It's a Living

The Berkshires' summer season has begun. In my opinion, there's no better time to visit the area. 

First impressions: entering the Berkshires from New York's Hudson Valley.
Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

A couple weeks ago I appeared as a guest on the WNPR morning show, Where We Live, extolling the virtues of a trip to Western Massachusetts and Norman Rockwell Museum. Not my smoothest interview, but I was happy to take part. I was joined by representatives from Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (coincidentally, how I first learned of the area), Shakespeare & Company, and The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, where the radio interview was broadcast. 

WNPR is based in Hartford yet the show's host, John Dankosky, lives in an area of Connecticut not far from the Berkshires and so decided to broadcast his show live in Great Barrington, on the occasion of the Berkshire International Film Festival. It's interesting for me to recall that during my own years in Hartford, where I attended college, I had no concept of the Berkshires and frequently drove right through its outskirts (none the wiser) during trips to visit my family in the Hudson Valley. 

Go pro: courtesy "Out" magazine.

As I mentioned to Dankosky before we went on the air, my first impression of the Berkshires was that of a "summer camp" for artists, after being tipped off to area by a dancer who was studying at Jacob's Pillow. While working part-time in New York City and living in the Hudson Valley over ten years ago, I started making frequent trips to the Berkshires, enjoying its beautiful countryside, finding part-time work at the Pillow, performing with acting troupes in the area and, of course, working full-time at Norman Rockwell Museum. The rest, as they say, is history.

In the May issue of Out magazine, I offered further insight into my time spent in the area, and was featured as a "pro tip" on the joys of hiking the Berkshires' scenic hills. This is certainly a unique aspect of the area. 

As I mentioned in the WNPR interview, right down the street from the Rockwell Museum  you can take a hike up the mountain where Herman Melville was inspired to write Moby Dick. We talked about the other significant artists and activists who lived in the area, including Norman Rockwell, and theorized about what it was about the area that continues to draw such people. Following the interview, I drove a few miles away to finally visit the newly opened W.E.B. Du Bois homesite, dedicated to the influential American humanist and civil rights activist, who grew up in Great Barrington. Like much of the Berkshires, it was a pleasantly meditative stroll through both nature and history.

History happened here:
entrance to W.E.B. Du Bois homesite.
Photo by Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

They say the grass is always greener... for me, living in the Berkshires for a few years started to feel a little claustrophobic (especially during the winter), so I am happy to now be commuting from the nearby Capital Region. It's the best of both worlds. Due to a technical glitch, you'll hear my mic cut out at the end of the radio segment, but what I was trying to say is that the Berkshires is an easy drive from such areas as Albany, Boston, and New York City, and visitors are in for a real treat this summer (we just opened a show on New Yorker artist Roz Chast, and I'll write more about that shortly). Personally, I'm looking forward to the exhibition of Vincent Van Gogh's landscapes that will be on display at the Clark Art Institute... Van Gogh is one of my favorite artists, and what could be more fitting than a show about the great outdoors here in the Berkshires?

Related Links:

"Live from the Mahaiwe: Arts in the Berkshires," Where We Live, WNPR, May 29, 2015

"Spotlight on the Berkshires," Out Magazine, May 25, 2015

Berkshires.org

Keep on Dancing

Marge Champion dances with Norton Owen,
Director of Preservation, Jacob's Pillow,
at Norman Rockwell Museum's June 2013
gala. Photo by Jeremy Clowe for
Norman Rockwell Museum. All rights reserved.

Happy Birthday to dance legend, Marge Champion— still the fairest of them all at age 95!

I had the great fortune of meeting this Astaire Award-winner a year ago, in connection with Norman Rockwell Museum's exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic. At age 14, Marge served as a live model for the lead character in Walt Disney's first feature-length, animated feature, which was something of a risk for the animator at the time. Her expressive moments can be seen in the groundbreaking film, as well as subsequent Disney animated features (Pinocchio, Fantasia), however her fairytale was just beginning—she went on to a highly successful career as a dancer/performer, appearing on stage and screen, including a popular series of movie musicals with then-husband Gower Champion in the 1950s.

