Thursday, April 5
Williams College lecture on music of ‘Oz’
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- The Williams College Department of Music presents musicologist Walter Frisch of Columbia University in a free and open to the public lecture titled, "Meet the Wizard: Harold Arlen, ‘Over the Rainbow,’ and American Popular Song," on Thursday, April 5, at 4:15 p.m., in Room 30 of Bernhard Music Center.
According to supplied information, the songs of Harold Arlen (1906-1986) are far better known than his name. Working with a variety of top lyricists across forty years, from about 1930 to 1970, Arlen composed many of the standards of the Great American Songbook, including "Stormy Weather," "Get Happy," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Blues in the Night," and the classic score for the film "The Wizard of Oz."
Frisch is a specialist in the music of composers from the Austro-German sphere in the 19th and 20th centuries, ranging from Schubert to Schoenberg. He is the author of "German Modernism: Music and the Arts," which investigates the relationships between music and its cultural context in Austria and Germany during the period 1880-1915. He has written numerous articles and two books on Brahms, including "Brahms and the Principle of Developing Variation" and "Brahms: The Four Symphonies." Frisch’s publications on Schoenberg include the book "The Early Works of Arnold Schoenberg, 1893-1908."
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Music for Holy Week at Old First Church
BENNINGTON -- The historic First Congregational Church (the Old First Church, "Vermont’s Colonial Shrine") in Old Bennington will be presenting special music under the direction of music director Scott Smedinghoff this Holy Week during the church’s evening Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday (April 5) and morning Easter Sunday service (April 8).
The Tenebrae service, on Thursday, April 5, at 8 p.m., will showcase sopranos Kerry Ryer-Parke and Karen Swann, accompanied by cello and organ, singing the haunting "Troisième Leçon" by François Couperin. The service will be preceded by a simple supper and service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Church Barn, One Monument Circle (by the Bennington Monument in Old Bennington). Please call 802-447-1223 for reservations.
The music program for Easter Sunday service, April 8, beginning at 11 a.m. will feature Benjamin Britten’s triumphant "Fanfare for St Edmundsbury for Three Trumpets"; the first choral movement from J.S. Bach’s Cantata no. 4, "Christ lag in Todes Banden" ("Christ lay in death’s bonds") for string orchestra with harpsichord and choir; and the final chorale from J.S. Bach’s St John Passion, "Ach Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein" ("O Lord, let thy blessed angel come") for string orchestra with harpsichord and choir.
For information visit oldfirstchurchbenn.org.
Friday, April 6
Bennington Contradance features ‘Wild Asparagus’
BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Contradance group’s monthly dance features music supplied by Wild Asparagus, one of the region’s most popular contra bands, on Friday, April 6, from 8 to 11 p.m., at Mt. Anthony Masonic Lodge.
At the family friendly Bennington Contradance monthly event, all dances are taught and everyone is welcome -- no experience or partner needed, organizers state. Beginner instruction starts at 7:30 p.m.
Wild Asparagus, a five-person band from Western Massachusetts, will perform with caller George Marshall.
Drawing upon music from New England, the British Isles, and Canada, as well as classical sources, Wild Asparagus, according to the band’s website, "takes an original approach to the traditional dance music of our folk heritage. Using their unique blend of instruments, creativity, and skills, they offer a sensitive and powerful performance."
The Masonic Lodge is located at 504 Main St. Admission is $10, $5 for under 12. For information call 802-447-2173 or visit benningtondance.org.
Saturday, April 7
Hildene hosts Robert T. Lincoln book author
MANCHESTER -- Hildene will host author and historian Jason Emerson as he launches the tour for his new book, "Giant in the Shadows: The Life of Robert T. Lincoln," at the home of the presidential son and captain of industry, on Saturday, April 7.
Emerson will present on the book and take questions in the Beckwith Room at 10 a.m., and again at 2 p.m. Each presentation will be followed by a book-signing in The Museum Store.
Emerson’s is the first new biography of Robert T. Lincoln in more than four decades. It represents nearly 10 years of research, a considerable part of which was done by the former Hildene Scholar in Residence in The Lincoln Family Home’s archives.
"Giant in the Shadows" is the missing chapter of the Lincoln family story and its pages include never-before published photographs.
