Simon’s Rock presents Alturas Duo
Great Barrington— On Sunday, September 15th at 3 p.m., Simon’s Rock welcomes Alturas Duo kicking off the South Berkshire Concert Series and National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Alturas Duo, comprised of members Carlos Boltes and Scott Hill, combines Latin America (Chilean or Andean) folk music and classical chamber music. The program will feature a premier performance of “Look In” by Simon’s Rock music faculty member John Myers.
The Duo will also perform four additional commissions, a set of pieces inspired by the Atacam region of Chile, and a Chilean folk song. Boltes and Hill utilize familiar classical instruments (viola and guitar) and a variety of folk instruments, most notably the charango.
The concert is on Sunday, September 15th at 3 p.m. in Simon Rock’s McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Center at 84 Alford Road in Great Barrington. It is free and open to the public. More information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute presents Haitian electronic music composer, percussionist, and turntablist Val-Inc
Williamstown— On Wednesday, September 18th at 6 p.m., the Clark Art Institute presents a free performance by Haitian electronic music composer, percussionist, and turntablist Val-Inc as part of its DJs at Sunset series, presented in celebration of the exhibition, “Kathia St. Hilaire: Invisible Empires.”
Val Jeanty, also known as Val-Inc, is a descendent of composer and pianist Occide Jeanty and Vodou priestess GranMe Shoun. She incorporates African Haitian musical traditions and acoustics with post-modern electronics to evoke her dreamlike realm of Afro-Electronica, also called “Vodou-Electro.”
The free performance is on Wednesday, September 18th at 6 p.m. on the Fernández Terrace at the Clark Art Institute on South Street in Williamstown. Bring a picnic and a blanket. More information can be found online.
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Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents traveling musical storyteller Eli Elkus
Pittsfield— On Sunday, September 15th from 10 a.m. to noon, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge presents traveling musical storyteller Eli Elkus.
Eli is a traveling musical storyteller, songmaker, and folk activist. He began sculpting his craft as a young troubadour fishin’ for songs by the riversides and busking in the streets of New England. It was here that the love of folk music and storytelling found him, connecting with perfect strangers through story and song, weaving meter, merit, and melody, bringing us back to the roots of true folk music.
The performance is Sunday, September 15th from 10 a.m. to noon during brunch at Dottie’s Coffee Lounge at 444 North Street in Pittsfield. There will be delicious brunch specials and outstanding beverages available until 2 p.m. More information can be found online.
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Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum and Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum present train ride and sufferance reenactment
Adams— On Sunday, September 15th at 1:30 p.m., The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in collaboration with the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum invites guests to ride the train and see a performance, the “Prison Special,” by suffrage reenactors.
The performance is based on the 1919 nationwide train tour of the “Democracy Limited.” Twenty-six middle-class women toured the country, visiting fifteen cities to share their experience in prison and promote women’s suffrage. They dressed in prison attire and told stories about their experience, performed scenes, and gave speeches. Citizens were appalled at what these women endured. Guests will learn about early 1900 suffrage protests, arrests, and imprisonment as women fought for the right to vote. Guests will leave inspired to “Vote Like Susan [B. Anthony]!”
“The Democracy Limited: Prison Special” will leave the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Adams Station at 4 Hoosac Street in Adams on Sunday, September 15th at 1:30 p.m. The ride is approximately one hour. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Elizabeth Freeman Center ‘Rise Together for Safety and Justice’ walks
Pittsfield— Beginning on Tuesday, September 17th, once again, Elizabeth Freeman Center’s (EFC) fall fundraiser will take the form of six walks across the county in Pittsfield.
EFC is the county’s frontline provider of free, confidential services to over 2,000 survivors and their more than 2,000 children who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault annually. The need for providing support to survivors has skyrocketed in recent years. Hotline calls have increased 324% since pre-pandemic levels and situations remain more dangerous than ever. EFC services are accessible 24 hours a day via the toll-free hotline: 866-401-2425.
Walk dates and meeting places are as follows:
- Pittsfield – Tuesday, September 17, 5:30 p.m. at Persip Park
- Great Barrington – Wednesday, September 18, 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall
- North Adams – Thursday, September 19, 5:30 p.m. at City Hall
- Lenox – Tuesday, September 24, 5:30 p.m. at Lenox Library
- Lee – Wednesday, September 25, 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall
- Williamstown – Thursday, September 26, 5:30 p.m. at Tunnel Street Coffee
EFC has currently raised over $69,000 from sponsors, walkers, teams, and individual donors, but it is essential to meet this year’s goal of $125,000. Register as an individual, start a team, or donate online.
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Rural Recovery Resources and the South County Recovery Center present ‘Smash the Stigma’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, September 14th from noon to 3 p.m., Rural Recovery Resources and the South County Recovery Center present “Smash the Stigma,” a community-based, free, family-friendly event, walk, and resource fair for substance use and recovery awareness.
This rally and event is to show the community how many people are affected by addiction, to shine a light on services, and to let people know that recovery is possible!
Rural Recovery’s mission is to engage, assist, refer, educate, and empower people who are affected in any way by substance use. Those who go to 12 Step, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, Learn To Cope, those utilizing Medication Assisted Recovery, those without a program, those who are still in active use, family members and friends who lost loved ones, are invited to attend. All are welcome!
The event is on Saturday, September 14th from noon to 3 p.m. at Great Barrington Town Hall at 334 Main Street in Great Barrington, More information can be found online.