In April of 2013, I visited Marge at her apartment in New York City, to conduct an interview for the Museum about her showbiz experiences. Needless to say, it was a great pleasure, and this past June I received "honorable mention" from the New England Museum Association Publications Competition Awards as one of the designers responsible for the marketing/pr materials for the exhibition, which included an edit of the video. The true honor, however, was being able to get to know this inspiring artist, with an age-defying spirit: "keep on dancing" is her advice... and I am taking note: watch for my moves in this fun promo video that my Museum colleagues and I took part in for Berkshire Visitors Bureau:

Related Links:

"Dancing on Air," blog post, June 17, 2013

"Fairest of Them All," blog post, April 7, 2013

All That Jazz

Happy weekend. Just a few odds and ends to share here on this sleepy Saturday morning.

Yesterday, The Springfield Republican printed a lengthy interview I conducted about Norman Rockwell's Stockbridge studio, which is located on the grounds of Norman Rockwell Museum, and right outside my office window. As I mention in the article, having Rockwell's original workspace "is an extraordinary gift to understanding the artist’s process and literally being transported back in time to the space where he created some of his most iconic works,” You can read more here.

A peek at the beautifully-designed Hopper exhibition.
Photo by JC for NRM. All rights reserved.

Speaking of visiting another time, the Museum's new exhibition, The Unknown Hopper: Edward Hopper as Illustrator is an interesting show, showcasing a little-known aspect of the realist master's career; truth be told, Hopper despised the time he spent working in illustration—contrast that with a young Norman Rockwell, who was just starting his career around the same time (early 20th century), and always aspired to follow in the footsteps of such visual storytellers as Howard Pyle and J.C. Leyendecker. I appreciate that the Museum is not shying away from these facts, as the contrast is an interesting note to share, as I pitch the story to members of the press. This past December both artists set records at auction for American painters, showing how their art endures in popularity a century later.

Now that's an entrance! Photo courtesy B. Docktor Photography.
All rights reserved.

For the opening of the exhibit and to celebrate our 45th anniversary, the Museum presented a gala party, which was quite successful. The theme of the party was the "Roaring '20s," and many of us dressed the part. I have to say, Sarah made a lovely flapper, and I enjoyed playing my best Jay Gatsby, as I hopped around the party, photographing and engaging the various guests.; we even made the "society pages," as our photos made it on to two fun, Berkshire culture sites. You can view some of my own photos on the Museum's Facebook page.

Puttin' on the ritz! Photo courtesy Amy Krzanik. All rights reserved.

The 1920s are a fascinating era, full of change and new ideas for society—I watched a couple fine documentaries earlier this month to research the styles of the period, and it raised my interest to learn more about how American culture transitioned from World War I to a more modern age (and right before the big crash!). After the gala, the wife and I decided to finally check out a real-life speakeasy that we had heard about in Albany—the directions were to leave a reservation on their website, which was followed up by a phone call from their staff to confirm; we arrived at the appointed hour to a mysterious, red-lit entrance and after identifying ourselves, were buzzed in by a bearded man who seemed transported from the era! The interior decorations and wait staff furthered the vintage feel, and I have to say the Prohibition-era drinks seemed all the sweeter. We attracted several approving smiles as we found our way to our table, and settled in to enjoy a three-piece jazz combo. It was a wonderful way to cap off the evening. 

Lee @ night. Photo by JC. All rights reseved.

Speaking jazz, I heard good things about the rest of the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend—my documentary on George Shearing was aired once again following the June 6 concert by members of Shearing's original Quintet, and both members of the audience and band were amused by the anecdotes captured by the jazz pianist's wife, Ellie Shearing (many inquired about buying copies of the video). Copacetic, as they say... and certainly nice to bring home a little extra bacon.

