Music and More presents all-star trio Les Amies
New Marlborough — Music and More is pleased to present the all-star trio Les Amies performing on the Meeting House stage on Saturday, September 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Les Amies is the collaboration of New York Philharmonic principal players harpist Nancy Allen, violist Cynthia Phelps, and flutist Carol Wincenc. Merging their individual skills of high artistry and extraordinary technical command, they explore a vast range of repertoire rich in color, texture, and imagination. Les Amies will be playing works of Ibert, Bax, J. S. Bach, Ravel, Devienne, Faure, and Debussy.
A reception for the artists will follow at the Meeting House Gallery. See the Berkshire Edge calendar for more information or call (413) 229-2785.
–E.E.
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WAM Theatre auditions for new girls ensemble
Pittsfield — WAM Theatre is excited to announce auditions for its new Girls Ensemble theatre education program. The program is open to girls aged 14-19 and auditions will be held on Saturday, September 12 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Barrington Stage Company’s Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center, 36 Linden St. Thanks to the generosity of the program sponsors, there is no cost to participate in this program.
The Girls Ensemble will draw from schools and groups across the Berkshire region. WAM is seeking 10-12 committed young women who are interested in all aspects of theatre-making to be part of the inaugural ensemble. Under the leadership of accomplished teaching artists Barby Cardillo and Amy Brentano, the Ensemble will create an original theatre piece based on themes important to the participants. The show will have strong production values and share the perspectives and stories of the participants. The first Girls Ensemble presentation will be on December 11 and will be shared with family, friends, and other invited guests.
For the auditions, girls are asked to prepare an original piece such as a poem, song, dance, monologue, or painting, or play an instrument or a combination of those that is between 1-2 minutes in length. They will also participate in a group audition which will involve theatre games and ensemble-building activities. All those auditioning are required to be present for the entire audition time.
Participants chosen for the Ensemble must also commit to being present for ALL rehearsals between September 19-December 11. Most, but not all, rehearsals are on Saturdays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. The whole program will take place at the Blatt Center for the Performing Arts.
More information about the audition is available online. To book an audition or to ask any questions e-mail Barby Cardillo at barby@wamtheatre.com or call (413) 274-8122.
–E.E.
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Hotel on North selected as 2015 “Putting the Berkshires on the Map” honoree
Dalton — The Hotel on North project has been chosen as the 2015 “Putting the Berkshires on the Map” honoree in recognition of the substantial contribution it is making to the overall image of the Berkshires. This recognition will be presented at the fifth annual Celebrate the Berkshires event on September 10 at the Stationery Factory.
Hotel on North creates a unique modern experience that also pays homage to the building’s historic character. The Hotel has been called a game-changer for downtown Pittsfield because of its potential as a catalyst for further development on North Street. The project represents an extraordinary collaboration, partnering many Berkshire County businesses to manage and furnish the hotel and to provide ongoing services as well as lobby galleries to display local art.
Celebrate the Berkshires will also showcase Berkshire-based individuals and businesses who demonstrate excellence in several “Trendsetter Award” categories. The community is invited to come celebrate these achievements and commitments that have strengthened the local economy and helped the region grow. See the Berkshire Edge calendar for tickets and more information.
–E.E.
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Williams College planetarium schedule for fall semester
Williamstown — Williams College invites the public to experience the wonders of the universe at the Milham Planetarium, located inside the Hopkins Observatory at Williams College. Astronomy students at the college will host free shows on the following Friday evenings at 8 p.m.: September 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20; and December 4. Audiences will be treated to shows from the high-precision Zeiss Skymaster ZKP3/B opto-mechanical planetarium projector, installed in April 2005.
Shows will last about 50 minutes. For reservations (recommended) contact Michele Rech at (413) 597-2188 or email mcr4@williams.edu. Others will be admitted as space permits. Large groups should call for special appointments.
–E.E.
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Art and politics in 1939 Nazi Germany & beyond
Pittsfield — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI) continues its tenth anniversary Distinguished Speakers Series with Bard College at Simon’s Rock professor Joan DelPlato on Saturday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Berkshire Community College.
This lecture illustrates and analyzes several examples of European and American art from 1939 as political tensions built to the start of WWII. The lecture shows art that was endorsed and art that was vilified by Hitler and Goebbels in Nazi Germany as a means of advancing the party’s agenda. Joan DelPlato, Ph.D. is Professor of Art History at Bard College at Simon’s Rock. She earned her MA and Ph.D. in art history from UCLA. Dr. DelPlato was a research associate at the Getty Center for Art History and Humanities, and has written for the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Journal of British Studies, American Anthropologist, and other publications.
Tickets to the talk are $10 for OLLI members, $15 for non-members, and free to youth 17 and younger and Berkshire Community College students and staff. To reserve tickets, call (413) 236-2190.
–E.E.
