Friday, February 14, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: ‘The Course of True Love’ at Shakespeare & Company; Litchfield Jazz Valentine’s celebration; Love letter workshop at Scoville Memorial Library; February 14th Berkshire Green Drinks; Valentine’s Day at The Mahaiwe

Part of the company’s long Valentine’s Day tradition, the tour’s rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” underscores and illustrates the course of love with humor, chaos, and of course, romance.

Shakespeare & Company presents ‘The Course of True Love: A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Lenox— On Saturday, February 10th at 3 p.m., Shakespeare & Company presents “The Course of True Love: A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” a raucous romp that illustrates the course of love with humor, chaos, and of course, romance.

Part of the company’s long tradition of offering performances on or near Valentine’s Day, the tour’s rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” underscores and illustrates the course of love with humor, chaos, and of course, romance.

‘The Course of True Love: A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’

Directed by Tom Jaeger, this special performance is just one stop on an annual regional tour that sends productions of Shakespeare’s plays, along with a variety of related workshops, into middle and high schools, colleges, community centers, and other venues from February through May. There will be additional local performances including a sensory-friendly performance on Saturday, March 16th and an open-captioned performance on Saturday, April 20th. 

The performance is on Saturday, February 10th at 3 p.m. at the Tina Packer Playhouse at Shakespeare & Company on Kemble Street in Lenox. Tickets are $14 to $42. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Litchfield Jazz presents ‘Music From the Movies,’ a Valentine’s celebration with the Richard Baratta sextet

Litchfield, Conn.— On Friday, February 16th at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Litchfield Jazz presents ‘Music From the Movies,’ a Valentine’s celebration with the Richard Baratta sextet.

Grammy-nominated drummer, Richard Baratta, began his musical journey at 12, playing sax, flute and drums. Turning to drums exclusively in his teens he went on to play with Hal Galper, Johnny Hartman, John Stubblefield, Jack Wilkins, Peter LaBarbara, the Marvelettes, and others.

Grammy-nominated drummer, Richard Baratta.

In 1984, he changed careers and became a movie producer. Baratta worked on over 50 movies including “Joker,” “The Wolf Of Wallstreet,” five “Spiderman” movies, “Maid in Manhattan,” and  “Big.” In 2017 he returned to his first love, the drums, playing with Eric Alexander, Vincent Herring, Craig Handy, Walter Blanding, Marcus Printup, Gerald Cannon, Bill O’Connell, Emmett Cohen, Dave Kikoski, Mike LeDonne, Jerry Weldon, Rogerio Boccato, Mike Goetz, Paul Bollenback, Dave Stryker, Pat Bianchi, Essiet Essiet, and others. These days Rich is performing at venues across the US with his Gotham City Late Jazz Septet and the 3B’s.

The concerts are on Friday, February 16th at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Palace Theater’s Poli Club in Waterbury, Conn. Bring a sweetheart or a pal; “Valentines” and “Palentines” receive a special gift. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Scoville Memorial Library presents ‘Valentine’s Chocolate and Love Letters,’ a writing workshop with Laura Brown

Salisbury, Conn.— On Saturday, February 10th from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Scoville Memorial Library presents ‘Valentine’s Chocolate and Love Letters,’ a writing workshop with Laura Brown.

Join author Laura Brown for this literary adventure in the language of love. The workshop begins with an assortment of fine chocolates, coffee, tea, and sublime literary inspiration. Hear readings from renowned philosophers of love and savor lines from celebrated love letters. Then, with guidance and prompts from Laura Brown, you will write your own love letters to people, places, or things that stir your heart.

Laura Brown, author of ‘How to Write Anything.’

Laura Brown is the author of the Amazon #1 best seller “How to Write Anything: A Complete Guide.” She has over 25 years experience providing customized writing coaching. She taught writing and literature at Columbia University, holds an MA in Drama from the University of London, and a PhD in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

The workshop is on Saturday, February 10th from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Scoville Memorial Library on Main Street in Salisbury. It is open to all. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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Berkshire Green Drinks presents ‘Buds, Twigs, and Bark: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs in Winter’ with Chelsey Simmons

Berkshire— On Wednesday, February 14th at 6 p.m., Berkshire Green Drinks presents “Buds, Twigs, and Bark: How to Identify Trees and Shrubs in Winter,” a virtual presentation with Chelsey Simmons. 

Join Chelsey Simmons of Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) for the February Berkshire Green Drinks virtual event to explore the buds, twigs, and bark of common trees seen in our New England landscape. It may be surprising, but winter is an excellent time to learn how to identify woody plant species. The absence of leaves allows for the opportunity to take a closer look at the characteristics that are often overlooked, like the subtle features of a twig, the arrangement of buds, and the overall form and structure of a tree. Chelsey will go over the steps to tree identification, break down twig morphology, and give helpful hints on remembering one species from another — all of which will aid in tree and shrub identification year-round.

Chelsey Simmons, BEAT Programs Director.

Chelsey Simmons is the programs director for Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT.) As part of her work for BEAT, she leads numerous naturalist walks throughout Berkshire County year-round. For the past few years, she’s been working on an identification book of trees and shrubs found in western Massachusetts, meticulously drawing and painting each page by hand and sharing those pages with the public through BEAT’s “Tree of the Month” series with the hope of getting people excited about trees and interested in the native species found in our region.

The virtual presentation is on Wednesday, February 14th at 6 p.m. on Zoom. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online.

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The Mahaiwe presents a viewing of ‘When Harry Met Sally’ for Valentine’s Day

Great Barrington— On Wednesday, February 14th at 7 p.m., The Mahaiwe presents a viewing of “When Harry Met Sally” (1989 | R | 1h, 35 min.) for Valentine’s Day.

“When Harry Met Sally” follows two characters through 12 years of chance encounters and an evolving relationship. Written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner, the romantic comedy stars Billy Crystal opposite Meg Ryan.  

‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989 | R | 1h, 35 min.)

Gabe Napoleon, The Mahaiwe’s marketing and communications manager, said “Nora Ephron captures what I consider the best era of cinema in her ‘80s and ‘90s rom-coms. The medium-paced storytelling, rich but organic-feeling shots, and charming dialogue in ‘When Harry Met Sally’ make the perfect combination for a feel-good movie. Bring your friends or a special someone for a night out this February 14th.”

The viewing is on Wednesday, February 14th at 7 p.m. at The Mahaiwe Performing Art Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $8. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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