Fisher Center presents the world premiere of “Illinois”
Annandale-On-Hudson— From June 23rd through July 2nd, the Fisher Center presents the world premiere of “Illinois”, a SummerScape Commission, a full-length theatrical performance based on the album of the same name.
Three brilliantly imaginative artists—Justin Peck, Sufjan Stevens, and Jackie Sibblies Drury—unite to create an ecstatic pageant of storytelling, theater, dance, and live music.
Stevens’ 2005 concept album “Illinois” enjoys cult status for its lush orchestrations and wildly inventive portrayal of the state’s people, landscapes, and history, complete with UFOs, zombies, and predatory wasps. Tony Award-winner Justin Peck transforms the album into a full-length theatrical performance with a cast of virtuosic dancers, singers, and musicians in a narrative crafted with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury. Described as breathless and radiant, “Illinois” will lead you on a mighty journey through the American heartland, from campfire storytelling to the edges of the cosmos.
Showtimes are June 23rd, 24th, 25th, 29th, 30th and July 1st at 7:30 p.m. plus a matinee on July 2nd at 2 p.m. at the Fisher Center’s Sosnoff Theater at Bard on Manor Ave in Annandale-On-Hudson. Tickets start at $25. On Friday, June 23rd at 6:30 p.m., there is a pre-performance toast for members. Also on Friday, June 23rd, there is an opening night party featuring Hot For You Disco with music by Father Figure. A pre-performance talk is scheduled for Sunday, June 25th at 1 p.m. and there is a post-performance conversation with the artists on Friday, June 30th. More information can be found by visiting the Fisher Center online.
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Wild Soul River hosts a ‘June Moon Circle’
Williamstown— On Thursday, June 1st from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wild Soul River hosts a “June Moon Circle”.
Wild Soul River invites you to join them for their monthly moon circle hosted outside by the fire to celebrate the fullness of the moon every month. Bring a chair, drum, or noise maker if you have one, and a small food offering to share for a potluck-style “nosh-nosh”, which means snacks, not dinner. Slow down…breathe. Take care of your body and soul. Honor your ancestors. Connect with friends. Greet the earth through crystals. Sip your tea, and let your mind expand through the tie-dye swirls. A full mind, body, and sensory connection. Honor the earth and connect to community.
Wild Soul River is an abolitionist herbal gathering space on the ancestral lands of the Mohican people. Wild Soul River believes in the collective, community ability to sustain projects and benefit the collective, and radical healing.
The “June Moon Circle” is on Thursday, June 1st from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wild Soul River on Cole Avenue in Williamstown. Registrants will be emailed with directions. Tickets are $5 through $15. To make it more accessible and to cover our small costs, this circle is offered at three different price levels. Please consider what you are able to give at this time and choose the one that is right for you. Registration and more information can be found by visiting Wild Soul River online.
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“Trans Am Memorial Day Classic” – top five things to watch for on the track
Lakeville— From May 26th through May 29th, Lime Rock Park presents the “Trans Am Memorial Day Classic”.
There will be plenty of racing action at Lime Rock Park during the Trans Am Memorial Day Classic. Here are five things to watch for on the track while you’re at the Park:
1. “Home Sweet Home”: Dyson Racing has found a “home near home” at Lime Rock Park. Ever since Rob Dyson’s victory in the first race for his Porsche 962 in the 1985 Memorial Day Classic, Dyson Racing has enjoyed the short drive from their home near Poughkeepsie to compete in front of family and friends. He raced at Lime Rock Park last year, coming in second. He has a three-race winning streak at Lime Rock dating back to 2019.
2. “Huge TA2 Field”: The Saturday feature for the Memorial Day Classic will be the TA2 race at 1 p.m. A huge 39-car field will pack the 1.478-mile Lime Rock Park classic circuit with non-stop action.
3. “Second-generation Stars”: Young Boris Said is carrying on the tradition of his famed father, Boris Said III. The elder Said was a standout in sports cars and one of the best “road course ringers” in NASCAR. He won at Lime Rock in 2002. Young Boris will drive in the loaded TA2 field, driving the No. 86 3-Dimensional Services Group Camaro.
Thad Moffitt will drive the No. 43 Safety Kleen Camaro in TA2. The fourth-generation driver finished 12th in all three races this season. He is the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty and the great-grandson of three-time champ Lee Petty.
4. “Local Flavor”: The 39-car Trans Am 2 field includes a pair of drivers who reside locally to Lime Rock Park, Michael Phillips driving the No. 45 Phillips Racing Camaro and Doug Winston racing the No. 98 Bring Back the Trades/D&M Electric Mustang.
