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Those of an age will remember the television show “Dragnet” with Sergeant Joe Friday. It began with the over-voice saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear/see is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.” In this case, though, there is no name to change. There is only the writer and the machine, recounting ten days in May when something startling occurred right here in North Adams. The story you are about to read is true, embellished only with a little bit of atmosphere in its telling.

Playing Billie Holiday is the type of meaty role any actor would die for. Billie Holiday is revered as one of, if not the premiere, jazz singers of the 20th century. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson, is receiving an excellent production at Ivoryton Playhouse.

Experiments in Opera’s new opera, Constance: A Confession, is the sixth opera created in a unique collaborative Writers' Room. It is modeled on workshops like the one in the movie Mank. Writers and composers gather together and hash out wonderful tales. They are often serials, like soap operas. Yet these are serious soap operas with many laugh-out-loud moments. Attending an Experiments in Opera evening is unqualified fun.

In the latest step toward the realization of its future home, the Sarasota Orchestra announces a gift of $11.7 million from an anonymous donor toward its new music center project on Fruitville Road west of I-75. The donation brings the publicly announced total of fundraising for the center, which is estimated to cost from $375 to $425 million in total, to nearly $87 million.

This year's edition, the 121st season, runs June 9 through August 4, 2026 with five spectacular programs featuring world-class ensembles and soloists at the historic Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park (mid-park at 72nd St.). Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., no reservations are needed. All will be broadcast live and streamed on WQXR for those unable to attend in person. Visit naumburgconcerts.org for more information and programs

A new interactive sculpture entitled Rook anchors the exhibition, inviting viewers to select geographic locations of their choice, while the piece responds by providing the live weather conditions of that location, and translates temperature and wind speed into shifting patterns of color, light, and motion. Blending sculpture, technology, and environmental data, Rook transforms atmospheric information into a continuously evolving visual experience shaped by an invisible network of global systems.

At Boston University I monitored the lectures and seminars of Carl Chiarenza. Anything I know about photography derives from him. More than a professor, as he was to many, Carl was a mentor and friend. Over the years I have posted about his publications and exhibitions. His impact on the field is unprecedented. Often he made his points with ironic insight and humor.

Our readers are familiar with Greg Light as one half of the the Parisian dishwashers. Here is the first chapter of a new novel.

The Clark Art Institute announces its summer 2026 events lineup, encouraging visitors to engage with art and nature both inside the galleries and on the grounds. Featuring talks and tours, nature programs, performing arts events, family programs, and special events connected to our summer exhibitions and renowned permanent collection, there is something for all ages

Samuel Barber’s Vanessa is playing at the Baruch Performing Arts Center after a smashing run at the Williamstown Theatre Festival last summer. R. B. Schlather, also of Hudson Hall, directs: Hot sex in a cold clime. This story was originally told in veils and mirrors, which have been translated into shadows by Heartbeat Opera.

Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin will narrate the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait on Sunday, July 5 at 2:30 p.m. in the Koussevitzky Music Shed. The award-winning actor and classical music enthusiast joins a special Independence Day weekend program that features two other Lincoln-inspired works. The centerpiece is the world premiere of Philip Glass’ Symphony No. 15.

For Venice Theatre, reconstruction of its hurricane-damaged mainstage Jervey Theatre “influenced every decision” that was made about show selection for the 2026-27 season, said Interim Artistic Director Murray Chase.

The lineup for the eclectic performing arts program epitomizes the vision of The Ringling’s first director, Everett “Chick” Austin, who believed a museum’s role was not to simply be a repository for gilt-framed Old Masters, but a living, dynamic space where all art forms intersect to stretch patrons’ palates, minds and imaginations.

As expected, this is a very good production of the show; Justin Matthew Sargent, the lead, has played the role before, including as a stand-in for John Legend during rehearsals of the television live television production. His experience shows not only in the vocals, but also in the interpretation of the role. His Jesus is gentle, determined, but also scared.

Death of Classical is a spunky classical music producer that takes performers and audiences into strange and wonderful spaces, where they enjoy whiskey, burgers, and music. In the past week, the composers of  two upcoming productions of the Metropolitan Opera have been previewed.

The Board of Directors of WAM Theatre, in partnership with Artistic Director Genée Coreno, announces a leadership transition as Managing Director Molly Merrihew steps into the role of Executive Director at Shakespeare & Company. WAM Theatre is proud to promote General Manager Erin Patrick into the role of Managing Director at WAM.

FST leaders preparing for long-planned retirement and evolution. Richard Hopkins has served as producing artistic director since 1980 and will retire after helping to transition in new leaders.

Perhaps you knew Charles personally, or you encountered his work at readings and through conversations across Massachusetts and beyond. You may not be aware, but as one of our earliest residents at Manship, one with a past at the Mass Cultural Council, Charles helped shape the residency at a formative moment in our history.

On Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 5pm, the Telegraph Quartet (Eric Chin and Joseph Maile, violins; Pei-Ling Lin, viola; Jeremiah Shaw, cello), a group The New York Times describes as “full of elegance and pinpoint control” is presented by Mohawk Trail Concerts. The performance will be held at Charlemont Federated Church (175 Main St.).

Ted Landsmark (born May 17, 1946) overcame poverty, childhood polio, and daunting obstacles to forge a distinguished career with many singular accomplishments. He served on numerous boards including the MFA and ICA.

The Steinberg/ATCA and Osborn Awards were presented by Cameron Kelsall, chair of ATCA's New Play Committee, and Lou Harry, vice-chair of ATCA's Executive Committee, alongside Jim Steinberg of the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

The Chez Haynes years were forty-five years ago. That’s nearly half a century. We all had dreams, the waitresses and you and I. And we all had vague plans, and we pursued them in Europe and later in America. Most of us went back to the U.S.

Zing sing bling goes my heart on the red carpet.

COSMOS Gallery presents Drawn to Paint, an exhibition which explores the role of drawing, both informal and preparatory, in the creative process of painters Jeffrey Marshall and Alex Stroup. Through the installation of paintings paired with their drawn origins, this exhibition creates a dialogue between two approaches to imagery that exist independently and interdependently.

Opening just days after a California man was charged with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump, the Sarasota Players’s captivating production of the Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical “Assassins” could not be more topical, no matter how coincidental the timing.