Weekend Preview August 11-16

Submitted by Seth Rogovoy on August 10, 2010 - 8:33pm

 


NIGHTCLUBBING with BACH
 
On Friday, the Berkshire Bach Society presents Bach and Forth, featuring the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME), hailed as “one of New York’s brightest new music indie-bands,” by Time Out New York. The performance, which will take place at Crissey Farms (426 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, Mass.), will be presented in a relaxed, nightclub-like setting. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm, and the concert begins at 8.
 
 
In Bach and Forth, ACME will perform string quartets influenced by the music of J. S. Bach, with a contemporary twist. Bach’s Art of the Fugue will be the point of departure for exploring the possibilities and innovations of the 21st century. String quartets grounded in the Art of the Fugue written by rising-star composers Ryan Streber and Timothy Andres, the former commissioned specifically for this concert, will be given world premieres. Andres, a former Tanglewood fellow, is a composer and pianist whose works and performances have been praised by Alex Ross (New Yorker) and Anthony Tommasini (New York Times), and has recently written a piece for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
 
 
 
ACME players for the concert includes two musicians who were recent fellows at the Tanglewood Music Center in nearby Lenox, Mass. – violinist Yuki Numata and violist Nadia Sirota – as well as ACME cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen and violinist Annaliesa Place.
 
 
 
ACME is dedicated to the outstanding performance of masterworks from the 20th and 21st centuries, primarily the work of American composers. Founded in 2004, the ensemble aims to present cutting-edge contemporary literature by living composers alongside the “classics” of the contemporary. A regular guest of (le) Poisson Rouge and the Wordless Music Series, ACME has also performed in New York at Carnegie Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Tenri Cultural Institute, the Noguchi Museum, the Whitney Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, the Flea Theater, Galapagos Art Space, and Columbia University's Miller Theatre, among others.
 
 
ACME does not subscribe to one stylistic movement; its concerts present all genres of contemporary music in the same light and with the same conviction. Time Out New York reports, “[Artistic Director Clarice] Jensen has earned a sterling reputation for her fresh, inclusive mix of minimalists, maximalists, eclectics and newcomers.” ACME’s dedication to presenting new music extends across genres – the ensemble has collaborated with bands and artists including Grizzly Bear (in concert and on their best-selling album, Veckatimest, featuring strings by Nico Muhly); electronica duo Matmos (on The Rose Has Teeth In The Mouth Of A Beast, with strings by Jefferson Friedman); Craig Wedren (former frontman of the avant-rock band Shudder To Think); prepared-pianist Hauschka; composers/performers Jóhann Jóhannsson, Max Richter, and Dustin O'Halloran, and Micachu & The Shapes.
 
 
 
In addition to a January tour with chart-topping pianist Simone Dinnerstein, 2010 concert highlights include a performance of Gorecki’s String Quartet No. 2 opening for Polish electroacoustic musician Jacaszek in February; a concert of music by John Luther Adams and Kevin Volans in March; the music of Louis Andriessen in April, all at (le) Poisson Rouge; and a performance as part of New Amsterdam Records’ Archipelago series at Brooklyn’s Galapagos Art Space in May. Other recent highlights include ACME’s Carnegie Hall debut performing the world premiere of Timothy Andres’ Senior with the New York Youth Symphony in Stern Auditorium; opening the TriBeCa New Music Festival at the Flea Theater; and a month-long residency at the Whitney Museum presented by the Wordless Music Series, for which ACME tailored a contemporary classical program to complement the indie-rock or electronica performer sharing the concert. For more information, please visit www.acmemusic.org.
 
 
JS Bach: Selections from The Art of Fugue
Ryan Streber: Repexus II (World Premiere)
Charles Ives: String Quartet No. 1, "From the Salvation Army"
Timothy Andres: Thrive on Routine (World Premiere)
 
 
The pieces by young composers Ryan Streber and Timothy Andres were commissioned by ACME specifically for this concert, and are inspired by Bach's music. Likewise, the piece by American icon Charles Ives also has many elements directly influenced by and borrowed from Bach.
 
 
During dinner and dessert, patrons will be treated to a breathtaking multimedia display of Michael Luckman's and Roger Johnston's "Fractal Art in Motion," played on the big screen accompanied by the music of Bach's Goldberg Variations, recorded by the brilliant pianist, Simone Dinnerstein. 
 
 
In a night club setting at Crissey Farm in the Jenifer House Commons
426 Stockbridge Rd/Route 7, Gt. Barrington
 

 
ALIEN MOTHER SHIP to LAND at MAHAIWE
 
Visionary filmmaker, innovator and entrepreneur, Douglas Trumbull hosts a pre-screening talk and post-screening Q&A including never-before-seen photos of the making of the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Monday, August 16, at 7, prior to a screening of the film. A post-screening Q&A will follow.
 
