Happening this Week
TWO LOOKS AT RACE RELATIONS IN US
W.E.B. DU BOIS LECTURE: NAACP PRESIDENT CORNELL BROOKS
April 26th, Wednesday 7PM
Cornell Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP, is delivering the 21st W.E.B. Du Bois lecture at Simon’s Rock—an annual event celebrating the legacy of the Great Barrington native and NAACP founding member. Brooks has recently been in the news for defending the NAACP’s moratorium on charter schools, staging a sit-in to protest the nomination of Jeff Session for AG and decrying recent evidence of KKK activity in the present political climate. Free.
Simon’s Rock. Daniel Arts Center. McConnell Theatre. 84 Alford Road. Great Barrington MA. 413.644.4400
While in Great Barrington discover our favorite things!
BOOK TALK WITH NICK CAVE
April 28th, Friday 6PM
MASS MoCA curator Denise Markonish will be facilitating a discussion between the artist Nick Cave, the Head of Chicago’s Police Board and Task Force on Police Accountability, Lori Lightfoot, and the Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Williams, Rhon Manigault-Bryant. They will touch upon our country’s most tenuous and confounding dilemmas: gun control, gun violence and race relations. $5 Advance. $8 Day of. Free for Students & Members.
MASS MoCA. Hunter Center. 1040 MASS MoCA Way. North Adams. MA. 413.662.2111
FREE TO READ: INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY
April 29th, Saturday All-day
Join over 490 independent bookstores in 48 states for parties, author readings, in-store events, and exclusive day-of merchandise. At Merritt Bookstore enjoy a literary scavenger hunt, “The Shetland Tea Murder” murder mystery game and tea at 3PM as well as crafts, story time and prizes. Both locations of Oblong Bookstore are also hosting events including a sing along of protest songs and a courtesy cocktail! Free.
Merritt Bookstore. 57 Front Street. Millbrook NY. 845.677.5857.
Oblong Books Millerton. 26 Main Street. Millerton NY. 518.789.3797
Oblong Books Rhinebeck. 6422 Montgomery Street. Rhinebeck NY. 845.876.0500.
SHADOW PUPPETRY WORKSHOP: LIFE UNDER THE RIVER
April 29th, Saturday 10:30AM-Noon and 1-2:30PM
As part of Be River Smart month coordinated by the Housatonic Valley Association, children and adults alike are invited to bring out their creative sides while simultaneously getting in touch with the life under our brooks, streams and ponds. Participants will create hinged shadow puppets and, under Ms. Babcock’s guidance, will create a short, shadow puppet play that will be presented at the end of the workshop. Reregister in advance. Free.
Berkshire Athenaeum. One Wendell Avenue. Pittsfield MA. 413.499.9480
ART FOR ALL: WHITING MILLS SPRING OPEN STUDIOS
April 29-30, Saturday & Sunday 11AM-5PM
The Artists at Whiting Mills—a unique and creative community of artists, craftspeople & retailers—are opening up their studio to offer a true look into their creative processes. The talented and diverse group specializes in fiber arts, herbal products, basket weaving, woodworking and more, and the space boasts both photography and yoga studios. This fun and festive weekend will include studio demonstrations, guest artists and plenty of food. Free.
Whiting Mills. 100 Whiting Street. Winsted CT. 860.738.2240
DON’T MISS OUT!
Mayfest @ Crissey Farm. Annual fundraiser for Construct Berkshires. Don’t miss out on this incredibly food event featuring offerings from local standouts The Prairie While, Café Adam, John Andrews, Rawson Brook Farm and more. Register by May 1st on Construct Inc.’s website. Call 413.528.1985 with questions.