Related Links:

"Studio exhibit showcases Norman Rockwell's studio," Springfield Republican, June 19, 2014

"Norman Rockwell Museum Toasts To Two Masters" (photos by Amy Krzanik), Rural Intelligence

"Norman Rockwell Museum 45th Anniversary Gala" (photos by B. Docktor), Berkshire Style

"Norman Rockwell Museum's 45th Anniversary Gala" (photos by JC and Walt Engels), Norman Rockwell Museum Facebook page

"The Unknown Hopper: Edward Hopper as Illustrator" (exhibition photos by JC), Norman Rockwell Museum Facebook page

Tribute To a Jazz Knight

Ellie Shearing (center) and members of Berkshire Gateway Jazz
during a May 2014 interview regarding her husband, Sir George
Shearing. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

This weekend marks the third annual Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend, to be held in my former town of Lee, Massachusetts. This year's festival, which runs from Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7, will include a tribute to the late jazz pianist, Sir George Shearing.

Last March I was hired by Berkshire Gateway Preservation Inc. to travel to New York City, and film an interview with Shearing's widow, Ellie Shearing, in the beautiful apartment the couple shared near the City's Central Park/Museum Mile. The completed video, with Ms. Shearing recalling her famous husband's life and career (in front of his grand, Bösendorfer piano), will kick off this weekend's festival, with a free screening at the Lee Library, starting at 6 p.m. (the video will also be airing on CTSB-TV).

"The sounds of Shearing": behind the scenes.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights
reserved.

I enjoyed putting this latest music documentary together. It was interesting to learn about Shearing, who triumphed over the odds (and blindness) to become one of the most influential piano players in the world of jazz, with a distinct style that became known as the "Shearing Sound." I had a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the Shearings' home/ recording studio, and heard stories of the many jazz greats who connected with the pianist over the years. It turned out that he and Ellie used to live part-time in Lee, Massachusetts, so this weekend's events seem especially fitting. 

Friday's concert, to be held at the newly restored First Congregational Church in Lee, will feature The Sounds of Shearing, a tribute band to the jazz legend, with members of George Shearing's original Quintet. Proceeds from the concert will help benefit the efforts of the Berkshire Gateway Preservation. For more information about the festival and how to purchase tickets, visit the Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend website.

Related Links (updated June 6):

"Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend: Shearing ensemble honors a master," Berkshire Eagle, June 6, 2014

"Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend tribute to George Shearing to open summer music scene," Berkshire Eagle, May 27, 2014

www.georgeshearing.net

Preserving Musical Heritage

The sound of Shearing... created through the
artist's home Bösendorfer piano!
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

So, you'll be happy to hear that my musical education has continued to grow this past month. 

During my big video production weekend (see last post), I trekked out to New York City to film an interview with Ellie Shearing, the widow of famed jazz pianist, Sir George Shearing. Conducted near New York's Museum Mile, the gig came about through a good friend/mentor from Massachusetts, who is helping out with the upcoming Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend. This year the festival will be highlighting "The Sounds of Shearing," and they thought that a videotaped interview would make for a nice compliment to live performances from original members of George Shearing's classic quintet.

I must confess that I was not familiar with George Shearing before being approached to help out with the project. When my friend mentioned his jazz standard, "Lullaby of Birdland," that old number from 42 Street is all that came to mind ("broadway" not birdland). As I discovered, Shearing was, in the words of The New York Times, "a British piano virtuoso who overcame blindness to become a worldwide jazz star."

Tea and talk- post-interview.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

As I have done with all of my music interviews over the years, I spent a couple weeks of heavy research, learning all I could about the pianist. His autobiography (released several years before his death in 2011) was helpful, as were the various radio tributes and YouTube clips I was able to put my hands on. It turns out that he composed over 300 titles, and recorded multiple best-selling albums from the 1950s to 2000s; he was also knighted for his services to music in 2007.

