Opinion
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Gail Burns Announces Changes for Gail Sez
To Cease Actively Covering Theatre in the Berkshires
By: - Feb 20th, 2012Faced with a number of personal setbacks that require immediate attention Gail Burns of the site Gail Sez has announced that she will no longer review and document theatre in the Berkshires. In a note to colleagues and theatres she stated that “I will let the information currently up on the site lapse quietly, while behind the scenes I create an archive of my reviews, which will stay up in perpetuity. I know they are of value and interest to some of you, and I want them to stand as an historical record of theatrical activity in this area from 1997-2011. Your names and the art you created should not be forgotten…â€
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Elizabeth Warren Stumps in North Adams
Running Hard and Fast Against Senator Scott Brown
By: - Feb 18th, 2012Harvard Law School professor turned politician Elizabeth Warren is running hard to win back the vacated "Ted Kennedy" seat in the Senate seized by a then unknown Scott Brown. He soundly defeated Martha Coakley who was so confident of inheriting the famously liberal seat that she didn't bother to campaign. In a stump speech in North Adams, compared to the smug and apathetic Coakley making a similar appearance, Warren had her game face on.
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Whitney Houston: Drugs and the Stars
Whom the Gods Love
By: - Feb 15th, 2012There is always an enabler hanging out back stage or in the locker room to help the star or player to have an edge on stage or during the game. Yet again we learn of the untimely demise of a troubled superstar. This weekend Whitney Houston will be laid to rest in the New Jersey church where she once sang in the choir.
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)
Exciting 2012 Season
By: - Feb 13th, 2012New York City Ballet (NYCB) will bring a dazzling, diverse repertory of 16 stunning ballets from its unparalleled repertory to its summer stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) July 10 - 21, including the July 14 World Premiere of a new ballet by NYCB dancer Justin Peck at the annual Ballet Gala. Other major highlights include the Saratoga premieres of new ballets by Christopher Wheeldon and Benjamin Millepied; Peter Martins’ dramatic, full-length production of Romeo + Juliet; Balanchine classics including Firebird, Symphony in C and Kammermusik No. 2 and first-ever Saratoga performances of Peter Martins’ The Waltz Project and Wheeldon’s DGV: Danse à Grande Vitesse.
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Boston Calendar February 13 - 18
Film, Theatre, Music and More...
By: - Feb 11th, 2012Many wonderful things to do during a cold winter week: The Goethe Institute launches a primary source concert series: between house and stage – public and private music making in the 18th century. The Boston Symphony Orchestra proposes a special Valentine evening of Gastronomy and Music and free chorale masterpieces. The Boston Celebrity Series presents Soweto Gospel Choir. The American Repertory Theatre premieres “Wild Swans,†a journey from the early days of Communist hope and struggle in China, through the chaos and confusion of Mao’s Cultural Revolution. and much more to warm your heart and mind.
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Boston Calendar February 6 - 12, 2012
Film, Theatre, Music and more...
By: - Feb 06th, 2012Not to be missed Stephen Petronio’s Boston Premiere: performance of dance, music and visual imagery at the Institute of Contemporary Art; Emanuel Ax at Boston Symphony Orchestra; Sérgio and Odair Assad, duo guirtarits and Soweto Gospel Choir presented by Boston Celebrity Series. The Harvard Film Archives features live Director David Gatten in conversation with Curator Mark McElhatten. The Museum of Fine Arts presents a film on Boston College. The Boston Ballet showcases three ballets: Les Sylphides by Fokine, Polyphonia by Wheeldon and Symphony in Three Movements by Balanchine.
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Boston Calendar February 2 - 5, 2012
Film, Theatre, Music and more...
By: - Feb 03rd, 2012The Boston Symphony Orchestra features the cellist Gautier Capuçon while the Boston Conservatory Theatre presents The child Spells by Ravel. The Harvard Film Archives showcases Robert Fenz films with the director in person while the Museum of Fine Arts presents animation by Castles in the Sky: Miyazaki, Takahata, and the Masters of Studio Ghibli.