For information call 802-367-7960 or visit hildene.org.
Marlboro College hosts Ain Gordon’s work in progress
MARLBORO -- Marlboro College and the Vermont Performance Lab will host a free and open to the public "work-in-progress" staging of Ain Gordon’s play, "Not What Happened" on Saturday, April 7, at 4 p.m., at the Marlboro Town House. The Obie Award-winning theater artist’s newest work, the presentation culminates a year-long residency for the writer, director and performer.
Through VPL’s Lab program, writer and director Gordon has been working with rural documentary artist Forrest Holzapfel and Marlboro College students and faculty to dig into the archives, landscapes and architecture of rural New England communities to develop his newest play.
For reservations for the Marlboro show call 802-257-3361. For information visit vermontperformancelab.org.
April 7 and 9
Doll, toy museum offers Easter exhibit
BENNINGTON -- The Dollhouse and Toy Museum of Vermont is ready for Easter, with a new exhibit built around Easter Bunnies, Easter eggs and Easter Toys.
The museum will be closed on Easter Sunday itself, but will be open both on Saturday, April 7, and Monday, April 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.
In addition to the new Easter exhibit, the permanent collection involves many fully furnished doll houses and many dolls, including international dolls by Madam Alexander. It also has an lively display of vintage toys for boys, including planes, electric trains, toy trucks, circus animals, tin soldiers and cap pistols.
The museum is located at 212 Union St. (at the corner of Valentine Street). Admission is $2 for children three and older and $4 for adults.
For information visit dollhouseandtoymuseumofvermont.com.
Through April 11
SVAC hosts ‘Art from the Schools’ exhibit
MANCHESTER -- The Southern Vermont Arts Center’s annual "Art from the Schools" exhibition -- a unique show that showcases work from over 15 Northshire area schools -- is on display in the Yester House Gallery through April 11.
Participating 2012 schools include Arlington Memorial High School, Burr and Burton Academy, Currier Memorial School, The Dorset School, Flood Brook Union School, Fisher Elementary School, Grace Christian School, Happy Days Childcare, Homeschoolers of Southern Vermont, The Long Trail School, Manchester Elementary Middle School, Maple Street School, Mettawee Community School, The Mountain School, North Bennington Graded School, Sunderland Elementary School, and Vermont Academy.
SVAC is located off West Road at 930 SVA Drive. For information call 802-362-1405 or visit questions svac.org.
Thursday, April 12
Harpeth Rising playing at Seventy Main
GREENWICH, N.Y. -- Harpeth Rising, an folk rock band without an electric guitar to be found, will be cruising in to the area from Nashville, Tenn., next week for a gig at Seventy Main on Thursday, April 12, at 7:30 p.m.
The members of the band, the music of which touch on bluegrass as well as folk/rock, are Jordana Greenberg on violin, Rebecca Reed-Lunn on banjo, Maria di Meglio on cello, and Chris Burgess on percussion.
Harpeth Rising is currently touring to promote their second album, "Dead Man’s Hand" -- produced by Bil Vorndick who has worked with Alison Krauss, Bob Dylan, and Bela Fleck. They are classically trained but influenced by folk, bluegrass, and even a little Celtic music, according to supplied material.
Seventy Main is located in downtown Greenwich. Tickets re $10. For information call 518-692-7041.
April 19-20
Folk legend Janis Ian reads, sings at the Clark
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Nine-time Grammy Award-nominee Janis Ian will be bringing her songs, her songwriting skills and her stories, both written and verbal, to the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute for two days, featuring a free book reading and signing of her book, "Society’s Child: My Autobiography," on Thursday, April 19, at 5:30 p.m., and a ticketed concert on Friday, April 20, at 8 p.m.
Ian’s breakthrough hits in the 1960s "Society’s Child (Baby, I’ve Been Thinking)" and "At Seventeen" were considered part of folk’s most influential commentaries on the problems of society, and she has continued write songs about the good and bad she sees around her. Her most recent original music, 2006’s "Folk is the New Black" includes a song called "The Great Divide," which sounds a lot like she was talking about the current "Occupy Movement" and the "1 percent / 99 percent" debate.
The Clark is located at 225 South St. Tickets to the concert are $40, $35 for students. For tickets and information call 413-458-0524 ) or visit clarkart.edu.
