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until / UNTIL
WordXWord and Lift Ev’ry Voice collaborate in a poetic response to Nick Cave’s UNTIL
Pittsfield, MA – WordXWord and the Lift Ev’ry Voice Festival have collaborated to invite poets to participate in a performance response to artist Nick Cave’s massive installation – UNTIL – at MASS MoCA on July 14 at 7:30P. The performance is free (does not require Museum admission fee) and is open to all.
“When Nick Cave conceived UNTIL, he intended it to be more than an exhibition; his vision was a space that would serve as a platform for dialogue and expression.”
until / UNTIL is both a collective response and a dialogue featuring spoken word artists whose work spans a wide range of poetic styles. Participating poets include Curtis Asch, Alex Hicks, Ashley Wonder, Donna Motta, Stan Spencer, Epiphany Thomas, Tristan Alston, Seth Brown, Mariah Barber, Elizag, and Kori Alston.
“Cave’s UNTIL addresses issues of gun violence, gun control policy, race relations, and gender politics in America today.”
Parents are cautioned that this program may contain material that raises more questions than it answers.
until / UNTIL
WordXWord and Lift Ev’ry Voice in poetic response to Nick Cave’s UNTIL
July 14, 7:30 p.m.
Mass MoCA, 1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA
Free
For more information about WordXWord, visit WordXWordFestival.com. For more information about Lift Ev’ry Voice, visit LiftEvryVoice.org
Signature Events / Lift Ev’ry Voice 2017
June 16, 8P
Carl Hancock Rux
Mass MoCa, 1040 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA
MASS MoCA presents Carl Hancock Rux spoken word and poetry created in response to Nick Cave’s expansive installation UNTIL. [Tickets: MassMoca.org]
June 17, 1P
Workshop with Carl Hancock Rux
Mass MoCa, 1040 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Mass MoCA present a poetry/spoken word workshop with Carl Hancock Rux. [Free. Pre registration required: LiftEvryVoice.org]
June 27 – 30
Camille A. Brown & Dancers Community Residency
Pittsfield, TBD
Jacob’s Pillow Dance presents a series of dance workshops and events for youth, teens, and adults with Camille A. Brown & Dancers. All experience levels welcome. [Free. JacobsPillow.org]
June 29, 3:30P
Camille A. Brown & Dancers Lecture Demonstration
Pittsfield, Location TBD
[Free. JacobsPillow.org]
July 14, 7:30P
until/UNTIL
Mass MoCA, 1040 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA
Lift Ev’ry Voice in collaboration with the WordXWord Festival presents a multi-generational cast of poet/performers who will share work created in response to Nick Cave’s UNTIL. [Free. WordXWordFestival.com]
July 22, 10A – 6P
The Gather-In
Durant Park, Columbus Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Sponsored by the Berkshire Branch of the NAACP, In celebration of community, the Gather-In features activities for all ages, including games for children, musical performances, dance, food, a variety of vendors and informational booths, and a spirited a basketball tournament. [Free. NAACPBerkshires.org]
August 5, 5-8P
Struttin’ with Wanda Houston
The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, 2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA
The Mount plays host to Lift Ev’ry Voice in a celebration of community with the Wanda Houston Band. Enjoy delicious food from the Terrace Café and Lucia’s Latin Kitchen, available for purchase, or bring your own picnic. [Free. EdithWharton.org]
August 12, All Day
Lift Ev’ry Voice Day at Jacob’s Pillow Dance
Jacob’s Pillow Dance, 358 George Carter Rd, Becket, MA
Jacob’s Pillow Dance invites the Lift Ev’ry Voice community to spend a day and enjoy all that the Pillow has to offre. The day’s activities include free and ticketed performances, tour of the historic grounds, the opportunity to observe classes, picnic and more. [Free and TIcketed Events. JacobsPillow.org]
August 20, 3P
Walkin’ with LEV
The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, 2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA
Enjoy the SculprtureNow exhibition at the Mount as never before when Lift Ev’ry Voice takes you for medley of music, dance and poetic responses to the grounds and sculpture. [Free. EdithWharton.org]
August 25, 1-4P
Beaded Hope
Mass MoCA, 1040 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA
In conjunction with Highland Free Day at Mass MoCA, Lift Ev’ry Voice presents a family-friendly beading making workshop with Marla Robertson. [Free.]
Schedule updates and additional events, including events presented by friends of the festival can be found on line at LiftEvryVoice.org.
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The history of the African-American community in the Berkshires stretches from the War of Independence, which dozens of blacks from this region fought in, to the present day’s diverse community, including the second African-American female astronaut, Stephanie Wilson. Famous Berkshire natives include such historic figures as the legendary writer and activist W.E.B DuBois; Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman, the first American slave to successfully sue for her freedom; and the Reverend Samuel Harrison, who served as the chaplain to the legendary African-American 54th Regiment of western Massachusetts in the Civil War and successfully fought for and won equal pay for black soldiers. Lift Ev’ry Voice celebrates this rich tradition of the African-American community, arts and culture, history and heritage, while acknowledging the larger global context in which this community exists.