I don't pretend to be an expert on jazz, so it was fortunate that we had a jazz aficionado along during the interview. A musician in her own right, Ms. Shearing recalled several interesting stories, including tales of such jazz greats as Benny Goodman stopping through their beautiful Manhattan apartment. Also interesting and relevant, George and Ellie had a second home for many years in Lee, Massachusetts (maybe that's why she looked so familiar). I thought the interview went well, and it was a treat to get a little "behind the scenes" in the life of such an important jazz musician-- I couldn't help wondering if my father, an accomplished pianist himself, knew of Shearing's unique style of playing?

Hamish's Celtic art on display-
at the merch table, Albany, NY.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.

A few days later, we received a special guest at Norman Rockwell Museum—Hamish Douglas Burgess is an illustrator in his own right, specializing in traditional Celtic art. Burgess happened to be driving through the area, on route with the Irish/Canadian band, The Irish Rovers. The name sounded familiar yet, like Shearing, it wasn't music I could put a finger on. Burgess seemed quite impressed with our art and hospitality at the Museum, and generously offered me a couple tickets to see the Rovers perform the following evening at the Egg in Albany... it was a couple weeks past St. Patrick's Day, yet my luck seemed to be holding out!

The Egg is a beautiful venue—inside and out; it certainly is striking while driving past the Capital City skyline. I have seen a couple great shows there, including Ray Davies of the Kinks, and They Might Be Giants (who debuted a rather memorable song about the venue that evening!). The Rovers' jokes were cornier than Irish beef cabbage, but Sarah and I had a fun time... the band's festive Irish folk song style was a nice way to wind down the evening. I even knew a couple of their old standards: "The Unicorn" and "Drunken Sailor"- I seem to recall singing those ditties back in elementary school (if you can believe it).

Apparently this concert was part of the Irish Rovers' farewell world tour, and they seemed in fine form (including excellent accordion, pipes, and banjo). Burgess, who has been designing their recent album covers and tour merchandise, remarked that they were having some great, sold-out gigs, and I asked whether they might be having second thoughts about their decision to wind down... I've seen it happen with musicians! It must, however, be a challenge to be out on the road so much—the group has actually been around for over 50 years, with a couple original members still part of the band.. that's a lot of roving.

Band logo by Hamish Douglas Burgess.
All rights reserved.

March 2014 was a cold month indeed, but thankfully, music kept me circulating...

Related Links:

www.georgeshearing.net

http://irishroversmusic.com

www.mauiceltic.com

airborne!

inside/out in the Berkshires... Photo ©Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserve.

The week ended on a high note in the Berkshires... the Google Art Talk was a big success (so far, over 600 worldwide viewers), and there's already talk about the Museum getting involved with another one. For those who missed it, you can watch the archived talk (and even see a few minutes of me and my hastily tidied office at the beginning... lol) on YouTube.

Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon running around the Stockbridge Cemetery, taking photos for an upcoming TV commercial showing Halloween-themed events happening in Western Massachusetts. Sort of a bold way to spend Friday the 13th(!), but I came out alright... and so did the photos. Actually, I think I managed several rather eerie shots, which is what they were looking for (the Springfield visitor bureau representative sure was enthusiastic about the results). I'll see about sharing them at a later date.

Photo from "Dancers Among Us" by Jordan Matter.
©2012 Jordan Matter. All rights reserved.

Turning from the dead to the living, I thought I would take a moment to talk about a great photography book that is out right now called Dancers Among Us. Photographer Jordan Matter has taken some delightful photographs of dancers taking flight in everyday situations, and this collection is really a fun and inspiring collection for any coffee table (dance lover or not). The subheading for the book reads: "A Celebration of Joy in the Everyday."

Joie de vivre: Jordan Matter speaks in Blake's Barn,
Jacob's Pillow, August 23, 2013. Photo by Jeremy Clowe.
All rights reserved.

