CATA’s ‘Everyday People’ performance weekend and gala
Lenox — Community Access to the Arts will present “Everyday People,” its annual performance and gala on Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, at Shakespeare & Company.
Each September, a new program year begins at CATA and, with it, a new theme to inspire CATA’s faculty and artists with disabilities. This year’s theme of “Everyday People” challenged CATA artists to describe who they are every day, what their “everyday” looks like, and how that day is different from that of others.
The annual performance is the culmination of performing arts workshops that CATA provides to 600 people with disabilities across Berkshire County, as well as Columbia County in New York. “Everyday People” features CATA’s performing artists with disabilities in a showcase of talent in theatre, dance, music and more.
Saturday’s gala festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with a performance at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing. The Sunday matinee will begin at 1 p.m. Tickets for the gala are $175. The matinee performance is $20 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or call CATA at (413) 528-5485.
–E.E.
* * *
Young women writers from MMRHS to share work

West Stockbridge — Young women writers from Monument Mountain Regional High School will be read their original work at “Monument Girls Write On” on Friday, May 12, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at the West Stockbridge Historical Society. Hosted and organized by Lisken Van Pelt Dus and other MMRHS faculty who will introduce the writers, the celebratory reading will feature about a dozen students ages 14 to 18 who will present selections of their poetry, short fiction and creative nonfiction. The event is free and open to the public. For more information call MMRHS at (413) 528-3346.
–E.E.
* * *
Sheffield Land Trust to offer invasive plant volunteer day
Sheffield — The Sheffield Land Trust seeks volunteers to help pull out, dig out and cut back invasive plants in and around the field on its Robins property off Boardman Street on Saturday, May 13, from 12:30 to 4:30pm.
No experience is necessary. Krysia Kurzyca will help volunteers identify what to remove. Volunteers are asked to wear protective clothing, shoes and gloves and to bring the tools they prefer, such as lopping shears, clippers and shovels, though tools are not necessary in order to participate. Water and refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact the Sheffield Land Trust at (413) 229-0234 or shefland@bcn.net.
–E.E.
* * *
Postal workers to conduct food drive
Pittsfield — In conjunction with Berkshire United Way, Berkshire Youth United and Berkshire Community Action Council, local branch #286 of the National Association of Letter Carriers and Postal Workers will be run a food drive Saturday, May 13, during which letter carriers will collect nonperishable food items for distribution to local food pantries and meal programs.
Participants should place their food donations in bags or boxes by their mailboxes on Saturday, May 13, for letter carriers in Adams, Becket, Dalton, Great Barrington, Hinsdale, Housatonic, Lanesboro, Lee, Lenox, North Adams, Pittsfield, parts of Richmond, Sheffield and Williamstown to collect and bringing to their respective loading docks for sorting and packing.
For more information, contact Amy Breault at the Pittsfield Post Office at (413) 442-6961.
–E.E.