CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA DECEMBER 5TH

On Saturday, December 5 at 7 p.m., the Sandisfield Arts Center will host its annual Christmas show. Now in its seventh year, the event features a wide range of performers, from toddlers in tutus dancing to the Nutcracker Suite to venerable authors and actors lending their skills to present original material or classics with class.

This year, Dawn Lane & Co. will perform “Kings Reign: Queens Rule,” a music visualization of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" in which dancers perform original sign language for each lyric of this choral work. Choreographer, Dawn Lane, is joined by dancers Lorimer Burns and Jane Goodrich in this humorous piece that includes audience participation.

Elizabeth Petty, music teacher at Farmington River Elementary School in Otis, will conduct a small choir of her students and also accompany the audience in Christmas caroling. Other performers include singer/songwriter, Jeffrey Folmer, who doubles as Executive Director of Ventfort Hall, and author, Val Colman, reading an original short story called, “Christmas in Louisiana.”

Tickets for this popular event are $5 for adults. Children are admitted free. The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield. For directions and more information, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call (413) 258-4100.

October Line up at Sandisfield Arts Center

Movies, music and art are scheduled throughout the month of October at the Sandisfield Arts Center. The historic building was once a Baptist Meeting House and orthodox synagogue, and is now home to year-round cultural and educational programming.

The Friday night film series is in full swing starting on October 2nd with Truffaut’s “Stolen Kisses.” Other films include “The Widow of St. Pierre” on October 9, “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp” on October 16, “Bed and Board” on October 23rd, and “Focus” on October 30th. Each film starts at 7:30 p.m. and is hosted by a local film enthusiast including author, Simon Winchester, filmmaker, Diego Ongaro, and naturalist, Bonner McAllester.

On Saturday, October 3rd, the work of artist, Erica Crofut will be on display with a reception from 4pm-6pm. The art will remain in the gallery through November 1st.

Guitarist, Joel Brown, returns to the Sandisfield Arts Center on October 17th, this time with his father, Frank Brown, on clarinet. Father and son will present an evening of jazz, classical and beyond.

For more information and directions, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call (413) 258-4100.

Tina Sotis Issues 2010 Calendar

Sandisfield artist, Tina Sotis, has released a 2010 calendar featuring 12 of her paintings. The calendar measures 11x 17 when fully opened, and sports a satin cord that keeps the pages together and provides a hanging mechanism.

Tina Sotis paintings emphasize light, shadow, space and the mystery of how alone and yet how related we all are. Her work is in collections nationwide. The images selected were chosen from over 200 works created throughout Sotis’ career and represent some of her favorite paintings. “I like the idea of sharing a collection of my work in a format that everyone can afford,” said Sotis.

Calendars are $18 each†(3 or more $15 each). The calendar in its entirety is available for viewing online at www.tinasotis.com. To order, call (413) 258-8166.

SANDISFIELD CULTURAL COUNCIL SEEKS PROPOSALS

SANDISFIELD, MA -- The Sandisfield Cultural Council has set an October 15 postmark deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Sandisfield and surrounding towns including exhibits, festivals, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures.

The Sandisfield Cultural Council will also entertain funding proposals from schools and youth groups through the PASS Program, which provides subsidies for school-age children to attend cultural field trips.

The Sandisfield Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community.

This year, the Sandisfield Cultural Council will distribute about $4,000 in grants. Previously funded projects include: Berkshire Theatre Festival and Shakespeare & Co. residencies in the schools, class trips for Farmington River Regional School children, concerts for Seniors, and support for Sandisfield Arts Center programs. The Sandisfield Cultural Council is currently seeking new members.

For specific guidelines and additional information, contact Liana Toscanini at (413) 258-4904 or liana@communityaccesstothearts.org. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org/lcc_public.asp. Application forms are also available at Town Hall, the library and the post office.

SEPTEMBER EVENTS AT SANDISFIELD ARTS CENTER

Sandisfield, MA – On Friday evening, September 4th, The Sandisfield Arts Center launches a 12-week film series featuring local hosts, commentary, and refreshments. Screenings take place on Friday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Tickets are $5.

Author and film enthusiast, Simon Winchester, opens the series on September 4th with “I Know Where I’m Going,” a 1945 romance by the British-based filmmakers Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Winchester will introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards. On September 25th, he will host “The Red Shoes.”

On September 11, French filmmaker and Sandisfield resident, Diego Ongaro, will host the 1959 Truffaut film, “400 Blows.” Bonner McAllester of Monterey will host “Salt of the Earth” on September 18 based on a 1951 zinc miner's strike that took place in Silver City, New Mexico.

Singer/Songwriter, Kenn Morr (named “Best New Band” by the Hartford Advocate), performs on September 12th at 8PM. Tickets are $15. Earlier that evening, two Sandisfield photographers host an opening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Richard Migot features photographs of the Berkshires and Flora Parisky presents photographs of her travels in Europe and the United States.

On Saturday, September 19, Karl Saliter’s Circus Comedy takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with fun for the whole family. The show features unicycles, juggling, audience participation and continuous laughter. Tickets for adults are $10, $5 for children.

These programs are made possible by grants from the Sandisfield and Otis Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield. For directions, reservations and more information about the historic building and upcoming programs, visit www.sandisfieldartscenter.org or call 258-4100.

Variety Show at Sandisfield Arts Center July 25

On Saturday, July 25th at 8 P.M., award-winning humorist, John Meeks will host an evening of different performing genres by talented Berkshire artists. The variety show takes place at the Sandisfield Arts Center on Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield. Tickets are $12.

Song, poetry, story, prose, humor, movement, and the unexpected are to be expected. The evening is presented with the informality of an open-mike night and includes singer/songwriter, JoAnne Spies, slam poet, Dylan Lundgren, performance artist, Roz Peis, and storyteller, Darlene White. Vocalist, Francine Ciccarelli, and guitarist, Peter K, round out the performance along with the warmth and humor of John Meeks.

This program is funded in part by grants from the Sandisfield and Otis Cultural Councils, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Historical Society Fair

The Sandisfield Historical Society Fair was held on July 11, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the meeting house. State Representative, Smitty Pignatelli, and State Senator, Ben Downing, attended the ceremony and presented the Historical Society with a plaque commemorating the event. Good weather was welcomed by all!