Berkshire Immigrant Center to Hold Annual Benefit Event

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LENOX, Mass. — The Berkshire Immigrant Center (BIC) will host its annual Beacon of Hope benefit event on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Shakespeare & Company's Tina Packer Playhouse.
 
The event will feature a performance by Lakou Mizik, a collective of Haitian musicians.
 
The celebration is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM with drinks and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a premiere screening of "Standing Together," a short film about BIC's services to the local immigrant community.
 
"June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to reflect on where we come from and recognize the many ways immigrants continue to shape and strengthen our communities." Melissa Canavan, BIC Executive Director, said. "Joining us at the Beacon of Hope benefit is a great way to stand together with Berkshire immigrants and celebrate the strength and resilience they bring to the Berkshires."
 
All proceeds from the event will support BIC's legal and educational services for the immigrant community in the region. Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased online at BIC's website. Lead Sponsors for the event include Sherwood Guernsey and the Gilson Family Foundation, with Greylock Federal Credit Union as the Lead Business Sponsor. Additional support is provided by in-kind donors Berkshire Mountain Distillers, Domaney's Liquors and Fine Wines, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Eric Korenman Photography, and Handful Photography, as well as over 60 other sponsors, including Gold Sponsors Martin, Hochberg & Cianflone, PLLP; Silver Sponsors Adams Community Bank, Berkshire Health Systems, and Lee Bank; and Bronze Sponsors Arienti + Klepetar LLP, Balance Rock Investment Group, Berkshire Food Co-op, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Paul Rich & Sons Home Furnishings + Design, and Theory Wellness.
 
Since 1997, BIC has focused on serving the needs of local immigrants and is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a member agency of the Williamstown Community Chest.
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Marionette Shows At Ventfort Hall for Children

LENOX, Mass. — The puppeteer Carl Sprague will return to Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum in Lenox with Rapunzel for two holiday vacation week marionette performances. 
 
The dates and times are Saturday, Dec. 27 and Monday, Dec. 29, both at 3:30 pm. The audiences will have the opportunity to meet Sprague after.
 
Sprague, who has appeared annually at Ventfort Hall with his "behind the scenery" mastery, has been a puppeteer since childhood.  He inherited a collection of 60 antique Czech marionettes, each about eight inches tall that were assembled by his great-grandfather, Julius Hybler.  Hybler's legacy also includes two marionette theaters. 
 
Also, Sprague has been a set designer for such motion pictures as "The Royal Tenenbaums" and Scorcese's "The Age of Innocence," as well as for theater productions including those of Shakespeare & Company. 
 
Admission to the show is $20 per person; $10 for children 4-17 and free for age 3 and under. Children must be accompanied by adults.  Ventfort Hall is decorated for the holidays. Reservations are required as seating is limited and can be made on line at https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or by calling (413) 637-3206. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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