Herman Melville’s Arrowhead to host marathon reading of ‘Moby-Dick’
Pittsfield — In celebration of the anniversary of the birth of author Herman Melville, Herman Melville’s Arrowhead will host a marathon reading of the classic Melville novel “Moby-Dick” Thursday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 6. The reading will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and resume at 1 p.m. on Sunday after the annual hike up Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. Readers will take 10-minute shifts to read the novel from beginning to end; groups may book blocks of time. Participation is open to everyone, but reservations are appreciated. For details and instructions, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Herman Melville’s Arrowhead at (413) 442-1793 x12.
–E.E.
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‘The Listening Project’ to open ‘No Boundaries in Art’ series
Stockbridge — Berkshire Theatre Group will open its new summer reading series, “No Boundaries in Art,” with “The Listening Project,” conceived and led by Alex Straus, at the Unicorn Theatre on Friday, July 28, at 2 p.m.
“The Listening Project” is a series of open conversations between liberals and conservatives. Participants are trained in listening tools and then engage in one-on-one conversations with each other, using those tools to foster authentic and generous listening. Said Straus, “The Listening Project is a great opportunity to get deeply connected to someone who may disagree with our worldview/opinions/beliefs, and find out that we share a lot in common. The ultimate scope and aim of this project is to bridge the division taking place in our country.”
The event is free and open to the public but tickets are required. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact BTG’s box office at (413) 997-4444.
–E.E.
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Bobby Sweet to perform at Sandisfield Arts Center
Sandisfield — The Sandisfield Arts Center will welcome local singer-songwriter Bobby Sweet for a concert featuring songs from his newly released seventh solo album, “All These Changes,” on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m.
Sweet, a Berkshire native and sixth-generation musician, has co-billed with top country and folk artists including Vince Gill, Bill Staines, Deana Carter, Pete Seeger, Jonathan Edwards and Sawyer Brown. As a lead guitarist, he has opened shows for George Jones, Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, the Bellamy Brothers, Waylon Jennings and others. Sweet played guitar on Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” 50th anniversary tour, traveling with Guthrie to such venues as Carnegie Hall, the New Orleans Jazz Fest and “A Prairie Home Companion.” He recently returned home from Oklahoma where he played a set at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival and was sideman for Annie Guthrie as well as the Burns Sisters, whom he’ll join this fall on tour in Ireland. Whenever possible, Sweet devotes time to his violin-building obsession.
Tickets are $15. For tickets and information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact the Sandisfield Arts Center at (413) 258-4100 or info@sandisfieldartscenter.org.
–E.E.
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Fresh Takes Play Reading Series to present ‘Smart People’
Williamstown — On Tuesday, Aug. 1 at 5 p.m., the Williamstown Theatre Festival will present the WAM Theatre Fresh Takes Play Reading Series production of “Smart People” by Lydia R. Diamond at the Clark Art Institute. The reading will be directed by WAM’s artistic director Kristen van Ginhoven and include actors Lin-Ann Ching, Margaret Odette Gold, Christopher Cassarino and Will Adams.
The setting of “Smart People” is the eve of President Obama’s first election in 2008. Four of Harvard University’s brightest are interested in different aspects of the brain, particularly how it responds to race but they are also searching for love, success and identity in their own lives.
Tickets are free but reservations are recommended. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact WAM Theatre at (413) 274-8122 or info@wamtheatre.com.
–E.E.
