Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, as Mary Bennet, in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley; photo by Olivia Winslow.
Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, as Mary Bennet, in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley; photo by Olivia Winslow.

Will Call #63: Utter Whimsy and Dust Bowl Faeries, plus Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

November 21, 2017
by

5th Annual Whimsy at the Whitney Center for the Arts, with afterparty tunes provided by the Dust Bowl Faeries; AND a costumed, elaborately staged reading of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at Shakespeare & Company.

Today is Tuesday, November 21st, 2017, and you’re listening to Episode 63 of Will Call, here at the Greylock Glass. I’m your host, Jason Velazquez, and I have to say welcome to all our listeners, and thanks for tuning in. I am so pleased to announce that this episode is sponsored by the newest supporter of the Greylock Glass, The Spirit Shop of Williamstown, located at 280 Cole Avenue, purveyors of fine wines, a masterfully curated selection of domestic and imported beers, local hard ciders, and a full range of liquors—if you check your cabinet and find your holiday entertaining supplies lacking, a trip to the Spirit Shop, might just be the solution you’re looking for.

5th Annual Whimsy
December 1, 2017; 5–8 p.m.
Whitney Center for the Arts
42 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, Mass.

The Spirit Shop, 280 Cole Avenue, Williamstown, Massachusetts
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We speak with Leo Mazzeo, curator at the Whitney Center for the Arts in Pittsfield, who’ll tell us about the offerings at the 5th Annual Whimsy taking place December 1st. This art exhibition features a diverse collection of artists who all have in common an imagination that fits perfectly with the aspirations of this yearly delight. An after-party with entertainment by the Dust Bowl Faeries. This event, part of the First Fridays Art Walk, is definitely worth bundling up and heading out into December for.

(from information submitted by the Whitney Center for the Art)

Leo Mazzeo; image courtesy Leo Mazzeo, via Facebook.
Leo Mazzeo, curator at the Whitney Center for the Arts; image courtesy Leo Mazzeo, via Facebook.

 

The 5th Annual Whimsy

For four previous holiday seasons, and now a fifth, the Whitney Center for the Arts has presented a whimsical art exhibit for the months of December and January. This year, in spectacular fashion, “Fifth Annual Whimsy” will open @ the Whit, 42 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA with a very special evening beginning on December 1, 5-8PM during the First Fridays Artswalk.

"Fecundity," 2017, by Misa Chappell
“Fecundity,” 2017, by Misa Chappell

A not to be missed After Party will follow 8-10PM with a live multi-media musical performance by the Dust Bowl Faeries.

This edition of Whimsy will feature an intriguing mix of artwork by Nancy Baumiller, Michael Boroneic, Misa Chappell, Ryder Cooley, Katherine Haig, Don Orcutt, and Marney Schorr.

Nancy Baumiller is a multi-media collage artist based in the mid-west. This will be her first show @ the Whit, and her creations will be sure to dazzle.

Michael Boroneic is well on his way to making a big impression beyond the regional art scene. His latest spiral series ceramics work is making an international impression in gallery shows, and major art fairs.

Misa Chappell, as curator of the North Adams-based Common Folk artists collective, is a dynamic arts leader on the rise. Her artwork shows great command over a multitude of mark-making processes.

EP Listening Party
The Dust Bowl Faeries soon to be released EP
January 21, 2018; 7:00 p.m.
Club Helsinki
Hudson, New York

"Dream," by Ryder Cooley.
“Dream,” by Ryder Coole

Ryder Cooley is an interdisciplinary artist, musician, and performer. Cooley is an alumni of the Whimsy shows, and we are very excited to have her back for this edition. Her and her band mates comprise the Dust Bowl Faeries. She also emcees the Open Mic Night every Tuesday at Club Helsinki.

You can check out an excellent chronicling of the October 2013 DownStreet Art event during Cooley’s tenure as MCLA’s Gallery 51 manager at Leo’s own site, arts indie. The Dust Bowl Faeries blew the minds of the assembled art enthusiasts at the Branch Gallery on Holden Street. His photos perfectly capture some of the energy of the evening.

The Faeries show will be an absolute spectacle with sights, sounds, and performance unlike most anything most folks have ever experienced.

Katherine Haig, also an important figure with the Common Folk artists collective, combines great technique with washes and line work to give vehicle to a most definite wry sense of narrative.

Don Orcutt’s work reflects the human condition through symbolism, surrealistic satire, humor, and a bit of the dark side. “I have always had a fascination with the human psyche, and its relationship to science, deep space, and so on…”

"Reminiscence," by Katherine Haig.
“Reminiscence,” by Katherine Haig.

Marney Schorr is a highly prominent arts therapist in the region, and does invaluable work helping clients achieve their healing goals. Her work is an excitingly variable mix of styles and approaches.

In the event you are unable to attend the brilliantly festive opening, “Fifth Annual Whimsy” may be viewed for the balance of December and January during gallery hours 12-4PM on Saturdays, during the Whit’s extensive performance schedule, or by contacting exhibit curator Leo Mazzeo at 413-281-6665 for an appointment.

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, as Mary Bennet in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley; photo by Olivia Winslow.
Lydia Barnett-Mulligan, as Mary Bennet in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley; photo by Olivia Winslow

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
December 15 – December 17, 2017
Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre
Shakespeare & Company
70 Kemble Street, Lenox, Mass.
Tickets: Adult $22/Student $12

A costumed staged reading of the 2016 instant classic by by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon that revisits your favorite Pride and Prejudice characters as they gather for the holidays. The ever-dependable Mary Bennet is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings’ romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary’s hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love. But, is it meant to be?

About Ariel Bock

Ariel Bock, Producing Associate at Shakespeare & Company; submitted photo.
Ariel Bock, Producing Associate at Shakespeare & Company; submitted photo.

Ariel Bock is the current Producing Associate and longtime Company actor at Shakespeare & Company. Recent credits include, S&Co: Mom (Ugly Lies the Bone); Mistress Quickly (Henry IV pts 1&2); Goneril (King Lear); Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing); Elizabeth (Richard III); Audrey (As You Like It); Hippolyta (Midsummer Night’s Dream); The Nurse (Romeo and Juliet); Mistress Quickly (Merry Wives of Windsor); Paulina (The Winters Tale,) Ruth (Private Eyes), the Woman (Laughing Wild); Arlene (Off the Map). At Mixed Company: Ramona (Zara Spook and Other Lures) and Eileen (The Cripple of Inishmaan). With the Ensemble for the Romantic Century in NYC: Nadezhda VonMeck (None But the Lonely Heart), as well as Fanny Mendelsohn, Emily Dickinson, Sonia Tolstoy and Anna Akhmatova. A Designated Linklater Voice Teacher, she has been on the faculty of Dartmouth College and MIT.

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