The Pillow Celebrates Merce Cunningham's 90th Birthday

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BECKET, Mass. - Merce Cunningham Dance Company, founded over half a century ago by modern dance pioneer Merce Cunningham and hailed as one of the world’s pre-eminent companies, returns to Jacob’s Pillow July 22-26 for a weeklong engagement celebrating the choreographer’s 90th birthday. The Pillow presents a six-performance retrospective of masterworks, two Cunningham-related PillowTalks, and a season-long exhibition titled The Art of Merce Cunningham that highlights his groundbreaking collaborations with visual artists.

Cunningham, who has a longstanding history with the Pillow, recently announced plans for the future of his company, making this season’s presentations all the more meaningful. Once Cunningham is no longer able to serve as Artistic Director, his company will embark on a two-year international tour, concluding with a final performance in New York City before disbanding. As a result, this could well be the last time Merce Cunningham Dance Company will perform at Jacob’s Pillow. 

Merce Cunningham was honored with the 2009 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award at the Pillow’s Season Opening Gala. The Award, which honors and supports visionary choreographers, is made possible by a generous anonymous donor. Given each year to an outstanding choreographer, the award carries a cash prize of $25,000 to be used by the artist in any way they choose.

“Merce Cunningham is a brilliant thinker, dancemaker, and extraordinary person altogether,” comments Jacob’s Pillow Executive Director Ella Baff. “He has changed the way we see and understand dance and music. We are proud to honor his contributions to our field and his long-standing relationship with the Pillow, which dates back to 1955. It is with great respect and admiration that we present him with the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Award during his 90th birthday year.”
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Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting a smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settle neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

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