Berkshire Pulse to present annual performance celebration
Great Barrington — Berkshire Pulse will present its 14th annual performance celebration and fundraiser on Saturday, May 25, and Sunday, May 26, at 3 p.m. at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Daniel Arts Center.
The performance highlights the many ways Pulse classes and workshops explored the meaning of the theme of connection both culturally through dances of Africa, flamenco and world music, and sociologically by addressing current issues. The teens in Pulse’s Young Choreographers Initiative focused on movement and activism and created “Untitled,” a piece on the subject of sexual assault and consent. “Rise,” a piece that features choreography created by a group of younger dancers, is based on improvisations that explored the differences of connection and disconnection among people. The title refers to the feelings they experience when they connect with each other as a group. Through rhythm, graduating student Taylor Slonaker created “My Story,” a tap piece expressing her life experience through various rhythmic tones using wood platforms.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for youth ages 4–18. Proceeds will benefit Pulse’s tuition assistance program. 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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Former Columbine High School principal to discuss school violence
Great Barrington — Fairview Hospital and the Southern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee will welcome former Columbine High School principal Frank DeAngelis to the Monument Mountain Regional High School auditorium Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. for a presentation titled “On Any Given Day: Leadership Lessons from Columbine and Beyond.”
Now a consultant and speaker on recovery after a school tragedy, DeAngelis will share his story of the events through the aftermath, sharing leadership lessons he learned in the focus of an international firestorm. His recently released book, “They Call Me Mr. De: The Story of Columbine’s Heart, Resilience, and Recovery,” will be available for sale at the event.
The program is free and open to members of the public over the age of 18. It is also approved for two EMS continuing education hours. Registration is required. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Heather Barbieri, Fairview’s director of emergency management, at (413) 854-9656.
–E.E.
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Egremont Barn to welcome Jackson Whalan
South Egremont — The Egremont Barn will welcome the Jackson Whalan Live Band and Jules Jenssen’s MAD MIDI Friday, May 24, at 8 p.m.
Berkshires native Whalan is a lyricist and producer who creates classic hip-hop with a modern flair to invoke positive societal change. Whalan has toured nationally, opening for artists such as Moon Hooch and others, and has also performed at the United Nations headquarters on multiple occasions in honor of the International Day of Peace. Whalan graduated from the New School in New York City in 2013, and has since worked with a wide range of artists including Mr. Lif and Dave Eggar. Joining Whalan for this show will be Jules Jenssen on drums, John Young on bass guitar, Ian C. Evans on keys, Ian Stewart on trumpet and Tyler Gasek on saxophone.
Jenssen’s new solo project, MAD MIDI. consists of a dynamic, reactive, custom audio/video sampler that’s triggered via acoustic drum set, resulting in multimedia storytelling that bridges cinematic entertainment and electronic jazz. Utilizing visual and audio samples from across the internet, MAD MIDI blends found sights and sounds into synesthesiatic stories and landscapes. Every piece of video and audio is triggered in real time from the drums, which allows for the same source material to be performed in new, unpredictable ways at every show.
Tickets are $10. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Egremont Barn at 413-528-1570 or info@theegremontbarn.com.
–E.E.
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West Stockbridge Chamber Players to perform spring benefit concert
West Stockbridge — The West Stockbridge Chamber Players will present a spring concert Friday, May 24, at 6 p.m. at the Old Town Hall, 9 Main St. A reception featuring refreshments and the opportunity to mingle with the musicians will follow the concert downstairs in the Old Town Hall.
Featured players will be Amanda Hardy on oboe, Sheila Fiekowsky and Lisa Kim on violin, Daniel Getz on viola, and Oliver Aldort on cello. Curated by West Stockbridge Chamber Players artistic director Catherine Hudgins, the program will include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Oboe Quartet in F major, K. 370/368b; Hans Gál’s Serenade for Clarinet, Violin & Cello, Op. 93; and Franz Schubert’s String Quartet No. 13 in A minor (the Rosamunde Quartet), D 804, Op. 29. Thanks to the largesse of the Players as well as support from the community, the concert will be the first to offer audience members the chance to use the building’s newly installed ADA-compliant elevator, a major step forward in the Old Town Hall’s restoration campaign.
Tickets are $35. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, call (413) 232-5055 or visit West Stockbridge businesses displaying blue music notes in their windows.
–E.E.
