Now another movement to rename a different school building in Berkshire Hills is taking shape. Supporters of Du Bois are ramping up an effort to rename Monument Valley Regional Middle School in memory of Du Bois.
Prizes will be awarded to the male and female winners and runners-up of the 10K and 5K races, as well as to the top two “Best Dressed Native Species” racers.
The town expects to have the north side of Railroad Street "buttoned up," including the installation of bases for decorative light poles, by the end of this week.
Directed by Travis Daly with music direction by Erin M. White and choreography by Kathy Jo Grover, the production features more than 100 Berkshire-area students.
Taking its name from Du Bois poem “Children of the Moon,” which appeared in Du Bois’ book “Darkwater” in 1920, the event is part of a larger three-day program that brings students together for an exploration of Du Bois’ life, work and legacy.
That Day came up with such a bold housing plan is remarkable; that he did so in concert with the priest is further amazing, allowing as he did the opportunity for the parish to sell building lots to help fund its church construction.
“We started with nothing. It was just a rubble heap. As more and more people came forward, I had to struggle to keep up with their desire for bringing the river back into the community.”
-- Rachel Fletcher, describing the beginnings of the Housatonic River Walk
The Crandell Theatre will serve as the exclusive regional host for the premiere of “Tales of Europe,” a series of five new and acclaimed contemporary films from France and Italy.
Last month, the board of trustees of the town's libraries endorsed the idea of putting a statue of the scholar, civil rights leader and Great Barrington native in front of the Mason Library on Main Street in the center of town. The project can only move forward if sufficient funds are raised and the Historic District Commission and the selectboard approve.
Only in My Dreams Events will present the third annual Dance Party and Cabaret celebration of Pride Month and the diversity of LGBTQ culture in the Berkshires.
Not only are supporters of the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois trying to name one of the local public schools after him, but they want to commission a sculptor to come up with a life-sized likeness of him that would be placed on the front lawn of the Mason Library.
More than 35 singers and dancers rehearsed a performance piece choreographed to the song “We are Here” by Alicia Keys, the oft-repeated refrain of which is a fitting tribute to the nature of Du Bois’ work: “We are here. We are all here for all of us. That’s why we are here.”
There are five sections on the poster: birth and childhood, familial ties, civil rights activism, a return to Great Barrington, and lasting impact. Photographs and captions accompany each section and there is a scannable QR code to learn more about Du Bois.
"Dubois was clearly the most celebrated resident in our history. His teachings and writings still resonate today. To honor and memorialize him seems absolutely appropriate."
-- Author and Great Barrington resident Daniel Klein
