Lauren Clark Fine Art presents, ‘Julio Granda: A Retrospective/An Introspection’
Great Barrington— From October 14th through November 12th, Lauren Clark Fine Art presents, ‘Julio Granda: A Retrospective/An Introspection’.
Granda, a dynamic artist whose career extends many decades, is a true master of the oeuvre. To hear him speak of his work is to hear the words of a poet. Every series and painting is a deep exploration of his chosen subject and is integral to his fantastically imagined outcome.
Julio Granda lived and worked in the Berkshires for over 50 years. He was a fine arts faculty member at Berkshire Community College for seventeen years, becoming head of the Fine Arts Department during his tenure there. He received his Master of Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst after his studies at the School of Visual Arts and Cooper Union School of Art in New York City. He has exhibited both nationally and regionally and has work in many private collections as well as in public collections.
The show opens Saturday, October 14th with a reception for the artist from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and runs through November 12th at Lauren Clark Fine Art on Main Street in Great Barrington. The show is in conjunction with “Chaos”, Granda’s most recent series which is being presented by the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield from October 6th through November 17th. More information can be found online or be calling 413-528-0432.
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The Mount presents Ricky Bernstein for the final SculptureNow artist-guided tour
Lenox— On Sunday, October 15th from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., The Mount presents Ricky Bernstein for the final SculptureNow artist-guided tour.
This is a unique opportunity to see all 27 outdoor sculptures with an exhibiting artist guide before it closes on October 21st.
The tour is on Sunday, October 15th from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Mount on Plunkett Street in Lenox. Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors, $12 for youth age 11-18, and free for children age 10 and under. All sculptures are outdoors on lawns and wooded paths. Please dress appropriately. Pets are not allowed. Photography is encouraged. There is interpretative material onsite. Tickets and more information can be find online or by calling 413-551-5107.
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Announcing the inaugural weekend of the Birch Festival
Lenox— On October 13th and 14th the Birch Festival announces its inaugural fall festival, featuring four events at Sohn Fine Art and Church on the Hill in Lenox.
The festival was founded by Lenox-based husband and wife team Yevgeny Kutik, an internationally renowned violinist who serves as Artistic Director, and writer/educator Rachel Barker, who is the new non-profit organization’s Executive Director. The Birch Festival’s mission is to bring world-leading musicians for artist residencies in Berkshire County schools, and work in tandem with local business and cultural partnerships for two annual week-long music festivals.
Yevgeny Kutik, a Belarusian-Jewish refugee resettled in Pittsfield by the Jewish Federation in the 1990s, named the festival for his grandmother. He says, “Five years ago, my grandmother Sima Berezkina passed away. Sima was the center of her community: she loved music, hosted parties, baked, played cards, and held court in her apartment for a seemingly endless stream of friends and family. Berezkina means Birch Tree. It is with this same joy, community and love of music that Rachel and I have founded The Birch Festival, and we are so excited to invite you to our inaugural weekend.”
The inaugural weekend includes four events including an opening weekend celebration at Sohn Fine Art, Birch Yoga led by Rachel Barker at The Church on the Hill Chapel, an open rehearsal at The Church on the Hill, and The Birch Festival concert, “Bartók, Folk Music, and More”featuring Kutik, celebrated clarinetist Kinan Azmeh, and esteemed pianist Renana Gutman at The Church on the Hill.
From connection with musicians through open conversation, to blended group experiences of yoga and live performance, to rich concert music that highlights the historical works of Bela Bartók with the present day music of festival musician Kinan Azmeh, The Birch Festival offers an authentic way for the Berkshire community to connect to music and to each other.
In addition, through school and community visits, the musicians of The Birch Festival encourage new audiences and build community rapport, offering free tickets to any school-aged child and an adult family member and prioritizing event accessibility for young adults. Serving as a vehicle to tell stories of the Berkshires’ diverse population, The Birch Festival connects local businesses, cultural groups, and service oriented organizations with performances, working in tandem to highlight those who make up our community.
The festival is October 13th and 14th in downtown Lenox. Tickets, a complete schedule, and more information can be found online.
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The Medieval Faire is back at Ventfort Hall
Lenox— On Sunday, October 15th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., join the Barony of Bergental as they share the arts, sciences, and culture of the pre-16th century world at Ventfort Hall.
