 |
 |
|
Welcome to The Note Exchange, a quarterly newsletter highlighting inside stories and all things Mahaiwe-community. While our weekly programming emails remain your best source for information about upcoming shows, here you'll learn about new board members, donated violins, dance classes with a local partner, and more. Plus – a glimpse at the new performance space coming soon next door! Thanks for reading and we hope to see you soon.
| |
We look forward to welcoming students from Berkshire Country Day School, Undermountain Elementary School, South Egremont School, New Marlborough Central, Muddy Brook Elementary, Morris Elementary School, North Canaan Elementary, Lee H. Kellogg School, and Montessori School of the Berkshires this month for My Father's Dragon! Learn more about the Mahaiwe's Education Programming at mahaiwe.org.
| |
This year's Festival Latino of the Berkshires was an unforgettable event — the dancing, the food, the community. Speaking of community, our performance with the Villalobos Brothers wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of Mahaiwe patrons. When Luis Villalobos' violin cracked before the show, he asked the audience for a loaner. Within minutes, three violins showed up! An excellent concert followed, thanks to you.
Watch a recap of the Villalobos Brothers' performance on Instagram.
| |
|  | Ailey II dancers with CATA artists. Photo by Christina Lane.
| |
| | |
 |
Individuals with ROPE attending Ailey II.
Photo by Jane Feldman.
|
|
The spirit of collaboration was high for Ailey II's recent performances, co-presented by the Du Bois Freedom Center.
Thanks to a grant through the Mellon Foundation secured by the Freedom Center, individuals with the Rites of Passage Empowerment program, NAACP Berkshires, Multicultural BRIDGE, Western Massachusetts Chaper of Jack and Jill, Berkshire Black Arts Council, and Berkshire Black Economic Council attended the shows as guests.
Thanks to the Mahaiwe's Leonhardt Community Access Fund, students and faculty from Pittsfield Public Schools, Together for Youth, and Railraod Street Youth Project were also able to attend performances.
Moreover, Williams College's Sandra Burton – Lipp Family Director of Dance and Senior Lecturer in Dance – moderated post-show discussions at the theater.
Outside the theater, Community Access to the Arts (CATA) artists enjoyed dance classes led by Ailey II's Artistic Director Francesca Harper and two dancers, an opportunity made possible with a grant from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Collaboration strengthens access to the arts. The Mahaiwe is grateful to all its partners.
| |
|  |
Zac Parmelee, Marketing Assistant
Zac Parmelee (he/him) comes to the Berkshires by way of Los Angeles. Zac studied graphic design and studio art at California State University, Northridge, focusing in designing for the arts – a specialty he's already deploying at the Mahaiwe through flyers, ads, and more.
| |
| | |
Thank you to Wooliver Roofing and Allegrone for steady progress on the Mahaiwe's roof restoration project.
Replacement of the 120-year-old slate tiles, part of a $500,000 multi-year exterior restoration, furthers the preservation of the theater, a landmark in the National Register of Historic Places and in Great Barrington’s Downtown Historic District.
Funding to date has come from the Feigenbaum Foundation, Prospect Hill Foundation, Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust, donors at the Mahaiwe's 2023 Gala Paddle Raise, and the MCC's Cultural Facilities Fund.
Contact Director of Advancement Diane Wortis at dwortis@mahaiwe.org to learn more about funding this project.
| |
Interior work on our new second space is well underway! Every day marks progress towards this exciting performance space right next door to the theater in the heart of Great Barrington's cultural district, with the official name and opening date soon to be announced.
| |
Pictured are truss for the stage lighting and the bar for concessions. Follow @themahaiwe on Instagram to watch as these elements and more develop.
| |
"Whether you know Sandra Boynton as the author-illustrator of children’s books that amuse and delight adults, or as a composer, lyricist, and friend of all the cool kids in the musical world, you will recognize the signature Boynton style throughout Cows and Holly. The songs and illustrations feel familiar and fresh, heartwarming and playful, catchy and timeless in an alchemy very few can achieve. I am eager to hear WAMC's Joe Donahue help her tell us how she does it."
