INDIEcent Exposure – INDIEcent Exposure

Lexi Weege slips between sultry ballads and upbeat love songs with ease.

ADVISORY: Explicit language.

We spoke with Lexi Weege, the jazz songstress who recently released her second album, "Sweet Moon." The album was all recorded live and on tape and released digitally and on vinyl on September 13th following a release party at the Parlor Room at Signature Sounds with The True Believers.

Like Lexi's music, our conversation is raw, inspired, and unfiltered. Some adult language is used. Listen as we cover her album, analog recording techniques, the state of women in the arts industry, and more.

From her bio:

Born in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts wielding a Shure SM58 in her hand and red patent leather heels, Lexi Weege has been creating music her entire life, flirting with just about every singer’s role, from polka-dotted Big Band vocalist to glitter-haired, bloody-nosed rock front-woman. Lexi has refined her sound to a silky barroom jazz that tips respectful hats to the likes of Billie and Jessica (that would be Rabbit) that can swing into feisty blues numbers at the drop of said hat.

If you cannot wait to hear more of Lexi Weege, check out her first album, Virgin, which was also recorded live and on tape.

Our earlier coverage of Lexi, featured the "Gimme, Gimme Blues" in the show, as well as a video for "Cinnamon Sugar" in the show notes.

Controlled Exposure: So Full – Lenina Z

Cover art for Lenina Z's 2015 track "So Full," recorded entirely in her home studio.

From her bio:

Music composer and producer. Currently working on a new EP (to be released in September 2015) and composing for film and game. Living in Vancouver to study Music Production at Langara College. Also studying Game Audio at the School of Video Game Audio.

You can hear and download So Full, and other tracks, on her Soundcloud.

A big thank you to our sponsor, Berkshire Farm and Table

Be sure to check out their celebration of the first summer of Greylock Gin on Monday, October 19th at Berkshire Mountain Distillers' tasting room in Sheffield, MA from 6-8:30pm. The fundraiser for Berkshire Farm and Table will include cocktails, local bartending celebrities and catering from Fire Roasted Catering.

Berkshire Farm and Table celebrates the first summer of Greylock Gin on Monday, October 19th, 2015.

Pi Valley Faves, The Sun Parade march into the Berks for TWO shows this month.

PLUS:  Kris Delmhorst—TONIGHT at the BarN

ALERT: Consider PREPARING for the possible landfall of Hurricane Joaquin while we have plenty of time..

Singer and guitarist Chris Marlon Jennings relates the band's creation story and talks about the ongoing development of their creative process. The Sun Parade helps And the Kids kick off the opening of Wind-Up Fest here in NoCo, opens for Dr. Dog at MASS MoCA, and curates a micro festival at Gateway City Arts with their friends Great Smokey and Xenia Rubinos.

"Heart's Out," by The Sun Parade; 2014; available at BandCamp.

“Based in Northampton MA since 2011, The Sun Parade has been steadily creating a buzz in New England and a grassroots following of fans across the country. In 2012 The Sun Parade released a full length LP “Yossis” and the single “Need You By My Side”, a regional hit voted the #1 song by WRSI 93.9 The River. In 2014, they released the joyful pop EP “Heart’s Out” and toured the road, including a host of shows with their pals Lake Street Dive.” Click the album art purchase “Heart’s Out” from The Sun Parade's Bandcamp page or buy through the Greylock Glass’s affiliate link with Amazon.com.

If you haven't checked out the video to the title track," Heart's Out," (masterfully directed by Ian Cinco), take a minute to have your own heart jostled a bit as you can't help but giggle brightly at the dark humor.

Kris Delmhorst TONIGHT at The BarN!

Kris Delmhorst closes the season at The BarN in Williamstown; photo by Shervin Lainez

The BarN1401 Green River Road, WilliamstownFriday, October 26 pm - Bon Tricycle serves house made Cuban sandwiches, roast pork, ham, mustard, mayo, and Swiss on Berkshire Mountain baguettes. For vegetarians: grilled cheese made with 2 year aged Grafton cheddar and fig jam. BYOB7 pm - music!$10 - $20 sliding scale Donation, 100% goes to the artist

Enjoy "Saw It All" off her latest release—Blood Test

"BloodTest" by Kris Delmhorst; 2014

Kris Delmhorst grew up in Brooklyn, but she cut her teeth on open mics, bar gigs, and busking on the T in Boston before embarking on her life as an internationally touring songwriter. She has released six albums on the respected indie label Signature Sounds. Delmhorst now lives in the hills of western Massachusetts with her husband, songwriter Jeffrey Foucault, with whom she occasionally performs as part of the collective Redbird, also with Peter Mulvey.

She has recorded vocals, fiddle and cello on over 50 albums from artists such as Peter Wolf, Mary Gauthier, Chris Smither, and Lori McKenna.

Eleonore Oppenheim at Fringe Music, at Shire City Sanctuary in Pittsfield, MA

Shire City Sanctuary in Pittsfield, MA, home to the monthly Fringe Music Series; photo by William McGuire III

This special presentation, “ArtScope,” explores the Fringe Music series through its first performance on September 4th, 2015, which featured renowned solo-bassist Eleonore Oppenheim. Fringe Music is a new monthly music series offered by Bazaar Productions. Bazaar Productions is the organization behind the three-week Berkshire Fringe festival that has brought innovative theatre, music and dance to the Berkshires every summer since 2005. For more information about Fringe Music and Bazaar Productions, listen to our podcast with co-artistic director Peter Wise.

In this presentation, we place you right in the front row of the audience of that first Fringe Music performance. We also speak with Eleonore Oppenheim about Fringe Music and her performance at Shire City Sanctuary, which hosts the music series. Eleonore will be performing in this month’s installment of Fringe Music with The Hands Free on Friday, October 2nd, 2015.

Eleonore Oppeneim performed in the first installment of the Fringe Music Series.

From Eleonore Oppenheim’s Website:

“Quietly virtuosic” (Alan Kozinn, the New York Times) upright and electric bassist Eleonore Oppenheim is quickly gaining a reputation as both a valued ensemble player and an engaging soloist.  Her  “…subtle expressivity”  and “…particular eloquence” (Joshua Kosman, the San Francisco Chronicle) have made her a go-to muse for young composers interested in writing for the double bass, and she has built a rich repertoire of solo pieces, some of which will be featured on her debut solo album, “Home,” for which she received a CAP recording grant from New Music USA.A musical omnivore and polyglot, Eleonore is at home in a wide range of different musical idioms, and has performed and recorded with a variety of different artists and groups, among them the Philip Glass Ensemble, Tyondai Braxton, the Wordless Music Orchestra, Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Signal Ensemble, Bryce Dessner (the National), Meredith Monk, the Instruments, Dan Zanes and Friends, composer/songwriter/performer Corey Dargel, Buke and Gase, and others.

This special presentation was shot and edited by William McGuire III and produced by Jason Velázquez.

She's driving over 400 miles to sing for you. Just for you.

We spoke with Suzie Ungerleider, eponymous member of Oh Susanna, about her new album, "Name Dropper," which is a triumph of creativity, community, and collaboration. You'll fall hard for her infectious laughter and optimism. Powerful medicine (along with the aforementioned community and collaboration) in her fight against breast cancer, diagnosed just in time to interrupt the final stages of the release's production.

In addition to our conversation, we play "Wait Until The Sun Comes Up" and "1955."

Saturday, September 266 pm doors, music at 7 pmThe BarN1401 Green River Road, Williamstown$10 donation, 100% goes to the artistBYOB

From her bio:

Suzie Ungerleider began performing as Oh Susanna in the mid-1990s, crafting a persona that matched the timeless qualities of her music, sounds that drew from the deep well of early 20th Century folk, country and blues, yet rooted in her finely-honed storytelling skills. This Canadian songstress has a voice that can pierce a heart of stone. Her superbly crafted songs often tell stories of troubled souls who rebel against their circumstances to attain a quiet dignity. These are tales of longing and love, of small town joys and pains, of our simple feelings and strong passions. These are tales that look into our beautifully flawed human hearts.

"Name Dropper," by Oh Susanna; 2015

And I guess I'm not alone in my instant enjoyment of Oh Susanna—Check out this chain of creds!

