Internationally Acclaimed Artist Georges Adéagbo pays homage to the creation of the Lincoln Memorial at Chesterwood
Stockbridge— On Saturday, July 29 at 4:30 p.m., Chesterwood opens “Create to Free Yourselves: Abraham Lincoln and the History of Freeing Slaves in America”.
In “Create to Free Yourselves: Abraham Lincoln and the History of Freeing Slaves in America”, West African sculptor and found-object virtuoso of site-specific installation, Georges Adéagbo, (born in 1942 in Cotonou, Benin) brings his transformational art to Chesterwood, the historic home and studio of famed early 20th century sculptor Daniel Chester French.
Adéagbo has long been personally intrigued by President Lincoln as an icon of emancipation, and this project explores Lincoln’s legacy of liberation and creativity. “Create to Free Yourselves” stemmed from a research fellowship about Abraham Lincoln that Adéagbo held at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art (NMAA), which gave him access to the collections and the archives. The fellowship soon developed into a collaboration between the NMAA and President Lincoln’s Cottage.
Adéagbo’s works can be found in important collections such as the Centre Pompidou-Paris; Museum Ludwig Cologne; Philadelphia Museum of Art; Toyota City Museum, Japan; the National Museum Oslo; KIASMA Helsinki; Moderna Museet Stockholm; and the Contemporary Art Collection of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“Georges Adeagbo is one of the most significant artists alive today,” Karen Milbourne, a senior curator of the NMAA, told the Smithsonian Magazine in January 2023, “Experiencing the work of Adéagbo,” she says, “is like traveling the map of another person’s mind. He shares with us what he reads and sees, inviting us to join him on a journey of association. And the journeys are always thoughtful, provocative, and visually stunning.”
The exhibition opens on Saturday, July 29th at 4:30 p.m. at Chesterwood on Williamsville Road in Stockbridge with an artist’s talk followed by a reception and live music by popular world jazz ensemble, Heard. Tickets are $25 general admission and free for Chesterwood members and all children under 18. Reservations are recommended. A reservation form and more information can be found by visiting Chesterwood online.
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Jacob’s Pillow hosts its annual ‘Pillow Pride Party’, the most popular party of the season
Becket— On July 8th at 9:30 p.m., Jacob’s Pillow hosts its annual “Pillow Pride Party”, the most popular party of the season!
Don’t miss the return of the Pillow’s annual LGBTQIA+ celebration, “Pillow Pride Party”, a night full of dancing and performances from the Dragon Sisters, following the evening performances of the Dutch National Ballet in the Ted Shawn Theatre.
The party is on July 8th at 9:30 p.m. at Jacob’s Pillow on George Carter Road in Becket. Tickets are $35. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting Jacob’s Pillow online.
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MASS MoCA presents pianist and former child prodigy BLKBOK (pronounced ‘Black Bach’)
North Adams— On Saturday, July 15th at 8 p.m., MASS MoCA presents pianist and former child prodigy BLKBOK (pronounced “Black Bach”).
BLKBOK was born and raised in Detroit and used his classical training as a springboard through the worlds of pop and hip-hop. Since then he’s been music directing and playing in bands of artists from Justin Timberlake to Rihanna. His acclaimed debut solo recording, Black Book, is a modern masterpiece. Live in concert, he places his solo compositions into cultural context with spoken word/poetry intros.
The concert is on Saturday, July 15th at 8 p.m. in MASS MoCA’s Club B10 on MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. Tickets are $22 in advance, $32 on the day off, $46 for preferred seating, and children are five and under are free. Tickets and more information can be found by visiting MASS MoCA online.
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The Clark Art Institute hosts a lecture by curator of contemporary projects Robert Wiesenberger, in conjunction with the opening of ‘Humane Ecology: Eight Positions’
Williamstown— On Saturday, July 15th from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., the Clark Art Institute hosts a lecture by Curator of Contemporary Projects Robert Wiesenberger, in conjunction with the opening of “Humane Ecology: Eight Positions”.
Featuring eight contemporary artists who consider the intertwined natural and social dimensions of ecological relationships, the exhibition includes sculpture, sound installation, video, and plantings. Each artist represents a distinct approach and place, or “position,” and the complex dynamics between living things and their environments is essential to their thinking. Through their work, these artists illuminate patterns of cultivation and care, migration and adaptation, extraction, and exploitation that span historical, geographical, and species lines. Humane Ecology is presented in outdoor and indoor spaces at the Clark.
The free lecture is on Saturday, July 15th from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. No registration is required. For more information, visit the Clark online.
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Free Eagles Stage Band summer concert
Pittsfield— On Tuesday, July 11th at 7 p.m., the Eagles Stage Band will perform a free summer concert.
The Eagles Band of Pittsfield is celebrating its 87th year of playing music in the Berkshires. The band is devoted to the continued promotion of the community band concept where anyone from any background can come together to make music and have fun, and is longest continuous performing ensemble in the Berkshires. The band will be playing various selections including “Sing, Sing, Sing”, “La Bamba”, “Pink Panther”, “Moondance”, and “Copacabana”.
The concert is on Tuesday, July 11th at 7 p.m. at the Pittsfield Common on First Street in Pittsfield. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the beautiful sounds of this talented ensemble! The rain location is the First United Methodist Church on Fenn Street in Pittsfield. For more information visit the Eagles Band online.
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Jacob’s Pillow presents ‘Hip Hop with Versa-Style Dance Company’ community workshop
Pittsfield— On Wednesday, July 12th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., join L.A.-based dance company Versa-Style and learn the fundamentals of Hip Hop dance!
This free, all-ages workshop is on Wednesday, July 12th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church on First Street in Pittsfield. Jacob’s Pillow is committed to creating accessible spaces and experiences, please contact community@jacobspillow.org with accessibility questions or accommodation requests. Registration and more information can be found by visiting Jacob’s Pillow online.
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New ‘Men’s Healing Playshop’ helps men prevent, and recover from, stress and chronic illness
Pittsfield— On Sundays, July 16th through August 20th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Q-MoB and Tapestry present a series of new “Men’s Healing Playshops”.
The “Men’s Healing Playshop” is a series of playshops offering men fun, creative ways to use mindfulness and movement to address stress, chronic pain, chronic illness, isolation, allergies, insomnia, anxiety/depression/ADHD, HIV, addiction, boredom, and a lack of connection with your body, nature, and community. These issues contribute to rural men dying at a rate of six years younger than women.
In the playshops, men will sample fun, creative mindfulness techniques including yoga, hiking, biking, paddling (kayaking/canoeing), QiGong, music, movement, forest bathing, Reiki/massage, tea ceremony, drumming, mindful eating, and “sharing, listening, & witnessing”, followed by an optional potluck lunch and swim.
You also will practice connecting with a diverse group of men in a community of support and affirmation. The playshops are for diverse adult men regardless of their age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, or income level. You will actively be encouraged to try things you may enjoy and to abstain from things you may not be comfortable with. Take what you like and leave the rest. Come to as many workshops as you’d like.
The workshops are on Sundays, July 16th through August 20th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bonnie Brae Campground on Broadway Street in Pittsfield. If you have questions or want to request accommodations, please call Robert at 413-241-5379 or text/call Bart at 503-734-6508 or email: queermenoftheberkshires@gmail.com. More information can be found by visiting Q-MoB online.
