Near his photography studio in Harlem, James Van Der Zee could have heard Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey sing the blues …
Read articleFilmmaker honors Black soldiers in World War I
Jane Louise Van Der Zee’s brother James would become known as one of the central photographers of the Harlem Renaissance — and she was an artist and musician in her own right.
Read articleHappy holidays! (December 22 newsletter)
This month has been full of gifts already. I walk into Chocolate Springs one afternoon just as Joshua Needleman is making chocolate peppermint bonbons, and he offers me a taste …
Read articleFirelight and music transform NightWood at the Mount
The flame streams sideways in the wind. The bowl of the torch is gleaming copper — it’s an oil lamp, essentially the same as the lamps that burned in Constantinople 2000 years ago, or in the temple of the Macabees ...
Read articleSisters find new Indigenous dimensions in ‘Kamloopa’
In Kim Senklip Harvey’s awardwinning comedy, two sisters and a close friend take a journey into power and find strength in their Native identities in their own ways.
Read article‘Hello, Bookstore’ film appears at BIFF
This week the Berkshire International Film Festival will screen Adam Zax’ new feature film about Matt Tannenbaum and his family, and the community that has carried the Bookstore through the pandemic.
Read articleContemporary composers weave sound at Tanglewood
In many performances this summer, contemporary composers are bringing their work to Tanglewood, wound into concerts with music 200 or 300 years old.
Read articleIman Habibi shapes new music (July 28 newsletter)
Bright hot Saturday morning — we’re sitting under a hickory and listening to flute music. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is playing Iman Habibi’s ‘Every Tree Speaks.’
Read articleSculpture takes natural forms at The Mount
He’s a massive figure standing here at the top of the hill … Jamie Burnes’ life-sized bison made from Corten steel and locust wood looks out into the summer sculpture show at the Mount.
Read articleExpress delivery: Creative places, shops and artisans welcome the holidays (December 16 newsletter)
The lights are on. Holiday trains are running on the Hoosac Valley Line, and up and down the county downtowns, shops and artisans are trying to face December with a glimmer.
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