A few weeks ago, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in the Berkshires invited Mr. Matter to speak about his work and sign copies of his book in their Blake's Barn space (donated, in fact, by dancer Marge Champion, whose late son Blake had performed at the festival). A fan of his work, I decided to go check out the talk, and had the pleasure of chatting with Matter afterwards (my dancing wife and I now own an autographed copy of the book). I really enjoyed hearing his stories about getting involved with the project, some of the adventures/challenges along the way, and how he approaches his craft. It turns out that the affable photographer does little in the way of pre-planning the shoots, preferring to let the dancer and location inspire him on the spot. To me this seems like a perfect solution to overcoming intimidation or getting too hung up on the details of a work. His next project will be a book looking at athletes in similar situations.

The Festival posts many of these "Pillow Talks," but I have not seen the lecture posted yet. I did find this fun clip of Matter working on a shoot up in the forests surrounding Jacob's Pillow itself (you get a sense for his outgoing personality here as well):

Meeting Matter at Jacob's Pillow, August 2013.
Photo ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

After the talk we stayed around to watch a dance performance at the venue's Inside/Out stage, where dancers literally perform against the beautiful countryside of the Berkshires. I started taking a few non-flash photos, but was asked to refrain by the Pillow staff... understandable, as they have it all very well-documented (photographers, videographers, etc.). I have documenting dance in the past... I'll have to see if I can find some of my work as I start to organize my old files here in the Electric City. 


Of course, I have also always loved dancing (indeed, Sarah used that quote that he dances "like no one is watching" to describe me at our wedding). The spirit of Matter's work reminds me that we should definitely look into taking some more classes soon. So on this Yom Kippur weekend I say "L'chaim!"

Related Links:

www.jordanmatter.com

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

Berkshire Soul

RBIT at the Spectrum.
Courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

Happy summer solstice! It's a beautiful, sunny day here in the Berkshires, and I thought I would take some time out to share another update.

There's a lot happening here in the Berkshires this weekend— most notably, Wilco's Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA. I had the good fortune of attending and covering the event a couple years ago, and it was a blast—great fusion of music, art, good vibes... I won't be attending this year, but I'll try and post some more of my experiences working on the 2011 festival in the coming weeks.

I will, however, be performing again tonight with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. It is our last gig of the season and honestly, I think we could use the break... get refocused and audition for some new members (contact me or the group if interested). If you're in the area, tonight's show is 7:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts (can't thank these guys enough for their hospitality over the last couple years). 

Also worth checking out in the Berkshires, of course, is Norman Rockwell Museum. Our exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic is a real treat, as is seeing our permanent collection of Norman Rockwell artwork. Below is an interview I gave a couple weeks ago to WGGB, the ABC station in Springfield, Massachusetts, to help promote the Museum. Turned out pretty good, even though the audio sync appears off and you see me swatting some flies at the beginning of the piece (the fact that I was being interviewed by a former Miss Connecticut made it slightly more bearable). Fast forward to about 12:27 to view the segment:

Speaking of interviews, if you're in Boston this Saturday, you can hear me on WBZ Radio's  New England Weekend, talking up the Snow White exhibit. The segment should air around 7 a.m.

Well, that's about it... just got back from lunch at Baba Louie's Pizza in Great Barrington (another Berkshire favorite), so before I fall into a food coma I better get back to work. Happy Summer, everyone.

A Little Help From My Friends

Getting ready to head to Pittsfield, MA, to join The Royal Berkshire Improv (RBIT) at the ITAM Lodge for a show to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Berkshire County. Laughs, dinner, and an auction to support a good cause! This will be my last show with the troupe for awhile, as I am busy preparing for my March show with Schenectady Civic Players. In the meantime, here's a couple fun photos I received from the Spectrum Playhouse (RBIT's official Berkshire venue) today. We had taken some fun, promotional shots a few weeks ago— what, us ham it up for the camera?