New York City-based Adrian Wlostowsk also competes in TA2, and considers Lime Rock his home track. Last May, he helped saved the life of driver Mark Petronis, arriving first on the scene with a fire extinguisher after that driver was involved in a fiery crash in a club race in Millville, N.J.
5. “Get Well Scott!”: All cars competing in the Trans Am presented by Pirelli will carry “Get Well Scott” stickers for Scott Borchetta. The driver of the No. 48 Big Machine Spiked Cooler Ford Mustang was injured during the most recent race at Road Atlanta.
Located in the Northwest Hills of Connecticut, Lime Rock Park provides a picturesque location for race fans to enjoy. The classic runs from May 26th through May 29th at Lime Rock Park on White Hollow Road in Lakeville. For tickets and more information, visit Lime Rock Park online. Tickets are also available at the gate.
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Star nii, a percussionist and composer from Ghanna teams up with local Berkshire cats for an Afrobeat dance party
Sheffield— On Sunday, May 28th at 7 p.m., Race Brook Lodge presents Star Nii: Afrobeat Dance Party.
Star nii, a percussionist and composer from Accra, Ghanna, will collaborate with some of the Berkshires’ funkiest musicians for an unforgettable Afrobeat dance party and community celebration in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge.
A percussionist by profession, Star Nii was born into an elite family of music and dance royalty based in Ghana. Victor Nii Amoo, known as Star nii, is a nimble-figured multi-instrumentalist who was drawn to the alluring power of sound and rhythm at age nine. Star Nii has a large vocabulary of rhythms and has conducted workshops locally and internationally. Star Nii used to play the drum appellation for the late President of Ghana. He has played on some of the world’s grandest stages including Womad festival (UK), Womex (Finland), Roskilde (Denmark), Fusion Festival (Germany), Ghana Music Awards, Music of Black Origin, and is also credited for works with music kingpins like the legendary Kojo Antwi Becca.
The concert is on Sunday, May 28th in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on S. Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Doors Open at 7 p.m. and the music will start around 7:30pm. Ticket are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Race Brook Lodge is offering a 20% room discount for people who have purchased tickets. Call 413-229-2916 or email info@rblodge.com to book. For tickets or more information, visit Race Brook Lodge online.
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The Barnspace Concert Series at Race Brook Lodge kicks off with Club d’Elf
Sheffield— The Barnspace Concert Series at Race Brook Lodge kicks off on Sunday, June 4th with Club d’Elf.
Enigmatic Boston-based music collective Club d’Elf to perform with guitarist David Fiuczynski as part of a 25th-anniversary tour & digital re-release of their debut album “As Above”. For twenty-five years, Enigmatic Boston-based music collective Boston-based dub-jazz collective Club d’Elf has been helping audiences lose track of time while creating mesmerizing musical chimeras that weave their distinct, Moroccan folk-infused trance with elements from an astonishing spectrum of other styles, including jazz, hip-hop, electronica, avant-garde, prog-rock, and dub.
Every Club d’Elf performance and recording over the past two-and-a-half decades has featured an ever-evolving and revolving cast of players, drawn from a who’s who list of the most sought after and creative improvisers from the jazz, DJ, rock & world music scenes of Boston, NYC and beyond. For the performance at Race Brook Lodge, Club d’Elf founder/composer and Bassist Mike Rivard will be joined on stage by David Fiuczynski, playing fretted & fretless guitars, Paul Schultheis on Rhodes, organ & melodica, Mister Rourke – turntables, and Tommy Benedetti – drums.
The concert is on Sunday, June 4th in the Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge on S. Undermountain Road in Sheffield. Doors Open at 7 p.m. and the music will start around 7:30 p.m.. Ticket are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For tickets or more information, visit Race Brook Lodge online.
Race Brook Lodge is a hidden gem in the Berkshires steeped in hundreds of years of New England history. The Stagecoach Tavern offers pre-show unpretentious fine dining, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Much of the food is sourced from Race Farm, right on the property!
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Berkshire Pride announces the 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Raising
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, May 31st from noon to 12:30 p.m., the City of Pittsfield and Berkshire Pride announce the 2023 LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Raising at Pittsfield City Hall.
Join Berkshire Pride and Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer for the annual LGBTQ+ Pride Flag Raising and Pride month proclamation at Pittsfield City Hall. The Pride flag has flown at city hall every June since 2017, and was accompanied by the first ever Pride Kick Off event in 2019 with the adoption of the Progress Pride Flag.
The flag raising is on Wednesday, May 31st from noon to 12:30 p.m. at Pittsfield City Hall on Allen Street in Pittsfield. The event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine. Parking is available downtown and requires the use of the city parking meters. The public should note that there are no bathrooms available at this event. For more information, visit Berkshire Pride online.
