The Rogovoy Report: Berkshire & Hudson Valley Cultural Preview

Oct 11-13, 2024

Oct 10, 2024

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 …

PINK MARTINI CELEBRATES 30^th ANNIVERSARY at MAHAIWE

Pink Martini will celebrate its 30^th anniversary with its sixth appearance at the Mahaiwe in Great Barrington, Mass., on Saturday, October 12, at 8pm. Featuring lead vocalist China Forbes plus a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs songs in 22 languages, drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop. (Sat, Oct 12)

NEKO CASE HEADLINES O+ FESTIVAL in KINGSTON

Neko Case headlines this year’s O+ Festival in Kingston, N.Y., running Friday, October 11, through Sunday, October 13, featuring three days of music, art, wellness, and celebration, featuring 55-plus live bands, dozens of visual and performance art activations, film, and spoken word. The festival also features performances by Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, Beech Creeps (members of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Guided By Voices), Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s, and Hannah Cohen. (Fri, Oct 11-Sun, Oct 13)

Melissa Ferrick (photo Barry Schneier/courtesy artist)

SINGER-SONGWRITER MELISSA FERRICK BOOKENDS REGION

Singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick bookends our region with performances at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Friday, October 11, at 8pm, and at Park Theater in Hudson, N.Y., on Saturday, October 12, at 8pm. To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Ferrick has re-recorded her critically acclaimed album Everything I Need. Boston-based alt-folk duo Sweet Petunia opens both shows. (Fri, Oct 11; Sat, Oct 12)

THE SEBASTIANS PLAY BAROQUE at UNION COLLEGE

Early-music ensemble the Sebastians kick off the fall season of Capital Region Classical with a concert at Memorial Chapel at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., on Sunday, October 13 at 3pm. The New York City-based group specializes in music of the Baroque and Classical eras, and will perform works by Bach, Pisendel, and Telemann. (Sun, Oct 13)

George Harrison author Seth Rogovoy (photo Franco Vogt)

SETH ROGOVOY to READ FROM and SIGN COPIES of NEW GEORGE HARRISON BOOK

Fresh on the heels of the publication of his new book, Within You Without You: Listening to George Harrison, Seth Rogovoy will be appearing at several book events in the region, including Spotty Dog Books in Hudson, N.Y., on Sunday, October 13, at 7pm (in conversation with filmmaker Stacy Cochran); The Bookstore in Lenox, Mass., on Sunday, October 27, at 4pm; and at the Chatham Bookstore in Chatham, N.Y., on Sunday, November 3, at 5pm (in conversation with Elena Siyanko, director of PS21: Center for Contemporary Performance). Beatles expert Kenneth Womack writes in his review for Salon, “Within You Without You accomplishes a rare feat. In a sea of ineffectual biographies devoted to the Beatles’ guitarist, Rogovoy makes a case for Harrison’s most important contribution: the music itself … Rogovoy’s eye towards soberly capturing the history of the Beatles with a welcome dose of critical objectivity makes Within You Without You required reading when it comes to the guitarist. It’s that good.” (Sun, Oct 13; Sun, Oct 27; Sun, Nov 3)

Also of note:

Hudson Valley-based indie-folk ensemble Camp Saint Helene brings its shimmering, ethereal sounds to Dream Away Lodge in Becket, Mass., on Friday, October 11, at 8pm.

The Stephane Wrembel Sextet brings its update of French-flavored swing-jazz to WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio The Linda in Albany, N.Y., on Friday, October 11, at 8pm.

Berkshire-based Misty Blues performs its blend of original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk, and tent revival gospel at Spencertown Academy in Spencertown, N.Y., on Saturday, October 12, at 8pm.

Samirah Evans brings her tribute to the great jazz vocalist Billie Holiday to the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Mass., on Friday, October 10, at 7:30pm. Evans will also perform as a duo with pianist Armen Donelian at Isaan Thai Star Restaurant in Hudson, N.Y., on Friday, October 17, at 6pm.

Jazz saxophonist-songwriter-singer Grace Kelly brings her adaptations of classic and current movie themes for an orchestral setting to Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass., on Sunday, October 13, at 7:30pm.

Grammy Award-winning group The Klezmatics bring their innovative blend of Old World klezmer with New World accents to The Falcon in Marlboro, N.Y., on Sunday, October 13, at 7:30pm.

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The Rogovoy Report