Posts Tagged ‘Great Barrington’

Friday Night Circus: Cirque vs. Cirque

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Yes, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus marches into the Times Union Center for an eight-show stand following next Thursday’s (May 2) elephant parade, but for those of us who prefer an animal-free circus experience, it’s time for a flip of the coin on Friday night (April 26).

WHAT: Cirque Zuma Zuma puts an African spin on circus skills.
WHERE: Proctors’ Mainstage, Schenectady.
THE BLURB: “Acrobats, tumblers, lion dancers, contortionists, singers and gymnasts band together for the high-flying, off-the-wall spectacle of rhythmic music and pulse-pounding movement that could only be Cirque Zuma Zuma. Skilled youngsters from 16 African nations present this extraordinary display of circus skills and nonstop action that will thrill you to the edge of your seat.”
WHEN: 8pm Friday
HOW MUCH: $20, $40, $45 & $50

WHAT: Cirque Shanghai puts an Asian spin on circus skills.
WHERE: Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Great Barrington
THE BLURB: “A visually spectacular production combing astounding Chinese acrobatics, fast-paced action, and contemporary staging. Dating back to the Han Dynasty more than 2,000 years ago, Chinese acrobatic spectacles were first called “bai xi,” meaning “100 amazing acts,” in reference to the performers’ seemingly limitless skills. Today, “Bai Xi” brings this on-stage wonder to 21st century audiences via aerial acrobatics, plate spinning, contortion, balancing acts, hoop diving, martial arts and more.
WHEN: 7pm Friday
HOW MUCH: $35; ages 12 and under $25.

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Chris Thile and Brad Mehldau Bring Bluegrass and Jazz to Mahaiwe, April 13 [Berkshire on Stage]

Wednesday, April 10th, 2013

Great Barrington, MA: Mahaiwe Performing Arts presents two groundbreaking young American musicians, singer/mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and pianist Brad Mehldau, in a rare performance as a duo on Saturday, April 13 at 8:00pm. Both are virtuosos who boldly mix their respective areas of expertise – bluegrass and jazz – with influences from Radiohead to Bach. Now these kindred spirits combine their dazzling imaginations in an evening of classical transcriptions, pop covers and original songs.

Thile is a mandolinist and composer, Mehldau a lyrical jazz piano voice with the same wide range of musical interests. They join together for a rare evening that could go anywhere in the musical spectrum.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

New Concerts Announced for Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013
China Forbes

Pink Martini’s China Forbes

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington has announced a number of concerts and other performances for its 2013 summer and fall calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, tickets will go on sale to members at 12noon on Tuesday (April 2) and to the general public at 12noon on Friday (April 5).

Here are some of the highlights of the Mahaiwe’s upcoming season of shows:

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Jazz Appreciation Month Returns to Nippertown

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Story by J Hunter
Video by Susan Brink
A JazzApril story

Okay, you know by now (or you ought to know, anyway) that I think EVERY month should be Jazz Appreciation Month! And in Greater Nippertown, that wouldn’t be hard to achieve. Between a local scene that’s extremely vibrant and major concerts by kick-ass artists like the Hot Club of Detroit, SFJAZZ Collective, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joe Lovano’s Us Five and Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, we’ve already reaped an abundance of musical riches this year.

But when someone at the Smithsonian Institute threw a dart at the office calendar, it landed on April: In the words the late, great gun nut Charlton Heston, “So let it be written; so let it be done!” Now UNESCO has gotten into the act, too, taking the idea global by promoting concerts all around the world on April 30th, otherwise known as International Jazz Day. Finally, there’s a worldwide conspiracy I can get behind!

And what do we get out of all this intercontinental musical goodness? Get out your Smart Phone, BlackBerry or crayons and start checking off the dates:

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Spring Sparkles at the Mahaiwe with Authors, Music, Dance, Opera and Theatre [Berkshire on Stage]

Monday, February 25th, 2013
Movers and shakers: Seen here are (l to r) Lola Jaffe, Beryl Jolly and Maggie Buchwald who was elected chair; she succeeds Lola Jaffe who founded the non-profit organization ten years ago and who championed the campaign to restore the 100-year-old Mahaiwe Theater and create a year-round performing arts center. Ms. Jaffe will continue to serve on the board as founding chair. Jolly is the Executive Director responsible for the the day to day operations of the performing arts center.

