The Sharon Playhouse summer season will be held outdoors, but promises to be even more robust than last year’s. Photo courtesy Sharon Playhouse
Sharon Playhouse announces mostly outdoor summer season
SHARON, Ct. — Sharon Playhouse recently announced its summer season, to be held outdoors with plans to return inside its historic theater in the fall or sooner for specific events.
The season will offer three times as many cabarets as last year, with a variety of options including both brunch cabarets and dinner cabarets performed by Broadway stars, local entertainers, and more.
Drive-in events will return with favorites such as Motown Under the Stars and new shows such as Dancing Dream, the ABBA tribute, and more.
The Playhouse’s most ambitious summer for youth yet will offer five different shows performed by the teen and children’s theater programs. Plus, there will be entertainment presented for the whole family to enjoy.
The new Writers Playground play festival will feature 10-minute plays and musicals from local writers, performed by local talent. In the fall, there will be a return to the historic Sharon burying ground with a revival of “From Sharon to Spoon River.” Check the website regularly for additions.
—A.K.
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Berkshire Community College announces fall courses
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Community College (BCC) has released its fall course schedule, available online. A printable PDF is also available on the website.
Fall classes begin Tuesday, Sep. 7. After more than a year of offering mostly remote or online classes due to the pandemic, the College will now offer five types of learning:
- Hybrid-virtual: Students meet virtually with professors and classmates via video conferencing at set times, typically once per week, with the remainder of the coursework online
- Hybrid In-person: Students meet on campus with professors and classmates at set times, typically once per week, with the remainder of the coursework online
- In-person: A traditional, in-person format, required for some hands-on courses such as clinical, lab, lecture, practicum, seminar, and studio classes
- Web-based: Courses conducted entirely online without set meeting times, but with weekly deadlines for coursework completion
- Remote: Students meet virtually with professors and classmates via videoconferencing at scheduled times, typically twice per week
In accordance with recent CDC guidelines, and as of June 3, 2021, wearing masks on campus is optional, but recommended if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
New students can review the Admissions Process Checklist on the BCC website and apply online for free. For more information, email [email protected] or call 413-236-1630. Current or readmitted students should register for classes by contacting Academic Advising at [email protected] or 413-236-1620.
—A.K.
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North Adams Artist Impact Coalition announces artist directory, office hours
NORTH ADAMS — The North Adams Artist Impact Coalition, in coordination with Michelle Daly of Daly Arts Consulting, announces a call for artists to create or update their free CreativeGround profile, which will be used to create a North Adams Artist Directory hosted on the Artist Impact Coalition website.
To help artists set up their profiles, throughout the month of June, Daly will be holding office hours under the tent in courtyard A at MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS MoCA Way on Tuesdays from 4–6 p.m.; on Thursdays from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Additional times are available upon request.
Artists can also set up a profile on their own at this website.
“Utilizing the robust infrastructure of the Creative Ground database allows us to capture a wide range of North Adams artists, from painters to performers, as well as artists working across genres,” said MASS MoCA’s Molly Rideout, a member of the Artist Impact Coalition. “Additionally, North Adams artists will increase their visibility in New England, finding collaborators and new opportunities locally and regionally.”
The goal of the Artist Directory is to both help artists find one another and for local business and community members to have an easily accessible list of artists to search for assistance with new projects.
Creative Ground spotlights the range of creative people and places at work in the six New England states. This free online directory includes profiles for cultural nonprofits such as libraries and theaters, creative businesses such as recording studios and design agencies, and artists of all disciplines including visual arts, performing arts, and crafts.
The Artist Impact Coalition is a group of community arts organizers who care about making North Adams an amazing place for artists to live and work. They organize the North Berkshire Artist Meet-ups, monthly artist e-newsletter, and the North Adams Artist Census. They focus their energy on providing resources for artists to live and thrive in the Northern Berkshires and specifically North Adams.
—A.K.
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Jeff Tweedy, Nels Cline to perform benefit concert for MASS MoCA’s “Yes” Fund
NORTH ADAMS — Jeff Tweedy will take the stage, joined by special guest and Wilco bandmate Nels Cline, on Saturday, July 17 at 8 p.m., for a concert benefiting MASS MoCA’s Joe Thompson “Yes” Fund. All proceeds directly support the museum’s mission, instilled by Founding Director Joe Thompson, to champion artists and art-making in all forms.
Tweedy said of Thompson, as he departs after 33 years at the helm: “Apart from being an inspiring, incredible human, Joe’s involvement over the years has had a massive influence on the dreamy wonderland we’ve all come to know as Solid Sound Festival. It’s hard to picture it happening without him. But it’s pleasantly easy to picture the festivities to come thanks to Joe’s generous and enduring contributions. We’ll miss him. He leaves big shoes to fill, no doubt. Thankfully, his footsteps have made a loving and well-worn path. I’m confident they’ll be easy to follow. Thank you, Joe!”
MASS MoCA Member Pre-sale: June 10, 12 p.m.–June 11, 12 p.m.
Rush tickets on sale: June 11, 12 p.m.–June 13, 12 a.m.
“Yes” Fund Hero tickets on sale: June 11, 12 p.m.
“Yes” Fund Hero tickets include a pre-concert cocktail reception with Joe Thompson, and a preferred viewing area in front of the stage.
Advance tickets: On sale beginning June 14, 12 p.m.
—A.K.