Jacob’s Pillow introduces ‘Chance to Dance’ contest
Becket — Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival invites artists of all styles to participate in its first ever “Chance to Dance” contest, a viewer-selected, online competition that will allow the public, peers and fans of artists to vote for artist inclusion in the Inside/Out performance series for Festival 2017.
Video submissions must be no more than three minutes in length and content must be family-friendly and suitable for an outdoor setting. Submissions will be accepted through Monday, Feb. 20. All submissions will go through an initial vetting process by Jacob’s Pillow. Up to 10 videos will be hosted on the PillowTV YouTube page and voting will be open to the public from Tuesday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 26. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 7, and will perform on Friday, July 21.
–E.E.
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The Momenta Quartet to perform at Simon’s Rock
Great Barrington — The Momenta Quartet will perform at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Daniel Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. The program will feature George Crumb’s “Black Angels” for amplified string quartet; Beethoven’s String Quartet no 16 in F, op. 135; and a new work, “Double Trance” by Wang Lu.
The Momenta Quartet is celebrated for its innovative programming, juxtaposing contemporary works from widely divergent aesthetics with great music from the past. Momenta has premiered over 80 works and collaborated with over 100 living composers while maintaining a deep commitment to the classical canon. This concert will mark the quartet’s fourth appearance at the college’s South Berkshire Concerts series.
The concert is open to the public with a suggested donation of $10. For more information, call (413) 528-7212.
–E.E.
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Richmond students stage ‘The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon’
Richmond — Richmond Consolidated School students will stage “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon” on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the school.
“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculthon” is the latest production by Richmond Consolidated Drama, which is run by Amy Brentano and is open to students in grades 5–8. Written by Don Zolidis, the show is a witty, high-energy production in which 35 students attempt to recreate all 209 of the Grimms’ classic fairy tales. “I selected this play because there is very little published material for middle school sophisticated enough to challenge contemporary preteens,” said Brentano. “The comedy stretches their intellect and physical skills onstage. It appeals to audiences of all ages.”
Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students with a $20 cap for families. For more information, call the school at (413) 698-3199.
–E.E.
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Church on the Hill celebrates installation of new minister
Lenox — The Berkshire Association of the United Church of Christ and members and friends of Church on the Hill will celebrate the installation of the Rev. Dr. John A. Nelson on Sunday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. at Church on the Hill Meetinghouse.
Three nationally-known speakers will be featured in the service. The Rev. Da Vita “Day” McCallister will deliver the sermon. McCallister currently serves as associate conference minister for leadership and vitality in the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. She has served in the national setting of the United Church of Christ, with the Fund for Theological Education and in parish ministry. McCallister takes great pride in her Spiritual heritage as the great granddaughter of the late Rev. Jesse Baldwin, a pastor in rural Florida for over 65 years.
The Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper will deliver the charge to the congregation. Schaper is senior minister of Judson Memorial Church in New York City and author of 39 books that focus on spiritual responses to material problems. She is a contributing writer for the United Church of Christ’s Daily Devotionals, founder of the New Sanctuary Coalition of New York City and an active community builder.
The Rev. Dr. J. Mary Luti, who will deliver the charge to the pastor, is a long-time seminary educator and pastor. She is the author of “Teresa of Avila’s Way,” a volume in the series “The Way of the Christian Mystics,” as well as numerous articles on topics of Christian life. In 2000 she was called as senior minister of First Parish in Cambridge, its first woman pastor in 375 years. She is a founding member of the Daughters of Abraham, a national network of interfaith women’s book groups.
Music will be performed by the Rev. Bert Marshall, who currently serves as the interim pastor of Center Congregational Church in Brattleboro, Vermont, and will also deliver verses in Sunday’s service. He will be joined by the Rev. John Hamilton, a jazz pianist who recently retired as the senior pastor of First Congregational Church in Norwood and relocated to Richmond. The Church on the Hill’s music minister, Emily Chin, will perform works on organ and piano.
The public is invited and welcome. For more information, contact Church on the Hill at (413) 637-1001.
–E.E.
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Litchfield Jazz Festival to present ‘The Spirits of Love’
Litchfield, Conn — On Saturday, Feb. 11, from 7 to 10 p.m., Litchfield Jazz Festival will present “The Spirits of Love,” a Valentine’s Day-themed event at the Litchfield Distillery. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and dinner with choices such crab cakes, duck tacos, carrot ricotta tart, herbed chicken, roasted pork loin, pasta primavera, arugula strawberry salad and a dessert bar. The Albert Rivera Ensemble will play jazz for listening and dancing. The distillery will serve premium wines and signature cocktails with tastings throughout the evening. Tickets are $125 and proceeds from the event will benefit Litchfield Jazz Camp scholarships. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call the Litchfield Jazz office at (860) 361-6285.
–E.E.
