Berkshires Beat: Mahaiwe, Simon's Rock Offer Drive-In Movie Theater
Drive-in theater
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, in partnership with Bard College at Simon’s Rock, will host a drive-in movie theater in the parking lot of the college’s Daniel Arts Center at 84 Alford Rdoad in Great Barrington. The theater will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through Labor Day, weather-permitting.
Gates will open each night at 7:45 p.m., with previews and shorts starting at 8:30 p.m. and featured movies beginning at 9 p.m. Admission is $25 per vehicle. Attendance is limited to 50 cars and tickets must be purchased online in advance at mahaiwe.org; tickets are available first-come, first served. Movies projected on a 16-by-30-foot screen will be visible from the safety of patrons’ vehicles. Audio will be transmitted via FM radio station 104.3.
In keeping with state guidelines, patrons may only leave vehicles for concessions and restrooms, and must wear masks when outside the vehicle. Portable toilets on-site follow accessibility regulations. The Daniel Arts Center building will be closed to the public.
Local concessions will be provided by Great Barrington’s own SoCo Creamery and the Berkshire Food Co-op. SoCo premium ice cream will be available every night and organic or all-natural candy, beverages, and popcorn from the Co-op will be available on Fridays.
Upcoming movies include "Men in Black" on Saturday, July 25, and "A League of Their Own" on Thursday, July 30. Details online.
'Lines from Life'
The Clark Art Institute has opened a new exhibition that celebrates a series of recent and promised gifts made by local collectors Herbert and Carol Diamond. "Lines from Life: French Drawings from the Diamond Collection" traces transformations in 19th-century figure drawing, when developing interests in Realism and contemporary life diverged from the idealism championed by public institutions such as the École des Beaux-Arts (School of Fine Arts) in Paris and the esteemed Académie de France (French Academy) in Rome.
Featuring 32 works on paper from the Diamond collection, along with 12 additional works from the Clark's permanent collection, the exhibition includes drawings by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (French, 1780–1867), Eugène Delacroix (French, 1798–1863), Edgar Degas (French, 1834–1917), Jean-Léon Gérôme (French, 1824–1904), and Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916), among others. The exhibition is on view in the Eugene V. Thaw Gallery in the Clark’s Manton Research Center through December 13, 2020.
Kristie Couser, the Clark's former curatorial assistant for works on paper, organized the exhibition and notes that the Diamonds’ particular interest in the preparatory role of drawing "broadens the museum’s presentation of 19th-century French art—the cornerstone of our permanent collection. This exhibition presents a unique opportunity to see the collectors’ eye at work, while inviting a new look at select figure studies from the Clark's founding collection that resonate with the Diamonds’ interests."
The exhibition is on view from Dec. 13. Visit the website for information on hours and ticketing procedures.
Immigrant-owned businesses
The Berkshire Immigrant Center and 1Berkshire are creating a list for internal purposes so that the BIC can better help immigrant-owned and operated businesses of all shapes, sizes and types. By identifying all these businesses the BIC will be able to: learn more of their individual and collective needs; help the businesses navigate challenges; aid in their finding of needed resources, and advocate for the tools and opportunities the businesses need to thrive.
While the BIC works primarily to assist and support immigrants in the community and 1Berkshire works towards finding alignment with its economic development plan The Berkshire Blueprint 2.0; both organizations realized the time was right to come together to help create a more prosperous economic ecosystem for Berkshire immigrants. Together these two entities can do more to effectively support and cultivate a positive and inclusive business environment for immigrant-owned businesses and immigrant-workforce participants across the county, but they need the community's help.
If you know of any immigrant-owned businesses, including but not limited to; restaurants, retail, hotels, and even any specialty home-based businesses, or if you are yourself an immigrant business owner, please take a moment to fill out this form.
This list will not be shared with anyone outside of these organizations and is for the sole purpose of advocating on behalf of, and supporting the needs of, the immigrant business community.
North Adams road milling
Beginning Monday, July 27, contractors will begin road milling on the following North Adams Streets: East Main Street, Hospital Avenue, Miner Street, North Church Street, Quincy Street, and Summer Street. Repaving of these streets is expected to begin approximately two weeks later. Residents on these streets are asked to remove parked vehicles from the streets between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice.
This project involves the repaving of roadways that were paved last summer. The City Department of Public Services, MassDOT, and the supplier and contractor determined that the asphalt mix used during last year's project did not meet specifications, and needs to be removed and replaced. The contractor and supplier are performing this repair work, including all line painting at the conclusion of the project, at no additional cost to the city.
Pandemic Poetry Project
The town of Great Barrington has launched the "GB Pandemic Poetry Project." Created by the town's research arm, @GBLabs, this initiative seeks to document a unique moment in Great Barrington and global history through verse, submitted by members of the community. "Words have the power to both destroy and heal," Town Manager Mark Pruhenski said. "The latter is needed now more than ever, and by providing locals with a poetic outlet, we hope to begin the healing process by sharing emotion, thought, and reflection”.
The Project can be found on Instagram, at @gbpandemicpoetry. To submit a piece, contributors can click on the Google Forms link in the page bio, where they will be asked to upload a file. Poems can be submitted in document or picture form and can be done so with anonymity if desired. @GBLabs staff will then review the submission and post on the Pandemic Poetry Page. Questions should be directed to @GBLabs via email.
Library offerings
The Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield’s public library, is ramping up its on-site offerings to meet patron needs while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. The library is allowing limited numbers of patrons into the building for browsing and computer use and holds pickup without an appointment, as well as curbside pickup with an appointment. At this time, lounge seating is unavailable, and all visits are limited to a one-hour maximum.
All visitors are required to wear a mask for the entirety of their visit, as well as follow social distancing and hygiene protocols. The hours of operation are as follows: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The first hour of each day, from 10 to 11 a.m., is intended for at-risk populations.
Weather permitting, patrons can access the “Technology Terrace,” which is accessible from the Wendell Avenue parking lot. This feature will allow visitors access to computers and printing without having to enter the building.
Those visiting the Children’s Library or picking up children’s materials should enter through the Children’s Terrace; two families are allowed to browse at a time. Those visiting Adult Services (for computers or browsing) should enter through the Wendell Avenue entrance; 20 visitors are allowed to browse or use the computers at a time.
Those visiting the Young Adult Department should enter through the Wendell Avenue entrance; five young adults are allowed to browse or use the computers at a time. Those wishing to visit the Local History Department or Special Collections can make an appointment by emailing or calling 413-499-9480.
Quaker Meeting House
The Quaker Meeting House, built in 1782 by the East Hoosuck Meeting of the Society of Friends, will be open Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Oct. 11. The meeting house, essentially unchanged since its construction, is located in the Maple Street Cemetery.
The house was the place of worship of the family of Susan B. Anthony, born in Adams in 1820. Free tours are given by members of the Adams Historical Society. Face masks are required.
Records destroyed
The North Berkshire School Union, serving the towns of Clarksburg, Florida, Savoy, Rowe and Monroe will be destroying Special Education records of students who have left the North Berkshire School Union school System during the 2012-013 school year on August 3, 2020. Anyone wishing to have his or her records should call the Special Education office at 413-664-4655. Two business days advanced notice for pickup of records is appreciated.
