Sing-A-Long to Prince's Purple Rain at MASS MoCA

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - Even though it has been 25 years since Purple Rain premiered, for most people the award-winning score is as memorable and singable now as it was the first time they heard it. For those who enjoy belting out Prince classics such as When Doves Cry, Let's Go Crazy or the film's title song Purple Rain, Thursday, August 13, will be a night not to miss under the stars at MASS MoCA.  At 8:30 P.M. in Courtyard C (or moving inside in case rain threatens) this screening of Purple Rain will feature karaoke-style lyrics to help anyone who needs a refresher. Costumes are encouraged.

The award-winning film and soundtrack have been critically acclaimed since the movie premiered in 1984. All Movie Guide says "[Purple Rain] is very entertaining and features an absolutely terrific musical score, one of the few to cop both an Oscar and a Grammy. Basically a fast-moving, carefully crafted music video, Purple Rain is fun...". Contact Movie Review elaborates on the "sexiness" of the film "Just try to take your eyes off the 25-year-old Prince as he flaunts his unmatchable musical talent and raw sex appeal, blasting his way through the best soundtrack of the '80s. Fast forward through the talking bits, and you've got one of the best concert DVDs ever filmed."

Purple Rain, the film, premiered in conjunction with Prince's Purple Rain album. The Minneapolis-based film develops as a fictional autobiographical look at the life of an '80s icon. The Kid (Prince) is working to make it big with his band The Revolution. Teenage angst, romantic relationships, musical rivals and self-reflection are predominant themes throughout the film. The Kid's relationship with Apollonia deepens as music rival Morris Day uses his wit to tempt her away. Reflections of his father's alcoholic behavior mesh with the teenage angst as he works to make it big in the Twin Cities.
 
Purple Rain Sing-A-Long is part of MASS MoCA's Thursday night film series which starts on August 6, with Iron Mule Short Comedy Film Festival and continues after Purple Rain with the Found Footage Festival on August 20, and the second Sing-A-Long film Labyrinth on August 27.

Tickets for Purple Rain Sing-A-Long are $10  (or get the fourth movie free if you buy tickets to three Thursday night movies.) MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office located off Marshall Street in North Adams, open from 10 A.M. until 6 P.M., everyday. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during Box Office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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