Juried Guild of Berkshire Artists exhibit “Winter Wonder” opens February 11
West Stockbridge— The Guild of Berkshire Artists will open its first juried prize show on February 11 at Art on Main Gallery. The opening reception will be on February 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. The show is open on weekends between February 11th and 26th.
Juror Michelle Daly (michelle-daly.com) selected twenty-three artworks from over 160 entries, making this show highly competitive to get in. the 1st and 2nd place awards will be announced at the opening reception. Additionally, anyone visiting the gallery will get the opportunity to vote for their favorite art for the “People’s Choice” award who will be announced on February 25th at the Gallery.
“Winter’s Wonder” is the Guild’s first show that will include cash awards. Previous shows for the Guild have not included awards, and the Guild with support from Gallery Manager Shany Porras, hope that the award show will expand show opportunities for visual artists in and around the Berkshires. Three prizes will be awarded based on 1st Place, Honorable Mention, and a People’s Choice Award. The prizes awards range from $150 to $500. For Art on Main Gallery hours, please visit Art on Main Gallery | West Stockbridge MA | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ArtOnMainBerk
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Attend the virtual tour of Bosco Schell and Page Dickey’s greenhouse
Falls Village, Conn. — On Friday, February 10 at 2 p.m. the David M. Hunt Library will host a free virtual tour of Bosco Schell and Page Dickey’s greenhouse at their home Church House. Bosco, a former magazine editor and longtime gardener, is the husband of Page Dickey, a notable garden writer. Bosco will tour participants around their greenhouse, sharing his favorite plants, those that are challenging to grow, and plants that are good for a beginner, as well as sharing tips on greenhouse cultivation or growing plants on a sunny windowsill in your home.
This program will be informative for novice and learned gardeners alike. Register at huntlibrary.org/event/greenhouse/
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Winter Wildlife virtual slide show and talk with Dale Abrams
West Stockbridge— Dale Abrams will present a virtual slide show and talk on winter wildlife on February 10 at 6 p.m.
Learn how to interpret the subtle clues creatures leave behind, such as tracks, chews, scat, and more. You’ll gain basic skills to enhance your outdoor walks and hikes with a greater awareness of the wildlife around you. A variety of mammals will be highlighted, including the American beaver, easter coyote, raccoon, and the fisher cat.
Dale Abrams is the education manager for Mass Audubon in Wester Massachusetts. He is a lifelong naturalist whose specialities including birding, wildlife tracking, and forest and wetland ecosystem studies. He has worked as a naturalist for state parks in California, Yellowstone National Park, the Fish & Wildlife Service in Puerto Rico. His home has been in the Berkshire Hills since 2000.
This event is free and open to the public. Email info@weststockbridgehistory.org to receive a Zoom link.
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“A Midwinter’s Night in the Village” fundraiser at Hunt Library
Falls Village, Conn. — The Friends of The David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village will hold its annual winter fundraiser, “A Midwinter’s Night in the Village,” at the library on Saturday, February 11, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The main feature is the library’s famous 16-ft long bread board piled high with a variety of homemade baked goods ranging from sweet dessert loaves and hearty savory breads to delicious hors d’oeuvres and chocolate treats. For entertainment, a roster of local personalities will perform poetry, song, and comedy focused on love with a dose of laughter thrown in for good measure. The featured performers are Galactic Overtones, a band featuring Brook Martinez, Rebecca Bloomfield, Jaimie Sadeh, Lara Mitaud, Sara Heller, and Adam Sher.
Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic refreshments are included in the ticket price. Tickets are $20 ($10 for children ages 3-17) and can be purchased by stopping by the library, visiting huntlibrary.org or by calling 860-824-7424.
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Family friendly Valentine Book Party will feature author Alison Larkin
Stockbridge— The Stockbridge Library will host a Valentine Book Party on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to enjoy a family friendly Valentines’ party featuring live readings by Alison Larkin while browsing for the perfect new book to purchase and donate to the library. Guests may choose from a wide selection of adult and children’s titles, and in exchange, the library will create a personalized bookplate to honor that special Valentine. Refreshments will be served and a special craft project will be available for children to complete.
Individuals unable to attend may still donate, and library staff will make book selections on their behalf. Please call the library at (413) 298-5501 for more information.
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SOFT SHOE BOOM BOOM SPIN! interactive fundraiser will benefit They Dance For Rain
West Stockbridge— They Dance For Rain and The Foundry announce the long-awaited benefit event, SOFT SHOE BOOM BOOM SPIN! on Saturday, February 11th at 7 p.m. at The Foundry. This event is an echo of the wildly successful interactive fundraising events SOFT SHOE BOOM (2015) and SOFT SHOE BOOM BOOM (2019). The funds raised from this event go directly to supporting They Dance For Rain’s dance-making programs in Nairobi, Kenya. They bring Tap shoes and the art form of Tap Dance to people with an interest and need for this unique kind of artistic self-expression.
The event will feature an experimental and interactive un-silent auction of improvising musicians who will respond to the participation of the audience who purchase from a menu of items for directing and conducting the performers. Musicians include: Andy Wrba (bass), Beth Craig (cello), Bonnie McCubbin (violin), Charlie Tokarz (saxophone), Mike Fahn (valve trombone), and tap dancer Stefanie Weber. (MORE TBA.) Before the musical feature, the audience will have the opportunity to add their words to a “mad libs” script written just for this event by Don Jordan and spontaneously performed by members of his Nutshell Playhouse crew: Alexia Trainor, Mark Hohlstein, and Maddy Campbell. A short work-in-progress film edited by Michael Sinopoli highlighting the Virtual Residency work of They Dance For Rain during the pandemic will be shown at the start of the evening. The event will culminate with an Afro-pop playlist dance party. Creative projections by artist Joe Wheaton accenting the camera work of fine arts photographer Monika Pizzichemi will light the space throughout the night. There will be a cash bar.
Soft Shoe Boom Boom Spin will be offering two ticket streams for the evening. $25 for 7pm entry which includes performances and participation in the “unsilent” auction and mad libs theater. $15 for 8pm entry for the after-auction dance party.
Tickets may be purchased online here or reserved through email at TD4RKenya@gmail.com or phone (413)-344-8303, or at the door. The Foundry strongly suggests purchasing tickets before as seats are limited.
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Valentine’s Day themed public story slam at Dottie’s
Pittsfield— Dottie’s will have a story slam with the theme Heart of the Matter on February 10 at 7 p.m. Dottie’s is located at 444 North Street in Pittsfield. Dottie’s will have beer and wine and food, available for purchase. Baked Mac and Cheese $8, Mike’s chili and corn bread $10, Soup $7.
Story Slam? – A story slam is a storytelling competition open to anyone (pre registration required) with a five-minute story to share on the event’s theme. Stories are scored by volunteer judges from the audience. Story slams are fast paced and high spirited with widely ranging responses to the theme. For February the theme is “Heart of the Matter.”
This event is free and open to the public.
