Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Four Sporting Boys: Baseball, 1949. Watercolor on board, 13 1/2" x 12". Lent courtesy of the Williams High School Alumni Association. Norman Rockwell Family Agency. Brown and Bigelow. All rights reserved.

Bits & Bytes: ‘Home Run!’ at Norman Rockwell Museum; ‘Sing Along With the Muppet Movie;’ Township No. 1 Day; Sun Parade in North Adams; CAS art show

With influences ranging from British folk songs to Motown, Sun Parade will be on the road throughout 2017 in support of their latest album, “Braindrain.”

Norman Rockwell Museum to celebrate baseball

Stockbridge — In celebration of summer and America’s favorite pastime, the Norman Rockwell Museum will present “Home Run! An All American Baseball Day” on Saturday, July 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. The family-friendly festival will pay tribute to the sport as well as artists who captured the excitement of the game.

Throughout the day artists John Broderick and Joseph Farnham will offer insights into their baseball-inspired work; National Baseball Hall of Fame museum and outreach educator Larry Moore will explore the history and evolution of baseball equipment; Sherri Buxton and friends will entertain with baseball-themed music; and author Kevin Larkin will discuss the recent book “Baseball in the Berkshires.” Representatives from the Pittsfield Suns and North Adams SteepleCats will be on site to meet visitors, and the Berkshire Adult Baseball League will offer a game of catch on the museum lawn. Other activities will include hands-on art making, tours, and special displays throughout the day.

The event is included with NRM admission and free for the museum’s members. For more information, contact NRM at (413) 298-4100.

–E.E.

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‘Sing Along With the Muppet Movie’ at the Mahaiwe

An audience enjoys 'Sing Along with The Muppet Movie.' Photo courtesy IBEX Puppetry
An audience enjoys ‘Sing Along with The Muppet Movie.’ Photo courtesy IBEX Puppetry

Great Barrington — As part of Free Fun Fridays, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will present “Sing Along with ‘The Muppet Movie’” on Friday, July 7, at 11 a.m. Related art activities will be led by instructors from IS183 Art School of the Berkshires from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“Sing Along with ‘The Muppet Movie’” provides family-friendly, raucous interactions with the classic Jim Henson film. During the events, IBEX Puppetry leads audiences of cheering, singing fans to renew their “rainbow connection” with the fleecy friends who started it all. Children and adults alike are urged to yell out famous lines, dance in the aisles and, of course, sing along with the movie to forge new or renew connections to a film from another generation.

Admission is free courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation. For more information, contact the Mahaiwe box office at (413) 528-0100.

–E.E.

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Bidwell House Museum to host Township No. 1 Day

Moonshine Holler. Photo: Jack Grassa
Moonshine Holler. Photo: Jack Grassa

Monterey — The Bidwell House Museum will host Township No. 1 Day–a celebration of “Township No. 1 at Hoosatonnuck,” the earliest official designation of the settlement that eventually became the towns of Tyringham and Monterey–on Saturday, July 8, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The museum has planned a full afternoon of programs and entertainment for all ages. The Adams Brothers and Moonshine Holler offer live music during the celebration. The Butler’s Rangers will portray historic characters including refugees, soldiers, women and children. Children’s activities will include games, crafts, face-painting, a scavenger hunt, a project with Flying Cloud Institute, and trucks to climb on courtesy of the Monterey Fire Company and Tryon Construction. The Tyringham Historical Commission will offer a display on the origins of Tyringham street names.

Del Martin of Knox Trail Forge
Del Martin of Knox Trail Forge

The Berkshire Hills and Dales Spinning Guild will showcase historic spinning techniques, Alix von Auenmueller will exhibit the use of a potter’s wheel and Del Martin of Knox Trail Forge will demonstrate metal forging. The Bidwell House’s head gardener, Ruth Green, will give a tour of the house’s colonial gardens, and Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation service forester Tom Ryan will give a talk and walk on forest health. Sausages from the grill, SoCo Creamery ice cream, beer and old-time soft drinks will be available for purchase, and there will be free lemonade, popcorn and watermelon.

For more information, contact the Bidwell House Museum at (413) 528-6888 or bidwellhouse@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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Sounds and Tones to present Sun Parade at Colegrove Park

Sun Parade
Sun Parade

North Adams — Sounds & Tones Records will present a free concert with Sun Parade on Saturday, July 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Colegrove Park on North Church Street. Sounds and Tones artist Joe Mansman and the Midnight Revival Band will open the show.

Northampton-based indie rockers Sun Parade were last in North Adams when they opened for Dr. Dog at MASS MoCA in 2015. The band has also supported Lake Street Dive, Born Ruffians and And The Kids. With influences ranging from British folk songs to Motown, Sun Parade will be on the road throughout 2017 in support of their latest album, “Braindrain,” which was produced in Brooklyn, New York, by Ian Hersey of Rubblebucket.

For more information, contact Sounds and Tones Records at soundsandtones@gmail.com.

–E.E.

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Art exhibit at Congregation Ahavath Sholom

'Green Gourds' by Molly Pomerance
‘Green Gourds’ by Molly Pomerance

Great Barrington — Congregation Ahavath Sholom presents an exhibit of art by Molly Pomerance through Thursday, Aug. 31, in its upstairs art gallery.

Pomerance was born in Warsaw, Poland; grew up in Great Britain; was educated at St. Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, where she graduated with a degree in history; and came to the United States in 1956. In 1973 she started dividing her time between New York City and Copake Falls, New York. After some years doing collage and monoprint, Pomerance began painting in oil and occasionally acrylic. She has studied with Tim Doud, Carla Aurich and James Sheehan.

For more information, contact Congregation Ahavath Sholom at casoffice15@gmail.com.

–E.E.