American Mural Project accepting designer applications for popular ‘Recycled Runway’ event
Winsted— The American Mural Project (AMP) announces the return of its popular “Recycled Runway” event and is now accepting applications for participating designers.
“Recycled Runway” is a runway show and exhibit featuring unique garments and getups made by community members from recycled, unconventional materials that might otherwise end up in the trash.
To raise money for charity, amateurs and professionals alike are invited to step up to the creative challenge of designing original, wearable art to be presented—either personally or via a model—on the catwalk at the event, and/or as part of a month-long exhibit. Individuals and teams will go thread-to-thread for a chance to raise the most money in support of a cause of their choosing, as well as AMP’s education programs.
Participating designers are required to build wearable pieces made of at least 75 percent recyclable and/or trash-rescued materials. Options may include textile scraps, landfill recyclables, discarded toys and game pieces, packaging materials and food containers, construction scraps, plastic bags, and bottle caps—the possibilities are endless!
Participant applications are due by Friday, August 16th. Early applications are strongly advised due to the overwhelming response received for this event in 2019. Visit americanmuralproject.org/runway for participant guidelines, application, and required forms.
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Hilltop Orchards, Furnace Brook Winery & JMASH Cidery plan wine treasure hunt for visitors
Richmond— On May 8th and 15th, Hilltop Orchards, Furnace Brook Winery & JMASH Cidery are planning a wine treasure hunt for visitors. They are inviting guests to hunt for one of two wine bottles hidden in the trees. They’ve hidden one bottle on May 8th and will hide a second bottle on May 15th. The lucky finders should take their wine bottle to the orchard store to claim their prize of a bottle of wine (winner’s choice) and a complimentary wine tasting for two.
Hilltop Orchards reports, “We have a wine bottle hidden in the orchard with a gift hidden inside for the lucky explorer who finds it! We have perfect spring sunny days for orchard exploring this week! Good luck!”
Visitors of the orchard are invited to bring snacks or a picnic to enjoy with family and friends while they search for the hidden wine bottle.
The contest runs through May 21st. Located on Canaan Road in Richmond, Hilltop Orchards is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering fresh cider donuts and hard cider wine tastings daily! Visit the orchard online or call 413-822-7334 for more information.
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Mahaiwe presents Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez and his band
Great Barrington— On Saturday, May 13th at 8 p.m., Cuban percussionist Pedrito Martinez will perform with his band at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.
Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martinez was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1973 in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, where rumba is played all day long. He began his musical career at the age of 11, with a foundation in the rumba and Afro Cuban Yoruba traditions. Since settling in New York City in the fall of 1998, Pedrito has recorded or performed with Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Paquito D’Rivera, Bruce Springsteen, Ruben Blades, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, and Sting, and has contributed to over 75 albums. A consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum, he is also the world’s first-call rumbero—playing, singing, and dancing with dozens of Cuban rumba groups.
Pedrito Martinez’s performance is coordinated in part by SCAN, the Mahaiwe’s Spanish-language Community Advisory Network committee —a partnership between Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) and the Mahaiwe. SCAN is co-chaired by VIM’s Patient Services Manager Natalia DeRuzzio and Mahaiwe Advancement officer Melissa Canavan, and is funded in part by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and Lee Bank.
Ambassadors Paola Alta, Marina Dominguez, Deisy Escobar, Fredy Hernández, Diana Lotero, Liliana Ortiz-Bermudez, Gladis Rave, Marco Soasti, Vladimir Soasti, and Marcela Urrea are paid for their expertise and skills, meeting multiple times a year to discuss programming, outreach, promotion, feedback, and recruitment. SCAN ambassadors advise on inclusive programming and they reduce barriers for members of the Latinx communities to attend performances, films, and events and, over time, join staff and board in shaping the Mahaiwe. It is one of the ways in which VIM advocates for new pathways to equity for our patients.
The concert is Saturday, May 13th at 8 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets are $33 to $58, with discounts for Mahaiwe Members and individuals ages 30 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at mahaiwe.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the box office by phone at 413-528-0100 or in-person Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.
