Triplex Cinema Receives Grant from Fitzpatrick Trust

Print Story | Email Story
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass — The Triplex Cinema was awarded a grant of $150,000 from the Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust. 
 
With this grant, The Triplex Cinema Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, joins a group of Berkshire County non-profits that have received major support from the Trust over the years, including Construct, Inc., IS 183 Art School (now the Berkshire Art Center), Jacob's Pillow, the Pittsfield Y and the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative.
 
According to a press release, the Jane and Jack Fitzpatrick Trust is a private charitable foundation established in 2004 by its namesake founders, who were known for their tradition of generosity and involvement within Berkshire County. 
 
In issuing the grant, the Foundation said: "The grant was approved knowing how important the Triplex is as an anchor in the community."
 
"That is exactly how we feel about the Triplex," Nicki Wilson, President of the Board of Triplex Cinema, Inc., said. "That it is an irreplaceable resource to the town of Great Barrington and all of the Berkshires. This grant serves as a major boost toward ensuring the November 17 th re-opening of two of our four theaters and bringing the Triplex back to life. We cannot thank the Trust's decision-makers enough."
 
Wilson indicated that there will be a "soft" opening of the two theaters at the Triplex on Friday, November 17, with showings of "The Holdovers," Alexander Payne's new movie starring Paul Giamatti, with the new "Trolls" movie opening on Nov. 22.
 
A third Triplex theater will open in mid-December just in time for the holidays. "Maestro" is scheduled to debut in that theater on Dec. 15 and there will be a talkback after the movie on Dec. 17 with Leonard Bernstein's daughter Nina interviewed by Stephen Wadsworth, a former collaborator of her father's and currently Director of Opera Studies at Juilliard.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Banjo Pickin' Gals At Bidwell House

MONTEREY, Mass. — On Aug. 10, Paula Bradley and Marylou Ferrante, going by the name Banjo Blue, will showcase the music of female banjo players from the 1920-1940's, along with their stories, songs and struggles. 
 
PAULA BRADLEY: A West Virginia-born multi-instrumentalist (banjo, guitar, banjo-uke, harmonica and piano), Paula has been involved in roots music for many years. Known for her strong, spirited vocals as well as her clogging, she has toured (on banjo) with old-time darlings "Uncle Earl"; with old-time powerhouse Bruce Molsky (on guitar and banjo uke); and recorded and toured with Tony Trischka and Bruce as part of the acoustic roots trio "Jawbone". She was also a founding member of the acclaimed old-time trio "The Rhythm Rats" as well as the popular New England honky tonk combo "Girl Howdy." For the last 18 years, she performed with her late husband, Bill Dillof, in the old-time duet "Moonshine Holler" as well as their trio with VT fiddler Jim Burns, “Run Mountain. She currently leads her own juke joint honkytonk band "Miss Paula & The Twangbusters" (piano and lead vocals) in addition to playing vintage country with Berkshire-based "The Spurs USA."
 
MARYLOU FERRANTE is an multi-instrumentalist who sings & performs old blues, old time, country & folk music on guitar, mandolin, dulcimer & banjo. Marylou's performances are filled with storytelling & history; she covers solo blues artists from the delta to east coast piedmont style players such as Charlie Patton, Son House, Robert Johnson as well as Memphis Minnie, Tampa Red and mandolin greats like Charlie McCoy & Yank Rachell as well as old time & country artist like The Carter Family, Cousin Emmy, Elizabeth Cotten. Her numerous performances include opening for Maria Muldaur. Her passionate expression of these old songs comes from a love of the music and the arrangements themselves, as well as what she says is an appreciation for "the history of these folks and the difficult circumstances they endured."
 
This program will take place outside under a tent and pre-registration is required. Tickets can be reserved on the Museum website, https://www.bidwellhousemuseum.org/event/banjo-pickin-gals/
 
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Tyringham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
View Full Story

More South Berkshire Stories