—Janis Martinson, Executive Director
Cows and Holly: Sandra Boynton tries to explain her wild new Christmas album
December 19 at 7pm
| |
"I couldn't be more excited to hear Angel Blue in this iconic role, and in a new production, to boot. I'm curious to see how the design comes together and helps tell the story, since I already know the music will be amazing. If you've never seen Aida (or any opera) before, I hope you'll join us – it's epic!"
—Jenna May Cass, Office Administrator
Met Opera Live in HD: Verdi's Aida
January 25 at 12:30pm
| |
"Through his candid reflections on life’s absurdities and tribulations, Patton Oswalt fosters a deep connection with his audience, inviting them to share in both laughter and introspection. His commitment to authenticity and creativity has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also inspired a new generation of comedians to embrace their unique voices."
—Thomas Randle, Assistant Production Manager
Patton Oswalt: Effervescent
March 22 at 8pm
| |
|
|  | Jeff Lynch
Jeff Lynch is the President and founder of Idle Smart, a proprietary software solution that reduces fleets' fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. He has led its growth and expansion from its pre-revenue stage to having its solution installed on the largest fleets in North America. He is an accomplished executive skilled in planning, launching and leading growth initiatives in areas of business development, product, sales and strategy and customer operations. He has a strong record of success leading large organizations where technology is a key strategic business component.
Significant achievements include leading multiple P&Ls and business functions in a Fortune 300 company and proven ability to span business and technical organizations as a business transformer.
With a B.A. in Political Science from Boston University and an M.B.A. from Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, he has served in leadership positions at Thompson Reuters, Intel Corporation, and Sprint Nextel.
He is a native of the Berkshires and has served on multiple non-profit boards.
| |  | Nelson Fernandez
Nelson Fernandez, Director of Advancement, Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, is an experienced corporate brand, marketing communications, and public affairs executive.
Prior to leading ViM's advancement team, Mr. Fernandez was the principal of Crosby Street Consultants, a communications consultancy focused on building brands, and prior to that, served as chair of APCO Wordwide's North America region and managing director of APCO New York. Mr. Fernandez also worked at Burson-Marsteller prior to APCO, in the North America and Latin America regions, focusing on healthcare, public affairs and corporate clients. He has worked with senior leaders across food, consumer goods, health care, professional services and the nonprofit sector.
Mr. Fernandez is an experienced advisor to top management, across multiple sectors. His expertise includes executive leadership communication, internal alignment, brand and marketing communication, issue management, crisis management, corporate positioning, thought leadership, stakeholder engagement, CSR planning and communication, and strategic planning.
| |
| | |
The Mahaiwe is completing six years of participation with the Barr-Klarmann Massachusetts Arts Initiative this fall. Pictured above are Mahaiwe board and staff members attending the program's opening and closing conferences in Boston, 2018 and 2024.
"Participation in B-KMAI has been transformational for the Mahaiwe," says Mahaiwe Executive Director Janis Martinson. "The Barr Foundation and the Klarman Family Foundation have our deepest gratitude for financial support, training, coaching, and encouragement to strengthen our capitalization, adaptability, and social equity work. We were honored to participate alongside 28 cohort organizations statewide."
| |
The Avangrid Foundation recently awarded the Mahaiwe a $10,000 grant that includes $7,500 for the Mahaiwe's education and community engagement programs, plus a $2,500 challenge grant to underwrite free and discounted tickets in support of increased access in the arts. The challenge grant will help support the more than 5,000 affordable tickets the Mahaiwe offers each year and will be distributed through the Mahaiwe’s Leonhardt Community Access Fund, created in 2023.
“My family established the Fund so that anyone who wants to can participate in the Mahaiwe’s wonderful programs and attend its performances,” explains Melissa Leonhardt. "We also wanted to inspire others to join this effort, and Avangrid has encouraged that, too. I hope others will help match the Avangrid Foundation’s $2,500 grant by contributing to the Leonhardt Community Access Fund.”
Contact Director of Advancement Diane Wortis at dwortis@mahaiwe.org to help secure this challenge grant.
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Mahaiwe Box Office Hours:
Wednesday through Saturday from 12pm to 4pm
413-528-0100 | mahaiwe.org
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