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10x10 on North
Winter Arts Celebration in Pittsfield
By: - Jan 27th, 201210X10 On North announces the schedule of events for the Berkshires’ first-ever winter contemporary arts festival, creatively enlivening downtown Pittsfield February 16-26 with art, dance, film, music, theatre, and more
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ICA Endows Positions
Half of Goal of $50 Million Raised
By: - Jan 24th, 2012Both the Director and Chief Curator positions have been endowed for the first time in the Institute of Contemporary Art's 75 year history. Ellen Poss has endowed the Director position, now named the Ellen Matilda Poss Director; and Barbara Lee has endowed the Chief Curator post, now named the Barbara Lee Chief Curator.
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Patriots and Paterno
A Sunday of Triumph and Tragedy
By: - Jan 23rd, 2012Yesterday the death of disgraced college football coach, Joe Paterno, at 85, and the triumph of an underdog, come from behind New England Patriots offered the unique invitation to compare and contrast. More than winning and losing sports are about character and facing challenges and adversity. More than covering the outcome of games is the opportunity to delve into the heart and soul of the human condition. The Patriots rose to the challenge while in facing his greatest test JoPa was found lacking in morality and character.
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Boston Calendar January 8 - 16, 2012
Film, Music, Theatre and Much More...
By: - Jan 09th, 2012The ICA has two extraordinary programs not to be missed: Dance/Draw exhibition and Trisha Brown Floor to Forrest performance final week as well as Andy’s Warhol: God Squad’s Kitchen that showed to sold-out performance in New York. The Harvard Film Archives presents three films by directors Dominik Graf, Christian Petzold and Christoph Hochhäusler the result of their correspondence on the subjects of film aesthetics, the Berlin School, Germany and the film genre. Music can be heard at the MFA: J.S. Bach: The Six Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord and at the venerable Symphony Orchestra with excerpts of Weber, Beethoven, Harbison & Strauss.
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Gail Burns Part Three
Community Service in Addition to Theatre
By: - Jan 09th, 2012After Hurricane Irene hit and destroyed 300 homes in Williamstown I was among the first responders and I am proud to say that my work recently became incorporated as a non-profit called Higher Ground dedicated to providing ongoing assistance to the flood victims and working long-term on the crucial need for affordable housing in North County.
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Gail Burns Part Two
Publishing GailSez Since 1997
By: - Jan 08th, 2012Writing reviews of some dozen theatre companies within a two hour radius of her home in Williamstown is just one aspect of Gail Burns. Since 1997 her site GailSez has become an invaluable documentary resource of theatre in the region. This is part two of a critical discourse.
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Gail Burns of GailSez
Covering Berkshire Theatre Since 1997
By: - Jan 08th, 2012Few Berkshire based critics see more theatre than Williamstown based Gail Burns. She is know for feisty, passionate over the top reviews. Her on line site GailSez includes not only her own reviews but compiles lists and links to all of the other critics in the region. She also posts press releases and casting calls. It is a massive archive reaching back to 1997. This is the first segment of an extensive dialogue.
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Barrington Stage Streams 92nd Street Y
Walter Isaacson on Steve Jobs January 24
By: - Jan 03rd, 2012Barrington Stage Company (BSC) continues the “Live from NY’s 92nd Street Y†Simulcasts with three programs for winter 2012.
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Janus the Two Faced Roman God
Looking at the Arts Behind and Ahead
By: - Jan 02nd, 2012It is that time of year when we look back at the highlights and insights of the past season. Take a deep breath and anticipate what lays ahead for 2012. There is much to remember as well as look forward to.
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Boston Calendar of Cultural Events 1/2 - 1/8, 2012
Plays, Concerts, Films and more...
By: - Jan 02nd, 2012A short week with few events but still worth enjoying art, music, film and culture in Beantown.