 
Doug Trumbull has enjoyed a long and prestigious technological and creative career in filmmaking. Trumbull’s early career included pioneering work in 1968 as one of four effects supervisors in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. He subsequently influenced moviegoers around the world with stunning visual effects in films such as The Andromeda Strain, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and Blade Runner. In addition, Trumbull directed the feature films Silent Running and Brainstorm. Trumbull has been the recipient of the American Society of Cinematographer's Lifetime Achievement Award, and has recently been selected by his peers as an honorary member of the Visual Effects Society (only the fifth to receive this distinction).
 
 
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind was written and directed by Steven Spielberg. After an encounter with UFOs, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss; Francois Truffaut; and Teri Garr. Running Time:132 minutes. Suggested Rating: PG-13 for some frightening moments.
 
 
Movie audiences are encouraged to arrive a half-hour prior to the advertised start time for this general admission seating event. The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is located at 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, Mass. For tickets or more information on The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center please phone the Box Office at: 413-528-0100 or visit online .
 
 
KYLE ABRAHAM at JACOB’S PILLOW
 
Dancer/choreographer Kyle Abraham brings his company Abraham.In.Motion to Jacob’s Pillow tonight through Sunday. The company will perform excerpts from The Radio Show, which explores the function of radio and memory in urban history, culture, and community and features music by Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Al Green, and Gladys Knight & The Pips; Inventing Pookie Jenkins, a solo for Abraham that deals with perceptions of masculinity and identity; and Op. 1, a world premiere inspired by the photography of Eadweard Muybridge.
 
 
 
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kyle Abraham brings together an ensemble from diverse personal and professional backgrounds to perform work rooted in his own life experiences. As a choreographer, Abraham uses his training in ballet, modern and hip hop dance as well as classical music to create investigations of human behavior and emotion through sleek, athletic movement. His work often focuses on provocative themes such as race, gender identity, and sexuality, and is often very personal in nature. He has been heralded by OUT Magazine as one of the “best and brightest creative talents to emerge in New York City in the age of Obama.”
 
 
 
Performance and Ticket Information
Wednesday, August 11 – Saturday, August 14, 8:15pm
Saturday, August 14 & Sunday, August 15, 2:15pm
 
 
 
ALAN AYCKBOURN COMEDY at BARRINGTON STAGE
 
Barrington Stage Company continues its 2010 Mainstage season with Alan Ayckbourn's social-climbing comedy, Absurd Person Singular, with performances beginning August 12 and running through August 29. A musical chairs comedy of social mobility, Absurd Person Singular centers on three British couples, three kitchens, on three successive Christmas Eves. 
 
 
 
Alan Ayckbourn is a 2010 Tony Award Winner for Lifetime Achievement and the author of over 70 plays.  Absurd Person Singular marks the first Alan Ayckbourn play presented at Barrington Stage Company. One of the most prolific and widely performed playwrights of our time Ayckbourn is the author of The Norman Conquests, Bedroom Farce, Woman in Mind, House & Garden, and many more.
 
 
The original Broadway run of Absurd Person Singular played 591 performances at the Music Box, and earned Tony Award nominations for cast members Larry Blyden (Sidney), Geraldine Page ( Marion ) and Carole Shelley (Jane). It also starred Sandy Dennis (Eva), Richard Kiley (Ronald) and Tony Roberts (Geoffrey). Eric Thompson directed. 
 
 
For ticket information, call 413-236-8888, stop by the BSC Box Office at 30 Union Street , or visit www.barringtonstageco.org.
 
 
POLITICAL SATIRE at the COLONIAL
 
Political satirist John Oliver will be at the Colonial in Pittsfield, Mass., on Saturday at 8. Oliver has been a writer and correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart since 2006. Oliver is currently hosting his own six episode series for Comedy Central, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show
 
 
As a result of his popularity on The Daily Show, Comedy Central asked John to write and star in his own one hour stand-up special, Terrifying Times, which premiered in April 2008 and was subsequently released on DVD.
 
 
In 2008 John starred in the Mike Myer’s movie, The Love Guru, and is currently appearing in a recurring role in the NBC series, Community. John is currently hosting his own six episode series for Comedy Central, John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show, where John will perform stand-up along with some of his favorite comedians. John has had multiple Writers Guild and Emmy Nomination for his writing on The Daily Show and in 2009 won the Emmy Award for Best Comedy Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series. John Oliver will be playing Vanity Smurf in the upcoming Smurfs movie.
 
 
Tickets are $45 and can be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street Monday-Friday 10AM-5PM, performance Saturdays 10AM-2PM, by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.thecolonialtheatre.org.
 
 
 
WILCOFEST LANDS AT MASS MoCA
 
Wilco’s first Solid Sound Festival, a three-day festival of music, art, comedy, film and interactivity, takes place at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., this Friday through Sunday. Joining the Chicago indie-rock band are gospel legend Mavis Staples; Wilco offshoot bands including Glenn Kotche's On Fillmore, the Nels Cline Singers, the Autumn Defense featuring John Stirratt and Pat Sansone, and Mikael Jorgensen’s Pronto;  Avi Buffalo; Vetiver; guitarist Sir Richard Bishop; Bennington, Vt., trio Mountain Man; Portland, Maine indie-rockers Brenda; North Adams, Mass., duo The Books; and Chicago's jazz combo the Deep Blue Organ Trio. 
 