• 1998 – Genie Award for Best Original Song “River Blue”• 2003 – Juno Nomination for Best Roots and Traditional Album for Solo Artist For Oh Susanna• 2007 – Juno Nomination for Best Roots and Traditional Album for Solo Artist for Short Stories• 2007 – Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Songwriter in English• 2007 – Canadian Folk Music Award Nomination for Best Album Short Stories• 2009 – CBC Great Canadian Song Quest winner• 2011 – Juno Nomination for Best Producer for Soon The Birds

Visiting poet and host at the Word X Word Festival, Telfer is a complex guy

I had the privilege of speaking to Robbie Q. Telfer at length before he arrived in the Berkshires for his fourth year participating in the Word X Word Festival. Due to circumstances beyond my control, that conversation did not air while the Festival was still in play. But the lateness of the hour doesn't dull the keen observations he makes, nor will his inspired descriptions of the interactions between poetry and life be any less brilliant. Enjoy this, the first in an occasional series on the Visiting Poets.

Robbie Telfer has performed and taught in hundreds of venues and institutions around the world. A co-founder of the Encyclopedia Show, he's been an individual finalist at the National Poetry Slam. A member of the internationally renowned teaching artist collective Project VOICE, he's been in two documentaries (from HBO and Siskel and Jacobs) for his work at Young Chicago Authors where he organized the world's largest teen poetry festival called Louder Than A Bomb. He's written on two video games and his first published book of poetry, Spiking the Sucker Punch, was released in 2009 from Write Bloody Publishing. He serves on the Advisory Group of the volunteer ecological restoration organization Habitat 2030.

At the Field Museum of Natural History, he works to engage the people of the Calumet region with their surrounding natural spaces, helping to foster a sense of wonder, participation and stewardship with this regional ecological treasure. Oh, and he is a strong advocate for the Kankakee  mallow to become the new state flower.

The Kankakee Mallow—Favored to become Illinois' new state flower?

 

Not Quite Controlled Exposure: Sarianna

"Locked in My Mouth"

UPDATE: This performance has been postponed until Sunday, September 27th 6-8 p.m. due to rain!

Creatures of Habitat interact with spaces and objects. It would be even cooler if they could time travel, too...oh, wait, they kind of do that...

Stefanie Weber's Creatures of Habitat Physical Poetry Public Performance Project will appear Sunday evening 6:30-8:30p September 13th in the Morningside Community School parking lot.

We spoke with Stefanie Lynx Weber about the open rehearsal of this three-part exploration that takes place in Pittsfield. We came away thinking that the audience is at risk of being exposed to perception-expanding sensory input.

We began our conversation talking to Stefanie about her background, and were interested to hear that she has been dancing since she about three years old, spending much the first two decades of her life at the Terpsichore Dance Center in in Pittsfield. A journey to Tennessee helped spark the connection between the environment and performance, which has been a key relationship in her art ever since

"The Magic Is in the Mechanism" is an experiment in public performance art with vehicles, origami, cameras and prom dresses. Come by for a peek or bring a chair or blanket and stay awhile. View the process of the making of unique public performance art. Support the uplift of the Tyler St. neighborhood in Pittsfield

Stefanie Weber and Monika Pizzichemi; photo courtesy Monika Pizzichemi

The Magic is in the Mechanism (Parts 1, 2 and 3) is an outgrowth of Weber's AUTO MOBILE BODY WORKS of 2012-2014. In this new work, Weber explores a multitude of visual analogies and physical metaphors in outdoor lots with projection, movement and sculptural regalia for all bodies present. This event is an open rehearsal/performance lab format which includes photography/cameras by Monika Pizzichemi, origami by Alison Reisel and performance by Weber, and Creature veteran Shira Lynn and Creature neophytes Antoinette Simms and Hailey Kirchner.

Included in the work are projection of archival blueprints from the research and development of the visionary "Lightning Laboratory" from the dawn of the reign of General Electric in Pittsfield, MA.

Join the Creatures as they summon the tribal soul of industrial mythology for a parking lot romp of nuclear family portraits in the quixotic dystopia.

Music by Thomas White (UK) arranged by Stefanie Weber.

This evening is supported in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Wishbone Zoë—Fossil's Dream

YES! A new video out for "Mumbo Gumbo"!