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Christmas Memories
Recollections of a Non-Participant
By: - Dec 25th, 2011With thoughts of hope and joy, peace on earth and good will to men, sugar plums and candy canes, Mark Favermann tells how he has over the decades celebrated Christmas, a holiday that he really does not celebrate.
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Boston Events Calendar 12/19 - 12/25/2011
Film, Music, Theatre and Much More...
By: - Dec 24th, 2011Happy Hanukah. This is the last week of 2011, a heavy year by many accounts. Boston will have several exciting events with first night please check http://www.firstnight.org. The American Repertory Theater showcases two productions The Snow Queen and Three Pianos. The Museum of Fine Arts presents two films on the art of cooking:Three Stars and the famous restaurant El Bulli: Cooking in Progress. Happy New Year 2012....
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10x10 On North
Pittsfield Winter Festival February 16 to 26
By: - Dec 20th, 201110x10 On North, the Berkshires’ first-ever winter contemporary arts festival, will creatively enliven downtown Pittsfield February 16 through 26, 2012, with a dynamic mix of new art, dance, music, theatre, and more.
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Boston Events Calendar 12/19 - 12/25/2011
Film, Music, Theatre and Much More...
By: - Dec 19th, 2011Alas, few cultural events are taking place this week. The Food Bank has a great concert at New England Conservatory while the American Repertory Theater showcases two productions The Snow Queen and Three Pianos. The Museum of Fine Arts presents two films: Unfinished Spaces and Three Stars featuring the Michelin Chef Stars: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Georges (New York), Yannick Alléno, Le Meurice (France), Juan Mari & Elena Arzack, Arzack (Spain), Sven Elverfeld, Aqua (Germany), Sergio Herman, Oud Sluis (The Netherlands), Hideki Ishikawa, Ishikawa (Japan), René Redzepi, Noma (Denmark), Olivier Roellinger, Le Coquillage (France), Nadia Santini, Dal Pescatore (Italy). Merry Christmas!!!!
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Mass MoCA Winter/ Spring Schedule
A Mix of Music and Arts
By: - Dec 14th, 2011In the galleries the new exhibition Sanford Biggers: The Cartographer's Conundrum will open on February 5, while the group exhibition Invisible Cities debuts on April 15. Series offered this season will include the exciting Alt Cabaret which features music and dance and MASS MoCA's Thursday night Cinema Lounge series, titled Strategic Thinking, with four films most followed by Q&As with filmmakers.
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Boston Calendar of Cultural Events 12/12 - 12/18, 2011
Film, Music, Theatre and Much More...
By: - Dec 12th, 2011A rich week of Christmas Music: Bach at the Jordan Hall with the Handel & Haydn Society; Medieval Music with the Boston Camerata; Celtic Music at the Cutler Majestic & NEC Millennium Gospel Choir at the MFA. Longy School of Music presents Antonio Cesti’s opera Orontea. The Harvard Film Archives continues Henri-George Clouzot’s retrospective while the MFA has a series of films dedicated to Architecture (Foster, Eames and Portman); Arts Emerson presents the great Katherine Hepburn. Dance is featured through Diplomacy Through Dance: 
Bringing American Modern Dance to Kazakhstan. Enjoy!
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New Metropolitan Opera Introduced at The Greene Space
WNYC's Performance Space Brings Us to the Future
By: - Dec 09th, 2011Starbucks founder Howard Schultz bet that even when people got their wish to work at home, they would want to spend a good part of their day in the presence of others. The Greene Space suggests another venue that provides this with a live radio presence.
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Occupy Northern Berkshires Movement Growing
Eclipse Mill Meeting in North Adams December 10
By: - Dec 05th, 2011The unemployment rate in North Adams is over ten percent (with the U.S. avg. at 8.6%). Recent job growth is increasingly negative, with core stores such as Staples [albeit not locally-run] recently closing its North Adams store with its 20+ employees in December. Occupy Northern Berkshires meeting at the North Adams' Eclipse Gallery, 243 Union Street, at 7PM on Saturday, 10 December.
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