| |
Daily Digest
Celebrate your inner goddess in Adams today from 10 to 5 at Topia Arts Center. |
| Need to contact iBerkshires? Here's how. |
What's PlayingNewest VideosColumnistsObituariesOutside the BerkshiresRelated Stories |
| |
Jazz Festival Weekend Kicks Off TonightBy Jen Thomas - October 04, 2007
PITTSFIELD - The CityJazz Festival kicks off tonight with a performance at 8 by the Winard Harper Sextet and the Williams College Jazz Ensemble at the Masonic Hall.
Now in its third year, the festival is an attempt by local cultural organizations, businesses, Mayor James M. Ruberto's office of cultural development and the Berkshire Music School "to present traditional, mainstream, and contemporary jazz in an urban setting, and thereby contribute to the renaissance of downtown Pittsfield."
From Thursday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 7, more than 30 concerts, performances and celebrations will draw visitors to the city's downtown. This year's festivities include a Latin dance party, documentary films and special live performances in city restaurants, in addition to the main-stage productions over the weekend.
According to Ed Bride, the chairman of the festival, this year's events show a higher level of diversity. From area student musicians to nationally-recognized performers, the festival reflects talent and passion from all walks of life.
"Jazz is America's classical music and we want to be leading the movement in Pittsfield to bring it back to its position of awareness and its important role in our culture," Bride said.
A unique feature of this year's festival is an educational outreach program - "Jazz in Schools" - that brought Pittsfield's Sister City Jazz Ambassadors to local high schools and middle schools. Additionally, legendary pianist John Medeski will perform at Taconic High School with an orchestra composed of city high school students.
"People haven't been hearing jazz when they're young and the whole object is to be out here with the youth, involving them and exposing them to the music," said Bride.
Performances will continue throughout the city through the weekend.
2007 Lineup
Thursday, Oct. 4
Masonic Hall
116 South St.
8 p.m.
* Williams College Jazz Ensemble
* Winard Harper Sextet
Presented in collaboration with Women of Color Giving Circle.
Friday, Oct. 5
Crowne Plaza
1 West St.
5:30-6:30 p.m.
* Latin Percussion master class/clinic with Alex Torres
Crowne Plaza
8:30 p.m.
* Latin Jazz Dance Party
* Alex Torres, Latin Jazz Kings
Saturday, Oct. 6
Berkshire Museum
39 South St.
2 p.m.
* Documentary Jazz Films:
(1) "Electric Heart" (the story of Don Ellis)
(2) "Music Inn," the Berkshires jazz resort
St. Stephen’s Church
67 East St.
8 p.m.
* Women in Jazz, featuring Peggy Stern, Claire Daly, Grace Kelly
Presented in connection with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, thanks to the generous support of the Legacy Banks Foundation.
Sunday, Oct. 7
Taconic High School
96 Valentine Road
2:30 p.m.
* Special event: John Medeski solo concert, plus commissioned work for Jazz piano soloist with youth orchestra from Pittsfield high schools.
Presented in part through a grant from Nickelodeon
Costs for the Thursday and Saturday evening concerts are $25, general admission ($15 for students, at the door). Thanks to a generous underwriter, the Latin Jazz Dance Party on Oct. 5 will be $10 general admission. The cost of the Sunday matinee is $15 ($5 for students, at the door). Tickets will be available online at www.pittsfieldcityjazz.org and at several local venues.
For a full list of weekend activities, visit 'Jazz Around Town" at http://www.pittsfieldcityjazz.org/page.php?PageID=460 . |
|
Enter your email address below to receive our FREE iBerkshires.com Newsletter
|
