Berkshire Pulse to perform at Simon’s Rock May 28–29
GREAT BARRINGTON — Berkshire Pulse will return to the McConnell Theatre at Simon’s Rock on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, at 3 p.m. with a range of diverse and inspiring performances for children and adults of all ages, exploring ballet, flamenco, modern, tap and more.
This year’s program will include a number of special features. Headlining the afternoon’s extravaganza is samba choreography by Luana Dias David accompanied by music led by Tarcisco Ramos Dos Santos in conjunction with Berkshire Bateria and featuring Latinas413, Berkshire Pulse’s newest community partner.
Berkshire Pulse will also introduce a partnership with Andres Ramirez and the Funk Box Dance Studio, presenting hip hop breaking. Pulse’s Dance for Boys program will present a new work to honor its 15th anniversary. The program will also feature a number of student-choreographed works, including the Young Choreographers Workshop and Young Choreographers Initiative (YCI). Senior dancers and YCI members Rubielle Nejaime and Cecilia Kitross will premiere their original solo choreography.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the Pulse Tuition Assistance Program, making it possible for everyone to experience the year-round programs Pulse offers.
—A.K.
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Lauren Clark Fine Art to present annual season-opening show
GREAT BARRINGTON — Lauren Clark Fine Art will present its season-opening exhibit from May 28–June 18, with a reception Saturday, May 28 from 5-7 p.m.
This year, the gallery welcomes Great Barrington artist Jan Conn and Los Angeles artist Kauru Mansour. Abby DuBow, a mainstay of the gallery, will show her latest paintings on paper — a departure from her well known monotypes and monoprints. Fan favorite Geoffrey Moss will also unveil his latest works — drawings and paintings of de-constructed Shaker implements and objects informed by Bauhaus principles.
—A.K.
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Local organization collecting menstrual supplies for Period Poverty Awareness Week
GREAT BARRINGTON — The pandemic has exacerbated an under-the-radar health disparity, “period poverty” — the lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, and/or waste management. It surprises many to learn that this is a problem all over Berkshire County.
The Berkshire County Period Project launched in 2021 with a push to inform the community and a drive to collect supplies. The Project asks that people purchase menstrual supplies when they are at the grocery store or drug store, and drop them off between May 21–28 in specially marked boxes at one of four Great Barrington collection sites:
- Mason Library in Great Barrington, porch on Dresser Ave.
- The Fairview Hospital lobby
- Berkshire South Community Center
- Hevreh of Southern Berkshire lobby
Menstrual supplies are not covered by any government programs that purport to cover basic necessities, nor are they available free in restrooms (as toilet paper, soap and towels are) so women are sometimes forced to choose between these supplies and other essential needs for themselves or their families. Two prominent groups that face “period poverty” are students and homeless women and girls. Incarcerated women also face difficulty obtaining adequate supplies. Older women often lack funds for other feminine hygiene needs.
Around the world, many young girls miss school while menstruating due to lack of supplies and lack of privacy in restrooms, in addition to cultural or social stigma they may face. In the United States women struggle to achieve adequate menstrual hygiene because they sometimes cannot afford menstrual supplies – which can cost $10-$15 per month. Research has shown that 1 in 5 women in the U.S. report difficulty obtaining menstrual supplies every year, and 20% of low-income women report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.
Linda Baxter, a retired local midwife, was moved to start this project after learning about this often-overlooked issue. “I was aware of the difficulties faced by women in low-income countries,” she said, “but I was a bit surprised to learn that the problem exists here in Berkshire County, as well. Anne Hutchinson at the Great Barrington Food Pantry reports that menstrual supplies “go out as fast as they come in.”
Supplies collected by the Period Project will be distributed to the Great Barrington Food Pantry, RSYP, CHP’s Family Center and the Elizabeth Freeman women’s shelter.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Theatre Group to receive $10,000 NEA grant
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) has been approved for a $10,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts to support its production of “B.R.O.K.E.N code B.I.R.D switching.” BTG’s project is among 1,125 projects across America totaling more than $26.6 million that were selected during this second round of Grants for Arts Projects fiscal year 2022 funding.
The play’s author, Tara L. Wilson Noth, said the play “is a story of race and identity, of promise and purpose… but perhaps more importantly, it is the story of the potency of being seen …When we truly see each other, we can begin an honest dialogue.”
