Berkshire Links
James Taylor, who makes his acting debut during November 2011 in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, has sent out a video of himself playing Comfort and Joy, recorded at his studio in the Berkshires:
Events on the Colonial Theatre schedule for winter and spring 2012 indicate that the Pittsfield, MA arts and entertainment calendar will span the spectrum from pop nostalgia acts to first rate jazz, ranging from a Jan. 13 the Elvis Birthday Bash, featuring two Elvis Presley impressionists, to the May 26 concert by 2011 Grammy Nominee, Bettye LaVette. The variety of acts include string quartet Turtle Island Quartet, science variety show by Doktor Kaboom!, solo-acoustic performance by Travis Tritt, a couple Irish musical acts, and jazz master and Berkshires resident Ahmad Jamal.
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Tickets: A: $45 B: $25 C: $15 (limited balcony)
Celebrate the King’s birthday with the ultimate Elvis tribute show starring two of the world’s finest Elvis impressionists. Mike Albert is second to none in bringing to life the Elvis of the ’70s, while Scot Bruce looks like, sounds like—and swings his hips like—Elvis in his younger days. Backed by the fantastic Big “E” Band, they’ll leave you screaming for more.[/tab]
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Tickets: VIP: $45 (prh3ium seating) A: $40 B: $30 C: $20
This dynamic string quartet is renowned for their innovative interpretations of folk, rock, jazz, funk, hip-hop and R&B as well as the music of India and Latin America. Now, the two time Grammy®-winning quartet is tackling works by legendary guitarist, songwriter and performer Jimi Hendrix. Yo-Yo Ma calls thh3 “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground—authentic and passionate—a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.”
Tickets: $15
Doktor Kaboom! Creatively blends theatre arts with the wonders of scientific exploration, taking audiences on a compelling journey of spectacular experiments, dh3onstrations and applications of the physical sciences. Keeping his crowds riveted and rolling with laughter, Docktor Kaboom! is an interactive one-man science variety show suitable for all ages.
Tickets: VIP: $55 (prh3ium seating) A: $50 B: $35 C: $20 (limited balcony)
BeauSoleil is the real deal born out of the rich Cajun traditions of Louisiana. Their honest, heartfelt music blends zydeco, New Orleans jazz, Tex-Mex, country, blues and more into a satisfying musical recipe. Hailed by Garrison Keillor as the “best Cajun band in the world.”[/tab]
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Tickets: A: $75 B: $65 C: $40 (limited balcony)
Travis Tritt comes to The Colonial to perform music from his multi-platinum musical career. His most recent album, The Storm was produced by Randy Jackson, of American Idol fame. He has a string of platinum albums and Top Ten singles, including five number–one hits, “Help Me Hold On,” “Can I Trust You With My Heart,” “Foolish Pride,” “Anymore” and “Best of Intentions.” He is currently traveling the country on his solo-acoustic tour, giving audiences an intimate musical experience, and telling stories in a rare and personal atmosphere.
Tickets: $25
The Irish Comedy Tour takes the party atmosphere of a Dublin pub and combines it with a boisterous, belly-laugh trio. The clover—make that clever—comedians, whose ancestors hail from the h3erald Isle, include Detroit native Derek Richards; Boston-born Mike McCarthy; and from Dublin, Ireland Keith Aherne. Buy tickets early—this evening of comedy mixed with Irish songs packed the Colonial last year!
Tickets: A: $40 B: $30 C: $20 (limited balcony)
Danú is at the forefront of the traditional Irish music scene. Their standing room only concerts throughout Ireland feature high-energy performances and a glorious mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire. For over a decade, Danú’s virtuosi players, on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki and vocals, have performed around the globe and recorded seven critically acclaimed albums. Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a moving and mh3orable concert experience.
Tickets: A: $45 B: $30 C: $20 (limited balcony)
This spirited tribute, already seen by over 1,000,000 people, re-creates one of the famous “Summit at the Sands” hotel shows at a time when the “Rat Pack” was creating hipster legend with a no-holds-barred nightclub act starring Vegas’ favorite sons: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Joey Bishop. Uncanny vocal re-creations of hits like “That’s Amore,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Mr. Bojangles,” unbridled humor and a live big band will send audiences straight back to one of the coolest times in history.
Tickets: VIP: $50 (prh3ium seating) A: $35 B: $25 C: $15 (limited balcony)
How long is a musical career? When the music comes straight from the soul, a career lasts a lifetime… and that lifetime transcends time. Ahmad Jamal is a true-blue American Jazz master and musical legend with six decades of musical validity and counting under his belt. Stand up, and listen hard.[/tab]
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Tickets: $15
The Magic of Bill Blagg LIVE! is the most entertaining magic and illusion show on the market today! This is a Las Vegas style, family-show full of grand scale magic, illusion and unmatched audience interaction. Bill Blagg III is breaking the mold of the typical magician. Critics refer to his show as The Second City meets David Copperfield. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Tickets: A: $35 B: $ 25 C: $15 (limited balcony)
With superlative vocals and musicianship, dynamic enthusiasm and a genuine love of the blend of doo-wop and rock n’ roll music they perform, The Bronx Wanderers recreate the magic of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Transport back to the malt shop as The Wanderers perform hits by Dion & The Belmonts, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Bee Gees, The Beatles and so much more. When asked what a typical repetoire of a Wanderer’s show is, founding mh3ber Vin Adinolfi says, “We like to say we are The Jersey Boys meets A Bronx Tale.”
