Crescendo to present ‘In Dulci Jubilo’
Lakeville, Conn. — The national award-winning northwest Connecticut-based music organization Crescendo will present its annual holiday program in two concerts: at Bard College at Simon’s Rock’s Kellogg Music Center on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 6 p.m. and Trinity Episcopal Church in Lime Rock, Connecticut, on Friday, Dec. 30, at 4 p.m. The concerts will feature Christmas motets, cantatas and canzonas by H. Schütz, M. and H. Praetorius, G. Gabrieli, S. Sacchi, A. Hammerschmidt, P. Böddecker, H.L. Hassler and C. Demantius. Crescendo’s founder and artistic director Christine Gevert will conduct the Crescendo Vocal Ensemble and soloists. There will be recorder and organ accompaniment.
The timing of the concerts is inspired by the tradition of Twelvetide, or the Twelve Days of Christmas, which is a celebration of the nativity of Christ between Dec. 25 and Jan. 5. Performers for the concerts include early music specialists soprano Michele Kennedy, countertenor Nicholas Tamagna, tenor Philip Anderson, bass Peter Walker and Tricia van Oers on recorder.
Tickets for both concerts are $30 for general seating, $50 for preferred seating, and $10 youth under 18. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call (860) 435-4866.
–E.E.
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Berkshire Museum to host the Nerd Magician
Pittsfield — The Nerd Magician will perform a family friendly magic show full of pop culture and classic Hollywood film references on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. at the Berkshire Museum. The special New Year’s eve magic show combines classic magic and illusion with comedy and surprises.
Mark Pinksten, the Nerd Magician, has been performing magic for more than 20 years. His magic show is inspired by “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Back to the Future,” and even “Jaws.” The performance features a complete, full-size Tardis, as seen in the “Doctor Who” television show. Among other amazing feats, the Nerd Magician will demonstrate his Jedi force.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children for the general public and $5 for adults and $3 for children for museum members. For tickets and more information, call (413) 443-7171.
–E.E.
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WAM Theatre announces second round of Girls Ensemble auditions
Pittsfield — Due to the recent addition of a travel and learning opportunity for participants, WAM Theatre has announced a second round of auditions for its Girls Ensemble for girls aged 13–18 on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
Under the direction of WAM teaching artists Amy Brentano and Barby Cardillo, the 2017 Girls Ensemble cohort will create a devised theatre piece, which will be presented for the first time on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 for family, friends and other invited guests at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre in Lenox, which will be followed by a Berkshire County schools tour in March and April. All members of the 2017 Girls Ensemble will be invited to attend the International Schools Theatre Association conference in Atlanta in March at no cost.
Auditioning girls are asked to prepare an original poem, song, dance, monologue, painting or a combination of these that is between 1 and 2 minutes in length. They will also participate in a group audition that will involve theatre games and ensemble group-building activities. The program is tuition-based but financial assistance is available and all accepted girls will be able to participate. All those auditioning are required to be present for the entire audition time. Participants chosen for the ensemble must commit to being present for all rehearsals between Jan. 4 and Feb. 16, 2017, as well as for tour dates in March and April.
For more information or to book an audition, contact WAM Education Coordinator Alicia Maher at alicia@wamtheatre.com or (413) 274-8122.
–E.E.
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Olana to offer first day hike
Hudson, N.Y. — On Sunday, Jan. 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Olana State Historic Site will host a hike on its artist-designed Lake Road and Crown Hill carriage drives.
Kimberly Flook, Olana’s site manager, will lead the guided hike, pointing out highlights along the way and leaving visitors with a new perspective on and appreciation of the Frederic Church-designed landscape. Participants will meet at Olana’s Wagon House Education Center for an approximately 1.5-mile walk over the course of 90 minutes. The hike is relatively flat with a gentle uphill section. Leashed pets are allowed, and walking sticks and cameras are welcome. The event will be cancelled 48 hours in advance in the event of significant ice or snow on the carriage.
The hike is free and open to all ages, but registration is requested. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call Olana at (518) 828-0135.
–E.E.
