Fund for Farmsteads, email farms@berkshirecommunitylandtrust.org
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Shakespeare & Company talk on Golden Leaf Rag Time Blues
Lenox — Shakespeare & Company’s Free Friday Talks continue under the tent at the Rose Footprint Theatre, with a discussion of Golden Leaf Rag Time Blues on Friday, August 26, at 10:30 a.m.
Golden Leaf Rag Time Blues, opening at Shakespeare & Co on September 23, tells the story of a young African American boy and an aging vaudevillian thrown together in circumstances beyond their control. The play explores their unusual connection, as discovered through stories and music.
Hosted by educator and member of Shakespeare & Volunteer Company Ann Berman, Free Friday Talks examine various themes surrounding many of the 2022 Season’s titles, featuring directors, design team members, and others at each presentation.
“In each talk, I provide an introduction: main characters and plot points, but no spoilers, and a history of the play’s origin and previous performances,” she explained. “Or, I might have a question about something like how music suggested in the text influences the design of a production. That’s definitely a question I have about Golden Leaf Rag Time Blues.”
There is no charge for Free Friday Talks, however tickets are required, and donations are accepted. In the event of inclement weather, an indoor location will be chosen, and ticket holders notified via email. For more information, visit shakespeare.org.
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Norfolk Library hosts annual book sale
Norfolk, Conn. — The Norfolk Library Annual Book Sale will be held on August 27-28 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thousands of organized books, ranging from current fiction to cookbooks to children’s literature will be for sale on the Village Green across from the library. Specially selected rare and high-value books will also be on sale inside the library building.
Starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday, books under the tent will be free, and hours will extend until 9 p.m. At 9 p.m., all books not taken will be donated to Discover Books.
Books may be purchased using cash, check, or credit card, and proceeds will benefit the Norfolk Library Associates and support the Library’s free programs.
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Dark Side of the Moon: A Pink Floyd Tribute by The Machine
Great Barrington — On Saturday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m., Pink Floyd tribute band The Machine will perform on the Summer Stage at Ski Butternut. The New York-based quartet performs a diverse mix of The Floyd’s extensive 16-album repertoire, complete with faithful renditions of popular hits as well as obscure gems. Saturday’s performance will feature the album Dark Side of The Moon plus other hits.
The Machine has sold out theaters, premier showcase rooms and casinos across North America, Europe and Asia, performed at renowned music festivals such as Bonnaroo, Riverbend, and Gathering of the Vibes, and shared the stage with full symphony orchestras, including the Atlanta, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Charlotte and San Diego Symphonies, as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic.
The opening act, Lobsterz from Marz, will play at 5 p.m. Lobsterz from Marz is New England’s Longest Running Grateful Dead Cover Band, playing music for 38 years.
Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $28, and can be purchased here.
