Williamstown, Great Barrington Join 'Fair Saturday' Celebration
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williamstown Cultural District is participating in the first celebration of "Fair Saturday" in the United States.
Williamstown will be involved as part of the state's inaugural participation, which is being coordinated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. In Berkshire County, the town of Great Barrington also is participating. The complete list of participating towns and cities and more information can be found online.
Fair Saturday is an independent not-for-profit organization, based in Bilbao, Spain. Since 2015, it has been committed to developing a better world through the promotion of arts and culture. Every year, on the last Saturday of November, on the day following Black Friday, Fair Saturday encourages and promotes cultural and artistic activity that supports social empathy and a vision of a world that is more virtuous, fair and aware of people’s needs.
For 2019, 180 cities worldwide from Lisbon, Portugal), to Cardiff, Wales, have already committed to present more than 1200 events. At each event, attendees are presented with opportunities to collaborate with a larger social project via donations of goods, percentage of ticket sales or other gifts to a charitable effort.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, Williamstown will present the following events:
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit Amrita Lash Pottery in her artist studio at 70 Baxter Road and celebrate her "Local With Love" holiday preview sale. There will be many new designs as well as the trusted traditional handmade, locally made, and beautifully alive pottery for everyday use. Ten percent of all sales will be distributed to local organizations in honor of Fair Saturday.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., join the students of ArtWorks at the Milne Public Library on Main Street to celebrate young artists. Artworks students will display their recent work, share a community kindness initiative, and offer a free hands-on art experiential. Donations of any kind are welcome and will be delivered to a child-focused organization of the children’s choosing, the Elizabeth Freeman Center.
At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., attend a demonstration of painting practice in the studio of painter Ghetta
Hirsch at 30 Church St. An abstract landscape painter, with a deep interest in the effect of color and shape on perception and mood, Hirsch will share some of her techniques and approaches to manipulating oil paint. The studio will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for general visits as well. Ten percent of art sales will go toward the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
From 3:30 to 5 p.m., the Northern Berkshire Chorale will hold an open rehearsal in anticipation of its full concert on Dec. 13. It will be held in the top floor of Goodrich Hall, on the Williams College campus, which has served as a chapel and library in the college's history. Goodrich Hall is right next door to the Williams College Museum of Art, which is open Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All donations at the rehearsal will be presented to a local nonprofit.
From 5 to 7 p.m., attend the opening of the "Art-and-Flea" Pop-Up shop at 72 Spring St. On view and for sale will be Tracy Baker-White's landscape oil paintings, Beth Carlisle's Lapis and Lime hand-beaded jewelry, Stephanie Boyd Works handmade pottery and Jennifer Lemieux's vintage clothing and accessories. The formal opening will be celebrated between 5 to 7 p.m., with live music from musician Karl Mullen and friends. Any donations collected will go to Roots Teen Center in North Adams for art supplies.
The town of Great Barrington will present the following events:
From noon to 1 p.m., a flash mob of performers will read the children's book "Frog Belly Rat Bone" by Timothy Basil Elling on Main Street near the Mason Library. "Frog Belly Rat Bone" is about a boy attempting to build a magical garden in Cementland. This event is to raise awareness of a ballet based on the book by local dance company Moving Arts Exchange. In true busking fashion, there will be a collection can next to each reader. Donations will go to Flying Cloud.
From noon to 4 p.m., visit the new Railroad Street studio of internationally celebrated creative activist Gabrielle Senza. "Small Works for Social Change" will feature drawings, paintings, photography and art objects by the artist specifically selected for the inaugural exhibit. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Walk Unafraid Foundation, a nonprofit arts organization committed to funding socially engaged creative projects that inspire civic action for social and environmental change around the world.
At 4 p.m., the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center continues its annual tradition screening "The Wizard of Oz" over Thanksgiving weekend. Starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, joined by her companions the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, this musical adventure is the quintessential family film. The theater will be collecting donations of canned/boxed food and household products for donation to Construct Inc. and The People's Food Pantry.
From 5 to 8 p.m. Evergreen Fine American Crafts will display an exhibit of oil paintings by Robert Watkins from 5 to 8 p.m., with a portion of proceeds to benefit Fairview Hospital.
At 7:30 p.m. a concert marks Berkshires Jazz's first collaboration with Saint James Place. The Sprague/Jaffe/Ennis Trio is a new ensemble featuring longtime collaborators Miro Sprague (piano), Marty Jaffe (bass), and Jason Ennis (guitar). Though they always include a few surprising interpretations of familiar tunes, the trio mainly performs original jazz compositions by each band member. Infused with influences from Brazil, classical chamber music, funk and more, the trio's music features intricate group improvisation, inventive arrangements, and a deep sense of beauty and groove. Joining the trio for this evening is award-winning baritone saxophonist Claire Daly, who is right at home with the mix of familiar and original. Donations will be accepted at the door for the Salvation Army Emergency Assistance Fund.
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