The historic Jacobean-Revival estate will revert to days gone by when chivalry and armored tournaments were a way of life. Events and exhibits will include an equestrian demonstration, cooking, knights in armor, fighting, lace making, archery, and more.
The faire is on Sunday, October 15th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ventfort Hall on Walker Street In Lenox. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for youth ages 5 to 17, and free for children age 4 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire County Historical Society presents a theatrical performance of ‘Bartleby Prefers Not To’ in the Arrowhead barn
Pittsfield— On October 13th and 14th at 5:30 p.m., Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) presents a theatrical performance of “Bartleby Prefers Not To”, adaptation of one of Herman Melville’s most iconic and enigmatic short stories, “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall Street.”
Presented by the Amateur Comedy Club’s Special Projects Committee of New York, “Bartleby Prefers Not To” is adapted and written by Jim Aucoin and directed by Steve Butler.
The performances are on October 13th and 14th at 5:30 p.m. in the Arrowhead barn on Holmes Road in Pittsfield. Tickets are $25 and $20 for members. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Clark Art Institute hosts a jazz concert in tribute to Art Blakey with Jazz in the Berkshires
Williamstown— On Saturday, October 14th at 7 p.m., the Clark Art Institute hosts a jazz concert in tribute to Art Blakey with musicians George Cables, David Schnitter, and Steve Davis with Jazz in the Berkshires.
Celebrate one of the founding fathers of modern jazz, legendary drummer, and bandleader Art Blakey. Blakey developed more great young musicians than anyone else from the 1950s to the end of the twentieth century with his group Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Three of those original Messengers, George Cables, Craig Handy, and Steve Davis will perform together live at the Clark. Hear some of Blakey’s most familiar tunes, as well as original music from these three phenomenal artists as well as photos and stories of the monumental band leader, Art “Buhaina” Blakey.
The concert is on Saturday, October 14th at 7 p.m. in the auditorium located in the Manton Research Center at the Clark Art Institute on South Street. Tickets are $12, $10 for members, $8 for students, and $5 for children age 15 and under. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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The Lenox Library presents “Are You Afraid of Math? Math Anxiety and Ways to Overcome It” with Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Berkshire Community College Annette Guertin
Lenox— On Sunday, October 15th at 4 p.m., the Lenox Library presents “Are You Afraid of Math? Math Anxiety and Ways to Overcome It” with Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Berkshire Community College Annette Guertin, continuing its Distinguished Lecture Series.
Math can be scary for many people. Guertin will explore the topic of math anxiety, looking at ways to address it on a daily basis, and how breathing, writing, and counting can help. For 41 years, Annette Guertin taught courses ranging from Elementary Algebra to Math of Art and Nature at Berkshire Community College. Embracing the philosophy that math is everywhere, she has researched and implemented biofeedback methods that help students far beyond the math classroom.
The free lecture is on Sunday, October 15th at 4 p.m at the Lenox Library. Audience members will be invited to participate in this interactive presentation and a resource list will be provided. More information can be found online.
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The Integritus Healthcare sponsored Berkshire Community College Harvest Run
Pittsfield— The Integritus Healthcare sponsored Berkshire Community College (BCC) Harvest Run will be held Saturday, October 14th at 10 a.m., rain or shine on the scenic cross-country trails behind the Paterson Field House. The event begins with a 5K trail run followed by a one-mile Kids’ Run at 10:45 a.m.
This year’s theme is Pixar movies. Runners and spectators are encouraged to wear their favorite Pixar movie-themed costumes. Top finishers will be recognized in multiple age and gender groups and a new award category will recognize “Best Costume.” There will be Pixar-themed booths including a 50/50 raffle, kids’ activities, crafts, and a cook-off with plenty of tasty samplings.
The registration fee for the 5K Run is $25 by October 13th or $30 on race day (free for students 18 and under). The Kids’ Fun Run is free and all participants will receive a Pixar colored headband. Tech shirts will be provided to all 5K registrants while supplies last. Bib pickup and same-day registration will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (until 10 a.m. for kids) at the Paterson Field House at BCC on West Street in Pittsfield. Registration and more information can be found online.
