Great Barrington Public Theater launches ‘Berkshire Outdoor Shorts’
Great Barrington — Great Barrington Public Theater, in collaboration with Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, has launched “Berkshire Outdoor Shorts,” an online series of short, solo films centered on the natural environment of the Berkshires. Each film is written by a local writer and produced in a socially distant outdoor location in Berkshire County.
“Artists everywhere are struggling, everyone is struggling. In recognition of all the weeks and months that we’ve had limited opportunity to interact, we wanted to give writers and actors a safe, enjoyable space for creativity, an outlet to respond to the world we’re all living in right now. We’re so lucky to live in the Berkshires where we have immediate access to natural beauty, open space, and fresh air – that was the inspiration for this series – and it’s been a great collaboration with Berkshire Film and Media. I’m excited to release these films into the world for the enjoyment of all,” said Great Barrington Public Theater artistic director Jim Frangione.
The first film in the series is “King Corona,” written by local playwright Steven Otfinoski and starring Christopher Brophy, a darkly playful look into the ruthless mastermind of the king of viruses. Additional films are currently in production and include “The Reject” by Mark St. Germain, “Almost You” by Leigh Strimbeck and “Druantia” by Ryan Katzer.
“Berkshire Outdoor Shorts” is produced and directed by Frangione and BFMC executive director Diane Pearlman. Production sponsors include John Sharaf Photography in Richmond and Limelight Productions in Lee. The low-budget series is made possible by the contributions of several individual sponsors who are listed in all of the films. All donations and sponsorships to date are matched by BFMC’s Community Film Fund.
–E.E.
* * *
Flying Deer Nature Center to launch speaker series with Chaya Harris of Outdoor Afro
East Chatham, N.Y. — Flying Deer Nature Center will launch its new speaker series, part of its initiatives for furthering equity and racial justice, Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. with “Uplifting Black Connection to Outdoor Spaces” by Chaya Harris of Outdoor Afro via Zoom.
Harris grew up in Boston. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and later received her master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She worked as an educator with Boston Public Schools for nearly 10 years and is a former director of curriculum at Thompson Island Outward Bound. Her work as a principal fellow with the Boston College Lynch Leadership Academy deepened her commitment to dismantling oppressive systems and increasing agency and access for Black people.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact Flying Deer Nature Center at (518) 392-6687 or info@flyingdeernaturecenter.org.
–E.E.
* * *
Berkshire Bounty preparing for monthly food drive
Great Barrington — Berkshire Bounty is preparing for its monthly mobile food drive, which will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, and for which Berkshire Bounty will collect canned and/or packaged goods to be delivered to the People’s Pantry as well as the South Congregational Church in Pittsfield in order to help the growing population of food insecure people in Berkshire County.
During the drives, Berkshire Bounty volunteers visit donors’ homes to pick up packaged food donations at their doorsteps. Food donors may also drop their food donation at Hevreh of Southern Berkshire or at the People’s Pantry. Foods most in demand are hearty soups, tomato sauce and cereal. Donors may also help get ready fro Thanksgiving by donating canned cranberry sauce, canned vegetables (green beans, yams or peas), jarred or enveloped gravy mix, and stuffing. Those who are donating from their own pantries are asked to be mindful of expiration dates. Anyone who would like to participate by donating canned and/or packaged food or by volunteering as a driver is asked to contact Berkshire Bounty at info@berkshire-bounty.org and include their street address, email address and best contact telephone number. Further instructions will be provided to those who volunteer.
–E.E.
* * *
Online art show to benefit local aid organizations
West Stockbridge — The Guild of Berkshire Artists has announced that its online holiday art show, “Treasures for the Season,” will begin Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. The show includes 28 of the guild’s artists exhibiting 50 works of art in oil, watercolor, acrylics and other two-dimensional media. The art includes shimmering winter scenes, solid and elegant ceramics, lush oil/watercolor/acrylic interpretations of Berkshires landscapes, and some whimsical pieces.
“Treasures for the Season” will be on view through Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. Artists participating in the show have pledged to donate a minimum of 25% of the proceeds from the sale of their art to benefit 501(c)(3) organizations helping those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, contact the Guild of Berkshire artists at (617)-868-7082 or berkshireartists@gmail.com.
–E.E.
