Clark Art Hosts Free Outdoor Classical Concert, Family Concert

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.—Over Labor Day weekend, The Knights return to the Clark Art Institute to present two free concerts.
 
The first is an outdoor concert on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 4 pm on the Fernández Terrace. The second is an indoor, family-friendly concert on Sunday, Aug. 31 at noon in the Manton Research Center auditorium. Both performances complement the Clark's "A Room of Her Own: Women Artist-Activists in Britain, 1875–1945" exhibition, which spotlights women artists working in Great Britain who created spaces for themselves and others in a field that was dominated by men.
 
Outdoor Concert
Saturday, Aug. 30, 4 pm
In celebration of the A Room of Her Own exhibition, the orchestra's program includes a work by celebrated British female composer Dame Ethel Smyth and a piece written for and premiered by the acclaimed English female violinist, Marie Hall.
 
Dame Ethel Smyth
Scherzo: Allegro vivace from her Suite in E Major for String Orchestra op. 1a
 
Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending (string arrangement; written for and premiered by Marie Hall)
 
Felix Mendelssohn
Octet for Strings
 
Bring a picnic and your own seating. Rain moves the performance to Aug. 31 at 4 pm.
 
Family Concert
Sunday, Aug. 31, noon
Music lovers of all ages will delight in a family-friendly concert that celebrates world-class music and complements the A Room of Her Own exhibition. In this accessible afternoon performance, children and their parents/grandparents/caregivers discover the limitless imaginative possibilities that exist in classical music. This performance is designed specifically for younger audiences and is intended to provide a fun and engaging introduction to classical music.
 
Based in New York City, The Knights are a collective of musicians dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audience and music. Led by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and collaboration, they seek to engage with contemporary culture through vibrant performances that honor the classical tradition and their passion for musical discovery.
 
Both concerts are free. For accessibility concerns, call 413 458 0524. 
 
These performances are presented through the support of the Sea Island Foundation.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

National Grid Hosts Customer Assistance Events In The Berkshires

WALTHAM, Mass. — National Grid will hold a series of in-person Customer Assistance Events this December. 
 
As colder weather sets in, these events are designed to help customers manage winter energy bills and explore cost-saving programs.
 
In Berkshire County:
  • Dec. 4 – Town Library, Williamstown, 4:00pm – 8:00pm, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown
  • Dec. 5 – National Grid Great Barrington Office, 11:00am – 2:00pm, 927 South Main Street, Great Barrington
  • Dec. 5 – Sheffield Bushnell-Sage Library, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, 97 Main Street, Sheffield
Many of these events will continue to take place at local senior centers, making it convenient for older residents to access personalized assistance. Attendees at any location will have direct access to National Grid Customer Service Specialists, who can provide personalized guidance on payment options and energy solutions to meet each household's needs.
 
"As December begins, customers still have opportunities to find support and manage energy costs," said Bill Malee, chief customer officer, National Grid. "We're proud to host many of these events at local senior centers, ensuring customers have easy access to the support they need. Our in-person events are a great way for customers to connect with our team, learn about flexible payment options, and discover energy-saving programs that can help make a real difference this season."
 
Customers attending in-person events will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from National Grid, who will be on-site to assist with billing issues and provide information on:
  • Enrolling in National Grid's new Payment Assistance Bundle
  • Enrolling in Budget Billing
  • Enrolling in the Energy Discount Rate (for qualifying customers)
  • Scheduling home energy assessments and sharing information on other energy efficiency opportunities for homes or businesses 
These events are part of National Grid's broader commitment to affordability and reliability. Customers can also access support by calling 1-800-233-5325.
 
National Grid customers can now sign up for a new Payment Assistance Bundle. The bundle combines three solutions to make it easier for managing energy costs and paying down past due amounts over a 12-month period.
  • Deferred Payment Agreement: Spread out past-due balance into future monthly payments.
  • Automatic Monthly Payments: Automatically deduct payments from your bank account each month and avoid missing due dates.
  • Budget Plan: Break down annual energy costs into balanced monthly payments, making it easier to budget and plan expenses.
Customers interested in enrolling in the Payment Assistance Bundle can do so online by visiting ngrid.com/hereforyou, at an in-person event, or by calling 1-800-233-5325.
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