Movers and shakers: Seen here are (l to r) Lola Jaffe, Beryl Jolly and Maggie Buchwald who was elected chair; she succeeds Lola Jaffe who founded the non-profit organization ten years ago and who championed the campaign to restore the 100-year-old Mahaiwe Theater and create a year-round performing arts center. Ms. Jaffe will continue to serve on the board as founding chair. Jolly is the Executive Director responsible for the the day to day operations of the performing arts center.

Great Barrington, MA: Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Executive Director Beryl Jolly announced spring 2013 programming today. Highlights include a talk and slide show presentation by author and illustrator Brian Selznick followed by a screening of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo (Sunday, March 17), Masters of the Fiddle with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy (March 24), humorist David Sedaris (April 6), singer/mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and jazz pianist Brad Mehldau (April 13), acrobatic troupe Cirque Shanghai: Bai Xi (April 26), and a New England premiere by the Paul Taylor Dance Company (May 24 through May 26), along with “Live in HD” broadcasts by the Metropolitan Opera, London’s National Theatre, and the hit radio show Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me!, as well as classic movies.

“The combination of events we’re announcing for the spring reflects a range of rare opportunities I’m delighted to share with our community-A Caldecott Award-winning author talking onstage with his Berkshire-based editor about how his book became a major motion picture, one of America’s bestselling humor writers, world-class Celtic fiddlers and jazz artists, Chinese acrobats, and our sixth annual performances by the Paul Taylor Dance Company. Each one is a special event and overall they offer a series of fun and intriguing experiences in very different styles-that’s the Mahaiwe Mix,” said Jolly.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

Bach “Brandenburgs plus” for New Year’s set for Great Barrington, Troy and Northampton [Berkshire on Stage]

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

The Berkshire Bach Society represents the finest Bach in the Berkshires and boasts one of the greatest ensembles in the country, The Berkshire Bach Ensemble, led by the world-renowned harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper.

This year’s Bach at New Year’s event features nineteen world-class virtuosi in a special concert called Brandenburgs PLUS. On the program will be a delicious Concerto for two horns, two oboes and solo violin by the irrepressible Antonio Vivaldi, the ever-popular Bach Double Concerto for Violin and Oboe in a new reconstruction by Dr. Cooper allowing more of Bach’s original music to be heard than ever before, and the devilish Harpsichord Concerto No. 15 in D minor by Handel (stolen largely from Telemann) with a special cadenza by harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

The Temptations Bring Their Legendary Motown Sound to the Mahaiwe Dec. 2 [Berkshire on Stage]

Friday, November 30th, 2012

Great Barrington, MA – Motown superstars the Temptations will perform at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center at 7pm on Sunday (December 2). Tickets are $25 to $80, with a limited number of $15 tickets available for patrons ages 30 and younger. The Mahaiwe is located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington, Mass. For tickets and information, see www.mahaiwe.org or call 413.528.0100.

Otis Williams is the only surviving member of the quintet, and leads the Temptations in this spectacular marathon of hits, including “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Just My Imagination,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “My Girl.” In addition to Williams, the current lineup includes Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson. “Their sound defined a generation,” said Mahaiwe executive director Beryl Jolly. “We are honored to present this legendary Motown group in Great Barrington.”

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

Toots and the Maytals Unplugged Acoustic Tour at the Mahaiwe Nov. 4 [Berkshire on Stage]

Friday, November 2nd, 2012

Great Barrington, Mass.- Toots Hibbert is one of the great voices of Jamaica; his career spans every development in Jamaican music, from ska through rock-steady to reggae. Toots and the Maytals have helped to chart the course of Jamaican music with unrivaled delivery and dynamism, setting new standards of excellence, and becoming the most enduring of all Jamaica’s groups.

Toots and The Maytals (initially just The Maytals) have been working together since the 1960s and are even credited with having coined the term reggae on their 1968 single “Do The Reggay.”

In the Berkshire area, music lovers can see Reggae legends Toots and the Maytals-led by Frederick “Toots” Hibbert live on stage when they perform an unplugged acoustic concert at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington on Sunday, November 4 at 7:00pm.

Click to read the rest at Berkshire on Stage.

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