Opinion
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Berkshire Forum 2010
The Commerce of Culture
By: - Sep 18th, 2010With three days of programming the arts and the creative community were underplayed in the recent Berkshire Forum. Although the arts are a major employer and drive the economy of the Berkshires just one session was devoted to this essential agenda. The too few seats at the table excluded any representatives from the four major theatre companies, or even Jacob's Pillow. Mass MoCA director Joe Thompson was included in another panel where he commented on the important Wilco Festival this summer.
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Berkshire Forum 2010
Thinking Beyond Pride of Place
By: - Sep 17th, 2010The founders of the first Berkshire Forum Tina Chase and Mary Collins George intend to move forward with planning next year. Despite a thin attendance for the three days of lectures, panels and performances they report nearly breaking even. A daunting range and depth of information and insights was provided. It evoked expanding and redefining the branding of the Berkshires. A highlight among many was the dialogue with Boston Globe editor Martin Baron.
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The Mount Fall Programming
Season Ends on Halloween
By: - Sep 10th, 2010The season at Edith Wharton's historic home The Mount in Lenox, Mass. remains open with programming through October 31. There are many reasons to visit during the fall foliage season.
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Berkshire Forum September 14 to 16
The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield
By: - Sep 09th, 2010A three-day conference promising inspiring ideas and stimulating dialogue led by a remarkable network of business owners, economists, social innovators, technology visionaries, cultural enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and thought leadersâ€"bound by a devotion to region worth preserving and an interest in shaping its cultural and economic future.
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Hoosac River Lights September 11
Third Annual North Adams Event
By: - Sep 07th, 2010Ralph Brill a gallerist in the Eclipse Mill in North Adams reminds us that Mermaid Beatrice is swimming her way up the Hudson River. She splashes into North Adams after dark on Saturday night as the highlight of the Third Annual Hoosac River Lights event.
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Mark Volpe on Tanglewood’s Non-Classsical Programming
Thinking Inside the Box
By: - Sep 07th, 2010During the recent, season ending, Tanglewood Jazz Festival we spoke with Mark Volpe, the managing director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has had his hands full, yet again, with another medical absence by maestro, James Levine. Despite the concerns of some classical critics regarding the continuity and consistency of the orchestra, for the most part, the season has been successful. Even magical. But regarding non-classical programming, of which there is very little in the program, he was quoted making harsh remarks in the Berkshire Eagle. We asked him about that and were surprised but guardedly pleased by his response.
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MIT and the Arts
Full Schedule of October Events
By: - Sep 06th, 2010The Massachuetts Institute of Techology offers a great range of arts events many of which are free to the general public. We have the complete breakdown of the dense October calendar.
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Artists and the Academy
Is There a Doctor in the House
By: - Aug 29th, 2010The glut of artists with MFA degrees has made it difficult to find tenure track positions in colleges and universities. There is now an industry in cranking out artists through degree programs. What is changing the playing field is the progressive standard of a doctorate in the fine arts for tenure track positions. Try to imagine Dr. Michelangelo, Matisse with an MFA, or Picasso teaching Photoshop at a state university in the midwest. What a mess as we start a new semester.
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Interview with Dan Bosley
Candidate for Sheriff of Berkshire County
By: - Aug 26th, 2010"My message has to be more complicated... The job of the Sherrif is not a law enforcement job. The Sheriff is responsible for the care, custody and condition of inmates. You can take a broad or a narrow interpretation of that, but either one is public safety, not law enforcement. The Sheriff does not go out busting perps, he doesn’t go on stakeouts. The perception is that he’s Wyatt Earp or James Arness in the Wild West. That’s what people think, but that’s not what the job is."
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Joe Finnegan Comments on WTF Season
First Season as General Manager in Williamstown
By: - Aug 18th, 2010A large part of the success of Nicholas Martin's final of three seasons as Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival has been the year round presence of the Williamstown resident, General Manager, Joe Finnegan. With a strong background in finance, for the past year, he has brought a professional status to his passion for theatre. With WTF back on track signified by rave reviews and sold out shows he looks forward to working with the new artistic director, Jenny Gersten.
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Wilco Feedback
Where Do We Go From Here
By: - Aug 17th, 2010The enormously ambitious, weekend long, Solid Sound Festival, curated by Wilco at Mass MoCA was a complete success. What now follows is a critical analysis vital to the momentum for future arts and events development in North Adams. We put out a call for responses and ideas. These ranged from Mayor Dick Alcobright, Mass MoCA PR person, Katherine Myers, to arts leaders, politicians and artists. We invite your responses as well.
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Robert Henriquez North Adams Exhibition
Just an Explosive Thought
By: - Aug 17th, 2010The exhibition by the Pittsfield based, Haitian born artist, Robert Henriquez has evoked many provocative issues. The work is included in a group show at the summer long Gallerie Haiti on Main Street in North Adams. Here the artist discusses the ideas and resources for the work.
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Boston's September Arts Highlights
From Wicked to Cabaret
By: - Aug 15th, 2010As summer winds down it is exciting to anticipate the launch of the fall arts season. Our Boston correspondent and tipster is marking her calendar. Here are some suggestions and where to find them.
