The Equalites To Perform Free Outdoor Concert At The Clark

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Tuesday, July 21, free outdoor concert, 6 pm.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Equalites, a six-piece reggae band whose performances move audiences to dance and sing along, will perform on Tuesday, July 21, as part of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute's free outdoor concert series held at 6 pm on Tuesday evenings in July. Concerts are held on the Clark's expansive south lawn (picnics, blankets, and lawn chairs encouraged). The Clark's Café will sell barbeque fare and the galleries will remain open until 6 pm on concert evenings. In the event of rain, concerts will be held in the auditorium. Concert admission is free.

A fusion of reggae, rock, roots, dub, ska, and R&B, the band is fronted by the strong, soulful vocals of lead guitarist David Boatwright and the sultry, haunting melodies of accompanying lead vocalist Cinamon Blair. Joining Boatwright and Blair are Michael Miller on bass, Edward Redonnet on rhythm guitar, Phillipe Simon on drum kit, and Boo Pearson on percussion.

The Equalites deliver a performance like no other group within the reggae genre. Their wide-ranging musical influences-which include Bob Marley and the Wailers, Sam Cooke, The Grateful Dead, and 1950s rhythm and blues-inspire an original sound that tests the boundaries of traditional reggae. The band's uplifting and positive concerts feature danceable covers and original songs, as well as masterful vocal improvisations by Blair. Don't miss the act Dirty Linen Magazine called "reggae at its height."

The final summer band concert will feature The Primate Fiasco on July 28. This series is supported by the Williamstown Savings Bank.

On view this summer at the Clark is Dove/O'Keeffe: Circles of Influence. Georgia O'Keeffe burst onto the New York art scene in 1916 and captured the imagination of people around the world, not only with incredible artistic talent, but through her bohemian spirit as well. Experience this distinctly American artist's early works with those of modernist Arthur Dove, whom she credited as having the most significant role in the formation of her abstract works. Also on view is Through the Seasons: Japanese Art in Nature featuring traditional screens and scrolls and contemporary ceramics, emphasizing the inspirational role of nature in Japanese art. Clark docent Adele Rodbell will lead tours of Through the Seasons at 4:30 pm on Tuesdays in July. Tours are free with paid gallery admission.

The Clark is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, MA. The galleries are open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm (daily in July and August). Admission June 1 through October 31 is $12.50 for adults, free for children 18 and under, members, and students with valid ID. Admission is free November through May. For more information, call 413-458-2303 or visit clarkart.edu.
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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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