‘The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show’ a family-friendly Halloween celebration
Stockbridge — The Trustees of Reservations has announced “The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show,” a month-long family-friendly celebration of fall and Halloween at Naumkeag. “The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show” will open Thursday, Oct. 3, and feature over 400 jack-o-lanterns, more than 1,000 pumpkins and gourds, and slightly spooky surprises.
The gardens will be decorated with hundreds of pumpkins grown on the Naumkeag farm plus botanical arrangements, lights and more. Guests will encounter a vortex tunnel, smoke bubbles, a woodland village, a bonfire for s’mores, and concessions. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of programs and experiences taking place on various dates in October, including the kid-friendly Pumpkin Trail; “The Creepy Crawly Live Animal Show” with Rick Roth from Creature Teachers; the clairvoyant talents of Keith Zalinger; live-action Clue with suspects based on the story of the Choate family; the Naumkeag Haunted House; and trick-or-treating. In addition, on Thursday evenings this fall, Naumkeag will have live music and a bonfire by its Snack Shack concession stand from 6 to 8 p.m.
“The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show” will run from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday Oct. 3-24, and Oct. 27-31, 4-8:30pm. Tickets are $9 for members, $15 for nonmembers, and free for children under age 12. Some individual shows and programs have separate ticket prices. For tickets and a complete schedule of events, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Naumkeag at (413) 298-3239 or naumkeag@thetrustees.org.
–E.E.
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The Foundry to welcome McQueen
West Stockbridge — The Foundry will welcome McQueen Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
One-man show extraordinaire McQueen creates a new universe of original songs, comedy voiceovers and visuals with every live show. In his all-new live show, McQueen performs tracks from his debut album “BLACK CAT,” complete with original visuals for an audio and video adventure as the strange world in his head comes to life through a dreamscape of sight and sound. The creator of the hit Comedy Central original digital series “Heads Will Roll,” McQueen has also headlined a Funny Or Die tour; appeared at venues in New York City and Los Angeles; and performed at festivals including the New York Comedy Festival, SF Sketchfest, Moogfest and Waking Windows.
Tickets are $15. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Foundry at (413) 232-5222 or info@thefoundryws.com.
–E.E.
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Mason Library to screen ‘Double Take’
Great Barrington — The Friends of the Great Barrington Libraries will screen the documentary film “Double Take: The Art of Elizabeth King” Saturday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mason Library.
The 61-minute unrated film explores the sculpture and stop-action animator’s creative flow, curiosity, and obsessive drive to solve the inevitable series of artistic and technical problems that arise in creating her disconcerting sculptures and animations. King had an exhibition called “Radical Small” at MASS MoCA in 2017-18.
The event is part of the Friends’ First Saturday Free Film Series and will begin with a wine and cheese social at 7 p.m. More socializing and community discussion will follow the film until 10 p.m. The film does not reflect endorsement or advocacy for any particular point of view by the library or the town of Great Barrington. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Mason Library at (413) 528-2403.
–E.E.
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Artful Mind Gallery to present ‘Realities Beyond the Surface’
Housatonic — The Artful Mind Gallery will host an opening reception for its “Realities Beyond the Surface” show Saturday, Oct. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Grown from a love for questioning the boundaries of their particular artistic fields, the works on exhibit reveal how each of the artists responds to and translates their shared and individual environments. The show features Berkshire artists Carl Berg, Susan Geller, Ghetta Hirsch, Sean McCusker, Mark Mellinger, Carolyn Newberger, Anna Oliver, Jennifer Pazienza, Janet Pumphrey, Mary Carol Rudin and Bruce Shickmanter.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 854-4400.
–E.E.
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Hotchkiss Philharmonic to perform free concert
Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, Conn. — The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra will open its first season Friday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m. with a gala concert in Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center, at the Hotchkiss School. Under the baton of Spanish conductor Marc Moncusí, the concert will feature cellist and current Hotchkiss student Noam Ginsparg as well as pianist Fabio Witkowski, chair of Hotchkiss’ visual and performing arts department. The all-Tchaikovsky program includes Capriccio Italien, op. 45; Variations on a Rococo Theme, op. 33 for cello and orchestra; and Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, op. 23.
The Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 2018 through the generosity of Hotchkiss alumna Barbara Walsh Hostetter ’77 and her husband, Amos. The orchestra combines professional musicians with Hotchkiss music students, giving the students the opportunity to work and perform alongside world-class artists.
The concert is free and open to the public. Seating is first come, first served. For more information, contact the Hotchkiss School at (860) 435-2591.
–E.E.
