Thread Ensemble of Boston is the convergence of three musicians: Abigale Reisman and Rachel Panitch on violins, and Andria Nicodemou on vibraphone and percussion.
Downstreet Art July Event Features Performances, Exhibits, Bike Ride
Like Riding a Bicycle Library, photo by Brett Hunter.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — DownStreet Art returns on Thursday for its July events.
A program of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Berkshire Cultural Resource Center, the arts fest will feature a variety of musical performances, new art exhibitions, and a community bike ride.
Thread Ensemble of Boston is the convergence of three musicians: Abigale Reisman and Rachel Panitch on violins, and Andria Nicodemou on vibraphone and percussion. Thread formed via an Ensemble Fellowship at New England Conservatory's Community Performances and Partnerships Department in 2012. They will perform original, improvised compositions created in the moment through the use of listeners' experiences.
BOOM Music Stage performers will be The Matchstick Architects and Heart of Gold. Heart of Gold is an acoustic emo project started at MCLA in 2010 by Devan Gardner and wife Brittany Gardner, of Pittsfield.
The Matchstick Architects perform blend of country, blues, folk, jazz and Americana, influenced by an eclectic mix of artists ranging from Lucinda Williams and Aimee Mann to purveyors of the American indie scene, such as The Decemberists. The band is fronted by Dar Maloney (Pleasant Valley, N.Y.) on guitar and lead vocals, and features Tom Conklin (Pittsfield) on lead guitar. DiDi Davis (Barkhamsted, Conn.) plays the six-string bass, and Dave Willey (Becket) plays the drums.
Local writer and rapper Seth Brown also will perform freestyle raps. These raps will be created spontaneously and originally, based largely on suggestions from the people inhabiting the public space of the performance. Freestyle improvisation brings engagement on multiple levels, through rhyme, through freestyle, and through direct interaction.
The aim of this project is to create a convivial space for neighbors to learn from each other and respect each other, to explore the unseen resources of personal knowledge while participating in a lighthearted activity.
Also outdoors, completed parklets will be on display. Inside the galleries, an opening will be held at MCLA Gallery 51 for "3 Second Stories," the work of flipbook artist Tom Olson.
On the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art campus, a site-specific sound installation by Cuban artist Mabel Poblet, in collaboration with composer Andres Levin, "Cynthia-Reeves" will be on display. The Ferrin Contemporary will feature selected work by Kurt Weiser, rhythmical black-and-white designs on large-format linoleum cut prints and ceramic forms, as well as Sergei Isupov's larger-than-life figural sculptures and smaller works.
The Eclipse Mill Gallery is featuring "Sound Machines," which showcases unique, handmade instruments made by local, regional and national artists and luthiers. This group show was curated by Julia Dixon.
At the Berkshire Art Museum is "Volume," a group sculpture exhibition that includes the work of 30 artists.
DSA Thursday events will continue on Aug. 31 and Sept. 28.
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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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