Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Argentinian-Swedish indie-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist José González
Great Barrington— On Friday, March 28th at 8 p.m., Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center presents Argentinian-Swedish indie-folk singer-songwriter and guitarist José González.
José González is in a class by himself. From selling out tours on virtually every continent to headlining prestigious festivals around the world to being asked to perform at 2020’s Nobel Prize Award Ceremony and seeing his recorded music exceed one billion streams, González is one of the most exciting and in-demand touring artists working today. Whether appearing alone with his guitar or with a 20-piece orchestra, or with his band The Brite Lites, or choosing between duo and trio formats, his performances are never merely shows — they are events.
The concert is on Friday, March 28th at 8 p.m. at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, located at 14 Castle Street in Great Barrington. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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PS21 Chatham presents ‘What Will Have Been’ a contemporary circus by Circa
Chatham, N.Y.— On Saturday, January 11th at 2 p.m., PS21 Chatham presents “What Will Have Been” a contemporary circus created by Yaron Lifschitz with the Circa Ensemble of Australia.
Circa’s intrepid artists will challenge your perceptions of what the human body is capable of. Explosive, daring artistry that will challenge your perception of what is possible. Three circus artists and a violinist come together in this intimate and deeply moving production. Hauntingly beautiful and truly virtuosic, “What Will Have Been” is a sublime display of interlocking bodies, awe-inspiring movement, and pure physical beauty, featuring the fearless, visionary violinist Miranda Cuckson performing to a fusion of the music of Bach and spine-tingling electronica.
Circa Contemporary Circus is one of the world’s leading performance companies. Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the world – performing in more than 45 countries to nearly 2 million people. Circa’s works have been greeted with standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses across six continents.
The performance is on Saturday, January 11th at 2 p.m. at PS21 Chatham, located at 2980 Route 66 in Chatham, N.Y. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Shakespeare & Company has announced its 2025 season, including a world premiere, two Shakespeare productions, and a Jewish play reading series
Lenox— Shakespeare & Company has announced its first titles of its 2025 season, including a World Premiere, two Shakespeare productions, and a new Jewish play reading series.
Opening on Friday, June 20th, Shakespeare & Company’s 48th season begins with the World Premiere of “The Victim” by Lawrence Goodman, directed by Daniel Gidron and featuring Annette Miller. Staged as a reading in the company’s “Plays in Process” series in 2024, The Victim tells the stories of three women: a successful New York doctor whose racial diversity training has gone horribly wrong, a health aide grappling with racism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a Holocaust survivor facing her own horror and finding her way back to love and healing.
From July 1st through the 6th, there will be a reprise of “Shake It Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret,” co-created by Allyn Burrows and Jacob Ming-Trent. A mash-up of modern music and Shakespeare verse, “Shake It Up” premiered in 2024 and returns for a limited, six-show run. From July 12th through August 11th, the classic tale of meddling families and young love “Romeo and Juliet” will be staged at the Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre, directed by Kevin G. Coleman and Jonathan Epstein.
From July 25th through August 24th, Shakespeare & Company’s returns to August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” with “The Piano Lesson,” directed by Christopher V. Edwards. Set against the backdrop of 1936 Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning “The Piano Lesson” is a testament to the complexities of family, history, and legacy.
From August 14th through August 24th, “The Taming of the Shrew,” with its timeless themes of identity, gender roles, and the clash of wills, will be directed by Allyn Burrows and Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer at the Tina Packer Playhouse. From October 9th through October 11th, Shakespeare & Company will introduce “A Celebration of Jewish Playwrights: A Special Weekend of Staged Readings” at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
The season opens on Friday, June 20th at Shakespeare & Company, located at 70 Kemble St, Lenox. “FLEXpasses” are on sale now. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Clark Art Institute offers free admission from January through March
Williamstown— From January through March, the Clark Art Institute will offer free admission for all visitors, as part of the Institute’s ongoing effort to expand awareness of its programming and to welcome new visitors.
During the free admission season, visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Clark’s noted permanent collection and to see two ongoing special exhibitions, “Abelardo Morell: In the Company of Monet and Constable,” open through February 17th and “Wall Power! Modern French Tapestry from the Mobilier National, Paris,” open through March 19th. In addition, the Clark presents special installations during this period, including “David-Jeremiah: I Drive Thee,” open through January 26th, “Mariel Capanna: Giornata, which opens on February 15th, and more.
The Clark’s grounds, which are always open free of charge, provide miles of walking trails. In winter months, the Clark’s popular Project Snowshoe program offers visitors the opportunity to borrow free snowshoes to explore the beauty of the campus in winter. Snowshoes are available in adult and child sizes on a first-come, first-served basis. The Clark also offers a wide array of free public programs, concerts, and other activities. Free admission is offered from January through March, 2025. More information can be found online.
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Berkshire Community College spring semester starts January 21st
Pittsfield— Berkshire Community College (BCC) will begin its spring semester on Tuesday, January 21st.
A variety of learning options is offered, including in-person, online, and hybrid. Fully online options are now available for associate degrees and certificates in business, medical coding, and liberal arts. And thanks to funding from the Commonwealth, community college tuition is free for most students who do not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Some students are also eligible for free books and supplies.
BCC offers more than 50 programs of study. Students may earn certificates and degrees in allied health, business, computer information systems, criminal justice, education, engineering, environmental and life sciences, fine and performing arts, fire science, health science, hospitality, human services, liberal arts, mechatronics, medical coding, natural and physical sciences, nursing, and more.
Prospective students may apply online or visit the OneStop Enrollment Center, where admissions advisors are on hand to help with applications and financial aid. Learn more about applying to BCC, view a course catalogue, or schedule a tour, visit BCC online.