 
Solid Sound will feature a performance by the legendary Vermont-based puppet theater company Bread and Puppet. Story Pirates, a nationally respected arts and creative writing organization which promotes literacy for kids and adults through creative writing, drama workshops and sketch comedy, will be on hand for multiple performances throughout the weekend.
 
 
Glenn Kotche's newly announced (and as-yet -untitled) interactive drum head installation will live within MASS MoCA's acclaimed exhibition Sol Lewitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective. Kotche will demonstrate and visitors will sample Kotche prepared drum heads to create different sounds throughout the multi-roomed, vibrantly painted, large-scale wall drawing exhibit.
 
 
The Solid Sound Stompbox Station, an interactive guitar pedal exhibit created and demonstrated by Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, will also be featured.
 
 
As part of Solid Sound, MASS MoCA will display an extensive collection of past and present Wilco concert posters. A poster screening demonstration by long time Wilco poster collaborator Ghost-Town Design will also be presented.
 
 
Additional art on display in the galleries during the festival includes Inigo Manglano Ovalleʼs Gravity is a Force to be Reckoned with, a major exhibition of work by Petah Coyne, Leonard Nimoyʼs Secret Selves and a new installation by Michael Oatman.
 
 
Kidspace at MASS MoCA, a gallery and art-making space for children and families, features You Art What You Eat. This is Kidspace's largest group show to date and involves five artists whose primary art material is food.
 
 
Festival attendees will have full access to the entire MASS MoCA campus, which incorporates 150,000 square feet of galleries. MASS MoCA, a renovated 19th century textile mill, is the largest center for contemporary, visual and performing arts in the U.S.
 
 
LUCY KAPLANSKY and RANI ARBO at GUTHRIE CENTER
 
Country blues, soulful singing, fiddle tunes—good guitars: the Guthrie Center Troubadour Series will offer up a healthy dose of these and more the weekend of August 13-14 when Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem play Friday night, followed by masterful new-folk singer-songwriter Lucy Kaplansky on Saturday.
 
 
Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem are a well-schooled group of musicians playing American roots music and are known for their great vocal harmonies and their fresh approach to “neo old-timey” music. Arbo plays fiddle and sings lead vocals, percussionist Scott Kessel, AKA Drumship Enterprise, just might take the stage with a cardboard box, a suitcase, and cymbals styled from the recycled cans bin in the Guthrie Center kitchen. Band members Anand Nayak on guitar and Andrew Kinsey on bass round out the rhythm section.
 
 
Saturday night’s show (shows both nights begin at 8 p.m., with a 6 p.m. opening of doors) will feature Red House Records artist Lucy Kaplansky — AKA Dr. Lucy Kaplansky, who is as good at entertaining as she is at analyzing. Kaplansky started her career as one of the young folk stars of Chicago, then New York, where she often teamed with Shawn Colvin, John Gorka, Suzanne Vega, and many others, and a stellar folksinging career seemed set. Drawn by an academic calling, however, that apparently would not be still, Kaplansky left the stage to earn a doctorate in Psychology before setting up practice in a New York hospital. Yet the need to sing—and sing very well she does—would not cooperate. Thus, the doctor is back in the house, and she is singing her acoustic-based, harmony-central repertoire of Americana tunes on stage again.
 
 
 
ZYDECO and NEW-FOLK at CLUB HELSINKI HUDSON
 
Rosie Ledet and the Zydeco Playboys hold forth with the rocking, bluesy sounds of the bayou at Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday night at 9, followed by new-folk singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson, one-third of the newly formed folk supergroup Red Horse (with Lucy Kaplansky and John Gorka) on Saturday at 9.
 
 
Rosie Ledet & The Zydeco Playboys has quickly become the act to watch on the zydeco circuit. Brimming with coy sensuality, Rosie's music is fresh and daring, while still retaining its links to its bayou Creole heritage. Rosie has a rare combination of talent, not only in the zydeco world, but in any musical genre. She can write top-notch award winning songs, hang with the best of them on her instrument, and can sing circles around her peers. Rosie is among the few zydeco artists who can still sing and write some of their own material in Creole French.
 
 
Eliza Gilkyson, an Austin, Texas-based folk musician. is the daughter of songwriter and folk musician Terry Gilkyson and Jane Gilkyson. She is the sister of guitarist Tony Gilkyson, who played with the Los Angeles-based cowpunk bands Lone Justice and X. A preeminent force on the new-folk scene for the last decade, Gilkyson recently teamed with Lucy Kaplansky and John Gorka to form the new-folk supergroup, Red Horse.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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