Lift Ev’ry Voice film series at the Berkshire Museum
Pittsfield – The Lift Ev’ry Voice film series, part of the 2015 Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival, kicks off Tuesday, July 14 at 2 p.m. with a free screening of the Brazilian film Quilombo, followed by a discussion led by film curator and Lift Ev’ry Voice co-chair Don Quinn Kelley, Ph.D. The film series, which is co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College and Berkshire Museum, is free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation.
2015 is the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution which ended slavery in the United States, and the four films included in the series explore themes of slavery in the Americas, its aftermath, and civil rights.
Screening dates are as follows:
Tuesday, July 14, 2 p.m.: Screening & discussion of ‘Quilombo’ (1984, 114 min.); Tuesday, July 28, 2 p.m.: Screening & discussion of ‘Xica da Silva’ (1976, 107 min.); Tuesday, August 4, 2 p.m.: Screening & discussion of ‘Gone are the Days!’ (1963, 99 min.); August 11, 2 p.m.: Screening & discussion of ‘One Potato, Two Potato’ (1964, 83 min.)
The Lift Ev’ry Voice Film Series take place at the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema. All screenings are free with a $5 suggested donation. For more information call the museum at (413) 443-7171.
–E.E.
* * *
Slideluck art show and potluck dinner
Lenox – Following successful events in cities around the world, Slideluck will host its inaugural event in the Berkshires at Stonover Farm on Thursday, July 16 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Slideluck will present a slideshow and a potluck dinner at which members of the Berkshire arts communities are invited to bring their favorite picnic food and drink before the screening of the multimedia slideshow that will incorporate a curated show by Stonover Farm in partnership with IS183 Art School of the Berkshires.
The evening will include dining on home-cooked delights, beverages from national sponsor Brooklyn Brewery, and mingling with fellow artists and supporters. Following the potluck a slideshow will feature the work of Scott Barrow, Pops Peterson, Tom Ciaburri, John Clarke, Huckleberry Delsignore, Ben Evans, Jane Feldman, Shawn Fields, Phil Knoll, Thaddeus Kubis, Rob MacInnes, Adreienne Miesmer, Paul Mutimear, Peggy Reeves, Malik Sajid, John Stanmeyer, Erika Stone, Joe Wheaton, and Bill Wright. Works by artists who are part of Slideluck Berkshires will be exhibited and available for sale in the Barn Gallery at Stonover Farm and 20 percent of each sale will be donated to IS183. Local author Gina Hyams will have copies of her book The Tanglewood Picnic available for sale.
The event is free and open to the public. Slideluck is an opportunity for artists and arts appreciators to gather together and share their work in a congenial, non-competitive atmosphere. Presenters range from the very accomplished to the up-and-coming, and all are allotted no more than five minutes per slideshow.
–E.E.
* * *
Berkshire Playwrights Lab presents “Harper” at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
Great Barrington – The Berkshire Playwrights Lab (BPL) will present “Harper,” the next play in its free Staged Reading Series on Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. “Harper” is a comedy about Glenn and Cindy, a couple living together in New York City, whose relationship is tested when Cindy’s bohemian ex-boyfriend comes to the city for a visit.
BPL’s Staged Reading Series takes place through August and brings artists and audiences into conversation around new plays in development. There is no admission cost for the readings, but reservations are recommended. To reserve tickets, call the Mahaiwe box office at 413-528-0100.
–E.E.
* * *
Yoga Great Barrington celebrates 20 years in the Berkshires
Great Barrington – Yoga Great Barrington (YogaGB) marks its 20-year anniversary this summer of providing yoga and meditation instruction in the heart of the Berkshires. Honored to be counted among the region’s longest-running independent yoga studios, Yoga Great Barrington celebrates the community whose dedication has made the studio’s longevity possible.
The studio, located just off of Main Street, was first established in 1995 as Berkshire Mountain Yoga by acclaimed actress and fiber artist Karen Allen, who was drawn to the area through her work at the Berkshire Theatre Festival and the Williamstown Theatre Festival and is also a long-time practitioner of the Hatha and Ashtanga branches of yoga.
In celebration of two decades of service, YogaGB invites the public to share pictures, stories, and experiences on its website and/or Facebook page.
–E.E.