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Grants for New England Artists
August 1 Deadline for Artists Resource Trust
By: - Jul 08th, 2010Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced today that the grant application deadline for the Artists Resource Trust (A.R.T) is August 1. A.R.T. provides grants to mid-career New England artists in financial need. Non-profit organizations wishing to show, commission or purchase work by mature artists living in New England may also apply.
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The Arts Redefine North Adams
Mass MoCA, Wilco, Down Street, and Tons More
By: - Jun 26th, 2010This summer through fall foliage the arts are flourishing in North Adams. Now in its eleventh year Mass MoCA is lending a helping hand to a vital, imaginative and ever more vital arts community. New Mayor Dick Alcombright is working shoulder to shoulder with Joe Thompson of Mass MoCA, MCLA, local galleries, artists and community leaders. Now in its third year there are 35 stops on the Down Street arts map. There's a free trolley to get you around town. Events include a huge Wilco Festival at Mass MoCA, the Eagle Street Beach Party, and River Lights III. A world record sidewalk drawing is in the planning stages. Lots of family fun from now till whenever.
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July Art Highlights
Boston, Berkshire and New York
By: - Jun 19th, 2010Everything is coming up roses for the North Shore Music Theatre, because they are back in business. They reopen with Vicki Lewis in the smash musical GYPSY. Vicki is most remembered for her five seasons playing Beth on the NBC sitcom “NewsRadio.†She also appeared on “Seinfeld†and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.†GYPSY is a Broadway classic and a multi award-winning musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Arthur Laurents.
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June Highlights
From Boston to Lenox
By: - May 18th, 2010The Longwood Symphony Orchestra which is made up of medical professionals will perform at Ozawa Hall in Lenox for the first time. The Boston Jewish Film Festival ENCORES AND MORE will be staged at the Museum of Fine Arts through June 27. Don't miss The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Speakeasy Stage.
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Fourth of July in the Berkshires
An Abundance of Riches
By: - May 04th, 2010The launch of the Fourth of July arts season in the Berkshires will be like an explosion in a fireworks factory. There has never been a greater offering of superb and diverse performances. While three days of James Taylor and Carole King at Tanglewood sold out ages ago there are many other top options. Mass MoCA is going head to head with Tanglewood on Friday night. It has Richie Havens vs. The Pops. Barrington Stage and Williamstown Theatre Festival will duke it out with dueling Sondheim musicals. There is a ton of stuff at Shakespeare & Company including the opening of John Douglas Thompson in Richard III. Jacobs Pillow and Berkshire Theatre Festival are in the mix. We offer a complete rundown.
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Wilco, Richie Havens Headline at Mass MoCA
Lively Summer Program Slated for North Adams
By: - Apr 29th, 2010There will be just tons of live music blasting from Mass MoCA this summer from a rock festival with Wilco, to the perennial Woodstocker, Richie Havens, to Carolina Chocolate Drops and a reggae dance party. Oh yes, there will also be some exhibitions. A show by Petah Coyne will open on May 29 and remain on view forever. But not quite for 25 years like Sol Lewitt.
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Dan Bosley Runs for Berkshire Sheriff
But I Didn't Shoot the Deputy
By: - Feb 09th, 2010Since 1987, State Representative, Dan Bosley, Democrat- North Adams, has been a great supporter of the arts organizations in the Berkshires. Last night, at the cozy Inn at Richmond, he asked a room of blue chip arts leaders for their support in a race for Berkshire Sheriff. He is opposed by Pittsfield Police Detective Thomas Bowler.
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Christoph Buchel vs. Mass MoCA Redux
Appellate Court Rules Artist's Claim Bears Merit
By: - Jan 29th, 2010On September 21, 2007, in Federal District Court in Springfield, Judge Michael A. Posner ruled that Mass MoCA had not violated the artist Christoph Buchel according to the 1990 Visual Arts Rights Act. Now a Federal Appelate Court has found that the claim of copyright infringement against the museum has merit and should be heard by a federal jury. Tension mounts as the artist will indeed have his day in court.
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The 2010 Tucson Gem Show
On the Rocks
By: - Jan 27th, 2010The Gem show as Tucson knows it, is a collection of shows that are all held in this city from the end of January to the middle of February, some spanning the full period, some for a week, some for a few brief days. This year, 2010, there are 42 different shows being held here between Jan 22 and Feb 15.
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ICA's Winter/ Spring Schedule
In Hot Waters
By: - Jan 16th, 2010Filmmaker John Waters will converse with artist Roni Horn. It is but one of the many events planned for the Winter/Spring at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art.
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Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Schedule
Events in Great Barrington Through August
By: - Jan 15th, 2010The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington announces a schedule of events and performances from now through August. Highlights include the sold out Live in HD broadcasts from the Met. Tony winner, Patti LuPone, jazz masters McCoy Tyner and Bucky Pizzarelli are among the highlights. As well as appearances by the Paul Taylor and Alvin Ailey dance companies.
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Picture Yourself at the Clark
Gala Opening of Boldini Exhibition Feb. 13
By: - Jan 12th, 2010In the Berkshires they say never miss a Clark party. Particularly in the dead of winter. February 13: The party of the season takes place from 6 to 8 pm at the Clark. "Picture Yourself at the Clark" celebrates the opening of the Clark exhibition Giovanni Boldini in Impressionist Paris with an evening of live music, delectable hors d'oeuvres, and fun with portraits
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