Bits & Bytes: Copich at Norman Rockwell Museum; Maplefest at Williams; ‘Lady Randy’ at Ventfort Hall; call for women artists

Photographer Copich to speak at Norman Rockwell Museum

Stockbridge — In celebration of International Women’s Day, Norman Rockwell Museum will team up with Berkshire Magazine Thursday, March 8, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to present an evening with award-winning photographer Susan Copich.

Copich is known for her 2014 conceptual series “Domestic Bliss,” which gave voice to inner darkness while examining family life in a humorous context.

“Her art inspires consideration of familial and female roles through irony, metaphor, and dark, edgy commentary,” said Berkshire Magazine editor Anastasia Stanmeyer, who will provide commentary during the event. Copich’s “then he forgot my name” series will be featured in the magazine’s spring issue. The event will further explore Copich’s work during a conversation with Copich led by NRM director Laurie Norton Moffatt.

A reception will follow the program, which is free for NRM members or included with museum admission. For more information, contact NRM at (413) 298-4100.

–E.E.

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Williams College to host annual Maplefest

Williamstown — Williams College’s Hopkins Memorial Forest, at the junction of Bulkley Street and Northwest Hill Road, will host its annual Maplefest celebration Saturday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will be able to observe and take part in the process of producing maple syrup.

Maplefest attendees will be able to visit a working sugar house, observe the finishing and bottling of the final product, tap trees, gather sap, and taste homemade syrup on pancakes and “sugar on snow.” In addition there will be demonstrations of old-time evaporating methods, a taste test, videos and more.

The event is free to the public, appropriate for people of all ages and will be held regardless of the weather. For building locations on the Williams campus, consult the online map or call the Office of Communications at (413) 597-4277.

–E.E.

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‘Lady Randy’ staged reading at Ventfort Hall

Anne Undeland

Lenox — Actress and playwright Anne Undeland and Broadway actor Mark Zeisler will present a staged reading of Undeland’s new play, “Lady Randy,” at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum Sunday, March 11, at 3 p.m.

Developed in the Berkshire Playwrights Lab’s Berkshire Voices writers group, “Lady Randy” relays the story of Jennie Jerome, the daughter of a wealthy New York family, who married Lord Randolph Churchill. The two would become the parents of future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. In 1875, Lady Randolph Churchill seemed to have it all. She had just married into the British aristocracy and was beautiful, rich and fearless. “Lady Randy” takes a look at this woman as she navigates the often treacherous sexual and political landscape of her marriage.

Mark Zeisler

Undeland is a Shakespeare & Company-trained actress who has also performed with Mixed Company, Austen Riggs Center’s Riggs Theatre 37, Castle Hill Theater, Barrington Stage Company and Capital Repertory Theatre. She was also a recurring voice in BBC radio plays by Gregory Whitehead.

Zeisler was a company member at American Repertory Theater who has appeared in “The Tempest” at Shakespeare & Company as well as in regional theater across the country. He has acted in the television shows “Castle Rock,” “House of Cards,” “The Good Wife” and others and in films including “Random Hearts,” “Shaft” and “The Thomas Crown Affair.” In 1998 Zeisler appeared on Broadway in “A View from the Bridge,” a Tony Award winner for Best Revival.

Tickets are $25. For more information or to make reservations, contact Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or info@gildedage.org.

–E.E.

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‘Viva La Femme!’ exhibit calls for women artists

Great Barrington — L’Atelier Berkshires has announced an open call for women artists to participate in its spring exhibition “Vive La Femme!”, which will celebrate women and the arts. The exhibition will run from Saturday, April 7, through Thursday, May 31, and all media or art will be considered. Artwork may be submitted online by Sunday, March 18, with a curation fee of $35. For more information, contact L’Atelier Berkshires at (510) 469-5468 or natalie.tyler@atelierberks.com.

–E.E.