PS21 PATHWAYS program in partnership with Crellin Park day presents “FA” by Amoukanama Circus
Chatham— On Saturday, August 19th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., PS21 PATHWAYS program in partnership with Crellin Park day presents “FA” by Amoukanama Circus (Guinea).
Taking place at Crellin Park in celebration of Crellin Park Day, the Guinean troupe of nine acrobats, dancers, and musicians perform “FA”, their moving, personal story of migration and the quest for education and opportunity that brought them from the streets of Conakry to Europe and beyond.
Amoukanama (“What doesn’t break persists” in the Susu language of Guinea, Mali, and Sierra Leone) wowed audiences at America’s Got Talent in 2022 and continues to delight crowds at home and on tour throughout Europe.
The presentation is on Saturday, August 19th from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Crellin Community Park on New York 66 in Chatham. The performance is free with a pay-as-you-wish donation option. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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New Marlborough to celebrate Elihu Burritt Day on the Village Green
New Marlborough— On Saturday, August 19th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New Marlborough will host its 47th annual Elihu Burritt Day on the Village Green on Route 57 in New Marlborough.
Elihu Burritt, also known as “The Learned Blacksmith,” lived in New Marlborough in the early 19th century. He was a staunch abolitionist and an advocate of peace and equality, and later became a leader of the 19th century world peace movement. An anvil dedicated to Elihu Burritt is permanently mounted on the Village Green in New Marlborough.
The free town fair offers fun and entertainment for all ages, including live music, local arts and crafts vendors, a bounty of delicious foods, and a live pet parade with domesticated and farm animals all gussied up in the hopes of winning “best dressed.”
A variety of tasty food including hot sausage and pepper sandwiches, tacos, hamburgers and hot dogs, baked goods, ice pops, lemonade, vegetarian fare, and other delectable treats will be available from food vendors.
Local crafters will sell their wares in Individual booths featuring antiques, artwork, cutting boards, custom tools and knives, toys, fairy houses, jewelry, and gifts from Ghana, to name just a few of the multitude of unique offerings.
State Representative, William “Smitty” Pignatelli will present the “Elihu Burritt Award” to New Marlborough resident and farmer, Tom Brazie of the Farm New Marlborough, for his commitment to creating a community space that provides fresh food to New Marlborough and the wider community.
Day-long events will include the New Marlborough Classic Car Show, a White Elephant table offering bargains for home and garden, hay rides, paper airplane-making table for the kids, a cornhole tournament area, and an array of additional activities for the whole family, in addition to a host of scheduled live events.
The day culminates with the New Marlborough Fire Company’s annual Pig Roast at the New Marlborough Fire Station on Norfolk Road in Southfield. Dinner will be served until 7 p.m. followed by music, dancing, and raffle ticket drawings. Dinner tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Raffle tickets are $10. This year’s Grand Prize is a $2,500 eBike and Riding Gear Package from Berkshire Bike & Board. Dinner and raffle tickets are available online: www.nmfirecompany.org, at the Mill River General Store, or from a fire company member. Call 413-429-6680 for more information.
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Berkshires Jazz, Inc. presents the second annual Bousquet Jazz Festival
Pittsfield— On Saturday, August 19th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Berkshires Jazz, Inc. presents the second annual Bousquet Jazz Festival.
The event is a combination of hillside performances and indoor “apres jazz jazz”. The four groups represent a wide variety of jazz stylings, from hot swing to cool post-bop and vibrant vocals to virtuoso piano. Musical Acts include The Lucky 5, Claire Daly, Dominique Eade, and Benny “Fingers” Kohn.
The festival is on Saturday, August 19th from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Bousquet on Dan Fox Drive in Pittsfield. Tickets are $20, $10 for students ages 13 to 20, and $5 for youth under age 12. The audience is encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Food and beverage services will be available on-site. No carry-in food or beverages will be allowed. The festival takes place rain or shine. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Bennington Museum and the Robert Frost Stone House Museum host ‘Encyclopedia Botanica’, a botanizing journal workshop
Bennington— On Saturday, August 12th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Bennington Museum and the Robert Frost Stone House Museum host “Encyclopedia Botanica”, a botanizing journal workshop.
