Berkshire HorseWorks to host ‘The Derby’ gala
Richmond — On Saturday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m., Berkshire HorseWorks will host “The Derby,” a benefit gala to raise money for its equine-assisted psychotherapy and life skills programs for people facing mental health and behavioral challenges.
Attendees are invited to channel their inner southern Kentucky belles, wear derby hats or don their best suspenders. A cocktail party featuring Kentucky-inspired hors d’oeuvres will open the event and be followed by a catered dinner at 7:30 p.m. in conjunction with a service auction in which participants can “place bets” on their favorite horses and programs, highlighted and previewed in the paddock area, to advance to the finish line. The Hotshot Hillbillies will provide musical entertainment and Mike Heck from Live 95.9 WBEC-FM will act as master of ceremonies. A live auction will also be offered with items such as a week’s vacation in Arizona, an in-home cooking class with an award-winning New York City chef, and a home wellness package.
Tickets are $175. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Berkshire HorseWorks at (310) 488-9777.
–E.E.
* * *
WordXWord, Lift Ev’ry Voice to offer ‘until/UNTIL’
North Adams — WordXWord Festival and the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival have collaborated to invite poets to participate in a performance response to artist Nick Cave’s massive installation “UNTIL” at MASS MoCA on Friday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. “until/UNTIL” is both a collective response and a dialogue featuring spoken word artists whose work spans a wide range of poetic styles. Participating poets include Curtis Asch, Alex Hicks, Ashley Wonder, Donna Motta, Stan Spencer, Epiphany Thomas, Tristan Alston, Seth Brown, Mariah Barber, Elizag, and Kori Alston.
The performance is free and open to all. Parents are cautioned that the program may contain material that raises more questions than it answers. For more information, contact info@wordxwordfestival.com.
–E.E.
* * *
Civil War living history event
Lenox — On Saturday, July 15, at 10 a.m., the Lenox 250th anniversary committee will welcome Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry to Lilac Park on Main Street for a series of living history events centered on the Civil War. Company F will arrive in the park on Friday, July 14, to set up their camp, which will be open to the public beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Events of the day will include a firing demonstration, a 19th-century baseball game, lunch for the soldiers, and a knapsack and blanket roll discussion. Ongoing exhibits during the day will include tents with soldiers’ personal equipment, firearms and rations displays, discussions with a Civil War surgeon, and ladies’ apparel. The camp will consist of five or six tents and three canvas shelters. All soldiers will be dressed in Union uniforms. One of the civilians will discuss period toys and allow visiting children to play with them.
For a more detailed schedule of events and exhibits, see the Berkshire Edge calendar. For more information, contact lenox250th@gmail.com.
–E.E.
* * *
HVA to hold Housatonic River cleanup
Pittsfield — On Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Housatonic Valley Association invites volunteers to meet at Wahconah Park, 105 Wahconah St., for a cleanup of the west branch of the Housatonic River. Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. Work will be in and out of the water and volunteers are advised to wear old clothes and old sneakers or chest waders and to bring water bottles, sunscreen and hats. Some sections of the river may require canoes or kayaks in order to be reached. Lunch and snacks will be provided, as well as goodie bags from Blue Q. For more information, call HVA at (413) 298-7024 or the Berkshire Environmental Action Team at (413) 230-7321.
–E.E.
* * *
Panel to discuss Rockwell, Warhol
Stockbridge — In conjunction with its exhibition “Inventing America: Rockwell and Warhol,” the Norman Rockwell Museum will present a panel discussion about the enduring legacy of artists Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol on Saturday, July 15, at 5:30 p.m. The talk will explore the art and impact of the two image-makers and discuss the evolving and sometimes controversial perceptions of their work. The panel will include commentary from Laurie Norton Moffatt, NRM director and CEO; Eric Shiner, senior vice president of contemporary art for Sotheby’s and former director of the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh; and Charlotte Burns, senior editor at Art Agency and a writer and reviewer for Cultured, the Guardian, and Monocle. The talk is included with museum admission and free for NRM members. A reception will follow. For more information, contact NRM at (413) 298-4100.
–E.E.
