Capital Region Classical presents the Israeli Chamber Project at The Darrow School’s Shaker Tannery
New Lebanon, N.Y.— On Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m., Capital Region Classical presents the Israeli Chamber Project at The Darrow School’s Shaker Tannery.
Now in its second decade, the Israeli Chamber Project is a dynamic ensemble that brings together some of today’s most distinguished musicians for chamber music concerts and educational and outreach programs both in Israel and abroad. It was named the winner of the 2011 Israeli Ministry of Culture Outstanding Ensemble Award and 2017 Partos Prize in recognition of its passionate musicianship, creative programming, and commitment to educational outreach. Among its members are prize-winners at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Russia, the Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award, Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Gaspar Cassado Cello Competition.
The ensemble has appeared at venues including London’s Wigmore Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Morgan Library & Museum, Town Hall and Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, The Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, Ottawa’s Chamberfest, on tour in China and Hong Kong, and has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today and WQXR radio’s Young Artist Showcase.
The concert is on Saturday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m. at The Darrow School’s Shaker Tannery at 110 Darrow Road in New Lebanon. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Becket Arts Center and Guild of Berkshire Artists to host a morning of Plein Air painting, drawing, and photographing
Becket— On Tuesday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Becket Arts Center, in collaboration with the Guild of Berkshire Artists, will hold a Plein Air morning of painting, drawing, and photographing outdoors in Becket.
The session is on Tuesday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Becket Arts Center at 7 Brooker Hill Road in Becket. It is open to artists of all levels. Bring your oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, pencils, cameras, or digital painting equipment. The cost is $10 and free for members. Bring your own lunch. Reservations and more information can be found online.
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Springfield Museums presents second annual Latino Arts Festival celebrating the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo
Springfield— On Friday, September 6th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Springfield Museums, in partnership with the Mi Museo Committee, presents its second annual Latino Arts Festival celebrating the life and legacy of Frida Kahlo.
Leading into National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Festival is a celebration of the myriad arts and rich cultures of the Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican, Dominican, and Central and South American populations of Greater Springfield.
This year’s Latino Arts Festival marks the closing weekend of “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos.” This profoundly moving and intimate exhibition reveals 241 images belonging to the iconic artist’s personal collection, which were locked up in a bathroom at her residence for more than 50 years.
At 3 p.m., there will be an illustrated lecture by Perla Labarthe, General Coordinator of the Frida Kahlo Museum Labarthe, which will explore how photography (which Frida learned from her father, renowned photographer Guillermo Kahlo) helped her discover her passion for painting and now allows us to document her life, legacy, friendships, and work.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., there is an after-hours event, at which attendees can tour “Frida Kahlo, Her Photos,” enjoy music by The Goza Latin Band and DJ Cowboy, salsa dancing, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, hands-on activities, and a Frida-inspired floral installation by Social Haus Displays.
The festival is on Friday, September 6th from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Springfield Museums at 21 Edwards Street in Springfield. Festival activities are free and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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Downtown Pittsfield final ‘First Fridays Artswalk’ of 2024
Pittsfield— On Friday, September 6th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., the First Fridays Artswalk in downtown Pittsfield returns as part of the City of Pittsfield’s First Fridays at Five.
Participating venues include Berkshire Art Center, Berkshire Black Economic Council, Clock Tower Artists, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Hotel on North, Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Living in Recovery, Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Marketplace Cafe, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, NUarts gallery + studios, Roots and Dreams and Mustard Seeds, Soda Chef, THECOLLAB, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield.
Highlights include “The Art and Soul of Autumn” by Autumn Phoenix Photography at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield at 175 Wendell Avenue. Step into the artistic vision of Autumn Phoenix as she showcases some of her most cherished art photography. Autumn pours her heart and soul into every piece, creating an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
THECOLLAB at 163 North Street will feature “Stepping Out” by Sadiya. The art for ‘Stepping Out’ is original work by Howard University Rising Senior Sadiya Q-G. This marks her first solo show in the Berkshires. Sadiya’s original work reflects bold images with bright, captivating color combinations in an ancient, thick-lined style, reminiscent of ancestral and world art. Her work is largely inspired by the Black Arts Movement and centered around portraiture as a way to celebrate individuals in the collective. Her serene and expressive photos show some of her travels to the Dominican Republic and Ghana. They focus on the often-overlooked everyday rituals/routines of people, depicting a depth and poignancy felt as well as seen.
Dottie’s Coffee Lounge and Dorothy’s Estaminet at 438 and 444 North Street will host “Polly, Elano, and Richard, Icons of The Present Day: Jazz, Pittsfield, and Manhattan,” featuring artists Polly Kurasch, Elano Dallmeyer, and Richard Britell, as well as the official First Fridays After Party featuring DJ BFG from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The doors open at 6 p.m. There will be a full cash bar and coffee available for purchase.
Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art on your cell phone. Check out all of the First Fridays at Five events online.
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Living in Recovery to host third annual recovery celebration at the Pittsfield Common Park
Pittsfield— On Saturday, September 7th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., as part of National Recovery Month, Living in Recovery will host its third annual “Revel in Recovery Celebration” at the First Street Common.
Revel in Recovery will feature recovery information booths, a bouncy house, a double water slide, spoken word performances, and inspiring speakers. Food will be provided by UpStreet Smoke, which will be on site with their delicious smoked meat and Southern style bites. The event will feature live music by Berkshire Soul Society, with vocalists Wanda Houston, Ed Moran, and Chantell, along with Will Carroll, Nick Landess, and Dan Broad.
The free celebration is on Saturday, September 7th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Common Park at 100 First Street in Pittsfield. It is family-friendly and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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Suicide prevention conference at Bousquet
Pittsfield— On Tuesday, September 10th from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., several key Berkshire County mental health and community organizations across the region including Berkshire Health Systems, the Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Suicide Prevention Program, the Brien Center, the Austen Riggs Center, and NAMI of Berkshire County, have partnered to present “New Perspectives on Populations at Risk in Berkshire County,” a suicide prevention conference for social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nurses, and psychologists.
This conference will focus on new perspectives on populations at risk for suicide in Berkshire County. Racial justice and health equity principles will be presented with a focus on trauma-informed and healing centered approaches and applications. Suicide risk will be defined through societal structures and environments, rather than just identity traits. Societal mechanisms within systems of oppression that create and maintain high-risk conditions for suicide and the root causes of suicide risk through a community care lens will be identified. Priority populations, including people experiencing suicide ideation, who are at-risk of attempts and or death, and under-served and/or historically marginalized populations, will be reviewed. There will be a focus on youth, suicide loss survivors, and people living in rural areas. Concepts will be applied to the unique needs of the Berkshire County community.
The conference is Tuesday, September 10th from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Bousquet on Dan Fox Drive in Pittsfield. The cost is $85 for general admission with CEUs or $35 without CEUs. Registration and more information can be found online.
