Ballet to host preview fundraiser for new Nutcracker costumes
PITTSFIELD— Albany Berkshire Ballet will hold an immersive fundraiser performance event Sunday, August 14, supporting a major costume update to the company’s beloved production. The event will last from 1-4 p.m. and will be held at the Berkshire Hills Country Club.
Along with food, live music and dance performance, attendees will get a glimpse into the process as designer Sam Meredith presents a preview of some of the new costumes for ABB’s The Nutcracker as it returns to stages later this year. Choreographed by Artistic Director Madeline Culpo, The Nutcracker will be entering its 47th season this year, with performances in Pittsfield, Albany, Springfield and Burlington.
Entertainment will include a debut live film screening of Eric Otto’s original work “Cerelia,” along with dancers Ruslan Sprague, Rachael Weber, and Mila Krol, Luciella Curletti, and Lucy Gregg with performing choreography by Danielle Price.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, along with a cash bar. Unique themed gift baskets will be raffled off to help support the company’s investment in new costumes.
At this event, ABB will also make a major announcement about the launch of a new community program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, in conjunction with the City of Pittsfield.
Tickets for the event are $35-40 for adults, and can be purchased online.
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Seth Glier to perform and offer workshop at The Guthrie Center
GREAT BARRINGTON— The Guthrie Center will welcome back Grammy-nominated Seth Glier on August 13 for an afternoon workshop and evening concert.
Glier’s music draws on traditional roots music and storytelling, and is enhanced by original instrumentation and haunting songwriting.Named as one of the “Fifty Gifted Singer-Songwriters You Must Know” (Riff), he has won multiple Independent Music Awards. NPR has described his voice as “otherworldly.”
For his separately ticketed workshop, Seth will share his experiences as a U.S. State Department-sponsored cultural ambassador in China, Mongolia, and Ukraine, creating music that can transcend borders and language.
Tickets for the workshop (2-3:30 p.m.) are $45, and tickets for the concert (doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m.) are $40.
Tickets can be purchased at theguthriecenter.simpletix.com
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Berkshire Theatre Group announces fall season
PITTSFIELD– Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Kate Maguire (Artistic Director, CEO) are excited to announce the 2022 fall season at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield. The fall line up includes a nationally performing act, as well as several local and regional bands.
Running September 29 through October 23 at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, winner of the 1975 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Edward Albee’s Seascape tells the tale of a middle-aged couple who meet a pair of highly evolved lizards on a deserted stretch of beach. Throughout the story, told with Edward Albee’s signature ironic wit, both couples examine the meaning and significance of life.
Legendary country artist Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will perform at The Colonial Theater on October 7.
Other concerts at The Colonial Theatre include: The Eagles Experience (9/3); Dancers of The Berkshires Present The Moment (9/11); Gary Backstrom Band Performs Frampton Comes Alive! (9/16); Susan Werner with Special Guest Erin McKeown (10/14); BonJourneyNY (11/12) and One Last, Last Waltz with Rev Tor and Friends (11/18).
Tickets for all of BTG’s exciting productions are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org or contact the Colonial Ticket Office by calling 413-997-4444.
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CREATE Exhibit Addresses Climate Future
CATSKILL, N.Y.— An art exhibit set to debut at CREATE Gallery in Catskill is exploring the emotional responses of artists to the threat of climate uncertainty. “Whether Weather”, a group display conceived and curated by Tasha Depp and Eva Melas, invited artists to submit work expressing their personal relationship to the confrontation of climate change. The ambition of the show is to provoke and encourage conversation about our hopes and fears concerning our collective future on the planet.
Participating artists responded with a diverse array of works, from clothing made from recycled materials to 3-D computer animation to sculptures and paintings. The collection features contributions by over twenty-five individual artists.
“Whether Weather” will be on display from August 13 to Sept. 25 at CREATE Gallery, located at 398 Main Street in Catskill, NY. An opening reception will be held on August 13 from 4-6 p.m. A discussion, “Confronting Climate Change” with David Sassoon, founder and publisher of Inside Climate News, will be held on Sunday, August 14 from 2:30-4 p.m.
Questions? Email info@createcouncil.org.
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“Cliff Swallows in Northeastern North America: A Conservation Adventure”
PITTSFIELD— Conservation biologists Linda Merry and Mara Silvers will speak at the August Pittsfield Green Drinks event. On Tuesday, August 16, Pittsfield Green Drinks will start at 5:15 p.m. at Thistle & Mirth, 44 West Street, Pittsfield. Merry and Silvers will speak at 6:00 p.m.
Cliff swallows and other swallows have seen some of the greatest declines in the Northeastern U.S. and Eastern Canada since 1970. That decline has steepened since the late 1990s. Merry and Silvers will discuss their research on Cliff Swallow nesting, the causes of the species’ decline, the current conservation status, and measures to conserve the populations.
Linda Merry is a conservation biologist and operational meteorologist who is currently an Assistant in the Environmental and Life Sciences Department at Berkshire Community College.
Mara Silver has been working on swallow conservation projects for the past 30 years, primarily cliff and barn swallow projects. Her work focuses on enhancing breeding success at Cliff and barn swallow nesting sites.
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Registration opens for free youth workshops at Hudson Hall
HUDSON, N.Y.— Hudson Hall, at the historic Hudson Opera House, will offer three creative workshops for youth this fall. All workshops have a limited capacity and registration is required.
“Artistic Adventures: Draw & Paint From Observation” will be offered on Wednesdays at 3-4 p.m. from September 14 – November 16. Ages 8-12 are invited to learn drawing and painting techniques in a fun and engaging environment with professional Hudson-based artist, Louise Smith . Students will build foundational drawing skills as they explore still life, figure drawing, and abstract imagery using pencil, charcoal, oil / chalk pastels, acrylic and watercolor paint (materials are provided by Hudson Hall). No experience necessary. Register for the workshop here.
“Drama Club” will be offered on Tuesdays at 5-6 p.m. from September 20 – November 22. Budding performers ages 7-14 are invited to come let off some creative steam. Children’s theater specialist Cindy Kubik will lead a fun and skills-building weekly hour of theater games, improv, movement, and storytelling for the stage. Register for the workshop here.
“Hip-Hop Dance” will be offered on Wednesdays at 5-6 p.m. from September 21 – December 14. Ages 10-15 are invited to join dancer, choreographer, and Hudson High School student Kenold Dorce for a fun hip-hop dance workshop. No experience necessary. Register for the workshop here.
