THE BEGGAR'S OPERA AND HANDEL VOCAL MUSIC ENSEMBLE OF VOCALISTS TO PRESENT BAROQUE FAVORITES; LOWER PRICES TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY
On July 3 and 4, the Aston Magna Music Festival continues with the English drama The Beggar's Opera by John Gay in addition to selected arias by George Frideric Handel. The satirical operetta in which 18th-century political realities, economic meltdowns, and Handel operas are royally skewered will be performed by sopranos Nancy Armstrong and Kristen Watson, mezzo-soprano Deborah Rentz-Moore, tenor Frank Kelley, and baritones David Ripley and Robert Honeysucker. A chamber ensemble, led by Mr. Stepner on baroque violin, will include Stephen Hammer, baroque oboe; Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Karin Fox, baroque violin; Laura Jeppesen, baroque viola; Loretta O'Sullivan, baroque cello; and Anne Trout, baroque bass.
This concert will take place at the Olin Auditorium at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY on Friday night at 8:00 pm and at the Daniel Arts Center at Simon's Rock College in Great Barrington, MA on Saturday night at 6 p.m. A pre-concert lecture will be featured one hour before the concert at both venues. The concert on July 4th only will be followed by a meet-the-musicians-reception at the Daniel Arts Center, where light refreshments will be served.
For further information regarding ticket prices or to order tickets to the concert at the Daniel Arts Center call 413-528-3595 or order online at www.astonmagna.org. Out of area phone 800-875-7156.
For information regarding ticket prices or to order tickets to the concert at the Olin Auditorium, Bard College, Annandale on Hudson, NY, please phone 845-758-7425.
Information about this concert and the rest of the Aston Magna 2009 Summer Season is also available on Aston Magna's web site: www.astonmagna.org.
The Aston Magna Festival is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation. Music from Aston Magna concerts at Bard are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts.
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Dalton Day Returns This Saturday
By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The town's popular Dalton Day festival is returning this weekend after a year's hiatus.
The event will kick off this Saturday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. in the field in front of the Senior Center.
The community celebration was established in 2023 by the Cultural Council in an effort to increase resident participation at town meetings while also showcasing the area's welcoming, diverse, artistic and sporty atmosphere. In 2024, the event brought together 300 residents.
"The primary mission of Dalton Day is to foster a strong sense of community, build civic pride, and bring residents together through a shared celebration of local culture, music, and food," said Jeannie Ingram, Select Board member and cultural council chair, and Lori Venezia, executive assistant to the town manager.
The event provides an accessible and free platform for "civic education, community bonding, and supporting local businesses, artisans, makers, and culture more broadly," they said.
The festival strengthens the fabric of the town both civically and economically by connecting grassroots organizations with residents, fostering a shared sense of belonging, and providing free, family-friendly entertainment.
It also serves as an opportunity for community members to meet with local officials and a couple of state officials. State Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Leigh Davis will be coming from Beacon Hill to speak at the event.
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Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
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