Bits & Bytes: Ice Dance International at Jacob’s Pillow; ‘Muppets on Parade’ at Norman Rockwell Museum; Daniel Elihu Kramer at Becket Arts Center; health information talk

Ice Dance International to perform at Jacob’s Pillow

Becket — The Maine-based company Ice Dance International will perform “In Flight” at the Jacob’s Pillow “Inside/Out” stage Wednesday, July 17, at 6:15 pm.

Led by artistic director Douglas Webster, six members of the IDI troupe will perform three works inspired by flight and set to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Chet Baker and Max Richter. “In Flight” will be performed on a synthetic ice surface of interlocking polymer panels that mimics the properties of ice and can be skated on with professional metal blades. Among the performers for the appearance are six-time Great Britain ice dance champion and two-time Olympian Sinead Kerr, eight-time international medalist and two-time Olympian from Turkey Alper Uçar, Azerbaijan national champion Nadine Ahmed Kerr, and American professional figure skater and IDI founding company member Carly Donowick.

The performance is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jacob’s Pillow at (413) 243-9919 or info@jacobspillow.org.

–E.E.

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Norman Rockwell Museum to host ‘Muppets on Parade: Sesame Street at 50’

Louis Henry Mitchell and Cookie Monster. Photo courtesy Norman Rockwell Museum

Stockbridge — On Tuesday, July 16, at 4:30 p.m., the Norman Rockwell Museum will host “Muppets on Parade: ‘Sesame Street’ at 50” with Sesame Workshop creative director Louis Henry Mitchell.

During the family-friendly talk, Mitchell will give a behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the most beloved children’s programs of all time and explore the elements of character design that bring the Muppets of “Sesame Street” to life. He will also demonstrate how he creates still performances during photo shoots using an armatured Muppet.

Mitchell began working at “Sesame Street” in 1992 and he has provided creative direction from directing photo shoots to designing storyboards, characters and even the Big Bird balloon for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is the designer of Julia, the show’s new autistic character, and personally directed the building of the character.

Tickets are $15 for Museum members and $25 for nonmembers. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Norman Rockwell Museum at (413) 298-4100 or info@nrm.org.

–E.E.

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Becket Arts Center to welcome Chester Theatre Company’s Daniel Elihu Kramer

Daniel Elihu Kramer. Photo courtesy Becket Arts Center

Becket — The Becket Arts Center will begin its Explorations lecture series Tuesday, July 16, by hosting Chester Theatre Company producing artistic director Daniel Elihu Kramer. With professor, performer and writer Katt Lissard of Becket moderating, Kramer will discuss “Celebrating 30 Years: How Chester Theatre Company Selected Its 2019 Season.” An audience discussion will follow the talk.

Kramer took the lead at Chester Theatre Company in 2015. He has made a specialty of producing plays that are area premieres and has led the celebration of the theater’s 30th anniversary with major technical improvements, including a comprehensive new lighting system. He also teaches acting, directing and film studies at Smith College.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Becket Arts Center at (413) 623-6635 or office@becketartscenter.org.

–E.E.

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Fairview to offer program on handling health information

Deb Phillips

Great Barrington — On Tuesday, July 16, at 4:30 p.m., Fairview Hospital will hold the program “Your Health File: Organization Information to Help You Take Charge,” in its ground floor conference room.

The program is designed to strengthen knowledge, understanding and application of handling health information in an organized and effective way. Participants will leave with an understanding of what information is useful to have to make decisions, how to find that information and options for storing the information.

Program presenter Deborah Phillips, MS, LDN, IFNCP, has a background as certified health education specialist and is also the coordinator of the Rural Health Network. Phillips will share different forms and tools that are easily available. Fairview Hospital’s community health worker, Jamal Miles, will be available following the program to help participants access their BHS Patient Portal accounts.

The program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested due to limited seating. For more information or to register, call Fairview’s community relations office at (413) 854-9609.

–E.E.