The Sandisfield Arts Center Announces Its 2006 Performing Arts Series

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The Sandisfield Arts Center announces its eleventh season of eclectic and exciting performances, workshops and forums to be held from May through October of 2006. In The Performance Hall Saturday, May 27th - Arron Chamber Ensemble - Piano and String Trio --- An accomplished array of international musicians, the Arron Chamber Ensemble contains an ensemble of artists whose dedication to the chamber music repertoire is unquestionable. From the stages of Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, the Arron Chamber Ensemble brings world-class music making to Sandisfield. Members include violinist Abraham Appleman, cellist Edward Arron, violist Ronald Arron, vocalist Benjamin Luxon, and pianist Jeewon Park. Saturday, June 24 - Triple Play, with Chris Brubeck, Joel Brown and Peter "Madcat" Ruth (Annual Fundraiser to benefit the Bill Crofut Children's Art Fund) "Triple Play" is the name given to three outstanding and versatile musicians, Peter "Madcat" Ruth (on harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals), Joel Brown (folk and classical acoustic guitar and vocals) and Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano and vocals). Collectively they bring a rare level of joy, virtuosity, and American spirit to the folk, blues, jazz, funk and classical music they perform. Saturday, July 22 - The Play "Valley Song" (by Athol Fugard) performed by Steve Stephenson's Rattler Productions Company. --- A young girl's blossoming ambition is interlaced with an elderly playwright's desire to reconnect with his humble origins in this post-apartheid tale of generational exchange. South African playwright Athol Fugard has spent decades decrying the injustices of his country's racial injustice through his politically-charged works, and in the process has become one of the English-language's most influential voices. Saturday, Aug. 19 - Patty Larkin, Singer-Songwriter and Guitarist and Vanguard Records recording artist --- Award-winning guitar whiz, songwriter and singer Patty Larkin has been at the confluence of generations and styles since a precociously early age. Her yearning guitar music has encompassed everything from modal folk to the broodingly atmospheric, from playful pop tunes to naked soul searching. Touring internationally, Larkin has been winning praise from national critics and fans alike. Her work has appeared in several feature films and has been covered by other artists. Recently, she has been touring as part of La Guitara, a ground-breaking performance of women guitarists that explores the contribution of women to the evolution of modern guitar. Saturday, September 16 - Kitchen Ceile, Irish song and dance --- The trio of Kitchen Ceile will performing a free concert of lilting jigs, driving reels, as well as stately waltzes and slow airs. Featuring George Wilson on fiddle, banjo, and vocals; Dora Hast on tin whistle and recorders; and Stan Scott on guitar, mandolin, banjo, and vocals; this ensemble aims to serve up a healthy portion of spirited songs in an atmosphere of unpretentious good humor. Saturday, October 7th - Equal Voices, A 6-Member A Cappella Singing Group --- With roughly two centuries of collected vocal experience, the six-voice professional a cappella ensemble, Equal Voices, has been entertaining audiences of all musical persuasions. From performances of the classical repertoire with Anonymous 4 and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra to more jazz and pop oriented numbers with Bobby McFerrin and They Might Be Giants, the ensemble maintains a diverse repertoire all the while specializing in contemporary classical vocal. Vibrant attitudes and solid musicianship conspire for a rousing performance. In The Intimate Lower Level Café Saturday, June 3 - Maggie Holtzberg, Fiddle with Mitch Nelin on bouzouki --- An evening of traditional dance tunes from Ireland, Shetland, and Scandinavia awaits those who hear this exciting duo of Maggie Holtzberg and Mitch Nelin. Ms. Holtzberg's masterful technique on the fiddle is accompanied by the wealth of sounds produced by the ringing strings of Mr. Nelin's long-neck bouzouki. Adventurous instrumentation and their experienced musicianship are sure to produce a rousing performance. Sundays, June 4, 11, 18, and 25 - FORUM: VOICES OF PROTEST AND COMMUNITY IN TWENTIETH CENTURY AMERICA JUNE 4 10:30 AM - REBELS, RENEGADES AND COMMUNITY IN AMERICA, led by William Cohn, Sandisfield Arts Center Board Member, Visiting Professor of American Studies, Trinity College JUNE 11 10:30 AM - NON-VIOLENCE FOR VIOLENT PEOPLE, led by Walter Wink, Member of the Sandisfield Arts Center, Professor Emeritus at Auburn Theological Seminary, Former Peace Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace JUNE 18 CIVIL RIGHTS, led by Val Coleman, Sandisfield Arts Center Board Member, Life long advocate of social justice, JUNE 25 FEMINISM, led by Audrey Manring, Associate Editor, THE WOMEN'S TIMES Sundays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30, 10:30 AM: SUNDAY SHORTS - Recalling radio days' "The Story Hour", selected readings will be chosen and read by local actors and authors such as Val Coleman, Ben Luxon, Bonner McAllister, Suzanna Millonzi, George Preston and Simon Winchester. Saturday, August 12th - An evening of Scottish Music, Stories and Humor. Sunday, August 27th, Sandisfield resident, Charlene Peet will delight audience members with, "A Living Memoir in Music, Writing and Art". This will be an afternoon of Ms. Peet reading some of her own writings, and performing at the piano. Ms. Peet, also an accomplished artist, will display her paintings in the lower level gallery of the Arts Center. Saturday, September 23 - Joel Brown, Classical Guitarist returns to the Sandisfield Arts Center for another delightful evening. Guitarist Joel Brown's eclectic career has taken him to England to record with the London Symphony, to Carnegie Hall with soprano Dawn Upshaw, and to recital performances with Frederika von Stade. He has appeared at New York's Alice Tully Hall with the Chamber Music Society of The Lincoln Center, the Tanglewood Festival, the Chamber Music Festival at Saratoga, Music in the Mountains in British Columbia and New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. He's best known to Sandisfield audiences as a long time collaborator with Bill Crofut. The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield. Once a Baptist meeting house and orthodox synagogue, the historic 1839 building now serves as a community arts center known for its country charm and great acoustics. A small town noted for its scenic beauty and historic homes, Sandisfield is approximately 25 minutes east of Gt. Barrington, MA, north of Winsted, CT, and just south of Becket, MA. For more information or reservations call (413) 258-4100, or visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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