WordXWord to challenge ten poets with Norman Rockwell
Stockbridge — As its contribution to Pittsfield’s annual 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival and in partnership with the Norman Rockwell Museum, WordXWord has challenged 11 poets to create 10 original performance pieces in response to Norman Rockwell illustrations.
The invited poets will draw their Rockwell illustrations in person at a kick-off/performance event hosted by the Norman Rockwell Museum at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 10. The random drawing will be from a collection of Saturday Evening Post cover illustrations curated by Museum staff. The lottery event is free and open to the public and will include a short performance sampling of the participating poets’ work.
The completed works will be presented at the Whitney Center for the Arts on Friday, February 12, the opening night of the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, at 7 p.m.
–E.E.
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OLLI classes to begin January 12
Pittsfield – The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI) will offer over a dozen courses this winter in Pittsfield, Lenox, and Great Barrington.
OLLI’s winter semester of classes will run weekly Tuesdays through Fridays from Tuesday, January 12 through Thursday, February 25. Winter semester highlights include:
Sinatra: The Man and His Movies – an exploration of the film career of Francis Albert Sinatra through screenings at the Triplex Cinema of five of his best films;
Today’s Headlines – a lively, moderated, in-depth discussion of the many pressing issues of the day;
Love and Transformation: Reading Ovid in Latin – an opportunity for participants to use their knowledge of Latin, no matter how rusty;
What Was Plato Talking About – an introduction to the legendary Greek philosopher;
Women and the Creative Self – an exploration of women and creativity through readings and hands-on art-making;
Benjamin Luxon: A Singer’s Life – baritone singer Benjamin Luxon will discuss the many threads of classical singing and his own journey;
Light Reading: Illuminated Manuscripts of the Dark Ages – an exploration of the beauty and meaning of ancient documents, with a final class session at Williams College’s Chapin Library to view its collection up close and in person;
Science Conversations – a moderated exploration of the scientific discoveries and research reported on each week in the New York Times’ science section.
OLLI’s winter semester catalog can be accessed online. Classes are open to all regardless of educational background, and there are no tests or grades. Registration fees are $45 for one class, $90 for two or 3 classes in a semester, and $100 for as many classes as desired within a semester. Flexpasses are also available for $45, allowing attendance at six different open class sessions of choice. Membership is required in order to register for courses, and partial scholarships are available. For more information on any of the above classes, call (413) 236-2190 or email olli@berkshirecc.edu.
–E.E.
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New York Times columnist Dan Barry to speak at Williams College
Williamstown — Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist Dan Barry will speak at Williams College at 4 p.m. on Monday, January 11. Political science professor Justin Crowe will engage Barry in a conversation about his work. The conversation will take place in Room 3 of Griffin Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
The conversation, titled “Baseball, Bunkhouses, and Burlesque: Travels Across America,” will focus on Barry’s experiences traveling throughout all 50 states to report for his “This Land” column. In exploring both “obscure and well known corners” of America, Barry has—among other eye-opening experiences—met the coroner from “The Wizard of Oz,” learned the bump-and-grind from a mostly retired burlesque queen, and been hit in the chest by an Asian carp leaping out of the Illinois River. Outside of “This Land,” he has also reported on topics ranging from Hurricane Katrina to the New York Mets.
Barry joined the New York Times in 1995 and has served as Long Island bureau chief, City Hall bureau chief, and as the “About New York” columnist. Before joining the Times, he wrote for the Journal Inquirer in Manchester, Conn., and the Providence Journal-Bulletin, where his work both contributed to the paper’s 1994 Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting and prompted protesters to burn copies of his stories outside the newspaper’s building. In addition to his columns and investigative reporting, Barry is the author of three books: “Pull Me Up: A Memoir;” “City Lights: Stories About New York;” and “Bottom of the 33rd: Hope, Redemption, and Baseball’s Longest Game.” His fourth book, “Boys in the Bunkhouse: Servitude and Salvation in the Heartland,” will be released in May.
A book signing with Barry will follow the event. For building locations on the Williams campus, consult the online map or call the Office of Communications at (413) 597-4277.
–E.E.
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‘Core Stability, Flexible Feet, and Balance’ workshop
Pittsfield — On Monday, January 11 at 10:45 a.m., the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will present the workshop “Core Stability, Flexible Feet and Balance” led by Carol Bennett at Congregation Knesset Israel.
After a career in theater and movement, Bennett obtained certifications and degrees in such bodywork practices such as the Feldenkreis method, aquatic exercise, and kinesiology and will share her experiences.
For more information call the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires at (413) 442-4360 x10.
–E.E.
