Dewey Hall to hold virtual gala
Sheffield — On Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., Dewey Hall will hold a “Keep the Lights On” virtual gala with the Wanda Houston Band. The event will include a tribute to longtime Dewey Hall board member Priscilla Cote, community testimonials and a few glimpses into the history of Dewey Hall.
The Wanda Houston Band performs R&B and jazz hits of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. With a strong following in the tri-state area, Houston has performed professionally throughout the U.S., Europe and Australia. She has appeared on Broadway, in films and on TV, and has worked in varying capacities with such artists as Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, Eartha Kitt and Patti LaBelle.
The band was filmed in Dewey Hall in a COVID-19-safe performance in early October. Dewey Hall seeks to raise $30,000 to cover normal operating costs for one year. “With our outdoor programming and donations, we believe we have raised about $1,500 toward this goal already,” said board member Beth Carlson, “If everyone in our community donates $35, we will meet our goal.”
The event is free and open to the public; donations will be gratefully accepted. For reservations and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Maggie McRae at (919) 478-4335 or deweymemorialhall@gmail.com.
–E.E.
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Barrington Stage to present virtual reading of ‘Typhoid Mary’
Pittsfield — On Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m., Barrington Stage Company will present a virtual reading of “Typhoid Mary” by Mark St. Germain, directed by Matthew Penn and starring two-time Tony Award winner Judith Ivey as Mary Mallon, T.R. Knight as Father Michael McKuen, Kate MacCluggage as Dr. Ann Saltzer, Emmy Award winner Joe Morton as Dr. William Mills and Frances Evans as Sarah.
Originally staged in 2018 at BSC’s St. Germain Stage in a production also directed by Penn, “Typhoid Mary” is the true and turbulent story of Mary Mallon, whose career as a cook left deaths in her wake. A carrier of typhoid, Mary refused to believe she was responsible, citing God’s will and the lies of science instead. The production was filmed in advance with the cast performing remotely.
“As the pandemic continues into its eighth month in the US and an administration rails against the fact-based findings of doctors and medical advisors, it felt like an appropriate time to revisit Mark St. Germain’s play, where arguments between God and science take center stage,” commented BSC founder/artistic director Julianne Boyd.
Tickets are $25. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Barrington Stage Company at (413) 236-8888 or info@barringtonstageco.org.
–E.E.
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Paranormal investigator ‘Walking Amongst the Shadows’ at Ventfort Hall
Lenox — Paranormal investigator and author David Raby will present “Walking Amongst the Shadows” Friday, Oct. 30, at 11 a.m. at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum.
Ventfort Hall has been host to Raby’s group paranormal investigation events since 2017. In his talk, Raby will tell some of his favorite experiences from investigating Ventfort Hall and other historic locations. The talk will feature some of the audio clips he has captured throughout the years, and will encompass locations such as haunted mansions, Revolutionary War and Civil War battlefields, prisons, asylums and hotels. In addition to paranormal investigation, Raby has authored four books: “The Shadows Within: Houghton Mansion,” “Walking Amongst the Shadows: Houghton Mansion,” “The Inhumanity of Man: The Hattie McCloud Murder” and “Bludgeoned: The Reed Double-Homicide.”
Tickets are $20. Reservations can be made to view the event either in-person at Ventfort Hall or online via Zoom. Reservations are required as seating will be strictly limited. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Ventfort Hall at (413) 637-3206 or info@gildedage.org.
–E.E.
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Online workshop to introduce calligraphy
Salisbury, Conn. — On Saturday, Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to noon, the Scoville Memorial Library will host the workshop “Introduction to Calligraphy: Blackletter” with Debby Reelitz via Zoom.
Blackletter calligraphy is one of the most well-known and classic Western calligraphy styles, and is commonly known as Gothic. Said Reelitz: “This is a great introduction to calligraphy or a good time expand your hand. No, you will not become an expert in two hours, but you can gain some proficiency. Then it’s practice, practice, practice.”
Professional calligrapher Reelitz was introduced to calligraphy by her fifth-grade teacher. In 1998, she opened her own calligraphy studio in Chicago. Reelitz lives in Granby and is the president of the Granby Artists Association.
The cost of the workshop is the materials fee of $16. Class size is limited and registration is required. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact the Scoville Memorial Library at (860) 435-2838 or scovlibn@biblio.org.
–E.E.
