Thursday, May 8

Art

Clark Art Institute, Center for Education in the Visual Arts director Michael Cassin will discuss J.M.W. Turner's "Rockets and Blue Lights," 12:30 p.m. Free. 225 South St., Williamstown. Info: 413-458-2303 or clarkart.edu.

Readsboro Arts, open meeting to share plans for a permanent community arts space in Readsboro and to invite participation in planning the second annual Readsboro Fall Arts Festival, 7 p.m. 714 Shippee Road, Readsboro, Vt. Info: 802-423-5640 or dcoombs@sover.net.

DANCE

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Stockbridge Summer Music's Thursday night Ballroom Dance series resumes with a "May Flowers Gala" featuring dance with music by Champagne Jam, 8-11 p.m. Cost: $10. Park Square, Pittsfield. Info: 413-443-1138.

Fraternal Order of Eagles, line dance lessons with the Berkshire County Line Dancers for intermediate and advanced dancers of all ages, 7 p.m. Route 8, North Adams.

Film

The Colonial, screening of "Starting Out in the Evening," in which an aging novelist (Frank Langella) falls under the spell of an ambitious graduate student (Lauren Ambrose of "Six Feet Under"), 7:30 p.m. Cost: $8. South Street, Pittsfield. Info: 413-997-4444 or

Images Cinema, Williams College Department of English sponsors screening of "No Country for Old Men," 4:30 p.m. Cost: Pay what you can. 50 Spring St., Williamstown. Info: imagescinema.org.

Lecture

Williams College, "Music of the Spheres and Other Self-Defeating Paradigms," with Kyle Gann, whose music is often microtonal, using up to 37 pitches per octave, speaking on his music in the context of the music of other experimental and post-minimalist composers, 4:15 p.m. Free. Bernhard Music Center, Williamstown. Info: music.williams.edu or 413-597-3146.

Music

Williams College, Aguava New Music Studio, which offers interpretations of extraordinary technical achievement, particularly of contemporary works for vocal and vocal/instrumental forces, will perform as a part of "The Box: Music by living composers" series, 8 p.m. Free; tickets required. '62 Center, Williamstown. Info: 413-597-2425.

Miscellaneous

*** Milne Public Library, stroke assessment, including blood test to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels with weight and blood pressure also recorded, for evaluation of an individual's risk for stroke, 9 a.m.-noon. Free; registration required. Main Street, Williamstown. Info: 413-664-5326.

Masonic Temple, Women of Color Giving Circle and Youth Alive present "Ain't I A Woman: Unsung African-American Heroines of the Civil Rights Movement," a drama that celebrates the lives of creative, courageous and articulate African-American women through song, dance and oration, 6 p.m. Cost: $12, $8/students and seniors. 116 South St., Pittsfield. Info: 954-336-6164 or 413-841-8770.

Northshire Bookstore, Kenny Mayne, the host of ESPN's "SportsCenter," discusses his provocative new "anti-coffee-table book," about his favorite sports, "An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport," 7 p.m. Free. 4869 Main St., Manchester, Vt. Info: 800-437-3700 or northshire.com.

Northern Berkshire Obstetrics & Gynecology, open house to welcome Dr. Charles O'Neill and Dr. Susan Yates and certified nurse midwives Carol Bryan and Robin Rivinus, 4-6 p.m. North Adams Regional Hospital, North Adams. Info: 413-664-4343.

Williamstown Realty Group, grand opening celebration, featuring ribbon-cutting by Town Manager Peter Fohlin and tours of office, 5-8 p.m. 4 Water St., Williamstown. Info: williamstownrealty.com or 413-458-1950.

Cafe Latino, North Adams chapter of Drinking Liberally will host a social gathering and discussion, 6:30 p.m. Marshall Street, North Adams.

Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, blood pressure clinic and health counseling, 10 a.m.-noon. Stop & Shop, Merrill Road, Pittsfield. Info: 413-243-1212.