Photos courtesy Spectrum Playhouse. All rights reserved.

www.berkshireimprov.com

Royal Beserkshires

Last night's show with the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe went well−it was my first post-wedding, a fact that was duly noted in the opening introduction (I think Sarah was the only audience member to get kissed by a member of the Troupe last night... well, make that all members!). We tried out a couple new games, got to know a new troupe member, and played to an enthusiastic crowd−I think we would be even tighter with more regular rehearsals. It is nice what the Student Educational Development Fund is doing for my old town of Lee, and I am happy to be contributing as one of the regular performers of the Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Center. 

Speaking of performing arts in the Berkshires, we're heading back to the Berks tonight to catch a hip-hop dance company called Compagnie Käfig perform at Jacob's Pillow. This looks promising:

Jacob's Pillow is the reason I ended up in the Berkshires... long story (good and bad), but it's worked out... found my dancing partner!

Photos by Sarah Clowe for Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe. All rights reserved.

Homecoming Weekend

Speaking of Norman Rockwell, I spent the afternoon filming and photographing a real-life "Homecoming." Two soldiers returned to the Berkshires after being deployed abroad, and we held a grand ceremony at Norman Rockwell Museum. 

"The Homecoming," 1945, Norman Rockwell.
Oil on canvas, Private Collection.
©1945 SEPS: Curtis Publishing,
Indianapolis, IN.

Since Rockwell created so many patriotic illustrations during World War II (i.e. The Four Freedoms), our Museum seems perfectly suited to serve as the backdrop for such events. Rockwell's 1945 painting The Homecoming is on loan to the Museum for a short-time, and we tied the arrival of this artwork in with the already scheduled program. 

The Here at Home Committee, who planned the event, contacted CTSB-TV, where I do some video work, to see if there were any videographers free to film the event. Since I was already working the event, it made sense that I would film it for the station. This also gave me a chance to try out their Sony NXCAM HD camera again. In some respects, it's sort of like learning to ride a bike again, and I'm discovering all of the subtle nuances with a tapeless format and new camera controls. I'm sure I'll get there, but after juggling this HD video camera and the Museum's Canon EOS 60D digital still camera, I'm exhausted... this one-man band thing can get a little old sometimes. Anyway, hopefully I got some usable footage... I have the camera until Monday, so maybe I'll take it around for further testing over the weekend.

Right now I'm off to Old Songs, a yearly folk festival that has become a tradition for Sarah's family. It will be nice to unwind and listen to some live music, at the foot of the Altamont's mountain area... and not far from where our wedding will take place!

Laughing Matter

Oh dear. I opened up Facebook last night to find that I have become this summer's poster boy for the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts. Here is a banner they are using on their page to promote the Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe's monthly shows... yikes...! Where is my stylist when I need her? 

If I didn't know better, I might think this was an ad promoting spoken word poetry (speaking of which...). I guess I should just be flattered that they thought enough of my comedic stylings to feature me on the main page--it's true, I have enjoyed my return to improv world. 


RBIT's summer shows at the Spectrum will take place this Friday, June 15; July 20; and August 17; at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door, and can be reserved by contacting the theater at 413.394.5023, ext. 12. The troupe will also be performing at the very cool Freight Yard Pub and Restaurant up in North Adams on Fridays, July 13, and August 10. Grab a bite, drink, and be merry with my fellow makers of mischief. I know I won't make the July gigs, but I might stick around for this Friday's show... I can't let my fans down, can I?


Related Links:


www.berkshireimprov.com


Third Saturday Comedy Improv Nights with RBIT, Berkshire Visual & Performing Arts Center

Good Relations

I started the day off by doing another radio interview (in the words of my co-worker, "you're famous again!"). This one was for Jazz FM, a radio station based in the UK... yup, Anglophile that I am, I can cross another item off my bucket list. Actually, this station is devoted to jazz, as its name suggests... I just hope that my interview is slated next to Miles and Coltrane... not Kenny G. The representative was part of a so-called FAM group, which the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism puts together. Basically, groups of journalists travel throughout the state to learn about the various cultural attractions. I gave them the low-down on Norman Rockwell and Howard Pyle...

