April in the Berkshires, not quite prime time, but still plenty going on, so as the snowiest winter of the millennium fades into memory, we present this list of things to do around Berkshire county. The city of Pittsfield’s 250th anniversary celebration gets underway with a Big Band concert, presented by BerkshiresJazz.org, on April 8 at the Colonial Theatre. The free concert features the USAF jazz ensemble Liberty Big Band, with guest soloist Marvin Stamm. The next night, the great Roger McGuinn is scheduled to perform at The Clark in Williamstown.
Also at MASS MoCA in April: National Theater of the United States of America performs Chataqua, which questions whether or not the convergence of art and commerce is possible, sustainable, or even a good idea. This ought to have some resonance in the Berkshires, where many arts organizations are played for fools by G.E. over the cleanup of the Housatonic River.
Links to Berkshires venues that are presenting the events listed below: Berkshires theatres & performing arts venues.
- Nari Ward: Sub Mirage Lignum Opening Reception – Saturday, April 2, 2011, 5:30 pm – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- Bruce Mandel – Sat. April 2, 2011 – 7:30 PM Dewey Memorial Hall – Sheffield
- Foghat – Sat. April 2 – 8 PM – Colonial Theatre – Pittsfield
- ONGOING Shakespeare and the Language that Shaped a World – April 2–23, 2011 – Shakespeare and Co. – Lenox
- USAF Big Band w/Marvin Stamm – Fri. April 8 – 7:30 PM – Colonial Theatre – Pittsfield
- Roger McGuinn – Sat. April 9, 2011 – 8:00 PM – Clark Art Institute – Williamstown
- Chataqua – Sat. April 9, 2011 – 8:00 PM – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- Music Marathon Weekend – Sat. and Sun. April 9 & 10, 2011 – Berkshire Music School – Pittsfield
- Live From 92y: Shirley Maclaine: Life Lessons – Mon., April 11 – 8PM – BSC Mainstage – Pittsfield
- Frank Ferrante, An Evening with Groucho – Sat. April 9 – 8 PM – Colonial Theatre – Pittsfield
- A Small Act – Thurs., April 14, 2011, 7:30 pm – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- John Hammond & Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks – Sat. April 16 – 8 PM – Colonial Theatre – Pittsfield
- Iron & Wine – Sat., April 16, 2011, 8:00 pm – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- The Shanghai Restoration Project – Sat., April 23, 2011, 8:00 pm – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- The Garden – Thurs., April 28, 2011, 7:30 pm – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- Los Muñequitos de Matanzas – April 30 at 8 PM and May 1 at 2 PM – MASS MoCA – North Adams
- Kathleen Madigan – “GONE MADIGAN” – Sunt. April 3, 2011 – 7:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- Eagles Band Free Community Concert – Fri. April 8, 2011 – 7:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- Voice VIII: An Afternoon of A Cappella – Sun. April 10, 2011 – 3:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- Rossini’s Le Comte Ory “Live in HD” – Sat. April 9, 2011 – 1:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- CEWM: Viola Quintets Dvorak and Mendelssohn – Sat. April 16, 2011 – 6:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- Strauss’s Capriccio “Live in HD” – Sat. April 23, 2011 – 1:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington
- 250th Anniversary Celebration of Pittsfield, Massachusetts – April 29 & 30, 2011 – 250th Gala Kick Off Week-end
- Verdi’s Il Trovatore “Live in HD” – Sat. April 30, 2011 – 1:00 PM -Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center – Gt. Barrington