In celebration, we're playing another, deeper cut, Oh," off Fossil's Dream, from Wishbone Zoë

"Fossil's Dream," by Wishbone Zoë, 2015, image courtesy Wishbone Zoë. Album available for purchase through Bandcamp!

Sometimes you just KNOW, listening to someone's lyrics, that the back-story is even more interesting than the songs. You will NOT be disappointed by Saera's insights about the music biz, social realities, and the musicality of a cordless drill.

If you feel that maybe you could use a little help interpreting this dream, don't worry. You're probably not alone. But you don't need to plumb the depths of Saera Kochanski's subconscious to be fully engrossed in the imagery her songs create in this brandy-new album. "Fossil's Dream" pushes the boundaries out a bit and offers a hint of what she might be seeking in her evolving exploration of sound.

Beyond the brilliance of the lyrics, the voice of Saera Kochanski will impress you with its seemingly bottom stores of power pushed through a small, precision-machined port. Kochanski does not care if her singing about, thus drawing uncomfortable attention to, the "not-so-okay in the world" makes us squirm. Enjoy the brittle feeling your brain gets after immersing yourself in "Fossil's Dream." Then slide yourself on over to Bandcamp where you can pick up a copy of her CD or digital download. And WHILE you're listening to the album, be sure to spend some time taking in Kochanski's visual art at her other web site, Sunbeams & Turpentine. No reason your eyes should get away clean.

Upcoming Shows:

Sept 17: Amherst, MA @ 93.9 the River Block PartySept 20: North Bergen, NJ @ Jimmy D's w/ the Big Drops, Solid GooldSept 26: Easthampton, MA @ 100 Thousand Poets for Change

Oct 17: North Adams, MA @ Wind It Up Film Fest w/ Secret Lover, the Sun Parade, And The Kids, the Seratones

Bazaar Productions presents Fringe Music, a new free music series that will bring new, innovative music to the Berkshires on the first Friday of every month as part of Pittsfield’s First Fridays Artswalk.

The arts organization is taking a hiatus from its normal summer offering, Berkshire Fringe, a festival that combines theater, music and art, to provide a more focused musical experience. Co-artistic director Peter Wise says, "Previously, we had a music series going on at the same time as a theater festival, and workshops, and all of this stuff crammed into a couple of weeks... but this is a great chance to showcase one thing at a time, and we're really looking forward to that."

Peter Wise, Sara Katzoff and Timothy Ryan Olson are the co-artistic directors of Bazaar Productions, whose Fringe Music series begins this Friday; photo courtesy Bazaar Productions.

This Friday’s show features Eleonore Oppenheim, a renowned bassist who will be playing works from her upcoming debut solo album “Home.” Her performance begins at 7pm. Shire City Sanctuary, who is collaborating with Bazaar Productions to launch Fringe Music, will be hosting a gallery, and 17 different art shows from 25 different artists will be present from 5pm to 8pm as part of the standard First Fridays Artswalk experience in Downtown Pittsfield.

You can support Eleonore's upcoming album "Home" on her Hatchfund page, and read more about Peter Wise and Bazaar Productions' creative creations from their "creative arm," Kickwheel Ensemble Theatre.

PLUS: Musician Jeff Hudson talks about his new album, "TM" or "Transcendental Meditation," and making music in the modern music industry.

TM, by Jeff Hudson; 2015

Jeff Hudson is a Williamstown resident and Electronic musician. He and his wife, Jane, are the proprietors of HUDSONS, located on the MASS MoCA campus, where you can find an eclectic collection of arts, antiques and collectibles.

Today, he talks to Jason about the evolution of the music industry, the new opportunities that modern technology gives to modern musicians, his influences in creating his new album, "TM," or "Transcendental Meditation," and provides a handful of stories you don't want to miss.

"TM" blends old-school influences with modern sounds and production to create an electronic sound that transcends time and place. You can buy this 2015 release on Amazon, iTunes, or CDBaby. Feel free to add him on Facebook.

INDIEcent Gatherings

Barnstone Presents: Poetry and Music in the BarN is happening this Saturday, September 12th, at the BarN at 1401 Green River Road, Williamstown. Doors open at 6:30, and you can expect excellent music and poetry to 10pm.

