Bits & Bytes: ‘Live from the Guthrie Center: The Talkin’ Series’; ‘Tarzan’ at Berkshire Theatre Group; ‘Heirloom by Design’; ‘Boundaries’ art show

‘The Talkin’ Series’ at the Guthrie Center to feature musical guests, discussion

Housatonic — The Guthrie Center and Rising Son Records will present “Live from the Guthrie Center: The Talkin’ Series,” four evenings in August featuring musical guests and speakers hosted by Arlo Guthrie at the Guthrie Center. Each night will begin with a song performed by Guthrie, who will then introduce a musical guest. The second half of the evening will comprise a panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer session with the audience. Each event will be filmed for future broadcast.

On Wednesday, Aug. 1, “Talkin’ Family Archives” will spotlight Cole Quest and the City Pickers, a group of New York City musicians connected by friendship and a love of bluegrass. Anna Canoni, granddaughter of Woody Guthrie and senior operations manager of Woody Guthrie Publications, will join the discussion. On Wednesday, Aug. 8, “Talkin’ Shenandoah” will feature Terry “A La Berry” Hall, Steve and Carol Ide, David Grover and Rob Putnam, who toured the world with Arlo Guthrie and recorded three albums with him. Joining the discussion will be Bruce Clapper, Guthrie’s audio engineer and road manager through the decades. “Talkin’ Guthrie Family” on Wednesday, Aug. 15, will see the Guthrie kids Abe, Cathy, Annie and Sarah Lee presenting family traditions passed down through generations in spirit and song. “Talkin’ Bromberg” will close out the series Wednesday, Aug. 29, when performer David Bromberg will discuss his five and a half decades of adventures with Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Jerry Garcia, plus music and life lessons.

Tickets per show range from $90 to $150. All shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Guthrie Center at (413) 528-1955.

–E.E.

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Left to right: Haley Aguero, Brandon Lee, Ralph Petillo and Tim Jones in the Berkshire Theatre Group Youth production of ‘Tarzan.’ Photo: Emma Rothenberg-Ware

Berkshire Theatre Group to present youth production of ‘Tarzan’

Pittsfield — Featuring hit music by Phil Collins, such as the Academy Award-winning “You’ll Be in My Heart” as well as “Two Worlds,” “Tarzan” will swing onto the Colonial Theatre stage Thursday, July 26, through Thursday, Aug. 16. Directed by Travis Daly with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo and choreography by Avital Asuleen, the musical features more than 100 talented Berkshire youth.

A magical and memorable theatrical experience for the whole family, “Tarzan” follows the story of an orphaned boy raised by gorillas in the jungle. Struggling to find balance between his human instinct and animalistic education, Tarzan’s life is altered forever when he encounters his first human, the curious and wonderful Jane.

Tickets are $25–$55. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Berkshire Theatre Group at (413) 997-4444.

–E.E.

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‘Heirloom by Design’ to highlight value of what is made, grown

North Adams — On Saturday, July 28 from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Greylock WORKS, Berkshire Grown, Storey Publishing and Greylock WORKS will present “Heirloom by Design,” a summer festival meant to highlight the value of items both made and grown.

The event will feature Berkshire artisans and be complemented by a lineup of local food vendors, acoustic musicians and poets, kid-friendly activities, and a full day of delicious workshops in the Greylock WORKS kitchen. Set in the light-filled weave shed, the marketplace will bring together regional artisans, curators, chefs and farmers to delight guests of all ages and interests.

Admission is $5 for adults and free for children under age 12. For more information and a full list of participating artisans, workshops and performers, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Greylock WORKS at work@greylockworks.com.

–E.E.

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New Marlborough Village Association to exhibit ‘Boundaries’

Artwork by Ann Getsinger. Image courtesy New Marlborough Village Association

New Marlborough — The New Marlborough Village Association and the New Marlborough Cultural Council will present the art exhibition “Boundaries” Saturday, July 28, through Sunday, Aug. 26, at the New Marlborough Meeting House Gallery, 154 Hartsville-New Marlborough Road. An opening reception will be held Friday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The invitational, mixed-media show will contain works by Lee Backer, Diane Barth, Pamela Berkeley, Jane Burke, Bart Elsbach, Betsey Wells Farber, Robert Forte, Ann Getsinger, Serena W. Granbery, Debbie Greene, Pat Hogan, Meryl Joseph, Richard Kimball, Jake Levin, John Lipkowitz, Nina Lipkowitz, Holly McNeely, Diane Nerwen, Julie Shapiro, Abbe Stahl Steinglass, Robin Tost, Joe Wheaton, Barbara Winters, Terry Wise and Andrew Zdziarski.

The event is free and open to the public. for more information, contact the New Marlborough Village Association at (413) 229-2375 or contact@newmarlborough.org.

–E.E.