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Our
Mission
To
preserve
our historic building
and provide cultural
and educational
programs
for
our community.
Sandisfield Arts Center
5 Hammertown Road
PO Box 31
Sandisfield, MA 01255
413-258-4100
sandisfieldartscenter.org
Our programs are supported,
in part, by grants from
the Otis Cultural Council, and
the
Sandisfield Cultural Council,
all local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council,
a state agency.
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Box Office Information and Directions to the Arts Center |
2009 Performance Season
FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION FOR ANY OF THESE EVENTS,
CALL 413-258-4100 OR CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US.
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Saturday, April 18 at 7PM
A Benefit Evening to Help SArC
Raise Money For Our New Sound System
Adults $10; Children 14 and under $5.
A wild and wooly evening of local artists, young and old and in between. We have a “wicked” bluesy guitarist, a father and sons’ Latin trio, a passionate Tango dance, the Little Ballerinas of Sandisfield, two one-woman theatricals, stand-up comedy, clowning, magic and more.
There’s something for everyone!
Students from the
Farmington River
Elementary School
will exhibit drawings in
the gallery.
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 Saturday, May 30th
THE MOUNTAIN LAUREL BAND
Location: Fire Station #2, Route 57
A Benefit Concert for the  Sandisfield Fire Department
and SArC
6 PM: Hamburgers and Hotdogs for Sale
or Bring a Picnic!
7 PM: Concert (picnic hotdogs, etc.)
Adults $10; Children $5.
The Mountain Laurel Band has been playing for square and contra dances since 197 8.They will bring fiddles, dulcimer, guitar and caller to the fire house on the hill for an exciting evening of dancing and listening with your neighbors. |
 June 6th - June 28th
LEWIS SCHEFFEY, ARTIST
Opening Reception Saturday, June 6th
4-6 PM
Free
Lew Scheffey from Monterey is one of our most distinguished painters. His works are principally landscapes, en plein aire, painted around the world during his long productive life. Many of his paintings were inspired by the Berkshires and the Shawangunk Mountains in New York State. |
 Thursdays, June 11th, 18th, 25th, July 2nd
7-8PM with time after for practice
THURSDAY NIGHT TANGO
Anni Crofut and Mel Maliki will introduce the basics of form in tango…..connection, axis, balance - as well as simple steps to get you going. There will be wine, laughter and a lot of fun. Anni and Mel began dancing Tango in Bali; Anni studied briefly at the International Tango Congress in Buenos Aires and brings a strong dance background to her teaching. Mel will assist and demonstrate the lead for the men in the class. Couples only.
$40 per couple, includes 4 Thursday nights
To register call 413-274-6307
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 Saturday, June 13th
10 AM to Noon
THE ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
$15
Betsy Polatin teaches the Alexander Technique, a unique and gentle hands-on approach to body movement…in our first workshop. Trained in yoga, meditation and the healing arts, Betsy has taught in India, Japan, Korea and the United States.
Make a reservation for this workshop by calling
617-277-2224 or 413-258-2820
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 Saturday, June 20th
JUST SO STORIES
A Play by Castle Hill Theatre Company
Castle Hill Theater Company presents a highly imaginative production of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories, fanciful explanations of why the world is the way it is. Full of color and humor, this is the perfect show to share with your friends and family, young and old. CHTC was so inspired by Kipling’s stories that they wrote “How the Frog Learned to Leap” as a companion piece to the evening!
 But first, starting at 6 PM, there is an ICE CREAM SOCIAL!
Ice cream Social 6 PM
Performance 7 PM
Ice cream cones $3 apiece
Admission: $10 person; Children 14 and under admitted free
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 Saturday, June 27th 8 PM
VICTORIA AND HER EMPIRE:
An Evening of Words and Music
$20
The Victorian Era of the British Empire produced a surfeit of great books, songs, poems and plays. Sandisfield neighbors Ben Luxon and Simon Winchester, setting aside English politics, tell the story of fifty of those years (1870 to 1920) through its rich romantic and artistic legacy.
Ben Luxon CBE, one of Britain’s most renowned baritones, has performed in all of the world’s major opera houses. Having lost much of his hearing, Ben has turned to the spoken word.
Simon Winchester OBE, author, journalist and broadcaster, is probably best known for his unique works of non-fiction including the best seller The Professor and the Madman, A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, and his most recent, The Man Who Loved China. |
 July 5th - July 28th
JOE BAKER , ARTIST
Opening Reception Saturday, July 5th
4-6 PM
Free
Joe Baker is a landscape painter and student of the natural world who likes to paint on location “en plein aire” using both oil paint and pastels. He lives in Monterey, MA, and is also a musician, computer programmer and violin-maker.
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Saturday, July 11th & 18th 10:30 AM to Noon
AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE:
 A FORUM SERIES
$5
 July ll: The Roots of Free Speech
and Free Expression:
Val Coleman
 July 18: Americanism and
the Problem of Dissent
in the Twentieth Century: Bill Cohn
The 2009 Forum Series will be presented on two consecutive Saturday mornings, July 11 and July 18. The focus this year will be the origins of free speech, free expression and free thought and the challenges to those freedoms in the American historical experience. Bill Cohn and Val Coleman, both Sandisfield residents and SArC board members, will undertake an historical, legal and cultural assessment of our free speech provisions as outlined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
Audience participation is encouraged. |
Saturday, July 11th 8 PM
BOTTOM OF THE BUCKET and COMMON THREAD
$15
Two very popular Berkshire groups are brought
together for a joyous evening.