Rockwell and Pyle side-by-side
From "Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered."
Photo by Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum.

The new exhibition looks great, and has received some favorable press. Here is a short article I wrote for the Berkshire Visitors Bureau that describes, in part, Rockwell's admiration for the Golden Age illustrator's work. It is rather fun to see his 1959 painting Family Tree on view next to Pyle's classic pirate illustrations.

Sarah and I missed the opening, but it looks like people had fun... dressed up as swashbucklers and shaking their pirate booty on the dance floor. The truth is that I have dressed up as a pirate on a couple of occasions... just for the fun of it... arrrgh!!!

"Howard Pyle: American Master Rediscovered."
Photo by Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum.

So I am busy trying to attract press for the exhibition, which can be a creative exercise in itself. Last week I represented the Museum during an event called Celebrate the Berkshires, put on by the Berkshire Visitors Bureau. It was a good opportunity to network and learn what the other cultural organizations are doing. 

I have to say I have the utmost respect for what Mass MoCA is involved with... they just seem so forward-thinking, and after hearing their Director speak, that is no accident. Joe Thompson was on-hand to present the Berkshire Trendsetter Award to Jacob's Pillow, another great cultural organization, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The dance organization does wonderful work, and just announced their outdoor performance schedule. Sarah and I love heading up to Becket... into the woods... to see live dance. Jacob's Pillow and Mass MoCA are absolutely deserving of the accolades they receive for all of their quality programming. The Rockwell Museum has some fine exhibitions as well, and we were also nominated for a couple Trendsetter Awards, including "Public Relations," which made me think I'm doing something right.

And so, the summer season begin...

Related Link:

Berkshire Visitors Bureau article on Howard Pyle exhibition

Improv Berkshires

This afternoon I represented the Museum during a PR event at Mass MoCA. I worked from home in Schenectady in the morning, and then drove directly to the inspired contemporary art museum located in North Adams, Massachusetts. It was quite a pretty drive--lush, green hills enveloping my ride on either side. 

I also had a chance to get a quick peek inside the galleries of the museum's converted factory building. North Adams has a cool energy, with a strong visual arts scene anchored by MoCA.


It seems a little less pretentious than some areas of the county, and probably a little more hip to young visitors.

My improv group used to rehearse/perform each week in North Adams at the old Main Street Stage. I used to enjoy heading out there. Coincidentally, after the meeting I drove back to Lee, Massachusetts to rehearse for our show being held at the town's Spectrum Playhouse tomorrow, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. 

This will be an interesting event, as we are teaming up with another improv group called Jellyfish, which is based in the Pioneer Valley. After RBIT performs some of its "hits," Jellyfish will be doing some long-form improv, which I am interested in seeing. We have started to play around with this format (a game called "follow the leaver," where the scene is changed each time an actor leaves the stage) and will attempt to team up with Jellyfish for a musical long-form at the end of the event. We'll see how it goes... I think it will be good for us to challenge ourselves, and see what insight we can gain from other performers.

More details about tomorrow's event can be found at our website: 

www.berkshireimprov.com

Photos taken at Mass MoCA/North Adams. Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Out There

Another day in the Berkshires...

Stockbridge, MA. Photo ©Jeremy Clowe, Earth.
All rights reserved.

Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe performance, tonight, April 20, 7:30 p.m.

