Whiskey City and friends perform at the Colonial Theatre
Pittsfield— Whiskey City presents a New Years Eve concert on December 31 starting at 9 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.
Whiskey City is a high energy country rock band with a multi genre collection of songs that appeal to everyone in the audience. 12 year veterans of the Berkshire music scene will close out the night with new originals, new covers and the same great chemistry that you’ve come to expect from this dynamic group. Members Include Randy Cormier, Beth Maturevich, Dale Zavatter, Abe Guthrie, Darren Todd and Frank Algerio.
Lindsay Anne Maynard will start the evening off at 9 p.m. with her powerful acoustic set and is well known throughout the area as being one of the top vocalists and fan favorites.
The Hotshot Hillbillies will provide a full band set, with high energy musicianship, and songs they continue to make their own. Members include Wendy Walz, Jim Dignum, Kevin Holsapple, and Whiskey City’s Dale Zavatter will sit in.
General Admission is $50, available here or at the box office (413-997-4444).
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Taconic Music celebrates with New Year’s concerts
Manchester— Taconic Music invites the community to ring in 2023 with a pair of concerts on Friday, December 30 and Saturday, December 31.
First up is a Family Concert on Friday, December 30 at 3 p.m., held at the Manchester Community Library, this concert features the Taconic Chamber Players and students from Taconic Music’s Strings for Kids. They will play several popular favorites side-by-side.
Suggested donation is $10 for adults, kids, free.
On Saturday, December 31 from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. the festivities continue at the Inn at Manchester’s Celebration Barn with music from around the world— the delightful Suite Antique by John Rutter, Argentinian tangos, Irish dances, ABBA, Viennese waltzes and more. Led by Taconic co-Director and violinist Joana Genova, the nine-piece string band will be joined by guests Vanessa Holroyd, flute, Jonathan Newell, keyboard, and Michael A. Rudiakov on drums and percussion.
The cash bar opens at 5pm. Tickets are $30, general admission. Seating is limited. Tickets and more information are available at taconicmusic.org or (802) 362-7162.
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See Berkshire Bach Society on New Year’s Eve
Great Barrington— The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) returns with Bach at New Year’s on Saturday, December 31 at 6 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. Nine-time Grammy Award winner Eugene Drucker will lead the Berkshire Bach Ensemble as violinist and Music Director.
The works on this year’s program include music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Telemann, four giants of the Baroque era and authors of nearly 800 concertos among them. Eugene Drucker highlights BBS violinists in double and triple concertos—including Bach’s popular Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, last played by Berkshire Bach in 2012 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Joseph Silverstein and Drucker as soloists, and a suite from Telemann’s famous Tafelmusik from 1733. Handel was so enamored with the Tafelmusik that he quoted it more than a dozen times, most directly in his oratorio Solomon as a tribute to his friend: BBS performs The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and the audience can decide whether Telemann or Handel did it better. The harpsichord sparkles in Bach’s Concerto in F minor, with soloist Kenneth Weiss, the cellos, violas, double reeds, and trumpet delight in Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi, and the flute, played by long-time Berkshire Bach flutist Judith Mendenhall, flourishes in Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor.
Members receive ticket discounts for all regularly-scheduled season performances, advance ticket sales opportunities, and special member seating. Tickets for children under 18 and students with valid ID are always free. Visit www.berkshirebach.org for more information.
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Scoville Library Noon Year’s Eve fun
Salisbury— The Scoville Library is hosting a Noon Year’s Eve Celebration on December 31 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Celebrate the new year with dancing, music, games, crafts, and a countdown at 12 noon. This event is ideal for families with children
All ages are welcome for this free event. The Scoville Library will close early on December 31 at 2 p.m. in observance of the holiday.
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Best of the Fest short film showcase at the Norfolk Library
Norfolk— The Norfolk Library is holding a Best of the Fest showcase on Thursday, December 29 at 4 p.m. In this short film program see the world through the eyes of the kids in live-action shorts. The young people in these films go on their own adventures, discover how to be true to themselves, and learn to face their fears. This program features films from New Zealand, India, Canada, United States, Mexico, and Ireland. Ages 8+. 93 minutes. Visit here to register.
The Best of the Fest is a traveling program from the Children’s Film Festival Seattle that includes award-winning and audience favorite films from the most recent festival. This program is intended to let youth audiences gain global awareness through the magic of film.
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Family fun with Eloise at the Norman Rockwell Museum
Stockbridge— The Norman Rockwell Museum is offering a family fun storytelling and art-making activity on December 29 and 30 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The art-making activities are inspired by Eloise in Hollywood, Hilary Knight’s Broadway posters, fashion designs, and more.
Create your very own Passport, self-portrait sketch and imagine what your story could be. Image your story and design a poster, costumes, and props. Design your show with colored paper cutouts, glue sticks and imagine your favorite, favorite, favorite character for an “I am ME! ME! ME!” photo-shoot. Celebrate with some “Room Service” with yummy treats for all to enjoy.
This event is free for kids & teens; and members, or included with admission. RSVP here.
Informative guided tours of Norman Rockwell’s life and art through the galleries of the Museum are offered daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and last approximately 40 minutes. These docent-led tours will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of Norman Rockwell, his career as an illustrator, and his impact on American culture.
Tours are $10 per person in addition to general admission; space is limited, advanced reservations are encouraged. You may visit the main Museum galleries before and/or after your tour.
