Thursday, February 13, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

Bits & Bytes: Five Wise Guys at Berkshire South; Music In Common gala; Dog Dance at Jacob’s Pillow; ‘Words Matter’ at Sandisfield Arts Center; Stockbridge Library book sale

Music In Common's annual Raise the MIC gala will honor founding board member Elaine Mack for her tireless efforts to combat the hate responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl with a focus on fundraising and fiscal sustainability.

Five Wise Guys to perform at Berkshire South Regional Community Center

Great Barrington — Actors from the Third Act Project’s video series “Five Wise Guys” will present a live show Thursday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Jaffe Theatre at Berkshire South Regional Community Center.

No topic about life in the sunset years is left unexamined by the Five Wise Guys, and none is too sacred to avoid the occasional goring—illness, loss of libido and other appetites, fetishes, and even death are fair game. The cast is a familiar Berkshires bunch: author, playwright and former gag writer for Flip Wilson and other greats Danny Klein; owner of the Bookstore in Lenox and fabled storyteller Matt Tannenbaum; Jeff Kent and Bob Lohbauer, actors and jokesters who’ve been performing on Berkshire stages for more than 30 years; and Third Act Project founder and curator Sam Bittman.

Tickets are $25 for the general public and $18 for Berkshire South members. For tickets and more information, contact Berkshire South at (413) 528-2810.

–E.E.

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Raise the MIC gala celebration to honor Elaine Mack

Elaine Mack. Photo courtesy Music In Common

Sheffield — Music In Common will present its annual Raise the MIC gala Sunday, July 21, at 6 p.m. at Berkshire School. The event will honor Music In Common founding board member Elaine Mack for her tireless efforts to combat the hate responsible for the murder of Daniel Pearl with a focus on fundraising and fiscal sustainability. The gala will also feature a performance by Amplify participants, currently engaged in the two-week Amplify program being held at Berkshire School.

Music In Common board President John Van Vlack commented: “Elaine has been in the front row and behind the scenes of Music In Common events since the very first FODfest concert in 2005. Her commitment to fundraising and engaging people in the work of Music In Common has been strong and steady. It is our great honor to recognize the impact she has made on our growth and development over the years.”

The Amplify performance is the culmination of Music in Common’s only audition-based program. The eight selected performers, range in age from 15 to 20 and hail from California, Iowa, Connecticut and the Berkshires. They are learning nine songs culled from more than 50 songs written by hundreds of youth from around the world in Music in Common programs, while also writing a new piece of their own that will premiere at upcoming events.

Tickets are $110 and must be purchased by Sunday, July 14. The event includes cocktails, dinner, a silent auction and a raffle in Berkshire Hall, followed by the Amplify 2019 concert in the Allen Theater. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Music In Common at (413) 248-6070 or ​info@musicincommon.org.

–E.E.

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A recent Dog Dance at Jacob’s Pillow. Photo: Noor Eemaan

Dog Dance celebrate humans’ relationships with pets

Becket — Dog Dance will return to the Great Lawn at Jacob’s Pillow Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m. The event for leashed canines and their dance-loving companions will be led by Debbie Maciel and Elizabeth Johnson, associate artistic director of Dance Exchange and an artist educator for Jacob’s Pillow’s Curriculum in Motion program, who will guide participants through a series of simple and fun movements designed to highlight the beauty of pets and the unique relationship owners share with their dogs. The family-friendly event will include a group dance, giveaways, raffles featuring local pet vendors, and more.

The event is free with a suggested donation of $10–$20 to the Berkshire Humane Society. All proceeds will benefit aid for homeless pets. Registration is requested. Participating dogs must be leashed at all times and should comfortable with loud noises and being around other dogs. For registration and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Jacob’s Pillow at (413) 243-9919 x164.

–E.E.

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Author Michelle Arnot to discuss crossword puzzles

Will Shortz and Michelle Arnot. Photo courtesy Sandisfield Arts Center

Sandisfield — The Sandisfield Arts Center will host “Words Matter – Fun with Crossword Puzzles for All Ages” Saturday, July 13, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A resident of Sandisfield, Arnot is the author of “Crossword Puzzles for Dummies” and “Four Letter Words: Secrets of a Crossword Insider.” She has spent her career making, solving and publishing crossword puzzles, as well as serving as an official at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, organized by NPR puzzlemaster Will Shortz.

Tickets are $10. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Sandisfield Arts Center at (413) 258-4100 or info@sandisfieldartscenter.org.

–E.E.

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Stockbridge Library to hold used book sale

The Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives. Photo courtesy Stockbridge Library Association

Stockbridge — The Stockbridge Library Association will hold its annual used book sale on the front lawn of the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Over 16,000 gently used books, audiobooks, CDs, and DVDs, in 36 categories for easy browsing, will be available at bargain prices. Homemade baked goods also will be available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday or while supplies last.

Admission is free except for a $5 entrance fee during the Friday preview period from 9 a.m. to noon. Sales are by cash or check only. All proceeds will benefit the library. For more information, contact the Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives at (413) 298-5501 or info@stockbridgelibrary.org.

–E.E.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.