BerkshireWeekend

A selective, curatorial view of the cultural highlights of the upcoming weekend in the greater Berkshire region.

BerkshireWeekend Cultural Preview, Oct 16-20, 2013

RAP ICON TALIB KWELI to PERFORM at MASS MoCA (NORTH ADAMS, Mass.)  – Hip-hop star Talib Kweli brings his singular brand of socio-political rap to the Hunter Center at MASS MoCA on Saturday, October 19, at 8pm. In 1998, Brooklyn-based rapper Kweli blasted into the public consciousness as one half of rap duo Black Star.…

Fred Eaglesmith’s Traveling Steam Show Swings Back into Club Helsinki Hudson

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Fred Eaglesmith’s Traveling Steam Show rolls back into Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 9pm. A longtime favorite of Helsinki audiences, rootsy singer-songwriter Eaglesmith headlines this old-fashioned roadshow, which includes an opening set by singer-songwriter Tiffani “Tif” Ginn, who is also a member of Eaglesmith’s band. Acclaimed singer, songwriter…

Bill Wright’s Photos of Veterans on Exhibit at Spencertown Academy

(SPENCERTOWN, N.Y.) – VETS: Portraits of Veterans of War, an exhibition of photographs by William Wright – himself a veteran of Desert Storm/Shield – will be on display at Spencertown Academy Arts Center from Saturday, October 19, 2013, through Sunday, December 15, 2013. There will be an opening reception on Saturday, October 19, from 4pm…

Chamber Series Commissions New Work by Paul Schoenfield

(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – A tune from Viennese operetta that Beethoven employed in a piano trio will once again be heard in “Shaatnez,” a newly penned piece by American composer Paul Schoenfield, having its world premiere on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 6pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, as part of the Close Encounters…

Rap Icon Talib Kweli to Perform at MASS MoCA

(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.)  – Hip-hop star Talib Kweli brings his singular brand of socio-political rap to the Hunter Center at MASS MoCA on Saturday, October 19, 2013, at 8pm. In 1998, Brooklyn-based rapper Kweli blasted into the public consciousness as one half of rap duo Black Star. The group released only one album – “Mos…

Is Norah Jones Playing Club Helsinki Hudson this Sunday?

(HUDSON, N.Y.) – While the official announcement says that the Wild Rovers Tour, featuring Cory Chisel, the Candles, Invisibleman, Adriel Denae, and special guests are coming to Club Helsinki Hudson this coming Sunday, October 20, 2013, at 8pm, it seems a pretty sure bet that one of those special guests is going to be Norah…

The Klezmatics to Bring Klezmer-Rock Fusion to the Mahaiwe

(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – The Klezmatics, widely considered to be the world’s greatest modern klezmer group, perform at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 8pm. The concert is presented by the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst as part of Yidstock: The Festival of New Yiddish Music. Founded in 1986 in…

New Rockwell Biography to Get Launch at Museum

(STOCKBRIDGE, Mass.) – Renowned art critic Deborah Solomon will be feted at launch party for her new biography, American Mirror: The Life and Art of Norman Rockwell, at the Norman Rockwell Museum on Saturday, October 19, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m. A decade in the making, American Mirror: The Life and Art of Norman…

Strauss-Warschauer Duo to Perform at Yiddish Book Center Open House

(AMHERST, Mass.) – The Strauss-Warschauer Duo, featuring world-renowned klezmer musicians Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer, will perform at the Yiddish Book Center on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at 2pm, as part of the center’s day-long annual Community Open House. The day’s events, which are free and open to the public, include guided tours of the…

BerkshireWeekend Cultural Preview, Oct 9-13, 2013

CHAMBER-FOLK TRIO PLUME GIANT to PLAY MASS MOCA (NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) – Plume Giant, the Brooklyn-based chamber-folk trio that favors pop melodies, a miniature orchestra of sounds and textures, and Beatlesque whimsy, performs in Club B-10 at MASS MoCA on Saturday, October 12, 2013, at 8pm. Comprised of Oliver Hill (guitar, viola, voice), Nolan Green…