The weekend’s cultural highlights in the region include a Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright at the microphone and piano; a world-renowned jazz trumpeter inaugurating a new venue; the editor of a new collection of essays on womanhood; a museum exhibition of Saturday morning cartoon classics; and a whole lot more.
The multi-talented Eisa Davis - an acclaimed actress and Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright – sits down at the piano in Club B10 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., for an intimate evening of her intense, minimalist soul-pop on Saturday at 8pm. Her subtle sound recalls piano-playing soul singers such as Nina Simone, Laura Nyro, and Carole King.
Cuban-born Grammy Award-winner Arturo Sandoval and his band bring their distinctive Afro-Cuban sound to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Mass., on Saturday as part of the Clark’s opening weekend celebration of its newly renovated Manton Research Center. The concert inaugurates the Clark’s newly renovated auditorium, which features state-of-the art sound systems and acoustics and upgraded and accessible seating.
Writer-editor Cathi Hanauer will discuss the new book, “The Bitch is Back: Older, Wiser, and Getting Happier,” a collection of essays by writers including Kate Christensen, Sarah Crichton, Debora Spar, Ann Hood, Veronica Chambers, and Hanauer herself, at The Mount in Lenox, Mass., on Sunday at 2pm, in the Drawing Room of the Main House.
“Hanna-Barbera: The Architects of Saturday Morning,” a new exhibition featuring the work of the creative team behind such memorable Saturday morning cartoons as “The Yogi Bear Show,” “The Flintstones,” and “The Jetsons,” goes on view at Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., on Saturday, and remains on display through May 29 of next year. There will be a special exhibition preview talk by Jerry Beck, animation historian and author of “The Hanna-Barbera Treasury,” on Saturday at 4pm.
Gothic-folk artists Dust Bowl Faeries and Luis Mojica will bring their ethereal sounds to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday at 8pm. The unique compositions of Dust Bowl Faeries have roots in folk, alternative, and vaudeville music. Luis Mojica weaves words, chants, and sounds through a loop pedal combining Baroque-style compositions with beatbox and pop percussion.
And finally, Music critic Peter Aaron, poet Danniel Shoonebeek, and novelist Allison Amend will read from their works at Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson, N.Y., on Saturday at 7pm, as part of Volume, the free monthly reading and music series held every second Saturday of the month. The readings will be followed by book-signing and a set by DJ Mike Mosby.
Seth Rogovoy is editor of Berkishire Daily and the Rogovoy Report, available online at rogovoyreport.com The views expressed by commentators are solely those of the authors.