The Rogovoy Report: Berkshire & Hudson Valley Cultural Preview
Dec 27, 2024-Jan 3, 2025
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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 …
PAUL WINTER CELEBRATES WINTER at TROY MUSIC HALL
The seven-time Grammy Award-winning Paul Winter Consort will present their iconic Winter Solstice Celebration at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Friday, December 27, at 7:30pm. The Consort will include Paul Winter on soprano sax, cellist Eugene Friesen, Brazilian pianist Henrique Eisenmann, Bulgarian bassist Peter Slavov, Brazilian drummer Rogerio Boccato, and vocalist Theresa Thomason. (Fri, Dec 27)
REGGAE LEGENDS BLACK UHURU BRING JAMAICAN RHYTHMS to WOODSTOCK
Grammy Award-winning reggae legends Black Uhuru bring their unique stew of reggae and Jamaican sounds to the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, N.Y., on Friday, December 27, at 8pm. With a career spanning decades, the band -- originally formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1972 -- is known for their signature blend of socially conscious lyrics, deep rhythms, and infectious energy. (Fri, Dec 27)
JEFFREY GAINES BRINGS IMPASSIONED FOLK-ROCK to COLONY in WOODSTOCK
Folk-rock singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines brings his soulful vocals, pop melodicism, and sophisticated lyrics to the Colony in Woodstock, N.Y., on Friday, December 27, at 7pm. Gaines, whose eponymous debut album was released in 1992, appeals to fans of Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, and Sting. (Fri, Dec 27)
CRESCENDO BRINGS BAROQUE HOLIDAY MUSIC to GREAT BARRINGTON
Early-music presenter Crescendo brings its Bach-Circle: Christmas Oratorios and Contemporary Female Voices Bringing Heaven to Earth program to St. James Place in Great Barrington, Mass., on Sunday, December 29, at 4pm. The concert features festive Baroque holiday music for chorus, soloists, and orchestra, including Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Soprano Paulina Francisco is a featured soloist. (Sun, Dec 29)
BERNARD PURDIE BRINGS FUNKY SOUL BEATS to THE FALCON
What do Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Tom Rush, Albert Ayler, Joe Cocker, Cat Stevens, Bette Midler, Hall & Oates, and Vulfpeck have in common? That would be ace drummer Bernard Purdie, who has performed or recorded with all of them as well as dozens of other big names in R&B, soul, jazz, funk, and pop music. By one count Purdie has appeared on over 4,000 albums. Purdie brings his band to the Falcon in Marlboro, N.Y., on Sunday, December 29, at 7pm. (Sun, Dec 29)
BERKSHIRE BACH BRINGS BRANDENBURGs to REGION
The Berkshire Bach Society continues its annual tradition of performing the Six ‘Brandenburg’ Concertos in concert across the region. Under the baton of artistic director Eugene Drucker, the Berkshire Bach Ensemble performs at the Academy of Music in Northampton, Mass., on Monday, December 30, at 7pm; at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Tuesday, December 31, at 6pm; and at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, N.Y., on Wednesday, January 1, at 3pm. (Mon, Dec 30; Tue, Dec 31; Wed, Jan 1)
SETH ROGOVOY TALKS BACK AFTER SCREENING of NEW BOB DYLAN BIOPIC ‘A COMPLETE UNKNOWN’ at IMAGES CINEMA in WILLIAMSTOWN
Seth Rogovoy, author of Bob Dylan: Prophet Mystic Poet, will be on hand to share his thoughts and moderate a Q&A after a screening of the new Bob Dylan “biopic” A Complete Unknown at Images Cinema in Williamstown, Mass., on Sunday, December 29, at 6:30pm, following the 4:15pm screening of the film. (Sun, Dec 29)
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Roll Call: Founding Members
Anne Fredericks
Anonymous (9)
Susan Bang
Erik Bruun
Jane & Andy Cohen
Nadine Habousha Cohen
Fred Collins
Fluffforager
Benno Friedman
Amy and Howard Friedner
Jackie and Larry Horn
Richard Koplin
Paul Paradiso
Steve and Helice Picheny
David Rubman
Spencertown Academy Arts Center
Elisa Spungen and Rob Bildner/Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook
Julie Abraham Stone
Mary Herr Tally
Daniel Wollman and Debra Pollack