Fisher Center presents “Women Musicians in Berlioz’s Time” with narrator Tituss Burgess
Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y.— On Sunday, August 11th at 3 p.m., the Fisher Center presents “Women Musicians in Berlioz’s Time,” as part of “Berlioz and His World,” the 34th Bard Music Festival.
The program will feature French mezzo-soprano and composer Pauline Viardot’s “Le dernier sorcier.” This little-known rarity, a two-act chamber opera set to a French libretto by the composer’s lover Ivan Turgenev, will be performed in a semi-staged production of Viardot’s original salon arrangement for voices and piano, in collaboration with Sing for Hope. Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Schmigadoon!,” “The Little Mermaid” on Broadway) will narrate “Le dernier sorcier.”
Also featured on the program are two Berlioz works for female voice, “Le mort d’Ophélie,” inspired by “Hamlet,” and “La captive,” which Viardot sang in London, together with a Rossini aria made famous by Viardot’s sister, legendary singer Maria Malibran.
The performance is on Sunday, August 11th at 3 p.m. at the Fisher Center’s Sosnoff Theater on Manor Avenue in Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y. There is a pre-concert Talk with Hilary Poriss at 2:30 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Norman Rockwell Museum’s 6th annual Art of Brewing Festival
Stockbridge— On Saturday, August 10th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., celebrate regional craft brews and creative label art at Norman Rockwell Museum’s 6th annual Art of Brewing Festival.
This popular ticketed event offers sample brews from craft breweries, a pop-up exhibit of label art, food from local food trucks, lawn games, music, and the chance to view this summer’s featured exhibitions, including “What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine.”
The event is on Saturday, August 10th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Norman Rockwell Museum at 9 Glendale Road in Stockbridge. Participants must be 21+ for tasting; all ages welcome for games, food, and art appreciation. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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West Stockbridge Cultural Council presents the 2024 West Stockbridge Zucchini Festival
West Stockbridge— On Saturday, August 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., West Stockbridge Cultural Council presents the 2024 West Stockbridge Zucchini Festival.
West Stockbridge is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year and the celebration continues with another return of the living historical event, The West Stockbridge Zucchini Festival. The beloved all-day event celebrates the unique West Stockbridge community and pays homage to everyone’s favorite staple summer squash, the Zuke!
The day’s schedule will feature Berkshire vendors, goods, artists, food, handcrafted zucchini games, zucchini contests, live local music, fireworks, and more. The festival is 100% organized and run by volunteers, neighbors, and friends. All festival games, contraptions, booths, artwork, and decorations have been dreamt up and handcrafted by the lovely folks in the West Stockbridge community.
The festival is on Saturday, August 10th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in downtown West Stockbridge. All are welcome! More information can be found online.
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Drag Story Hour Berkshires at Chesterwood
Stockbridge— On Sunday, August 10th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Chesterwood presents Drag Story Hour Berkshires.
Join Drag Story Hour Berkshires storytellers Bella Santarella and Jayde Violet for a celebration of individuality, diversity, and the pure joy of reading! Stay after the reading to express yourself through craft activities in Chesterwood’s new art lab.
The event is on Sunday, August 10th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Chesterwood at 4 Williamsville Road in Stockbridge. The event is free and open to youth of all ages and their adults. More information can be found online.
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North Berkshire Community Dance contra dance with caller Andy Davis
North Adams— On Saturday, August 10th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with caller Andy Davis, and live music provided by local musicians.
All are welcome. Come alone, or with friends, most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 p.m. for instruction in the basics. Davis will teach all dances, starting the evening with easy dances friendly to newcomers and families with children. The caller teaches new moves and skills as needed, so that beginners can dance with everyone right from the start.
The dance is on Saturday, August 10th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the All Saints Episcopal Church at 59 Summer Street in North Adams. More information can be found online.
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Housatonic River clean-up with Berkshire Environmental Action Team and Housatonic Valley Association
Pittsfield— On Saturday, August 10th from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteer to help clean up the Housatonic River with Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and Housatonic Valley Association (HVA.)
Volunteers are needed to help clean up the west branch of the Housatonic River at the final river cleanup of 2024. After the cleanup, volunteers will be provided a complimentary lunch; volunteers must RSVP in advance to reserve a free lunch.
The clean-up is on Saturday, August 10th from 9 a.m. to noon at Westside Riverway Park at 181 Dewey Avenue in Pittsfield. Cleanup teams will disperse to nearby locations, gathering miscellaneous trash from the river banks and bottom. Old clothes, a hat, sunscreen, old sneakers or waterproof boots/waders, a full water bottle, and sunglasses are recommended. In the event of pouring rain or lightning, the cleanup will be canceled. Registration and more information can be found online.