Through April 19
SVC hosts James Ivan Bailey pop art paintings
BENNINGTON -- Southern Vermont College’s Everett Mansion gallery continues an exhibit of pop art paintings by artist James Ivan Bailey in the Burgdorff Gallery through April 19.
A Vermont native, Bailey currently resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., working part time for the former art director of Zoo York, a skateboard company, and founder of the Handselecta project. Handselecta is an evolving project that showcases graffiti art and artists. A graduate of Mount Anthony Union High School, Bailey attended Parsons, the New School for Design in New York City.
Mostly self-taught, Bailey said in supplied material that this new work was a response to the environment of New York and a "hyper-exaggerated form of a larger, American culture.... In short, it is a response to my own disillusionment," of today’s world. "It is my beam of hope, my dream of a brighter day."
The Everett Mansion is located on 982 Mansion Drive. For information call 802-447-6316.
Through April 23
VAE hosts local youth art show
NORTH BENNINGTON -- The Vermont Arts Exchange contnicues an exhibition of the artworks of two special partners, Bennington Head Start and the MOSAIC after-school arts enrichment program at the Mill Gallery at the Sage Street Mill through April 23.
The Head Start portion includes work from the Head Start classrooms with the three local sites at Pownal, North Bennington and Shaftsbury under the direction of VAE artist-teachers Kristen Blaker, Amy Anselmo and Matthew Perry. The work stems from the themes of animals and hibernation, geometric and abstract shapes and planting and growing for a healthy life.
The MOSAIC portion had students from Bennington, Pownal and Molly Stark Elementary as well as the Middle School working alongside VAE artist-teachers Claire Fox, Arline Mayer and Perry. Work on exhibit includes mural designs, ceramics, and mixed media.
The Sage Street Mill is located at 29 Sage St. For more information call 802-442-5549 or visit vtartxchange.org.
Through April 24
VAM hosts Jon Segan’s paintings, assemblages
CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. -- The Valley Artisans Market’s Small Gallery continues the exhibition "Jon Segan: Paintings and Assemblages" through April 24.
Segan studied art at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. He now lives and has his studio in Fort Edward. Currently, Segan is a board member and treasurer of the North Country Arts Center and a volunteer at LARAC’s Lapham gallery in Glens Falls. His work has been in numerous juried shows including the Mohawk Hudson Regional, and the Fence Select show. He has also shown at the Feast Gallery in Saratoga, and the Button Down Gallery in Glens Falls.
"My work is mostly images painted in oils on panels, combined with objects," Segan said in supplied material. "Lately they are getting smaller, becoming assemblage box constructions to be hung, held, or set on a table."
The Valley Artisans Market’s Small Gallery is located at 25 East Main St. For information call 518-677-2765.
Through May 6
Bennington Museum exhibits Robert Kasper works
BENNINGTON -- The Bennington Museum’s Regional Artists Gallery is exhibiting the works of Robert Kasper through May 6.
Kasper is an artist, designer, educator and creative theorist; he currently focuses his attention and energy on personal and visual expression. On his exhibited work, Kasper said in supplied material: "The materials found in the included works are often scraps, remains or remnants of human behavior and activity gathered together, manipulated, and composed."
The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main St. For information call 802-447-1571 or visit benningtonmuseum.org.
Through May 22
Bennington Museum presents ‘Memento Mori’
BENNINGTON -- Bennington Museum contiunes its exhibit "Memento Mori: The Art and Commerce of Gravestones" -- which explores the artists, aesthetics, and economics involved in the creation of poignant memorials to lives lost -- through May 22.
The exhibit features photographs of gravestones taken by Daniel Farber (1906-1998), while the second phase features original gravestones, including the markers (head and foot) created to memorialize Bennington’s first minister, Rev. Jedidiah Dewey, and a group of early stones from the Shaftsbury Center Cemetery, on loan from the Shaftsbury Historical Society. Also on view are selections from an archive of manuscripts documenting the Rule family of stonecutters from Arlington during the 1820s.
The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main St. For information call 802-447-1571 or visit benningtonmuseum.org.
To have brief items included in E-Week entertainment calendar send them to knorris@benningtonbanner.com.
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