Clark Art Presents Constant Smiles and Ava Mirzadegan

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute's Music at the Manton Concert spring series concludes with a performance by Constant Smiles and Ava Mirzadegan on Sunday, May 5 at 5 pm.
 
The performance takes place in the Clark's auditorium, located in the Manton Research Center.
 
According to a press release:
 
Constant Smiles began in 2009 in leader Ben Jones' home of Martha's Vineyard. Inspired by the island's now-defunct community record store Aboveground Records, the group made their live debut as a noise duo opening for Ralph White (Bad Livers). Fourteen indie-folk albums later, Constant Smiles returns to their electronic roots with their latest release Kenneth Anger, evoking the eponymous filmmaker with hypnotic, '80s-inspired synth classics that examine how rituals and community can heal feelings of isolation.
 
Ava Mirzadegan opens for Constant Smiles. Mirzadegan writes quiet songs about heartbreak, longing, letting go, and befriending the night sky. Accompanied most often by fingerpicked nylon string guitar, her work rings of unembellished honesty.
 
Tickets $10 ($8 members, $7 students, $5 children 15 and under). Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524. Advance registration encouraged. For more information and to register, visit clarkart.edu/events.
 
Presented in collaboration with Belltower Records, North Adams.

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Mount Greylock Super Taking Principal Job in Great Barrington

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — After years of leading school districts, Jason "Jake" McCandless is taking a step back to focus on a single school.
 
Mount Greylock Regional's superintendent will take over as principal at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School in Great Barrington on July 1, according to a report in the Berkshire Edge.
 
McCandless tendered his resignation last month from Mount Greylock after four years at the helm and just one year into his current contract. He had previously been superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools and in Lee. 
 
The Berkshire Edge reports the Berkshire Hills Regional School District announced the hiring via press release on Friday morning. 
 
Du Bois Principal Miles Wheat has taken a job in the Chatham, N.Y., school district less than a year after being appointed. Du Bois Middle School has an enrollment of about 350. 
 
McCandless was lauded by the outgoing class of 2024 at Mount Greylock's graduation ceremonies on Saturday. 
 
On Thursday, McCandless again declined the opportunity to explain why he suddenly resigned mid-contract from the Lanesbourgh-Williamstown school district.

Instead, he reiterated previous statements about how grateful he was for the opportunity to work in the Mount Greylock school system.

"Right now, I believe someone else is better suited, skilled and equipped to do that work here," McCandless wrote on the last day of school for students in the Mount Greylock district.

He did not answer a follow-up email asking why someone else is "better suited."

In his initial Thursday email, McCandless said he was comfortable with the idea that people in Lanesborough and Williamstown will fabricate their own reasons for his abrupt departure absent an explanation from him.

"Folks will create the narrative that works for them, with or without my version being on the record," McCandless wrote.

He also concluded his Thursday, June 13, email with the following statement.

"I am not sure what or where is next – but I leave the MGRSD Community nothing but gratitude," McCandless wrote.

By Friday morning, the Berkshire Hills Regional School District was announcing McCandless' hiring.
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