Laurel Masse, a founding member of the Grammy Award-winning pop-jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer, will perform at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Friday, Nov. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Presented by MCLA Patrons of the Arts, “Laurel Masse: A Broadway Cabaret†will take place in the Church Street Center.
“I am particularly excited to bring such international talent as Laurel Masse to MCLA,†said Jonathan Secor, director of special programs. “Students have been begging for more Broadway show tunes and cabaret, and I can’t think of a more talented woman to give them and the community at large just that.â€
Over the course of her career, Masse has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall, the London Palladium, Salle Pleyel de Paris and the Hollywood Bowl. In 2003, she and the four current members of the Manhattan Transfer received the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Chicago Sun Times wrote that Masse is “one of the two or three best female jazz singers this side of Ella.†And the New York Times said she has “a marvelous sense of style, a purity of tone that is evident in everything she does and uses it to a brilliant effect, a technical tour de force, a dazzling performance.â€
Opening for Masse will be MCLA student Courtney Parker, a junior majoring in Fine and Performing Arts.
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $5 for MCLA faculty and staff and free for Patrons and MCLA students. For tickets, 413-662-5543, or go to www.mcla.edu.patrons . In addition, the concert will be preceded by a dinner, which is $30 for Patrons and $35 for non-Patrons. For more information and to make reservations, 413-662-5229.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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