GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.— The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is presenting the virtual play "Rhapsody in Black" at mahaiwe.org from Monday, March 8 through Sunday, March 14, followed by a community conversation on Zoom, Sunday, March 14 at 7pm.
Both programs are free, presented in partnership with Clinton Church Restoration, and sponsored by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Grant.
"Through their Bridging Divides, Healing Communities grants, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is making it possible for the Mahaiwe to offer this program free to our entire community. LeLand Gantt has an important story to tell, and I hope that those who watch the play will also join the discussion," said Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson.
Written and performed by LeLand Gantt and developed at NYC's Actors Studio with Estelle Parsons, "Rhapsody in Black" is a one-man show that explores LeLand's personal journey to understanding and confronting racism in America. The play follows his life story—from an underprivileged childhood in the ghettos of McKeesport, Penn., to teenage experiments with crime and drugs to scholastic achievement and an acting career that lands adult LeLand in situations where he is virtually the only African-American in the room. How he manages to cope with the various psychological effects of consistently being marked The Other is recounted in remarkable and moving detail, sure to leave lasting impressions.
"LeLand Gantt's exploration of racism, identity and self-image exemplifies the power of art as a catalyst for personal transformation and community dialogue. Whether the experience of being perceived as ‘The Other' is familiar or eye-opening, understanding its impact is essential for all," said Clinton Church Restoration Interim Executive Director Eugenie Sills.
The March 14 post-show conversation will be moderated by Frances Jones-Sneed, professor emeritus at MCLA and chair of Clinton Church Restoration's Council of Scholars. She will be joined by Gantt, Howard University junior Olivia Nda, and African American Studies teacher Jamal Ahamad. Building on the themes of "Rhapsody in Black," this online discussion will explore different points of view regarding the arts as a vehicle for approaching issues of race relations in the 21st century and across generations.
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MassDOT Project Will Affect Traffic Near BMC
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Prepare for traffic impacts around Berkshire Medical Center through May for a state Department of Transportation project to improve situations and intersections on North Street and First Street.
Because of this, traffic will be reduced to one lane of travel on First Street (U.S. Route 7) and North Street between Burbank Street and Abbott Street from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday through at least May 6.
BMC and Medical Arts Complex parking areas remain open and detours may be in place at certain times. The city will provide additional updates on changes to traffic patterns in the area as construction progresses.
The project has been a few years in the making, with a public hearing dating back to 2021. It aims to increase safety for all modes of transportation and improve intersection operation.
It consists of intersection widening and signalization improvements at First and Tyler streets, the conversion of North Street between Tyler and Stoddard Avenue to serve one-way southbound traffic only, intersection improvements at Charles Street and North Street, intersection improvements at Springside Avenue and North Street, and the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of First Street, North Street, Stoddard Avenue, and the Berkshire Medical Center entrance.
Work also includes the construction of 5-foot bike lanes and 5-foot sidewalks with ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Last year, the City Council approved multiple orders for the state project: five orders of takings for intersection and signal improvements at First Street and North Street.
The total amount identified for permanent and temporary takings is $397,200, with $200,000 allocated by the council and the additional monies coming from carryover Chapter 90 funding. The state Transportation Improvement Plan is paying for the project and the city is responsible for 20 percent of the design cost and rights-of-way takings.
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