Local artist Jessica Smith of BOUNDScollective will offer a botanizing journal workshop. Frost took botanizing walks in the woods with friends and family throughout his life on the grounds of the Stone House and the George Aiken Wildflower Trail at Bennington Museum, using a local historic pressed flower collection from the Bennington Museum, and flora drawings by Robert Frost’s children, as inspiration.
Participants will receive a notebook as part of the workshop and materials will be available for beginning their own “Encyclopedia Botanica”. Tea and “MoonScones” will be provided as part of the experience.
The workshop is on Saturday, August 12th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., begins at the Bennington Museum on Main Street in Bennington, and ends at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum at Bennington College. The cost is $50. A hat and cool and comfortable clothing are recommended. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents ‘Neil Young: Heart of Gold’ (2006)
Great Barrington— On Friday, August 18th at 7 p.m., The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents “Neil Young: Heart of Gold” (2006).
Canadian-American singer-songwriter icon Neil Young performs over two nights in Nashville, Tennessee, in the summer of 2005. From director Jonathan Demme, the concert film features Young and his full band, including guest performer Emmylou Harris, performing songs then-new and hits from throughout Young’s career.
The showing is on Friday, August 18th at 7 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $8 and $5 for age 12 and under. ConnectorCare/WIC/EBT cards are accepted for four free tickets to movies or HD broadcasts per individual. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Free summer activities for youth at the Alice Bubriski Playground (Housatonic Playground)
Housatonic— Through the summer, Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Alice Bubriski Playground (Housatonic Playground) invites you to explore free summer activities for youth.
The Housatonic Playground, also known as Alice Bubriski Playground, is a local favorite. Equipped with a jungle gym playscape, swings, a challenging geometric dome that’s perfect for climbing adventurers, basketball courts, and more, there is something for everyone. There is also a spacious field where kids can run around, play lawn games, and let their imaginations roam free. There are also convenient picnic tables for caregivers to relax and recharge while keeping an eye on the action.
The Town of Great Barrington has funded wonderful staff coordinators from Berkshire South Regional Community Center to be on-site, facilitating games and activities for youth. They have a whole array of outdoor activities lined up including frisbee golf, soccer, wiffle ball tournaments, sprinkler games to help beat the heat, and friendly pickup basketball matches that’ll keep the energy high. For those feeling less sporty, youngsters can draw a masterpiece with chalk, get creative with crafts, and blow bubbles on the lawn. There is even an epic paper airplane making contests that will have everyone showcasing their flying creations.
Are those rainy afternoons putting a damper on your playground plans? Well, rain or shine, the Housatonic Playground coordinators have your back! On rainy days, they’ll whisk you away next door to the Housy Dome (Housatonic Gym), where you can continue to play indoors without a hitch.
The free activities are offered Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the the Alice Bubriski Playground (Housatonic Playground) located on the corner of Front Street and Pleasant Street in Housatonic.
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Berkshire Community College and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission offer free ‘Choke Saver’ training certification
Pittsfield— On Monday, August 21st from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Berkshire Community College (BCC) and Berkshire Regional Planning Commission will offer a free “Choke Saver” training class at BCC located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. The 75-minute class provides participants with a two-year certification.
Local businesses, such as restaurants, that are required to have “Choke Safe” certified individuals on site are particularly encouraged to participate. Space is limited; each class can accept up to 30 students. To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/choke-saver
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The Becket Arts Center announces its first Arts and Crafts Marketplace and welcomes the participation of county artists and crafters.
Becket— The Becket Arts Center announces that its first Arts and Crafts Marketplace will take place on Saturday, September 9th, and welcomes the participation of county artists and crafters.
This will be a great opportunity for jewelry makers, woodworkers, painters, photographers, sculptors, textile artists, and other artists to exhibit and sell their work. It will also be a chance for visitors to shop and talk with the talented artisans living and working in our beautiful Berkshire hills.
Artists and crafters interested in participating in this inaugural event, please fill out the application form found at becketartscenter.org/marketplace.
