The Rogovoy Report: Berkshire and Hudson Valley Cultural Preview
Feb 28-Mar 9, 2023
With so much going on culturally speaking in our greater Berkshires/Hudson Valley region, this is my highly selective, curated snapshot of some of the most promising upcoming events …
JORMA KAUKONEN BRINGS COUNTRY-BLUES to DALTON
Legendary country-blues guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, a founding member of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna, brings his unique guitar stylings and blend of American roots music to the Stationery Factory in Dalton, Mass., on Wednesday, March 1, at 7pm. Jorma, as he’s known to his ardent fans, is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy Award nominee. He also has a well-deserved reputation as one of the sweetest, nicest musicians in all of popular music. (Wed, Mar 1)
SHAWN COLVIN, MARC COHN and SARAH JAROSZ BRING GRAMMY-WINNING FOLK MUSIC to KINGSTON
A trio of Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriters -- Shawn Colvin, Marc Cohn, and Sarah Jarosz -- team up for a special program at UPAC in Kingston, N.Y., on Wednesday, March 1, at 7:30pm. (Wed, Mar 1)
EVA SALINA BRINGS BALKAN ROMANI SONGS to SHEFFIELD
Vocalist Eva Salina brings her unique take on Balkan Romani songs to Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, Mass., on Friday, March 3, at 7pm. Salina’s rich, supple voice moves effortlessly through the intricate and demanding expression of Romani songs, intertwining vintage pop songs with her singular interpretations. Roma accordionist Peter Stanaccompanies Salina in the program showcasing the legacy of empowered female voices in Balkan Romani music. (Fri, Mar 3)
ROBERT CRAY BRINGS MODERN BLUES to MAHAIWE
Blues singer-guitarist Robert Cray will lead his band at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Saturday, March 4 at 8pm. Cray’s most recent album, 2020’s That’s What I Heard, was nominated for a Grammy Award, no big deal for the avatar of modern blues, who already has earned a closetful of Grammys and membership in the Blues Hall of Fame. (Sat, Mar 4)
WORLD PREMIERE of STEPHEN DANKNER CHORAL WORK in LENOX
The world premiere of Isaiah 44: 21-23 by Williamstown composer Stephen Dankner will take place at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lenox, Mass., on Sunday, March 5, at 3pm, when the Cantilena Chamber Choir will perform with a trio of Berkshire jazz musicians, including John Sauer on piano, Jon Suters on bass, and Bill Chapman on drums. The free concert will also include A Little Jazz Mass by Bob Chilcott and All My Hope by Dave Brubeck. (Sun, Mar 5)
STRING QUARTET BRINGS GERSHWIN, HANDEL, BEETHOVEN to STOCKBRIDGE
The Berkshire Chamber Players perform works by George Gershwin, Handel, Beethoven and others at the Stockbridge Library in Stockbridge, Mass., on Sunday, March 5, at 2pm. The quartet includes Natalie Kress and Robyn Quinnetton violins, Marka Gustavsson on viola, and Joel Moerschel on cello. (Sun, Mar 5)
GILBERT & SULLIVAN’s IOLANTHE GETS CONCERT VERSION at BARD
Conductor James Bagwell leads The Orchestra Now and soloists from the Bard Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program in a concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s fairyland fantasy Iolanthe at the Bard Fisher Center on Saturday, March 4, at 7pm, and again on Sunday, March 5, at 3pm. (Sat-Sun, Mar 4-5)
JERRY HARRISON and ADRIAN BELEW BRING REMAIN IN LIGHT to ALBANY
Talking Heads multi-instrumentalist Jerry Harrison and touring guitarist Adrian Belew bring their Remain in Light tour, celebrating the music of the pathbreaking album of the same name, to Upstate Concert Hall in Albany, N.Y., on Wednesday, March 8, at 8pm. (Wed, Mar 8)
QUINTET CELEBRATES WOMEN in JAZZ at MAHAIWE
The Metta Quintet will perform its program, She Said / She Says: Women in Jazz at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Thursday, March 9, at 7pm. The concert celebrates the lives and music of some of the many courageous, creative women who have dedicated their lives to the serious study and practice of jazz music from its birth in the early twentieth century until today. (Thu, Mar 9)
JAMIE BAUM SEPTET CELEBRATES WOMEN in POETRY in KINGSTON
The Jamie Baum Septet, featuring an all-star cast of jazz musicians, celebrates texts by women poets in concert as part of the Jazzstock series at Jazz at Senate Garage in Kingston, N.Y., on Friday, March 10, at 7:30pm. Among the musicians performing with flutist Jamie Baum are Sam Sadigursky on reeds, Brad Shepik on guitar, Ricky Rodriguezon bass, and Sara Serpa on vocals. (Fri, Mar 10)
Roll Call: Founding Members
Anne Fredericks
Anonymous
Anonymous
Erik Bruun
Benno Friedman
Richard Koplin
Rhonda Rosenheck
Elisa Spungen and Rob Bildner/Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook