Monday, February 10, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: West Stockbridge Chamber Players winter concert; Midnight Choir at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge; Giant robot animals at the Springfield Museums; Ghent Playhouse presents ‘Xingu’; ‘Pittsfield People’s March’ for human rights; Q-MoB speed dating; Great Barrington Arts Market winter markets

The program, curated by Hudgins with her usual ear for the unusual, is a fascinating mix of well-known and path-breaking works.

West Stockbridge Chamber Players winter concert

West Stockbridge— On Sunday, January 19th at 4 p.m., the West Stockbridge Chamber Players present their winter concert. 

This acclaimed ensemble will feature the Chamber Players’ artistic director Catherine Hudgins on clarinet, Sheila Fiekowsky on violin, Lisa Crockett on violin, Daniel Getz on viola, and Adam Esbensen on cello.

The program, curated by Hudgins with her usual ear for the unusual, is a fascinating mix of well-known and path-breaking works, including Franz Liszt’s “Am Grabe Richard Wagners, S. 135”; Amy Beach’s “String Quartet, Op. 89”; Jesse Montgomery’s “Source Code,” and Bernard Herrmann’s “Souvenirs de voyage.”

This will be the 42nd benefit concert the Chamber Players have given since the campaign to restore the Old Town Hall was launched fifteen years ago, and the effort is now nearing its ultimate goal of creating a community center that offers year-round programming, a history museum, and a permanent home for the Chamber Players.

The concert is on Sunday, January 19th at 4 p.m. at Old Town Hall, located at 9 Main Street in West Stockbridge. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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Midnight Choir at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge

Pittsfield— On Sunday, January 19th from 10 a.m. to noon, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents Midnight Choir for Domingo Brunch. 

Bluegrass endures because of bands like Midnight Choir that see limitless possibilities in the blending of mandolin, guitar, bass, and voice. The twang and tenderness of the southern mountains whispers through the melodies of their new collection of original songs.

Midnight Choir. Courtesy Dottie’s Coffee Lounge.

The performance is on Sunday, January 19th from 10 a.m. to noon at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, located at 444 North Street in Pittsfield. A full brunch menu will be available. More information can be found online. 

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Giant robot animals at the Springfield Museums

Springfield— From January 18th through May 4th, the Springfield Museums presents The Robot Zoo at the Springfield Science Museum. 

Based on the book “The Robot Zoo,” this special exhibition features three enormous robot animals that illustrate fascinating real life animal characteristics, revealing the magic of nature as a master engineer. The larger-than-life-size animated robots include a chameleon, a platypus, and a house fly with a three-foot wingspread. Machinery in the robots simulates the body parts of their real-life counterparts. In these robot animals, muscles become pistons, intestines become filtering pipes, and brains become computers. By comparing anatomy, environments, and size of the actual creatures to their mechanical counterparts, The Robot Zoo provides fantastic new insights into how animals work.

Courtesy Springfield Museums.

The exhibit runs from January 18th through May 4th at the Springfield Science Museum, located at 21 Edwards Street in Springfield. More information can be found online. 

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Ghent Playhouse presents ‘Xingu’

Ghent, N.Y.— On January 18th at 4 p.m. and January 19th at 2 p.m., the Ghent Playhouse presents a staged reading of “Xingu.”

“Xingu” is an adapted version of Edith Wharton’s short story satirizing a snobby ladies’ literary lunch group. 

Courtesy Ghent Playhouse.

The performances are on January 18th at 4 p.m. and January 19th at 2 p.m. at the Ghent Playhouse, located at 6 Town Hall Place in Ghent, N.Y. Tickets and more information can be found online. 

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‘Pittsfield People’s March’ for human rights

Pittsfield— On Saturday, January 18th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Western MA 4 the Future will host the Pittsfield People’s March, an inspiring community event aimed at promoting human rights, at Park Square. 

Courtesy Western MA 4 the Future.

This march is designed to bring people together to raise awareness and promote the fundamental rights of all people. The event is open to all members of the public, welcoming participants of all ages and backgrounds to stand in solidarity for human rights. Attendees will be joined by local leaders, activists, and organizations offering their support for the cause of human dignity and justice. Following the march, those who wish to address the populace with short speeches and effective words of unanimity will have an opportunity to do so.

At 11:15 a.m., marchers will begin the footpath from Park Square up North Street to Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, and then circle back to Park Square. Those unable to walk are encouraged to remain at Park Square during the march. Participants are encouraged to bring handheld signs and noisemakers, as well as art supplies to assist those wishing to make their own displays on site.

The march is on Saturday, January 18th from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Park Square, located at 1 Bank Row in Pittsfield. More information can be found online. 

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Q-MoB intergenerational speed dating

Pittsfield— On Saturday, January 18th at 4:30 p.m., Q-MoB presents an intergenerational speed dating event.

Join queer men (ages 18 & up) from all over the region. Spend five minutes getting to know a man and then decide whether you want to let him know at the end of the evening if he is a match for networking, dating, mentoring, or friendship.

Courtesy Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

The event is hosted by Tom Truss, a locally famous performance artist, actor, dancer, director, choreographer, and playwright, who is also a Certified Internal Family Systems Counselor and Certified Alexander Technique Instructor. Truss loves empowering people to acknowledge and harmonize with the many internal and external stories that make our lives work or a living hell, depending on how we harmonize and respect all the parts of our evolving story. And, he is looking to meet an interesting date.

The 18+ event is on Saturday, January 18th at 4:30 p.m. at Hot Plate Brewing Co., located at 1 School Street in Pittsfield. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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Great Barrington Arts Market winter markets

Great Barrington— On Sundays from January 19th through February 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Great Barrington Arts Market presents its winter market, a curated handmade market featuring the finest local and regional artisan products.

The market will feature a rotating roster of local and regional artists, GBAM Winter events offer market goers a chance to shop a finely curated collection of handmade products and support the local artist community at the same time. 2025 participating artists include JK Custom Furniture and Design, Karema Deodato Millinery, Aaron Meshon Illustration, Hettle, Brosge Clothing, Breakout Press Co., Harry Levenstein Pottery, and many others in media including ceramics, skincare, jewelry, textile/clothing design, woodworking, painting, printmaking, and fiber arts.

Courtesy Great Barrington Arts Market.

Great Cape Baking Company will be at the January market offering their signature handmade donuts, coffee drinks, and light lunch. Ayakito Japanese Kitchen will be at the February market offering authentic Japanese rice balls and delicious side dishes. 

The free event is on January 19th through February 16th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Saint James Place, located at 352 Main Street in Great Barrington. More information can be found online. 

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.