Elizabeth Freeman Center to offer Money School
Pittsfield — The Elizabeth Freeman Center will offer two new sessions of Money School, its five-week financial independence series for people impacted by domestic or sexual violence.
Money School is an award-winning financial independence initiative designed to create long-term safety and economic security for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. The series offers financial workshops, income resources, one-on-one financial coaches from local banks and more covering topics such as rebuilding credit, accessing benefits, building supports, getting by now and building toward a financial future. A $125 stipend will be offered as well as free dinner, childcare, networking with other resource providers in the community, and ongoing support.
A session in English is scheduled to run in North Adams on consecutive Tuesdays Feb. 27 through March 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. Another session in English is planned for Great Barrington in April. For more information or to register, contact Donna, Money School facilitator, at (413) 499-2425 x207 or donnal@elizabethfreemancenter.org. A session in Spanish will take place in Pittsfield on consecutive Thursdays March 8 through April 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Julian at (413) 663-7459 or julianb@elizabethfreemancenter.org.
–E.E.
* * *
The Messengers, Gospel Gang to hold fuel assistance benefit concert
Pittsfield — On Sunday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, the contemporary Christian choir the Gospel Gang and the gospel trio the Messengers will present a “Keep the Heat On” concert to benefit the emergency oil fund of the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations and the emergency assistance fuel fund of Construct in Great Barrington.
“Keep the Heat” marks the eighth annual concert the groups have presented for the benefit of the emergency fuel funds. The event has raised over $30,000 to date. The emergency oil fund is administered through Pittsfield’s Salvation Army. Construct assists 40 households on average each winter season with 100 gallons of heating fuel, reaching families in crisis in the 15 villages and towns in the southern Berkshire region.
The Gospel Gang includes more than 20 singers and a full instrumental band and, along with the Messengers, offers an assortment of contemporary Christian music styles including Southern Gospel, country, blues and urban.
There is a suggested donation of $10. For more information call (413) 445-5918.
–E.E.
* * *
Shakespeare & Company to stage ‘Lovers’ Spat: Round Two’
Lenox — Shakespeare & Company will present “Lovers’ Spat: Round Two” in its Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre Saturday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m.
Emceed by comedienne Alison Larkin and directed by artistic director Allyn Burrows, the performances feature Shakespeare & Company actors and guest performers exploring the complexities of love in staged readings featuring theater’s most notorious couples’ loving, fighting, scheming and wooing. Participating artists include Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Martin Jason Asprey, David Bertoldi, Ariel Bock, Gregory Boover, MaConnia Chesser, Annie Considine, Johnny Lee Davenport, Jonathan Epstein, Luke Haskell, Tamara Hickey, Alison Howard, David Joseph, Caitlin Kraft, Madeleine Maggio, Kirsten Peacock, Patrick Toole, Kai Tshikosi and Claire Warden.
Tickets are $25 general admission and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Shakespeare & Company box office at (413) 637-3353.
–E.E.
* * *
Norman Rockwell Museum to host lecture on Eleanor Roosevelt
Stockbridge — The Norman Rockwell Museum will present the lecture “Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” with Allida Black, Saturday, Feb. 17, at 5:30 p.m. The talk will look at the role Roosevelt played in establishing both the Four Freedoms and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
Black is a research professor of history and international affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has served as an advisor to PBS, the History Channel, A&E and the Discovery Channel; and has curated exhibitions focusing on Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
The lecture is included with admission and free for NRM members and youth under age 18. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact NRM at (413) 298-4100.
–E.E.