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Bottom of the Bucket band members
Eric Martin,
Stephen Enoch, Danny Garrigan-Byerly and
Bill Kopetchny playIrish, New England and French Canadian music on the fiddle, djembe, mandolin, guitar, banjo, bouzouki, penny whistle, viola and their hands and feet. |
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Common Thread’s
John Sellew,
Eric Martin and Jamie Vlcek
give us folk music from everywhere with a fiddle, a guitar
and three sweet voices.
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 July 7th - August 16th 8-9AM
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays
S-T-R-E-T-C-H into a Perfect Day
Lauren Paul’s “eclectic” yoga classes will stretch, tone, strengthen and relax the whole body, mind and spirit. Lauren is a licensed acupuncturist and certified shiatsu therapist with a background in dance. All experience levels are welcome.Choose one, two or three days a week.
To register call: 413-258-4296.
Prices are for the entire 6 weeks:
One day a week $90
Two days a week $165
Three days a week $215
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Saturday, July 25th 8 PM
MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SAMPLING
$12
John Meeks |
Joanne Spies |
Larry Zingale |
Francine Ciccarelli |
A
Join award-winning humorist John Meeks as he hosts an evening of different performing genres by talented Berkshire artists. Song, poetry, story, prose, humor, movement and the unexpected is to be expected. The evening is presented in the format of a variety show with the informality of an open-mike night. The lineup includes: JoAnne Spies, singer/songwriter
Larry Zingale, fiction writer
Francine Ciccarelli, vocalist with Peter K, guitarist
Dylan Lundgren, slam poet
Roz Peis, performance artist
Darlene White, storyteller
and the welcoming warmth and humor of John Meeks. |
Peter K. |
Dylan Lundgren |
Roz Peis |
Darlene White |
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 August 8th through August 30th
SANDY PARISKY, ARTIST
Opening Reception Saturday, August 8th
4-6 PM
Free
Sandy Parisky’s paintings reflect his interest in the play of light and shadow. Inspired by the subject matter at hand, be it landscape or the geometric shapes and textures in still-life painting, Sandy works in pastel, gouache, watercolor and acrylic mediums. |
 Saturday, August 8th 8 PM
TRIPLE PLAY
A Benefit Concert for the Bill Crofut Arts Fund for Children
$20
“Triple Play” is a legend at the Sandisfield Arts Center. These three incredibly gifted musicians fill the house and raise the roof whenever they appear here. Chris Brubeck (electric bass, bass trombone, piano and voice), Peter “Madcat” Ruth (harmonica, guitar, jaw harp, percussion and vocals), and Joel Brown (folk and classical guitarist and singer) bring a new level of joy and the American spirit to folk, blues, jazz and classical music. They have just returned from their second trip to Singapore where they played with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
Chris, Joel and Madcat dedicate this concert to their dear friend, collaborator and colleague, the late Bill Crofut.
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 Saturday, August 22nd 10:30 AM to Noon
“ACE THE CROSSWORD" Workshop
$5
Michelle Arnot is a puzzle pro who will share the behind-the-scenes secrets of the NY Times crosswords…. Pencils with erasers will be provided as Michelle takes you through the arcane world and tricks of puzzle solving. Her latest book is entitled Four Letter Words.
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 Saturday, August 29th 8 PM
RACHEL LUXON
Soprano
$20
Rachel’s beautiful, effortless coloratura voice has touched all of us at the Arts Center. We welcome her back. Rachel sang with all of the major British Touring Opera Companies before the arrival of her two children. Rachael brings her voice of exceptional range and ability from England, where she resides with her family. She will sing a mixed program of songs and arias accompanied by Herbert Burtis, a Sandisfield neighbor who is one of America’s leading vocal teachers. |
Fridays, Sept. 4th through Nov. 20th 7:30 PM
FILM FRIDAYS:
“A Movie, a Glass of Wine and Talk.”
$5
For twelve Friday evenings, three distinguished local movie enthusiasts will host some of their favorite films, using our fancy new projector.
The hosts and their choices are as follows:
Simon Winchester
British classics, the films of
William Powell and
Emeric Pressburger
Sept. 4th “I Know Where I’m Going”
Sept. 25th “The Red Shoes”
Oct. 16th “The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp”
Nov. 6th “A Canterbury Tale”
 Diego Ongaro
Classic French New Wave Films
Francois Truffaut’s Tetralogy
Sept. 11th “400 Blows”
Oct. 2nd “Stolen Kisses”
Oct. 23rd “Bed and Board”
 Nov. 13th “Love on the Run
Bonner McAllester
Films of Social and Political Consequence
Sept. 18th “Salt of the Earth” (labor, social justice) Herbert Biberman
Oct. 9th “The Widow of St. Pierre” (capital punishment) Patrice Leconte
Oct. 30th “Focus” (prejudice) Neal Slavin
Nov. 20th “Dr. Strangelove or How I Stopped Worrying and Loved the Bomb” (nuclear disarmament) Stanley Kubrick
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September 4th through
September 27th
FLORA PARISKY AND RICHARD MIGOT,
Photographers
Opening Reception
Saturday, September 12th
4-6 PM
Free
 Flora Parisky has been taking photographs of travels in Europe and the United States since 1962 with standard SLR and point-and-shoot cameras. These photos are of beloved places, most visited over and over again.