On Sunday, September 13th, the Berkshire Boys will appear at Mission Bar and Tapas at 438 North St in Pittsfield. Music starts at 7pm. For more info, head to their Facebook event.

The Whiskey Treaty Roadshow will be playing at Shire City Sanctuary at 40 Melville Street in Pittsfield as part of the Shire City Sessions series. The music begins at 5pm with the opening act The Novel Ideas.

In this episode, you heard excerpts from the track "Crocodile," by Eleonore Oppenheim's upcoming debut solo album "Home," and the tracks "Deep In" and "Mudd Club" from Jeff Hudson's 2015 release "TM."

This episode was edited by William McGuire III and the show notes were written by William McGuire III.

Poetry and Story Slams, Workshops, and Special Guests at Great Locations Make This a Can't-Miss Festival

 

 

WordXWord uses spoken word, poetry and storytelling in shared space and time to celebrate diversity and creativity, empower the individual, foster understanding and empathy, and make real human connections. All WXW programs are free and open to all.

WordXWord Festival lasts through August 23.

Founded in 2009 by Jim Benson, WordXWord is a week-long spoken word/poetry festival held each August in the Upstreet Cultural District of downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The festival creates a transient community of visiting, nationally recognized spoken word artists; local poets; and enthusiastic audiences in celebration of diversity and the creative use of language.

Festival activities take place in a variety of borrowed spaces in partnership with business owners and key cultural partners. Events include Poetry and Story Slams featuring local performers; Young+Brave, an evening showcasing the work of local teens; and feature events with nationally recognized performance poets.

The common element to all performance events is the focus on work from a personal perspective, specifically intended for oral, live presentation. WordXWord is a lively week at times humorous, at others serious, always honest, thought provoking, engaging and entertaining.

https://www.facebook.com/wordxwordfestival

Join Red Room Radio Redux tonight for an hour of Shakespearean wordplay

Red Room Radio Redux presents "Open Your Ears!" for one night only, Wednesday, July 29 at 7pm, in The Barn"Open Your Ears!" at 1401 Green River Road in Williamstown, This presentation, done in the radio play style, includes accompanying music and enhancing sound effects.

PLUS: Berkshire Author and Educator tour their own backyard to visit hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems

Solos, sonnets, and scenes from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Henry V, and As You Like It, are the pathways "Open Your Ears!" travels to explore the role of the prologue in Shakespeare's works. Lightheartedly staged by volunteer community performers, the show is a breezy 45-minute romp in a cozy, casual setting. Admission is free, and donations to a Berkshire-area literacy program are gratefully accepted.

"Outerborough," by Todd Reynolds (featuring eight composer/collaborators); 2011

"Outerborough," Reynolds’ first solo album, was released in 2011 on Innova Recordings, and is clear evidence of Reynolds’ determination to explore new ideas and sounds. The work is full of fresh, new sounds, but it should still feel familiar to Berkshire residents; all but two of its tracks were recorded and produced at home by Reynolds while living in North Adams.

Berkshire Farm & Table Presents a ‘SlowBerkshires’ Guide to the Region: Local Author Alana and Joey Chernila’s Walk from North to South

Alana and Joey Chernila near the beginning of their week-long hike from Pownal, Vt. to New Canaan, Conn.; submitted photo

Cookbook author and local food celebrity Alana Chernila and her husband Joey, a storyteller and educator, will be walking the length of the Berkshires from north to south this summer in a week-long excursion. They will explore the back roads, stopping at cultural destinations and dining and lodging establishments along the way, many of which they have never visited before. The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism and Take Magazine, a new magazine featuring New England’s new culture launching this September, will be highlighting their stories as the journey unfolds. Yankee Magazine will feature a story about the walk later this summer and Berkshire Farm & Table will put the spotlight on ‘SlowBerkshires’ for the duration of this epic walk.

The Chernilas’ trek will provide an insider’s guide to the region as they share their story in real time. The walk will highlight a number of topics throughout the week including local food and agriculture, local artisan makers, the rich literary history of the Berkshires and the lure of the landscape.

