Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center to stream Lucinda Williams’ ‘Lu’s Jukebox’
Great Barrington — The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center has added virtual programs from rock, folk, and country artist Lucinda Williams to its schedule. Unique sets will stream through November and December, including “Bob’s Back Pages: A Night of Bob Dylan Songs,” Thursday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Williams is performing a series of virtual concerts titled “Lu’s Jukebox,” which consists of mostly full-band, in-studio performances that feature a themed set of songs curated by the multi-Grammy Award-winner. She’ll also introduce an occasional rarity or new song that fits each episode’s theme. The series partially benefits participating independent venues like the Mahaiwe. Future sets in the series include “Funny How Time Slips Away: A Night of ‘60s Country Classics” on Dec. 3; “Have Yourself a Rockin’ Little Christmas with Lucinda” on Dec. 17; and “It’s Only Rock and Roll: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones,” on Dec. 31.
Tickets are $20 for each show. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center at (413) 528-0100.
–E.E.
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PJ Library Pajama Drive to benefit at-risk Berkshire youth
Pittsfield — The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires has begun its annual PJ Library Pajama Drive to help children in the community who may lack the comfort of warm sleepwear. Last year’s effort collected more than 150 sets of pajamas from individuals, groups and local businesses. This year the Federation has teamed up with Carr Hardware to offer drop-off of brand-new pajamas (sizes newborn to teen) at locations across Berkshire County:
- Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, 196 South St.;
- Carr Hardware, 256 Main St., Great Barrington;
- Carr Hardware, 489 Pittsfield Road, Lenox; and
- Carr Hardware, 179 State Road, North Adams.
The pajama drive runs through Wednesday, Dec. 16. Donations will be received by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families’ Pittsfield office and distributed to local families during the holiday season. Monetary donations toward the purchase of pajamas are also welcome. For more information, contact Susan Frisch Lehrer at (413) 442-4360 x14 or slehrer@jewishberkshires.org.
–E.E.
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Lee Library to offer American Sign Language class
Lee — Beginning Monday, Nov. 23, the Lee Library will offer a four-week virtual class on the basics of American Sign Language. The class will be taught by instructors from SIGNING Basics in Springfield and include introductions and greetings, the manual alphabet, days of the week, foods and snacks, negations and affirmations, and basic sentence structure.
The program is free and open to the public via Zoom. Registration is required and participants are expected to commit to all four weeks of the class. For more information or to register, contact Rosemarie Borsody at rborsody@cwmars.org.
–E.E.
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Christine Baranski to host HVA virtual auction
Cornwall Bridge, Conn. — The Housatonic Valley Association’s virtual Auction for Our Environment will take place Sunday, Nov. 22, from 4 to 5 p.m. Hosted by Christine Baranski, featured auction items include Q, A & C (cocktails) Zoom time with Seth Meyers; a Paris-Bordeaux adventure (at a future, more COVID-19-safe date); a singing/talking gift card from Margo Martindale; and a long weekend getaway at a beachfront house in Chatham, Massachusetts. There will also be a variety of other treats from regional businesses, including Litchfield Distillery, Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Kent Wine & Spirit, G.W. Tavern, and Fife ‘n Drum.
Tickets to the auction start at $100. A pre-auction reception with Baranski and Martindale will take place at 3:30 p.m. for $1,000 or more. For more information, contact the Housatonic Valley Association at (860) 672-6678 or info@hva.org.
–E.E.
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Hawthorne Valley School’s Yuletide Fair goes virtual
Ghent, N.Y. — Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School’s traditional Yuletide Fair celebration is now virtual. Through Monday, Nov. 30, via an online silent auction, participants can bid on a large selection of items in support of the school.
The auction includes handmade clothes, ornaments, toys, jewelry, themed gift baskets, gift certificates for local businesses, and wellness treatments. Featured items include a 1960s Silvertone Bobkat guitar donated by Aaron Dessner of the National, a landscape painting by late local artist Thomas Locker, a private tour and tasting at Churchtown Dairy, a Puerto Rican vacation rental, and a private photo session with Keetch Miller Photography.
Winners of auction items will have the option of either picking up their items at the school on Saturday, Dec. 5, or having the items shipped to them. The Yuletide Fair will include the annual gingerbread contest, which will also be virtual, with contestants entering photographs of their creations for judging and prizes.
For more information, contact Linda Park at (518) 672-7092 x101 or lpark@hawthornevalley.org.
–E.E.