Richard Migot has been photographing scenes of Sandisfield and the Berkshires since 1999 including the “Millennium Photo Project” and the Sandisfield calendar. This show features photographs of the Barrington Fairgrounds and photos taken in and around the Berkshires.
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 Saturday, September 12th 8 PM
KENN MORR,
Singer/Songwriter
$15
Kenn Morr and his band bring us a soft brand of acoustic folk rock that reminds us of a simpler time in America…with lyricism and accessibility. Named “Best New Band” and “Best Solo Artist” by the Hartford Advocate, the group includes percussionist Bob Gaspar, bassist Dan Hocott and Tom Hagymasi on the accordion, violin and bouzouki.
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 Saturday, September 19th 7:30 PM
KARL SALITER'S CIRCUS COMEDY
Adults $10; Children $5
This is for the entire family…..a wonderful show featuring high unicycles, juggling, audience participation and continuous laughter! See “The Amazing Cup Dive,” “The Miniature Bicycle of Death” and “The Man in the Balloon” all in one swell foop! Karl has been touring this one-man show for 23 years. He will perform highlights from his “fire routines” in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Pagliacci.”
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 PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES BELOW:
October 3rd 17th through November 1st
ERIKA CROFUT, ARTIST
Opening Reception Saturday, 3rd October 17th
4-6 PM
Free
“I love the process of transforming a thought into something physical that can be shared with people and I use my art to express my amazement and gratitude for how beautiful an average day can be, to question how and why some things inspire me, and how I might fit into this mix of inspirations.”
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 Saturday, October 3rd 8 PM
STEPHEN SMITH, VOCALIST
CANCELLED
A Massachusetts native and Sandisfield resident, Stephen Smith sings from The Great American Songbook, a group of songs that have defined the depth and intimacies of American culture for generations. Stephen sings with a compelling baritone and a lifelong love of the lyric. He will be accompanied by the Boston-based pianist Joe Reid. |
 Saturday, October 17th 8 PM
JOEL BROWN, GUITAR
FRANK BROWN, CLARINET
$20
We welcome back one of the founding musicians of the Arts Center, the guitarist-teacher-classicist Joel Brown, this time with veteran jazz clarinetist Frank Brown. Joel and Frank have been making music together since 1956, the year Joel was born and Frank became his father. Joel’s career has taken him to Lincoln Center, Tanglewood, the London Symphony and Carnegie Hall. A member of “Triple Play”, Joel is well-known to Sandisfield audiences. Frank has performed with the Dukes of Dixie and often with Joel, Chris Brubeck and the late Bill Crofut. Together, the father and son will present an evening of jazz, classical and beyond. |
 November 7th
through
December 6th
8 PM
Opening Reception
Saturday, November 7th 4-6 PM
The Farmington River Elementary School STUDENT ART SHOW
Students of teacher Lucinda Shmulsky will exhibit works highlighting the variety of drawing techniques studied throughout the school year. Join us for the opening and express your support for Sandisfield’s youthful artists.
(“Still Life Art Supplies” Drawing by Janey Beardsley Grade 4)
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 PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES BELOW:Saturday, December 12th 5th 7 PM
(With Snow Date of December 12th)
THE HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!
Each year, the Arts Center closes its season with a grand, rollicking Holiday Extravaganza that rivals Rockefeller Center. It’s all fortified with acres of sweets and cookies…mulled wine and hot cider! (Drawing by Dana Yee)
Adults $5. Children under 14 free.
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BOX OFFICE
CALL 413-258-4100 OR CLICK HERE TO EMAIL REQUEST.
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Generally, tickets for events at the Sandisfield Arts Center may be purchased at the door on the night of the performance, however RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
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While reservations guarantee you a seat, seating is on the first come, first served basis
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Children 12 and under are admitted FREE, unless otherwise noted.
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DIRECTIONS TO THE SANDISFIELD ARTS CENTER
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The historic Sandisfield Arts Center building is located at 5 Hammertown Road off Route 57 in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. A small town noted for its scenic beauty and historic homes, Sandisfield is approximately 25 minutes east of Gt. Barrington, MA, north of Winsted, CT, and south of Becket, MA.
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From Great Barrington, take Route 23 East to 57 East. Signs will guide you to the Arts Center which is approximately 1.5 miles past the Sandisfield Fire House. There is a sharp left turn on 57. The Arts Center is the third left down the hill after this turn, and it will be the first building on your left.
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From Otis, take Route 8 south to the junction of 8 and 57. Take a right onto 57W and go for about 3 miles. The Arts Center will be on your right.
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