Play Synopsis: After unbearable loss, a grieving attorney takes a pro bono case representing a black teenager accused of murder. When an alluring stranger steps in to help, she is left questioning who she is and what she wants. While fighting for the young man’s innocence, she is forced to confront the devastating truth about marriage, race and the woman she has chosen to be. “B.R.O.K.E.N code B.I.R.D switching” is a play about the choices we make and the unspoken lies we tell ourselves to make peace with those choices.
Directed by Kimille Howard, the play will have its world premiere at the Unicorn Theatre on Berkshire Theatre Group’s Stockbridge campus June 23–July 9.
Previews: Thursday, June 23 & Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m.
Opening/Press Night: Saturday, June 25 at 7 p.m.
Sensory-friendly performance: Tuesday, July 5 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $56; Preview tickets: $45; Sensory-friendly performance: $15
—A.K.
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Lime Rock Park to host Little Guild Mutt Show
LAKEVILLE, Conn. — The Little Guild’s Great Country Mutt Show will take place at Lime Rock Park on Sunday, June 5, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and will be held rain or shine. The Mutt Show is a Westminster-style dog show that celebrates all breeds and creeds. Competitive categories include Cutest Carry-On, Sweetest Pair of Dogs, Best Ears, Waggiest Tail, Best Paw Shake, Best Trick, Most Unidentifiable Mix, Dog That Looks Most Like Its Owner, Best Senior, and Best Lap Dog Over 40 Pounds.
New to the show this year is a Pet and Parent Fashion Show that will be judged by Michael Musto and Mickey Boardman. Musto is the longtime columnist for the Village Voice, which has returned with Musto prominently on board. He has also written for Vanity Fair and the New York Times, penned four books, won eight Glam Awards for Best Writer, and is currently streaming in docs on Netflix, FX, Amazon Prime, and Showtime. Mickey Boardman, aka Mr. Mickey, is the editorial director of Paper Magazine, as well as a humanitarian and self-described shopaholic.
Returning this year as a judge is Connecticut State Representative Maria Horn, with Richard Schlesinger as the Master of Ceremonies. Schlesinger is an Emmy Award-winning news correspondent known for his work on “48 Hours” and “CBS News Sunday Morning.” New to the show will be theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni as one of the judges. Berloni was just 20 years old when he found a rescue dog to train to play Sandy in the original production of “Annie,” beginning his commitment to train rescue animals for Broadway, the New York City Ballet, motion pictures, television, commercials, and more.
Outside of the rings there will be live music by the Joint Chiefs, a silent auction, and food available from Ben & Jerry’s, Greenhouse Tavern, Lemongrass Grill and Lime Rock Park, as well as local brews from Great Falls Brewery.
—A.K.
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Ventfort Hall announces summer Tuesday Talks lineup
LENOX — Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum announces a lineup of 12 Tuesday Talks at the Mansion, scheduled for Tuesdays at 4 p.m. from June 14–August 30. Most speakers will appear in person, with a few appearing via Zoom.
The series is sponsored in part by Ventfort Hall board member Lucille Landa and William Landa. Admission per person is to be decided. Tickets will go on sale in May. Scheduled talks and speakers listed below.
- June 14: A Dirty Year: Sex, Suffrage and Scandal in Gilded Age New York, Bill Greer
- June 21: Before HBO’s “Gilded Age,” Jennifer Huberdeau
- June 28: Elm Court: The Berkshires Estate of Emily Vanderbilt & William Sloane, Gary Lawrance
- July 5: Life and Work of Addison Mizner, Rene Silvin
- July 12: Cecil Beaton: Famed British Photographer, Hugo Vickers
- July 19: The Gilded Age Rises Again in Troy, NY, Kathy Sheehan
- July 26: Forgotten Trailblazing Women of Lenox’s Gilded Age: Jennie Van DerZee Welcome, Painter, Filmmaker & Entrepreneur, Nannina Gilder
- August 2: Architects of an American Landscape: The Interwoven Careers of H.H. Richardson and F.L. Olmsted, Hugh Howard
- August 9: TBD
- August 16: The Gilded Age in Fact and Fiction, Carol Wallace
- August 23: Hair and Makeup of the Gilded Age, Kate Baisley
- August 30: ‘A part I never rehearsed’: The unscripted role of the First Lady, Amy Russo
—A.K.
