Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., will be the keynote speaker Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Four Freedoms Coalition’s ‘2020: We Hear Freedom Calling’ march in Pittsfield. Photo courtesy Four Freedoms Coalition
Four Freedoms Coalition to hold ‘2020: We Hear Freedom Calling’ march
Pittsfield — The Four Freedoms Coalition invites the public to attend a march and gathering Sunday, January 12, beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Pittsfield City Hall and traveling to the Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., for a 2 p.m. program featuring inspiring speakers and performers. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., will be the keynote speaker.
Imam Bilal Ansari. Photo courtesy Four Freedoms Coalition
Since its formation in December 2016, the Four Freedoms Coalition has organized an annual gathering in early January to bring together the Berkshires community to stand up for the four freedoms outlined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. At “2020: We Hear Freedom Calling,” Hawk Newsome, founder and president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, will address freedom from fear; and Imam Bilal Ansari of Williams College will discuss freedom of religion. Berkshire Eagle community engagement editor Jenn Smith will talk about freedom of speech, especially as it relates to threats to press freedom; and Logan Malik of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team will speak about freedom from want and climate change. Also featured will be performances by the Sankofa step dance team, Kids 4 Harmony, Jason Ennis and Natalia Bernal, and others. Berkshire Theatre Group CEO Kate Maguire will serve as master of ceremonies, and Mayor Linda Tyer will welcome attendees.
The event is free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact the Four Freedoms Coalition at 4freedomscoalition@gmail.com.
–E.E.
* * *
Rock Voices Northampton performing at the Academy of Music Theatre in January 2018. Photo courtesy Rock Voices
Rock Voices to perform first Pittsfield concert
Pittsfield — After four months of weekly rehearsals, Rock Voices, comprised of 50 singers and a live professional rock band, will gather at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield Friday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. to present 15 classic rock compositions four-part harmony from Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Gwen Stefani, YES, Journey, Billy Joel, Elton John and more.
This is Rock Voices’ first concert in Pittsfield, where it has been rehearsing at the First United Methodist Church. Founded by Tony Lechner in Hadley in 2012, Rock Voices has since expanded around New England and New York. All choruses sing the identical material, and members travel to sing with and support each other at concerts. Each chorus is led by an experienced director who strives to help everyday people find their voices. There are no auditions. Some members read music and some learn by ear, but all are welcome. Rock Voices rehearsals are a supportive musical and social environment. The spring season in Pittsfield starts Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. The first three rehearsals are open to all.
Tickets are $15. The concert will help raise awareness and donations for Kitty’s Korner Food Pantry. For tickets and more information, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact info@rockvoices.com.
–E.E.
* * *
Ed Kirby to discuss “The Making of the Iron Industrial Age” at Lenox Library
Ed Kirby. Photo courtesy Lenox Library
Lenox — The Lenox Library’s local history department will present Ed Kirby giving the lecture “The Making of the Iron Industrial Age” Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m. in the library’s Welles Gallery.
Kirby is a retired educator, historian and geologist who has studied the physical and cultural aspects of the Upper Housatonic Watershed for over 60 years. His recently published book, “The Making of the Iron Industrial Age,” includes a chronology describing the sites, terrain and geology throughout the Salisbury Iron District and local connections to the First Transcontinental Railroad. This district includes the iron industry at Lenox Furnace (now Lenox Dale), where the first blast furnace was activated in 1765.
A graduate of the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Kirby served in the U.S. Army in Japan. He holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Teacher’s College of Connecticut (now Central Connecticut State University) with concentrations in biology and history, as well as a Master of Science in educational administration from the University of Hartford. He is past president of the Sharon Historical Society, president of the Friends of Beckley Furnace, and a member of the board of directors of the Lenox Historical Society.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Lenox Library at (413) 637-0197.
–E.E.
* * *
BSO announces 2020 Concerto Competition for high schoolers
Boston — The Boston Symphony Orchestra has announced its Concerto Competition for high school students for the 2020 season. The competition is open to all advanced high school instrumentalists in Massachusetts from grades 10 through 12 (piano, strings, winds, percussion, and brass) and is administered in two rounds.
All applicants should fill out and submit the online application form with a $30 registration fee by Tuesday, Jan. 21. Applicants selected by a panel of BSO judges will be invited to Symphony Hall for the live final audition round Tuesday, February 25. The first-place winner will receive the Cornelius A. and Muriel P. Wood Award, which includes a cash prize of $1,000 and a performance at a BSO Youth and Family Concert during the week of Monday, March 9. The second-place winner will receive a cash award of $650. The third-place winner will receive a cash award of $450.
For more information, contact the Boston Symphony Orchestra at (617) 638-9375 or education@bso.org.
–E.E.
[contact-form-7 id=”77075″ title=”Post Email”]
