Singer/Songwriter Kori Withers to Perform Special Valentines Day Alt Cabaret

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Singer/songwriter Kori Withers' low-profile, highly talented father, Bill Withers, is known for singing some of America's all-time favorite love songs -- Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me and Just the Two of Us, among others. Capitalizing on the musical gifts her famous yet publically aloof father passed on, Kori has been stepping out of Bill's shadow and creating her own unique place in the music world.

Accompanying herself on piano and guitar, Kori Withers presents a no-frills, soul-in-your-face, acoustic show sure to warm up even the chilliest of February evenings. Withers will be at MASS MoCA for a special Valentine's Day performance on Saturday, February 14, at 8 PM in Club-B10 sponsored by Amtrak. Every advance ticket-buyer will receive a Valentine's gift of "Raspberry Love" chocolates beautifully packaged in a rice paper bag on the night of the performance, compliments of award-winning local chocolatier Chocolate Springs Cafe.

After graduating from Columbia University with a degree in English literature, Withers began exploring her musical abilities and focused on composition which led her to a Master's Degree in musical theatre writing from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. In 2005, she made her public debut as an artist singing Ain't No Sunshine with her father at his Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York. That experience opened Withers up to performing her own works, and shortly after she was selected to participate in the Lester Sill Songwriting Workshop for advanced songwriters in association with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.

Following the workshop Withers began performing her own work in and around Los Angeles, and recently embarked on a Northeast tour of New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, ending at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin. Withers continues to build her bi-coastal fan base, performing at a variety of celebrated singer-songwriter venues including The Knitting Factory, The Bitter End, The Hotel Café, The Temple Bar, The Whisky, Room 5, Lestat's West (San Diego) and Zoey's Café (Ventura). Wither's talent as a lyricist also led her to the 2008 International Songwriting Competition in which the lyrics for her song I Am A Book won second place and enormous praise from the songwriting community. 

Tickets for the Kori Withers Alt Cab are $14 in advance/ $18 day of show/$10 students. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 11 A.M. until 5 P.M., closed Tuesdays. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413-662-2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org

On Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 PM, as part of the Cinema Lounge Larger than Life documentary series, MASS MoCA will screen Still Bill, a documentary about the fiercely private acoustic soul pioneer. Filmmakers Alex Vlack and Amani Baker will introduce the film and take questions afterward. Tickets for the film, normally $8, are just $5 with the purchase of tickets to the Kori Withers Alt Cabaret on Saturday. Discounted film tickets are not available online but must be purchased by phone.
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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.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

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. 

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