The Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives opens Homeland: Stockbridge-Munsee Artists’ exhibit featuring artists Rebecca Burr, Reva Fuhrman, and Terri O’Connor
Stockbridge— On Friday, September 8th, the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives opens “Homeland: Stockbridge-Munsee Artists” exhibit featuring artists Rebecca Burr, Reva Fuhrman, and Terri O’Connor.
Rebecca Burr is exhibiting her oil on canvas paintings. Burr’s work covers a variety of styles and subject matter. Commissions for home and office have included landscapes, abstracts, modern art, and Native American art. Burr is a member of the Mohican tribe and a self-taught artist since age 12. Growing up on the Red River in Wisconsin, which is where she lives today, she developed a personal connection with Mother Earth that resonates throughout her work. Inspiration for her mountain themes comes from the time when she lived in the Sierra Nevada Mountains where her son was born.
Reva Fuhrman, is an enrolled member of the Stockbridge Munsee Tribe, retired, and living on the Stockbridge Munsee reservation. Reva has been seriously beading for 23 years, first starting at age16. She is also part Iroquois and does the raised Iroquois beadwork as well as flat beadwork which was customary for the Mohican/Lenape people. She has studied beadwork from many tribes over the years. She creates her own base patterns and looks at images of historical beadwork and then creates her own rendition which is pleasing to her eye. Fuhman has several items in collections in the New York State Museum and also in Phillipse Manor Hall State Historic Site in Yonkers, N.Y. She was chosen by the Wisconsin Arts Board to teach apprentices how to bead from 2016 – 2019.
Stockbridge-Munsee artist Terri O’Connor is an enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Band, located in Bowler Wisconsin. Growing up on the Stockbridge Indian Reservation has given her a special outlook into the Native ways which she wants to bring out into the world through her work. Her art is a reflection of her heritage and is based on the lifestyle of a generation wrapped in their passion of honor and hope. She is deeply inspired by Native Powwows which are a celebration and gathering of people to honor and give praise for all we are blessed with. Terri O’Connor is also a participant of the United States Department of Interior Indian Arts and Crafts Board where she assists with the promotion of authentic Native American arts and crafts.
The exhibit opens today, Friday, September 8th at the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives on Man Street in Stockbridge. More information can be found online.
Organized by volunteer curator Terry Wise, the exhibit has been underwritten by the Stockbridge Cultural Council and Berkshire Bank. The display in the Museum & Archives downstairs lobby was arranged by Talya Leodari and India Spartz.
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Pittsfield ‘Let It Shine!’ public art partnership presents the ‘Let It Shine! Block Party’
Pittsfield— On Saturday, September 9th from noon to 6 p.m., the Pittsfield “Let It Shine!” public art partnership presents the “Let It Shine! Block Party”, a community celebration celebrating eight new murals in Pittsfield.
The celebration will feature self-guided tours of the mural sites and a block party for all ages with live music and entertainment, community art making, games, and food vendors. There will also be an opportunity to meet mural artists Cara Petricca, Trinity Rivard, Pops Peterson, and Jasmine Sade.
At 2 p.m., the Westside Legends will host a special unveiling of “Wings” and “Two Colors of Water” by Pops Peterson and “Memory Lane” by Jasmine Sade at the Riverside Sitting Park. There will be an opportunity to meet both artists during this event.
“Let It Shine! Block Party” attendees will be able to pick up a map at the block party to follow a self-guided tour of the mural sites, or they can download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of all murals downtown and in the West Side neighborhood of Pittsfield.
The community celebration is on Saturday, September 9th from noon to 6 p.m. at Palace Park at the Cooper Center at 116 North Street in Pittsfield. Visit downtownpittsfield.com or follow @DowntownPittsfield on Facebook and Instagram for block party updates.
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Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield, presents a Lich Gate Concert in the Sheffield Park
Sheffield— On Saturday, September 16th at 4 p.m., Christ Trinity Church in Sheffield, presents a Lich Gate Concert in the Sheffield Park.
Artistic Director and Violinist Jorge Ávila has programmed a dazzling program of chamber music for string quartet, including works by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, also known as the “Black Mozart” (Caribbean-French, 1745-1799); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austrian, 1756- 1791); Jessie Montgomery (American, born in 1981); and Johannes Brahms (German, 1833-1897), featuring violinists Jorge Ávila and Rachel Handman, violist Orlando Wells, and cellist Sarah Hewitt-Roth.
Hailed as a strong violinist by The New York Times, Honduran-born Jorge Ávila has won attention as an outstanding soloist, recitalist, Concertmaster, and chamber musician. A recipient of many awards and honors, Jorge received his green card under the “Extraordinary talent” category, later becoming a U.S. citizen. He was awarded First Prize at the 2001 Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Competition and the “Omar del Carlo” Fellowship at The Tanglewood Music Center. Jorge is the Concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony, Distinguished Concerts International New York, and Sacred Music in a Sacred Space series.
