Studio North opens doors
NORTH ADAMS -- Long-time dancer and experienced instructor, Jessica Gwozdz, has announced the grand opening of her private dance school, Studio North Dance Arts, offering a host of classes at various levels and reasonable fees, slated to begin October 1 for ages 3 to adult at its 145 State Street location.
After having studied the art of dance for 24 years, and serving as an employee at Berkshire Dance Theatre, Inc. as Operations Manager and faculty member - providing solid dance instruction in various disciplines, a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and preparation and promotion of students to higher levels of study- Gwozdz decided it was time to follow her dream and establish her own studio. Open house is scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. , Saturday, Sept. 29, at the studio.
Classes will run from 45 minutes to one and a quarter hour depending on the level. The annual registration fee is $10, and $5 for each additional student in a family. Trial classes run from $11 to $12. Costs are $36 per month for one 45-minute class per week with discounts for multiple classes; and $40 per month for one to one and a quarter hour per week class. There is a five percent discount on the second child enrolled in class; and seven percent discount for additional students in the same family enrolled. Receive a two percent discount when you sign up to have your monthly tuition
Cosmologies on view
WILLIAMSTOWN -- The Williams College Museum of Art presents Cosmologies, on view from Sept. 29 through Dec. 16. Cosmology is the arena in which science, metaphysics, philosophy, and religion converge. The multitude of cosmological approaches seek to uncover the universe’s origins, fate, meaning and physical laws. By studying the universe, from the smallest pieces of matter to the enormous expanse of time and space, we may be able to come to a better understanding not only of its scientific functioning but also humanity’s ultimate purpose.
Drawn from the WCMA collection, Cosmologies considers a few of the many ways in which art can explore these complex themes. Reflecting the multifaceted nature of this investigation, the featured artists work in a wide array of media, including photography, assemblage, printing, painting, and sculpture, while practicing a variety of conceptual modes.
The Williams College Museum of Art is located on Main Street. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is wheelchair accessible and open to the public. Admission is free. For more info: 413-597-2429, wcma.williams.edu.
Man of letters
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Consummate "man of letters" Phillip Lopate will be the next author to appear in The Profession of Words series at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. This series of free lectures and book signings celebrates writers who are making a career in the difficult business of creating books.
Lopate has been publishing widely-acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction essays, memoirs, poetry, biography, and criticism for 40 years, in addition to teaching writing, currently at Columbia University and elsewhere.
He will read from work in progress and talk about modesty and self-assertion in the development of the writer’s persona, as well as taking questions and signing books. The Clark is located at 225 South Street. For more info: 413-458-2303, clarkart.edu.
The Sojourner Truth Project
WILLIAMSTOWN -- The Williams College Department of Music presents Avery Sharpe and his sextet for a presentation and concert "Sojourner Truth - Ain’t I A Woman" on Friday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall. This performance is sponsored by the W. Ford Schumann ‘50 Performing Arts Endowment and is free and open to the public.
Three words come to mind when listening to bassist-composer Avery Sharpe’s music: honesty, clarity, and dignity. In contrast to flavor-of-the-month trends, Sharpe is a reminder of the lasting value of steadfast dedication and personal integrity. As the title of one of his tunes commands, "Always Expect the Best of Yourself." Sharpe’s awareness of history and his presence in the America’s ongoing jazz experience make him uniquely qualified to share through original composition the struggle and contributions of African American abolitionist and woman’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. This concert and presentation consists of compositions based on the life of Sojourner Truth and the famous speech she made for women’s suffrage in 1851, later titled "Ain’t I A Woman."
Sharpe is very active as a teacher, mentor, and performer at Williams. He is a Sterling Brown Distinguished Visiting Artist in Residence in Music & Artist Associate in Jazz Bass, and Jazz Coach.
Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall is located at 54 Chapin Hall Drive in Bernhard Music Center on the Williams College campus. For more info: williams.edu.
National Alpaca Farm Days
WILLIAMSTOWN -- On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 29-30, Sweet Brook Farm will celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days by opening to the public to meet and learn about alpacas and the beautiful fiber they provide during shearing each year. The farm will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for visitors. The Green Mountain Spinners and Weaver’s Guild will demonstrate their crafts, and visitors are welcome to try their hands at spinning and weaving. The Sweet Brook Farm store will be fully stocked with everything alpaca, from this season’s newest yarns, spinners’ rovings, knitting and crochet kits and tools, to fine alpaca apparel for men, women, and children, and alpaca toys. Maple syrup and maple products made on the farm will also be available for sale. These include maple syrup, candy, cream, maple-roasted nuts, maple cream-covered cider donuts, and maple-sweetened lemonade. Horse-drawn wagon rides are offered at a special weekend rate.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a wagon ride by Dave Larabee and his team of Belgian horses, Bob and Karen, for a scenic tour around the property at $4 for adults and children, special prices for this weekend only. The public is welcome to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day at their leisure. The event is free of charge and the facility is handicap accessible. For more info: 413-884-4246, sweetbrookfarm.com.
‘Thar’ she blows!’
NORTH ADAMS -- As part of the MCLA Presents! series, the Gare St. Lazare Players of Ireland will return to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with internationally renowned actor Connor Lovett in two one-man performances of the great American novel "Moby Dick" on Thursday, Oct. 4, in MCLA’s Church Street Center, and on Friday, Oct. 5, in Pittsfield’s Berkshire Museum.
Both performances - co-presented with "Call Me Melville," the City of Pittsfield, and also as part of DownStreet Art - will begin at 8 p.m.
Under the direction of Judy Hegarty Lovett, who is married to the actor and adapted the novel with him, the production consists of nothing more than Lovett himself, a wooden table, and the effects he creates with his voice, face and body.
Tickets for "Moby Dick" are $10 for general admission. Tickets for MCLA alumni are $8, $5 for staff and faculty, and members and students are free. Tickets may be reserved by calling MCLA Presents! at 413-662-5204. For more info: 413-664-8718, mcla.edu/presents.
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