Natalia Zukerman
‘MISS AMERICANA’ NATALIA ZUKERMAN to PLAY MASS MOCA
(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) — Singer-songwriter Natalia Zukerman, the slide, lap steel, guitar and dobro wizard who is a scion of an American musical dynasty, brings her folk, jazz, country and blues-inflected songs to the Dré Wapenaar Pavilion at MASS MoCA on Saturday, June 6, at 8pm. Zukerman combines the pop songcraft of Shawn Colvin, the rootsy, organic yearning of Lucinda Williams, and the fierce, funky determination of Ani DiFranco, and gives these elements a unique twist with her unmistakably personal and intimate voice.
ROZ CHAST CELEBRATED with EXHIBITat NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM
(STOCKBRIDGE, Mass.) – The work of New Yorker cartoonist and award-winning graphic memoirist Roz Chast is featured in “Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs,” a new exhibition on view at Norman Rockwell Museum from Saturday, June 6, through October 26, 2015. From her timelessly funny cartoons for the New Yorker and lively children’s picture books, to her intricately painted pysanka eggs and hand-made textiles, “Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs” will feature artworks representing the breadth of Chast’s entire artistic career. A special summer gala and exhibition opening will be held on Saturday, June 6, from 6 to 11pm, with the artist in attendance.
Fredo Viola and Luis Mojica
ELECTRO-FOLK SUPERGROUP to PLAY HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – The Platte Clove Nature Theater, a supergroup of Hudson Valley electro-folk talent, brings its unique and theatrical blend of electronic and organic sounds, complex compositions, looped and layered vocals, video projections, aerial movement and more to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, June 7, at 8pm. A musical collaboration among three visionary performers — Ryder Cooley, Luis Mojica and Fredo Viola – the ensemble offers a veritable musical odyssey, and will be joined by special guest musicians including Melora Creager of Rasputina.
Awakening by Joan Ciolfi
PITTSFIELD ARTIST JOAN PALANO CIOLFI FEATURED at BERKSHIRE MUSEUM
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – An exhibition of new and recent paintings by Pittsfield artist Joan Palano Ciolfi will be on view at the new BerkshireNow gallery space at the Berkshire Museum from Friday, June 5 through August 30, 2015. Ciolfi’s paintings are expressive oils infused with energy and texture. Her work is vibrant and atmospheric and is often inspired by her Berkshire surroundings.
Femi Kuti
FELA KUTI’S SON BRINGS FATHER’S AFROBEAT LEGACY to HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Four-time Grammy Award-nominee Femi Kuti, son of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, whose name was nearly synonymous with “Afrobeat,” will carry on his father’s legacy, combining swirling African rhythms and gritty textures with horn-laced funk in songs laced with social and political messages performed by his band, Positive Force, at Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, June 6, at 9pm.
Tracker by Luke Egan
SHIRE CITY GALLERY to SHOWCASE SCULPTURE by LUKE EGAN
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – An exhibition of sculpture by Berkshire native Luke Egan will open at Shire City Sanctuary with a Meet the Artist event on Friday, June 5, from 5 to 7pm. Egan currently lives in Northampton and works in his studio in Easthampton. His work is focused primarily on the notion of legacy, both in terms of what is inherited and what is left behind.
Martin Sexton
MARTIN SEXTON BRINGS ORIGINAL FOLK-SOUL-JAZZ BLEND to CLUB HELSINKI HUDSON
(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton, a longtime favorite of Club Helsinki audiences, returns to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, June 5, at 9pm, to perform his singular blend of folk, soul, jazz, gospel, and pop. His live performances are the stuff of legend, and as a festival headliner and solo performer he easily commands the attention of fully electric rock bands. Sexton typically sells out Club Helsinki in advance of his shows.