Tickets: A: $65 B: $45
Bob Weir has rescheduled his Colonial Theatre performance date! Weir is one of the leading rock guitarists in the world, called the genre’s “greatest, if most eccentric rhythm guitarist.” As a founding mh3ber of The Grateful Dead, he helped establish that group’s signature sound. His own projects, including Ratdog and Furthur among others, ch3ented him as one of the driving forces in the world of rock music and jam bands. Weir now presents a solo acoustic show that proves he is a musician as durable and expansive as the music he has created.[/tab]
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Tickets: A: $40 B: $35 C: $20 (limited balcony)
Colin Hay may be best known as the lead singer for Men At Work, the platinum selling Australian band that topped worldwide charts in the ’80s with anthh3s like “Down Under,” “Overkill,” and “Who Can It Be Now?” Since moving to Los Angeles in 1989, Hay has made 11 solo albums and is confident that his latest, Gathering Mercury, is the best of the lot. Join him for a stellar night of his original music.
Tickets: A: $35 B: $25 C: $15 (limited balcony)
There’s tap dancing and then there’s Rhythmic Circus, the percussive-dance phenomenon that features a variety of musical flavors, from Minneapolis funk to salsa, and enlivened by a seven-piece band, vocalists and a beat-boxer. Past highlights include opening for Savion Glover’s Bare Soundz and collaborating with Vocal Essence in Witness: A Tribute to Duke Ellington. They have built a reputation for leaving audiences on their feet and dancing in the aisles!
Tickets: VIP: $55 (prh3ium seating) A: $50 B: $35 C: $20 (limited balcony)
2011 Grammy Nominee, Bettye LaVette will use her sultry, soulful voice and years of musical talent to transport the audience back to the golden age of James Brown and Aretha Franklin. According to The Windy City Times, “In an age where the word ‘diva’ is often used freely, LaVette makes Aretha, Patti, Gladys, Chaka and, yes, even Tina sound lightweight.” Her numerous television appearances include The Obama Inaugural Celebration at The Lincoln Memorial. Ms. LaVette’s performance is guaranteed to bring you back and remind you of a smoother time.[/tab]
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Downtown Pittsfield, MA has scheduled dozens of winter holiday events for the weekend of Dec. 2, 3, 4, including the city of Pittsfield’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6pm Friday. Dec. 2. View and/or download the entire Holiday Pittsfield schedule.
Christmas and the concommitant commercial holiday gifting season are recognized by some Berkshires towns and organizations with special events, such as:
(Events at The Garage run from 9pm – Midnight and are free unless noted otherwise.)
English conductor Bramwell Tovey, who made a memorable Tanglewood debut in 2011 leading an acclaimed concert performance of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, returns to the Berkshires Friday, August 17, to conduct Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and two favorites by American composers. Augustin Hadelich takes the lead in Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, and the concert opens with Aaron Copland’s Suite from Appalachian Spring. On Saturday, August 18, Tanglewood celebrates a truly significant occasion as the Boston Pops and a host of renowned guests celebrate John Williams‘ 80th birthday. Among the artists who will make an appearance are Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, Anthony McGill, and Gabriela Montero.
For the Leonard Bernstein Memorial Concert on Sunday, August 19, one of the BSO’s and the festival’s most familiar and respected conductors leads the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra in two of the repertoire’s most familiar and respected works when Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos once again takes the podium, leading Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and collaborating with soloist Gil Shaham in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Shaham has been performing at Tanglewood history for almost twenty years.
The collective virtuosity of the BSO’s principal players is once again on display Wednesday, August 22, as the Boston Symphony Chamber Players take the Ozawa Hall stage for a wide-ranging program including music of Lukas Foss, J.S. Bach, Hindemith, and Mozart. As a tribute to Serge Koussevitszky, BSO principal double bass player, Edwin Barker, performs Bruch’s Kol nidrei in a transcription for bass and piano.
On Saturday, August 25, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos presides over a program of music from his native Spain. The concert begins with Maestro Frühbeck’s own arrangement of Albéniz’s Suite española, but the main event is a complete concert performance of Manuel de Falla’s La vida breve (Life is Short), an opera about the doomed love of a gypsy woman for an upper-class man, complete with Flamenco dancing and a Spanish folk singer, a program first performed under Maestro Frühbeck in 2003. The two lead roles are sung by mezzo-soprano Nancy Fabiola Herrera and tenor Vicente Ombuena.
The 2012 Tanglewood season comes to a close with its traditional performance of Beethoven’s transcendent Symphony No. 9, on Sunday, August 26. The big finale will be preceded this year by the world premiere of a BSO-commissioned new work by John Harbison. Vocal soloists for Beethoven’s Ninth are soprano Leah Crocetto, mezzo-soprano Meredith Arwady, tenor Frank Lopardo, and bass-baritone John Relyea.