Mass MOCA

During 26 years as Mayor of North Adams, John Barrett has done a lot for the city. Just ask him. Thanks, but it is time to move on. Berkshire Fine Arts endorses Dick Alcombright for the Mayor of North Adams. It is more about hope, ideas, survival and progress than just change for the sake of change.

So far, more than two dozen features and shorts have received their debuts at the Williamstown Film Festival and there wasn't a dud among them. And Week Two is at hand.

e-Harmony couldn't come up with a stranger match than the one on tap Friday night, October 30. Hear string quartet ETHEL playing original music while you watch the Mexican sci-fi film La Nave De Los Monstruos (Ship of Monsters). We talk to violist Ralph Farris about this perplexing pairing.

Election 2009 seems to come down to this: who stands the best chance of delivering more jobs and economic growth in 2010-2011, the incumbents, the challengers, or some blend of both. It's a tough question, and one the voters will decide in just a matter of days.

Given the generally miserable weather during the annual North Adams Open Studios attendance was down by 40% from last year. But the sales were widely reported as much improved. Works by 180 artists were seen but only 81 registered to participate. Still the chairperson, Phil Sellers is upbeat and moving on to next year's plans.

During Open Studios Weekend, Philadelphia based Dr. Dog rocked Mass MoCA with a people pleasing blend of psychedlia, 7th chords and synchronized foot stomping. Northampton's Winterpills, who toured with Cake last fall, opened for them. It was the first appearance by both bands at Mass MoCA which once again found a younger audience much in evidence.

With the participation of several teams of artists Ralph Brill lit up the sky over North Adams as a part of his second annual Hoosac River Lights. The event is intended to call attention to the natural resource and beauty of the river which powered the mills along its banks. Including what is now the vast Mass MoCA. It was an evening highlight of the Fifth Annual North Adams Open Studios.

Monica Bill Barnes will be in residence October 18-25, Kyle Abraham arrives November 15-21, and Camille A. Brown in the spring of 2010, April 18-25. Each Creative Development Residency includes housing and unlimited studio use for the artists and their dancers, and concludes with an invitation-only, work-in-progress showing during which artists receive valuable creative feedback from audience members.

To quote Winston Churchill during the Battle of Britain "Is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning?" In the coming months artistic director Tony Simotes will be charged with getting Shakespeare & Company back on track and out from under a stagering debt of $10 million.

For all the rhetoric about jobs and growth, neither Mayor John Barrett nor his opponent Dick Alcombright had very much to say about new directions for the troubled city of North Adams. The second Mayoral debate was mostly about how each counts beans and sees the problems the city faces, not about solutions. Their mutual lack of specific solutions is troubling.

The Fifth Annual North Adams Open Studios will occur on the weekend of October 17 and 18. During the Columbus Day weekend there was a preview of the anticipated mayhem with opening of the Eclipse Annual and Studio 21 South. Organizer Phil Sellers is upbeat about the city wide event.

North Adams City Council incumbent and candidate for reelection Lisa M. Blackmer held a meet and greet at the Freight Yard. While drinking and snacking the rumors were flying in an ever more contentious Mayoral campaign between incumbent, John Barrett, and challenger Dick Alcombright. They both dropped by to press the flesh.

Just like a church wedding the Alcombright supporters, many in his green t-shirts, sat in the pews on one side of the aisle, while the Barrett fans were seated opposite them. It evoked the visual image of a sharply divided city that reinforced the tough and contentious tone of the debate. It was an evening of lively political theatre with high stakes for the future of North Adams during a tough economy.

For 2009's Williamstown Film Festival the emphasis is on movies and film making, not what the starlets are wearing on the red carpet. Film makers and film lovers love the Berkshire's version of a film festival since the emphasis is on craft and content, not gossip and glamour.

John Barrett, the "Dean of Massachusetts Mayors" is fighting to see his vision for North Adams fulfilled. In this, his 14th run for Mayor, he faces off against challenger Richard Alcombright. We asked him about the race and his hopes for the city he loves.

Shorter days bring brighter nighttime events. With a cornucopia of choices, Fall 2009 promises to be the most entertaining in years. Check over our picks and previews which cover events from now until late November, and you're sure to find something to spice up your cider.

Located between the larger and better known artist communities of Pittsfield and North Adams it is easy to overlook the vibrant Adams art scene. We visited and interviewed eight artists in their studios. They are all well established with an intriguing variety of work.

At the age of 78, Olympia Dukakis could easily retire having earned the title of legendary actress and a mantle full of Oscars, Obies, Gabbys and Golden Globes. Instead the busiest actor of her generation makes a surprising decision - to return to Shakespeare & Company and work with her old friend and favorite student, Tony Simotes.

The Arts and Artists of Adams, Massachusetts have received little attention. There are two vital and evolving arts organizations, the Topia Art Center and Greylock Arts Gallery, as well as several cultural entities to visit and enjoy.

Tina Ramirez founded Ballet Hispanico in 1970. She recently stepped down and the new Artistic Director is Eduardo Vilaro. Starting in 1984 this is the fourth appearance of the New York based company at Jacob's Pillow. They will close the Pillow season on Sunday, August 30. This appearance includes the world premiere of "Locked Up Laura" and four other works.

During this rainy and mostly miserable summer the exhibition "Dove/O'Keeffe Circles of Influence" at the Clark Art Institute has provided shelter from the storm. Visitors have flocked to this populat exhibition which ends on September 7.

Summer may seem to be drawing to a close, but you can't tell by the busy schedule in the next few weeks. In fact, more new shows are opening, fresh dance companies are unpacking and the jazz musicians are waiting in the wings for a festive climax to Summer in the Berkshires. To make sure you don't miss anything, here is another handy roundup of the best events for late summer through the big Labor Day weekend.

composers, cutting edge dance or perhaps an absorbing evening of great theatre? Take time to indulge your senses and treat yourself to some of the Berkshire's legendary performing arts attractions. They all have great deals for residents and visitors alike. Use our handy Picks and Previews guide to help decide.

Summer's abundance is all around us, and so is the Berkshire's annual bounty of music, theatre and dance choices. Here's another of our detailed guides to help you choose.

For 26 years John Barrett has served as the Mayor of North Adams. He is running for yet another two year term. In a meeting with artists of the Eclipse Mill complex he related the epic struggle to salvage a depressed city largely through his personal efforts to help Tom Krens and then Joe Thompson in their plan to transform the abandoned Sprague Electric campus into Mass MoCA. Some $35 million in state revenue was used to renovate the museum which is celebrating its first decade.