A screening of Wild Man Blues at New Marlborough Meeting House

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NEW MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – A screening of Wild Man Blues, the 1997 documentary directed by two-time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple, will be held on Saturday, August 22 at 7:30pm in the New Marlborough Meeting House.

The film offers a rare glimpse of filmmaker and actor Woody Allen as jazz clarinetist touring Europe with his New Orleans Jazz Band. Independent filmmaker, Simon’s Rock faculty member and New Marlborough resident Lawrence Burke will introduce the film. The film’s editor Larry Silk will host a question and answer period following the screening and will offer additional commentary on the much revered and occasionally reviled writer, director and musician. 

Accompanying Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band on their 1996 European tour, this skillfully crafted documentary will be of interest to lovers of music and cinema alike. The title takes it name from a composition alternatively attributed to Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong and reflects Allen’s love for New Orleans blues and ragtime. The jubilant music provides a rich backdrop for the often witty, sometimes cranky, foot-tapping star in this delightful documentary.

The grand tour of Europe complete, the film’s finale takes place back in New York when Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, his wife to be, pay a visit to his elderly parents. The underwhelmed reaction of his parents to their son’s success provides a poignant counterpoint to the fanaticism of his European fans as his mother wonders aloud whether he would have been more successful as a pharmacist

Fans of Woody Allen’s film will delight in this behind the scenes look at the famous comedian in the year before his Venice wedding. Wild Man Blues was awarded the National Board of Review’s Best Documentary Award for 1998.

Larry Silk’s editing credits span over half a century and include three Academy Award winning films. He is a faculty member at New York University and owns a second home in Monterey.

Music & More is in its seventeenth year of bringing music, film, authors and art to New Marlborough and beyond. All events are held in the newly renovated performance space in the splendid 1839 Greek revival Meeting House on the town green and are followed by a reception in the Meeting House art gallery where attendees can enjoy a glass of wine and meet the featured performers.

Tickets are $20 each ($15 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association) and are available in advance or at the door on the day of the event (subject to availability). Please call (413) 229-2785 or visit www.newmarlborough.org for further information. The New Marlborough Meeting House and Gallery are located on Route 57 on the village green in the center of New Marlborough.

Enjoy a 10% discount at the Old Inn On The Green following each event. Advance reservations are required. Call (413) 229-7924.

MUSIC & MORE 2009 UPCOMING EVENTS

AUGUST 29 – TRIO SOLISTI
Recently called “the most exciting piano trio in America” by The New Yorker magazine, critically acclaimed Trio Solisti will perform music by Turina, Schoenfeld, Piazzolla and Mussorgsky. 4:30pm., Tickets are $25 each ($20 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association)

SEPTEMBER 5 – FROM MOZART TO STRAVINSKY
A concert showcasing the unusual union of clarinet with violin or viola and piano. The highlight of the afternoon will be the performance of the Stravinsky’s brilliant theatre piece The Soldier’s Tale - a timely Faust inspired story that warns of the dangers related to the quest for financial gain. 4:30pm., Tickets are $25 each ($20 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association)

SEPTEMBER 12 - CALLIOPE: A RENAISSANCE BAND
Calliope will perform music from the Renaissance to the present day played on early instruments. 4:30pm., Tickets are $25 each ($20 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association)

SEPTEMBER 26 – A LATE AFTERNOON OF GREAT JAZZ, FINE WINES AND FOOD,
International jazz vocalist Tessa Souter performs a concert of contemporary jazz. Following the concert there will be a premium wine and food tasting hosted by Domaney’s Liquors & Fine Wines of Great Barrington, MA. 4:30pm.,  Tickets are $25 each ($20 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association)

OCTOBER 3 - AWARD WINNING AUTHORS HOSTED BY MITCHEL LEVITAS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
Nationally recognized writers Roy Blount Jr, Jayne Anne Phillips and Elizabeth Kolbert will share the process of writing their recently published works and its related triumphs and frustrations. 4:30pm., Tickets are $20 each ($15 for members of the New Marlborough Village Association)
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Weekend Outlook: Juneteenth and Pride Celebration

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this weekend including parades, parties and celebrations.

Editor's Choices

10th Annual Berkshire Pride Festival and Parade
The Common Park, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 11 a.m.

The 10th annual pride parade and festival with fun games, performances, food, and more.

More information here.

Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival
Bowe Field, Adams
Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Visit the faerie realm in the Berkshires with food, music, activities, dancing and more. Tickets are sold at the gate for $12 and $5 for kids 12 and under.

More information here.

Juneteenth Celebration
Durant Park, Pittsfield
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March to the park starts at City Hall, followed by music, dance, food, history and more hosted by NAACP Berkshires. The event is free and open to everyone.

Find a full schedule of the day's events here.

Friday 

Switch and Snacks: Teen Programming
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 2:30 p.m.

Teens are invited to bring their Nintendo Switches; there also will be multiple games and snacks for kids to enjoy and have fun.

More information here.

Common Craft Night
165 East Main St., North Adams
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

Bring your craft and work with other people that might be doing the same thing as you.

More information here.

Friday Karaoke 
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.

Belt out some of your favorite tunes and show off your voice.

More information here.

Wine Parlor & Bites
Revival House, Adams
Time: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
 
The Revival House on Commercial Street is hosting chef Xavier Jones for a popup restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays in June. Limited menu; $5 reservation includes beverage. 
 
More information here

Saturday 

UNO Block Party
UNO Community Center, North Adams
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.

The annual neighborhood block party features music, games, food, and more activities to enjoy.

More information here.

Stacy Schiff on Samuel Adams
Adams Theater, Park Street
Time: 4 p.m.
 
In conversation with Sara Houghteling, Pulitzer Prize-winner Stacy Schiff will explore the origins of the American Revolution as detailed in her latest work, "The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams," for whom the town is named. Schiff is an Adams native and Williams College graduate. 
 
Tickets and more information here

Scenic Summer Tours
Mount Greylock, Adams
Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a free tour with a park interpreter to learn about Mount Greylock's history and more that make the Summit popular.

More information here.

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