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Berkshire County Historical Society will present a pub crawl
Pittsfield— On Saturday, May 13th at 4p.m., the Berkshire County Historical Society will present a pub crawl through historic downtown Pittsfield. The event, which is presented in partnership with Berkshire Mountain Distillers, will explore various aspects of downtown Pittsfield history paired with themed cocktails and craft beer served at downtown pubs.
Learn about the famous “Fighting Parson,” a Revolutionary War prison, the once-prominent Union Station, and much more!
Participating establishments are Patrick’s Pub, Thistle and Mirth, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Berkshire Palate, and Methuselah Bar and Lounge. The crawl will culminate with the launch of BCHS’s summer “Cultural Cocktail” developed with Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
The crawl is Saturday, May 13th beginning at 4 p.m. at Patrick’s Pub on Bank Row in Pittsfield. Tickets are $20 for BCHS members, $25 for non-members. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance online at berkshirehistory.org or by phone at 413-442-1793. You must be 21 years of age or older to participate in this event.
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NAACP, Berkshire County branch’s political action committee to hold candidate training bootcamp and panel discussion
Pittsfield— On Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the NAACP Berkshire County Branch’s Political Action Committee will hold a day-long, nonpartisan training at Berkshire Community College. This is two events, a registration-only training from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a panel discussion that will be open to the public from 4 to 5 p.m.
The Candidate Training Bootcamp will share the basics of running a successful campaign for political office. The NAACP has invited BIPOC leaders throughout Massachusetts to provide their knowledge and experiences with participants in an accelerated, jam-packed training day. After the training, these leaders will participate in a panel discussion about being a person of color in politics.
Topics will include overview & campaign structure, campaign messaging, fundraising, legislating with equity, volunteers, and fieldwork. Speakers and panelists include David Halbert, Executive Director of The Progressive Massachusetts Funders Collaborative, Zayda Ortiz, President of the Board of Progressive Mass & founder of Mystic Valley Progressives, Kristen Halbert, Senior Associate at Black Lion Strategies, Lezlie Braxton Campbell, Deputy Director, of Campaigns for Educators for Excellence.
The training runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 13th at Berkshire Community College on West Street in Pittsfield. The panel discussion is from 4 to 5 p.m., and will be live-streamed on the branch’s Facebook page at facebook.com/naacpberkshires.
Both events are free and open to all. Berkshire County youth are encouraged to participate in the training and will receive a monetary stipend. Registration is required for all who participate in the day of training, which you can do online. A free continental breakfast and lunch will be provided to all training participants. Transportation to and from Berkshire Community College will be provided for training participants who need it.
This event is sponsored in part by Berkshire Community College. For more information, please visit naacpberkshires.org.
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North Berkshire Community Contra Dance returns
Williamstown— On Saturday, May 13th at 7:30 p.m., North Berkshire Community Contra Dance returns with an open band. Becky Hollingsworth on piano and Susan Conger on fiddle will lead the music at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown and this month anyone with an acoustic instrument is welcome to join in.
Susan Conger has a warm following as a well-known composer and fiddler in the Northeast from the Ashokan Folk Festival to the Dance Flurry. Pianist Becky Hollingsworth is a mainstay in the contradance music scene around Guiding Star Grange and the dancing hub of Greenfield and Northampton
Andy Davis will call (and teach) all the dances, welcoming families with children and adults with any level of experience. The dancing will begin with a gentle opening for beginners and young folk at 7:30 p.m. and move into zestier dances after 8:30 p.m., including the old chestnut Chorus Jig.
The dance is Saturday, May 13th at 7:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on Main Street in Williamstown. Admission is pay-what-you-can ($12-$20 suggested).
Covid precautions are still taken because Contra Dance doesn’t social distance, so masks and proof of vaccination required. Attendees may register in advance online. For more information, visit https://northberkshiredance.org.
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Call for new plays for BCT’s ‘New Works Series’
Bennington— Bennington Community Theater (BCT) calls for new plays for their “New Works Series”. The “New Works Series” promotes the growth and development of emerging playwrights through play readings, connecting the community to BCT and teaching about the process of creating theater.
BCT calls for previously unproduced plays of all lengths: one-acts, shorts, and full length. Please include cover letter and contact information. Scripts may be submitted electronically to bct@bpacvt.org or mail to Bennington Performing Arts Center, Attn: BCT—New Work Series, 331 Main St., Bennington VT 05201.
