Dottie’s and Tourmaline Z to host ‘Afro GLOW Pop Party’ to benefit They Dance For Rain programs in Nairobi, Kenya
Pittsfield— On Saturday, December 28th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Dottie’s and Tourmaline Z will host an ‘Afro GLOW Pop Party’ to benefit They Dance For Rain programs in Nairobi, Kenya.
They Dance For Rain is a collaborative and cross-cultural dance-making project taking place in Nairobi, Kenya founded and directed by Pittsfield native and action-based dance artist Stefanie Weber of Tourmaline Z.
The event will feature an East African inspired food festival-style dinner beginning at 6 p.m. A reserved $55 ticket to the dinner includes a tap-dancer themed cocktail like the Lemon Ginger Rogers, UV-sensitive glow body painting by an on-site artist, and a black light dance party. For $20, those without dinner tickets can enter the dance party at 8 p.m. Get your glow on until 11 p.m. to the eclectic afro-pop infused spinning of DJ Jason Manatee from The BeatNest.
There will also be live silk-screening of fresh new They Dance For Rain graphic designs by artist Eric Drury. Bring your own clothing for printing or grab one of their pre-printed upcycled threads.
The event is on Saturday, December 28th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge at 438-444 North Street in Pittsfield. There will be a full cash bar. More information can be found online.
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The Egremont Barn presents The Rejuvenators
South Egremont— On Friday, December 27th from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the Egremont Barn presents The Rejuvenators.
Featuring outstanding musicians Tom Major, Wes Buckley, Benny Kohn and Miles Lally, The Rejuvenators bring the funky sounds of New Orleans to the Berkshires.
The concert is on Friday, December 27th from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Egremont Barn, located at 17 Main Street in South Egremont. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute airs The Met: Live in HD’s production of ‘The Magic Flute’
Williamstown— On Saturday, December 28th at 1 p.m., the Clark Art Institute will air an encore presentation of The Met: Live in HD’s production of “The Magic Flute.”
The Met’s family-friendly production of Mozart’s dazzling fairy tale returns. Patrick Furrer and Gareth Morrell share conducting duties, leading a standout cast in Julie Taymor’s magical staging. Tenors Piotr Buszewski and Joshua Blue share the role of Tamino, the brave prince on a quest to win the clever princess Pamina, sung by sopranos Janai Brugger and Liv Redpath. The cast also features famed tenor Rolando Villazón reprising his uproarious portrayal as the luckless bird catcher Papageno, alternating with baritone Alexander Birch Elliott, and soprano Kathryn Lewek as the Queen of the Night, alongside basses Brindley Sherratt and James Creswell as Sarastro.
The airing is on Saturday, December 28th at 1 p.m. at the Clark Art Institute, located at 225 South Street in Williamstown. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Public Menorah Lighting at Lilac Park
Lenox— On Wednesday, December 25th at 4:30 p.m., Chabad of the Berkshires will host a public Menorah lighting at Lilac Park.
On the fifth night of Chanukah, the community is invited for a joyous outdoor Menorah lighting and celebration filled with music, singing, and a vibrant atmosphere. Attendees will be treated to hot latkes and donuts.
Rabbi Levi Volovik of Chabad of the Berkshires said, “As darkness descends in this world, the giant Menorah will be an illuminating symbol of the light over darkness and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Together we will ignite the fifth candle and kindle the spirit of unity and hope. Many people light the menorah in their home. We assemble in the Lilac park to light a public menorah to tell all people that the lesson of Chanukah is universal.”
In its Chanukah outreach campaign, Chabad of the Berkshires joins thousands of Chabad centers across the globe that are staging similar public displays of the menorah and its symbolic lights. From Australia to Africa, Columbia to Hong Kong, New York City’s ground zero to the White House lawn, hundreds of thousands will experience the joy of Chanukah with Chabad.
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OLLI Distinguished Speakers Series presents ‘The Science of Happiness’ with Professor Catherine Sanderson
Pittsfield— On Tuesday, January 7th at 7 p.m., OLLI Distinguished Speakers Series presents ‘The Science of Happiness,’ a virtual presentation of surprising and not-so-surprising information on the science behind happiness with Professor Catherine Sanderson.
What role do money, marriage, friends, children, weather, age, and religion play in making us feel happier? Is happiness stable over time? How can happiness be increased? Professor Catherine Sanderson will describe cutting-edge research from the field of positive psychology on the factors that do (and do not) predict happiness and provide participants with practical (and easy) ways to increase their own psychological well-being.
Catherine Sanderson is the Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a specialization in Health and Development, from Stanford University, and received both masters and doctoral degrees in psychology from Princeton University. Her research has received grant funding from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health. Professor Sanderson has published over 25 journal articles and book chapters in addition to four college textbooks, middle school and high school health textbooks, as well as the Introduction to Psychology course for The Great Courses. In 2012, she was named one of the country’s top 300 professors by the Princeton Review.
The virtual presentation is on Tuesday, January 7th at 7 p.m. via Zoom. More information can be found online.
