Mad Rose Gallery presents ‘Expo Fidjrossé,’ an exhibit exploring the art scene in Benin
Millerton, N.Y.— On Saturday March 9th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mad Rose Gallery celebrates the opening of “Expo Fidjrossé,” an exhibit exploring the art scene in Benin.
Curator Neal Rosenthal has brought the Mad Rose Gallery a stunning selection of art from West Africa representing seven artists, all of whom work at least part of the time from their ateliers in Fidjrossé, including a wandering photographer based in Togo.
In addition to photography, this show “Expo Fidjrossé” includes painting, mixed media, and sculpture. The works are colorful, exuberant, and quite personal. They reflect the extraordinary energy of Benin, along with historical references and recognition of the particular problems and obstacles that are present currently on the African continent, all expressed with an underlying optimism.
The reception is on Saturday March 9th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Mad Rose Gallery on North Elm Avenue in Millerton, N.Y. The exhibit runs through April 4th. More information can be found online.
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WAM opens 15th Anniversary Season with a ‘Fresh Takes’ play reading of ‘Be Here Now’
Lenox— On Sunday, March 10th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., WAM opens 15th Anniversary Season with a ‘Fresh Takes’ play reading of “Be Here Now,” a play about the search for joy against all odds.
Written by Deborah Zoe Laufer (“Sirens,” “End Days,” “Rooted”) and directed by Kelly Galvin (WAM’s “Last Wife,” Shakespeare & Company’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” “The Taming of the Shrew”,) the play features a stellar cast of diverse local professional performers including Tracy Grammer, Jeannine Trimboli, Kristin Yates, and Ryan Winkles.
“Be Here Now” follows the story of deeply cynical and woefully underemployed Bari who is surrounded by painfully cheerful co-workers at a small-town package fulfillment center. When she meets Mike, a man who makes art out of garbage, it’s her turn to pull another out of darkness. This quirky new comedy asks what we are willing to do for love, happiness, and to create meaning in our life.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing Be Here Now to audiences with its big, compassionate questions about what it really takes to live in the moment and connect to each other in these painful times,” said director Kelly Galvin.
WAM Theatre’s Fresh Takes Play Reading Series presents ground-breaking stories that are imaginative and thoughtful explorations of complex issues affecting women and girls. Featuring local professional actors and directors, the Fresh Takes play readings continue WAM’s commitment to connecting Berkshire audiences to female playwrights who are contributing to national and international theatre conversations. Each reading will be followed by a brief discussion with the artists.
The performances are on Sunday, March 10th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Foundry on Harris Street in West Stockbridge. Tickets are $25 with a $50 pay-it-forward option. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Berkshire Agricultural Ventures presents ‘Farming Forward: a Climate Adaptation Workshop for Farmers’
Great Barrington— On Saturday, March 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV) is pleased to present “Farming Forward: A Climate Adaptation Workshop for Farmers.”
In recent years, extreme weather conditions such as droughts, early frosts, and last summer’s devastating floods have negatively affected farm production and the viability of farm operations throughout the region. This full-day workshop is designed to help local farmers of any type or scale learn how to adapt their operations to climate change, providing knowledgeable advice from three regional experts as well as the opportunity to connect and troubleshoot with fellow farmers facing similar challenges.
“Farming Forward” consists of farmer working groups as well as presentations from three experts addressing climate projections, adaptation methods, and whole-farm planning for climate resilience. Presenters include award-winning soil scientist Laura Lengnick, author of “Resilient Agriculture: Cultivating Food Systems for a Changing Climate” and Senior Consultant for Climate Resilient Farming at the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming; climate and agriculture specialist Julie Fine from American Farmland Trust New England; and Sara Kelemen of the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.
“Through this workshop, and subsequent programming, BAV hopes to empower farmers with the knowledge and resources they need to make their operations resilient to climate change, and to strengthen farm social networks so that farmers can learn from each other and help each other (literally) weather the storm,” said Ben Crockett, Program Manager for BAV’s Climate Smart Agriculture Program.
The workshop is on Saturday, March 16th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Guthrie Center on Van Deusenville Road in Great Barrington. The cost of attendance is $10, with fee waivers available for those with limited incomes. Advanced registration is required. The registration deadline is Wednesday, March 13th. Registration and more information can be found online. For those interested in attending after the registration deadline has passed, please contact Ben Crockett at ben@berkshireagventures.org or 413-238-1822 for space availability.
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North Berkshire Community Contra Dance in Williamstown
Williamstown— On Saturday, March 9th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance. Cheerful young caller Maggie McRae will teach every dance to live fiddle music in the best New England tradition.
Contra dancing is a living tradition in New England; for hundreds of years, neighbors and friends have made their own social entertainment in this easy and highly collaborative dance form. McRae will teach all the dances with her usual sense of fun and enthusiasm, using gender-neutral phrasing.
The band “The Vintons” is a new collaboration of three long-time musician friends with a love for the classic New England contradance sound, George Wilson on fiddle, Andy Davis on accordion and piano, and Marko Packard on guitar and flute. With many decades of musical experience of all kinds between them, they weave new musical fabric from the traditional tunes that they love.
The dance is Saturday, March 9th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can with a $12 to $20 suggestion. Barter is also welcome. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 p.m. for instruction in the basics. Masks are encouraged, but not required. More information can be found online.
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Lee Youth Commission hosts ‘Kids vs Kids Family Feud Game Night’
Lee— On Saturday, March 9th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Town of Lee’s Youth Commission hosts “Kids vs Kids Family Feud Game Night,” as part of Lee’s Second Saturday Gym Nights.
“Kids vs Kids Family Feud Game Night” offers a unique opportunity for children to participate in a live action version of one of the most beloved game shows of all time. Participants will form teams and compete to guess the most popular responses to the game’s survey questions, earning points for their respective teams along the way.
The event is on Saturday, March 9th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crossway Tower Gym on High Street in Lee. The event is free and open to all children ages six to 12. Advanced registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online.
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Zion Lutheran Church to host community German dinner
Pittsfield— On Friday, March 15th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Zion Lutheran Church is hosting a community German dinner.
The menu features Oma’s goulash with egg noodles, vegetables, and red cabbage, and chocolate cherry cake for dessert.
The dinner is on Friday, March 15th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church on First Street in Pittsfield. Tickets are $20 and $12 for children ages 12 and under. Take out is available, and beer and wine is available for dine-in patrons. Tickets and more information can be found online or by calling 413-442-3525.
