Jazz vocalist Stephanie Nakasian to perform
Pittsfield — Berkshires Jazz, Inc. will present Stephanie Nakasian with the Hod O’Brien Trio at Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant on Saturday, February 13, at 8 p.m. Created specifically for the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, Nakasian’s program will entail a musical survey of 10 great historic jazz singers.
National recording artist Nakasian is renowned for her unique vocal insights and capabilities that enable her to sing in the styles, and with the sensibilities, of her subjects ranging from Ether Waters to June Christy, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holiday, Abbey Lincoln, and others. The performance and contextual information are based on research she conducted as part of her vocal jazz course at the University of Virginia and which serve as the foundation for her recording “Thrush Hour: A Study of the Great Ladies of Jazz.”
The Hod O’Brien Trio features David Clark on bass, George Schuller on drums, and Hod O’Brien on piano. Saturday’s show will mark the trio’s first performance in the Berkshires since its rousing reception at the 2014 Pittsfield CityJazz Festival.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. See the Berkshire Edge calendar for tickets and more information.
–E.E.
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Stockbridge election information
Stockbridge — Nine positions will be on the town election ballot on Tuesday, May 17. Incumbents who will run are Town Clerk Terri Lemolini, Doug Goudey of the Board of Assessors, Sewer and Water Commissioner Peter Socha, Planning Board member Gary Pitney, and Planning Board member Gene Talbot. Deciding not to take another term are Selectman Chuck Gillett, Board of Health member Jonathan Chabon, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Phil Heller, and the Housing Authority’s Anna Smith. At this time only one additional candidate has come forward to seek an open seat. Planning Board member and Democratic Town Committee Chairman Don Chabon has taken out papers to run for Selectman.
Nominating papers are available from the Town Clerk and will be due by the end of March. The Stockbridge Democratic Town Committee meetings will take place Saturday, March 5, at 10 a.m. at the Town Offices at 50 Main St. and will include the State Caucus, Town Committee Meeting, and Town Caucus.
–E.E.
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GBRSS science fair postponed
Great Barrington — Due to an unforeseen family event, the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School (GBRSS) Science Fair planned for Thursday, February 11, and Friday, February 12, has been postponed. The event will be rescheduled for a Thursday and Friday later this month.
–E.E.
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Kid vendors at the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market
Pittsfield — On Saturday, February 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 10 kids will become vendors at the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market. Part of the 10×10 Upstreet Arts Festival, KID10 will feature the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of 10 local children.
Twelve-year-old Aurora Benson and 11-year-old Ava Garlington will be selling chocolate-covered Assembly Coffee beans, cutting boards, and dog biscuits;4-year-old Esme Lamb will have lemonade; 6-year-old Benjamin Cachat, already with his own business Benji’s Doughnut Bakery, will be selling doughnuts; and eight-and-a-half-year-old MacKenzie Alcaro will bring her decorated cupcakes. Five-and-a-half-year-old Natalie Coyle will have beaded jewelry and mini canvas paintings; 9-year-old Amaru Sequeira Maas will have scarves, headbands, bracelets, and needle felting; and 10-year-old Ethyn Clark will have bracelets, painted rocks, and ornaments. Four-year-old Tillie Gail will have potted paper whites and her eight-year-old brother Huck Gail will have handmade terrariums.
The winter market takes place each second Saturday of the month November through April and is located in the Lighthouse of the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires.
–E.E.
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Animal tracking hike
Lenox – On Saturday, February 13, from 10 a.m. – noon, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary will offer “Animal Tracks and Signs,” a hike led by Sanctuary naturalists during which participants will search for tracks, scat, and other signs of animals that remain active throughout the winter.
The hike is open to all and suitable for children ages eight and up. Participants are advised to dress warmly and in layers. Snowshoes will be required if there is deep snow and attendees should bring their own if possible. A limited number of adult and child snowshoes are available if reserved ahead of time. The cost of the hike is $8 for members and $10 for non-members (pricing is the same for children and adults). Registration is required. For more information or to reserve space, call (413) 637-0320.
–E.E.
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Mary Verdi to celebrate release of new album ‘Flight’
Pittsfield – Singer/songwriter Mary Verdi will celebrate the release of her recent album “Flight” with a CD release show at Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness on Saturday, February 13, at 8 p.m.
“Flight” is Mary Verdi’s sixth album and was written with the idea of surrounding the listener with love, compassion, and peace. The album was influenced by world music, uses stringed instruments to create a celestial sound, and is centered around the interconnectedness of all life. “Flight” was recorded with percussionist John Marshall and cellist Ron de la Vega and features the talents of local musicians Eileen Markland, Rev Tor, Rob Sanzone, Ben Kohn, and Pete Adams.
Tickets to the show are $20 and will be available at the door. Eileen Markland and John Marshall will join Mary Verdi on stage.
–E.E.
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Snowshoeing at Olana
Hudson, N.Y. — A guided snowshoe walk along the scenic carriage roads at the Olana State Historic Site will occur on Saturday, February 13, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. The walk will be led by environmental educator Fran Martino and is perfect for beginners and families. If there is a lack of snow, this will become a walk without snowshoes.
The cost of the program is $10 for non-members and $5 for members (age eight and up). In the event of extreme inclement weather, the walk will be held Sunday, February 14. Participants must provide their own snowshoes. For more information and tickets, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (518) 828-1872 x105.
–E.E.
