Happening this Week
THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK: OLD-SCHOOL COOL
July 26th, August 2nd and August 10th, Thursdays, 7PM
Harvey Granat, singer and a historian of The American Songbook, is once again brining his talent and knowledge to Great Barrington. Mr. Granat has appeared at many leading supper clubs including multiple engagements at Feinstein's at the Regency as well as his enormously popular series at the 92nd Street Y. This 4-part engagement (we are starting at the 2nd performance) includes this week’s July 26th celebration of Sondheim (of course of West Side Story, Company); August 2nd featuring Frank Loesser’s work (Guys and Dolls, How To Succeed In Business) and will conclude on August 9th with a tribute to Jerry Herman (Hello Dolly, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles, Milk and Honey, Mack and Mabel). His performances also include many stories from actual correspondence of these writers he has collected over the years. $20 General, $16 Members.
Berkshire South Community Center. 15 Crissey Road. Great Barrington. 413.528.2810
While in Great Barrington discover our favorite things!
TOUCHSTONES AT THE MOUNT: NYT BOOK REVIEW EDITOR
July 27th, Friday, 11AM-Noon
Join journalist and cultural critic Kate Bolick as she sits down with Pamela Paul, the editor of The New York Times Book Review. In this intimate conversation the two writers will discuss Ms. Paul’s newest book My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues. Bob, a notebook Paul has kept by her side for twenty-eight years is a recording of her life through every book she’s ever read from Sweet Valley High to Anna Karenina. This journey in reading reflects her inner life—fantasies, failures, philosophies—which in turn reflect the books she chooses. The book conveys the relationship between a book and its reader and the way that books can provide perspective, relief, companionship; it’s about why we read and how those choices make us who we are. $20 General, $15 Members
The Stable The Mount. 2 Plunkett Road. Lenox MA. 413.551.5100
While in Lenox discover our favorite things!
FROM LEONARD BERNSTEIN’S ASSISTANT:
MY YEARS WITH THE EXASPERATING GENIUS
July 27th, Friday, 5:30PM-7PM
For another insider’s look into the life of a musical genius, get some first-hand perspective from the former assistant Leonard Bernstein, Charlie Harmon, as he talks about his new book On the Road and Off the Record with Leonard Bernstein. Mr. Harmon was hired to manage the day-to-day parts of Bernstein’s life with one additional responsibility: making sure Bernstein met the deadline for an opera commission. The book tells the true and incredulous tales of all the roadblocks along the way—the centenary of Igor Stravinsky, intestinal parasites picked up in Mexico, a baker’s dozen of young men plus depression, insomnia, and cut-throat games of anagrams. He travelled from Tokyo to Anchorage, and met mayors, ambassadors, a queen and just a few Hollywood legends along the way. But most importantly, there was music.
The Bookstore and Get Lit Wine Bar. 11 Housatonic Street. Lenox MA. 413.637.3390
While in Lenox discover our favorite things!
23RD ANNUAL LITCHFIELD JAZZ FEST
July 28th-29th, Saturday and Sunday, Times Vary
Back in 1996, the Litchfield Jazz Festival launched with a line-up of up-and-comers including Diana Krall, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Mark Turner and more. Since that year, the festival has been committed to discovering genius and though you may not yet know the names of all the musicians featured this year, it’s safe to say you’ll never forget them again. Don’t miss one of these rising stars, Yoko Miwa, who is quickly becoming one of the most compelling pianists/composers on the jazz scene today. Already a favorite at Jazz at Lincoln Center, she has recorded seven acclaimed studio albums and will be performing with bassist Will Slater and drummer Scott Goulding as the Yoko Miwa Trio. Returning favorites include Trip Da Pa featuring three of Brazil’s most in-demand musicians and Jane Bennett performing with Maqueque. Ms. Bunnett—soprano saxophonist/flutist/bandleader—is a three-time Grammy nominee who has built her career at the intersection of Cuban music and jazz. She’ll be leading and performing with Maqueque, an exciting sextet featuring the finest young women musicians in Cuba. Tickets range from $37 for a one-day lawn ticket (Saturday or Sunday) to $150 for Saturday including a special jazz brunch, the ability to reserve seats under the tent and VIP parking—not a bad idea given the weather report for this week.
Goshen Fairgrounds. 116 Old Middle Street. Goshen CT. 860.361.6285
While in Goshen discover our favorite things!
CLAY HANDBUILDING: FIRE IT UP
July 31st, August 7th and August 11th, Tuesdays, 6:30-9PM
Enjoy this beginning/intermediate class for those interested in developing (non-)existing basic clay hand building skills. Instructor Vickie Foy will be taking you through the process step-by-step, teaching you to craft beautiful clay creations—both two and three-dimensional pieces. You’ll learn to slab roll clay, make coils and use the “score and slip” method to attach pieces together. She will also teach hand stamping techniques and tool usage. Bring a beverage and a snack and leave with a masterpiece (or something resembling that) for your home, your kitchen or a friend. $99 includes instruction, clay and first firing.
Village Center for the Arts. 12 Main Street. New Milford CT. 860.354.4318