The virtuosity and improvisational ability of violinist Rachel Handman appears in many musical forms, including Classical, bluegrass, Irish, pop and folk. Broadway credits include Dr. Zhivgo, Something Rotten!, Miss Saigon, Carousel, and West Side Story. A member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, she is also Associate Concertmaster of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. She has toured Mexico with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas, and Germany with the shows My Fair Lady and On the Town. She is a Resident Visiting Artist at Music at Port Milford Chamber Music Festival in Milford, Ontario.
Violist Orlando Wells attended the State University of New York at Purchase as a double major on violin and viola, and continued his studies at the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey, in the studio of Michael Tree. Among the many ensembles with which Orlando has played are the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra, Radio City Christmas Spectacular Orchestra, Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra, Musica Sacra, New York Oratorio Society, Antara Chamber Orchestra, and the Ritz Chamber Players in Jacksonville, Florida.
Praised for her “golden, beautifully singing” playing by Opera News, cellist Sarah Hewitt-Roth has traveled throughout Europe and the U. S., performing with Philharmonia Virtuosi and The New York Chamber Soloists. She is a member of the New York Pops Orchestra, and a regular performer at Carnegie Hall as Assistant Principal Cellist of the New York City Chamber Orchestra. Sarah has held cello chairs in 13 shows on Broadway and is currently performing in the lush Lincoln Center production of Camelot.
Lich Gate Concerts strives to bring live chamber music concerts in beautiful settings in the Southern Berkshires. Why “Lich Gate” Concerts? A lich gate is a covered gateway found at the entrance to a traditional English or English-style churchyard. It marks the transition from the secular world into the sacred. This concert series seeks to transport us from every-day life into the realm of music, which has the power to speak directly to our souls.
The performance is on Saturday, September 16th at 4 p.m. at the Pavilion at Sheffield Town Park on Frederic Lane in Sheffield. Pavilion tickets are $40, lawn tickets are $20, and children under 18 are free on the lawn with an adult. Through CardToCulture, EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive free admission to all performances. Reservations and more information can be found online. For ticketing questions, email Tickets@LichGateConcerts.org.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Sheffield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
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The Fourth Annual Lenox Jazz Stroll brings the swing to Lilac Park
Lenox— On Saturday, September 16th, the Mill Town Foundation, Berkshires Jazz, Inc., and the Lenox Chamber of Commerce present the fourth annual Lenox Jazz Stroll.
Welcoming all ages, this free event includes performances by nationally recognized musicians along with Berkshire favorites. The main event for the Lenox Jazz Stroll will be held at Lilac Park on Saturday, September 16th kicking off with Wanda Houston at 1 p.m. followed by The Lucky 5, the Michael Junkins Group, and the Scott Robinson Quartet.
Additional events include a kick-off concert with the Peggy Stern Trio on Friday, September 15 at 6 p.m., along with Saturday evening performances throughout downtown Lenox at local restaurants including the Benny Kohn Trio at Pizzeria Boema from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Ted Rosenthal Trio at Gateways Inn from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Since its inception in 2020, the Lenox Jazz Stroll has become a staple of the fall music scene,” said Andy Wrba, Program Manager, Mill Town Foundation. “The combination of world-class musicians, local artists, and wonderful community partners creating together results in what makes the Berkshires such a beautiful place to live, work, and play.”
The stroll is on Saturday, September 16th at Lilac Park on Main Street in Lenox. Updates and details, including rain locations, can be found at www.lenoxjazzstroll.com and www.milltownfoundation.org/events-lenox- jazz-stroll.
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Arrowhead Community Day
Pittsfield— On Saturday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is Arrowhead Community Day.
Arrowhead Community Day is a free day of food, fun, music, history, hands-on activities, traditional craft demonstrations, and more. Revolutionary War reenactors will be interpreting camp life, and visitors are encouraged to speak with participants about their activities and everyday life during the war. Drills will be performed, along with three separate musket demonstrations throughout the day. There will also be blacksmithing and paper-making demonstrations.
Refreshments for purchase will be provided by Worthington’s Worthy Q Smoke n’ BBQ food truck and SoCo Creamery. In addition, Berkshire Cider Project will offer free tastings and bottled cider for sale.
The free community day is on Saturday, September 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Arrowhead on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Tours of the house itself are not included but will be viable through ticket purchase. More information can be found online.
This event is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union, Massachusetts Cultural Council.
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Enjoy a fall wagon ride at Hildene
Manchester— On Sundays through October 22nd, take in the awe-inspiring beauty of fall in Vermont while getting a tour of all that Hildene Farm offers via an open-air wagon ride.
Join farm manager-educators, Ann and Kim, who will lead each group and answer questions along the way. Learn about Hildene’s diverse natural and cultivated ecosystems and sustainable farming practices. Swing by the greenhouse and through the hayfields and orchard. View the impressive wetland from the overlook. Find out about the songbird sanctuary, apiary, and the estate’s closed-loop composting system. Tour the animal barn where you’ll find alpaca, Randall, plus cattle, pigs, sheep, rabbits, chickens, and ducks, and end at the organic vegetable and flower gardens.
The tours run on Sundays through October 22nd at 1 p.m. The cost is $60 for a group of up to four people; $10 for each additional member, up to 12. Rides last approximately 2 hours. Pre-registration is required at least 48 hours in advance. To pre-register, email stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960. For more information and calendar listings, visit www.hildene.org.
