Clark Art Kicks Off Music in the Manton Series

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute presents the first of its three-part Music in the Manton concert series with Flore Laurentienne, Canadian Mathieu David Gagnon's incomparable musical project, on Friday, March 21 at 7 pm in the Manton Research Center auditorium.
 
According to a press release:
 
Flore Laurentienne comes from a happy marriage between electronic and classically influenced music. The project is committed to constantly pushing the boundaries between various genres, including ambient, experimental, and progressive rock. Flore Laurentienne has recently released a new album, 8 tableaus, available on Secret City Records. Composer, orchestrator, and musician Mathieu David Gagnon draws inspiration from the works of Canadian painter and sculptor Jean Paul Riopelle with this new offering.
 
This program is presented in collaboration with Belltower Records, North Adams, Massachusetts.
 
$10 ($8 members, $7 students, $5 children 15 and under). Advance registration encouraged. Capacity is limited. Accessible seats available. For more information, visit clarkart.edu/events. Admission to the Clark is free January through March 2025.
 
The next Music on the Manton concert is Sunday, April 27 at 2 pm, featuring pianist Umi G
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Williamstown Housing Trust Agrees to Continue Emergency Mortgage, Rental Programs

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The board of the town's Affordable Housing Trust at its December meeting voted to extend its mortgage and rental assistance programs and discussed bringing in some consultants early next year before embarking on any new programs.
 
Chair Daniel Gura informed the board that its agreements with Pittsfield's Hearthway Inc., to administer the Williamstown Emergency Rental Assistance Program and Williamstown Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program was expiring at the end of the year.
 
Gura sought and obtained a vote of the board to extend the programs, born during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the end of January 2026, at which time the board plans to sign a new long-term agreement.
 
"In 2024, we distributed $80,000," through the programs known as WERAP and WEMAP, Gura said. "This year, to date, we gave $16,000, and Ihere's $17,000 left. … It's a little interesting we saw a dropoff from 2024 to 2025, although I think there were obvious reasons for that in terms of where we are in the world."
 
Gura suggested that the board might want to increase the funding to the programs, which benefit income-qualified town residents.
 
"If you look at the broader economic picture in this country, there's a prospect of more people needing help, not fewer people," Thomas Sheldon said in agreeing with Gura. "I think the need will bump up again."
 
The board voted to add an additional $13,000 to the amount available to applicants screened by Hearthway with the possibility of raising that funding if a spike in demand is seen.
 
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