For more information:

www.berkshireimprov.com

Positive Expression

So the Spectrum Playhouse, where we have been performing with our improv troupe, is affiliated with an initiative called the Student Educational Development Fund (SEDF). A portion of all income generated from the Playhouse (including RBIT shows) actually benefits the not-for-profit, whose mission includes providing professional training in the creative arts for those with learning differences and autism. It's not only great to be back with the improv group, but to know that our work can support SEDF's efforts-- indeed, students and their families are free to drop-in on our rehearsals every week at the Playhouse to learn more about improv as a performing art. The organization has also opened a gallery space and cafe in town that helps out these students. This positive display of community building almost most makes me want to move back to Lee... almost.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the Berkshires. It's a beautiful place, but can feel pretty isolated. What it does have are several unique cultural organizations that are doing good work, particularly for young people. Barrington Stage Company, for instance, has an intensive, six-month program for at-risk youth, where they use theater as an aid in helping students work out their issues, and build positive-self esteem. Participants in the Playwright Mentoring Program create original performances based on their own stories in a safe and confidential environment. I know the great value of the arts in learning how to express yourself, and so commend the organization for offering this outlet. I was honored to be asked to create a couple promotional videos for the program over the years. Here is the latest, from a couple years ago:

Artist Portrait

This week at the Museum we have been busy preparing for an upcoming exhibition on portrait artist Everett Raymond Kinstler, who began his career as an illustrator. I believe the Museum is offering an auction to have your portrait done by the artist during the run of the exhibition--I'll see about filming that. 

This past summer we had a special exhibition featuring a local artist named Sol Schwartz, who sketches at the various cultural events in the Berkshires. You could say that he is a portrait artist of a different sort, documenting musicians, actors, and dancers in action. I added some music and clips from Tanglewood, one of the locations Sol frequents--the footage was originally filmed for my TV music show Berkshire Soundstage (if you look closely at the opening sequence you will see Martin Scorsese sitting in with John Williams and the Boston Pops during their annual film night!).

It was nice to learn more about Sol's work-- over the years he and his wife Elayne had been pretty active supporters of the arts in the Berkshires. Sadly, Elayne passed away this past fall. I had the chance to meet her when we filmed the interview with Sol earlier in the year, and even had her sit in to have her portrait created by her husband. Sol's family appreciated the document, and requested a copy of the footage to play during her memorial service. I also reedited the exhibition video slightly to pay tribute to Elayne during the remainder of the show's run at the Rockwell Museum. One of the instances where my work has served an even greater purpose, and it made me feel good to do so.

The artist's website: solschwartz.com

Just Say Yes (and)...

Careful what you wish for! As I wrote before, I have been itching to get back to doing some performing again... so imagine my delight in learning that my old improv group The Royal Berkshire Improv Troupe (RBIT) was going to start doing a series of shows in my old town of Lee, Massachusetts (about 15 minutes from work). My buddy and RBIT co-founder Frank La Frazia texted me last week to see if I was interested in getting back on the boards... YES was my excited reply! 

Brother's gonna work it out! My last gig with RBIT
at The Rockwell Museum, 2008. Yes, we are getting our
"dance" on. Photo by Sarah Edwards. All rights reserved.

I had my first rehearsal with a couple of my old improv pals tonight. It was good fun, and I remembered what a kick it gave me in the past! To give some background: RBIT was formed back in 2001, performing live improv and theater games to an enthusiastic public. There was something that appealed to me the moment I read about the group in the local paper, and I went out for an audition. Ten years later: 
I have met some of the nicest people/friends, and enjoyed so many hilarious and "educational" gigs as a result. I wouldn't have stopped, but the rehearsals had been a little far for me since I had moved to New York State. The "education" I talk about has been in terms of performing-- what a useful tool to learn how to open up, accept what is being offered to you onstage, work to make creative partners look good onstage, and tapping into creative energies and impulses. It has freed me up in many ways, and not only as a performer.

RBIT will be performing every third Friday of the month at the Spectrum Playhouse in Lee, Massachusetts. First shows starts Friday, January 20, at 7:30 p.m., with shows scheduled up to June. Visit the Spectrum Playhouse website for more details. I'm not sure if I will join them for the first show or not, but I am excited about the chance to flex my improv muscle again. 

Here's a clip I found from the old days. Hopefully bigger and better things on the way...