“We’re always dreaming of taking trips to far-flung places, to get out of our familiar surroundings, but the best remedy for wanting to leave a place might just be to go deeper into it,” said Alana Chernila. “This walk is an incredible opportunity to bring together so many facets of the region that we love and want to know more about so we can share them with people seeking a Berkshire experience.”

Alana’s first book, The Homemade Pantry, has sold 60,000 copies to date, and her much anticipated second book will be published by Clarkson Potter in October 2015. She writes a biweekly recipe column for Rural Intelligence, and a monthly column for TasteBook. She has a dedicated and engaged following on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. For more information, visit www.eatingfromthegroundup.com.

The walk will begin on Sunday, July 26, at the Vermont border and continue down through the northern Berkshires where the Chernilas will hike the back of Melville’s mighty whale along the historic 1844 route of American naturalist and writer Henry David Thoreau’s climb to Mount Greylock’s summit. They will visit Melville’s house in Pittsfield, The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home in Lenox and Naumkeag in Stockbridge. After a quintessential Berkshire experience at Tanglewood, they will walk up Monument Mountain in the steps of Hawthorne and Melville and, on Sunday, August 2, end their adventure on Hurlburt Hill at Bartholomew’s Cobble in Ashley Falls, located on the Connecticut border.

Joey Chernilla, founder of the "Inkless" adult story-telling series at Six Depot Roastery and Cafe in May, 2015; submitted photo

Joey Chernila, a storyteller and educator, has been in love with the Berkshires since his first autumn in Monterey 13 years ago. During quarterly Inkless storytelling shows, Joey brings together longtime Berkshires residents with newcomers to the area to share their spoken-word stories.

“We want to tell the story of being travelers on our native soil,” said Chernila. “In my years of writing and blogging, I am always receiving inquiries from Berkshire visitors. Where should they eat? Where should they stay? Where are the hidden gems? I do my best to respond but, in truth, I don't spend time in the beautiful inns and restaurants. Through this walk, I hope share the journey with travelers, diners and outdoor enthusiasts so people are inspired to visit and see the Berkshires through a fresh pair of eyes.”

Several Berkshire establishments are supporting the walk and will host the Chernilas on their 75-plus mile adventure providing rooms and delicious farm-to-table meals along the way. Main Street Hospitality Group is the main hospitality sponsor for the walk and will highlight The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA, The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge and the recently opened Hotel on North in Pittsfield. Other sponsors include Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort and The Mount in Lenox, John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant in South Egremont, Eat on North in Pittsfield, Gramercy Bistro at MASS MoCA, Berkshire Mountain Distillers in Sheffield and Guido’s Fresh Marketplace (Pittsfield and Great Barrington.)

The walk can be followed in real time throughout the week. In addition to Alana’s (@alanachernila) and Joey’s (@aoristtargaryen) social media reach, Berkshire Farm & Table will be sharing posts and updates during the walk on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@BerksFarmTable). The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) will repost Alana’s updates on Twitter (@VisitMA) and other social media channels. Take Magazine has committed to an Instagram takeover during the week (@take_magazine) and will publish an article post-walk at thetakemagazine.com. Alana will tell her story as a guest blogger on Yankee Magazine’s site in late August to coincide with their September/October issue featuring literary destinations in New England.

To reinforce a taste of place and as part of a marketing partnership, Berkshire Farm & Table is sponsoring this summer’s walk to promote food culture and new ways to visit the region through storytelling efforts of people who live here.

For more information, follow Berkshire Farm & Table on Facebook, Twitter (@BerksFarmTable) and Instagram (@BerksFarmTable), watch Take Magazine’s Instagram feed (@take_magazine) and MOTT’s social media channels (@visitma) and follow Alana Chernila’s Instagram at @alanachernila.

Berkshire Farm & Table promotes food tourism and food culture in the Berkshires. The non-profit organization collaborates to cultivate tastemakers, produce events and foster dialogue in the media. By sharing the unique stories and expertise of culinary artisans, farmers and food tourism experiences, their work advances food as another reason to explore the Berkshires in any season. For more information, visit berkshirefarmandtable.org.

"Passage" finishes its residency at Millbrook School—journey continues in Pittsfield.

Merging original sound, virtuosic physical performance, and questionably accurate historical reenactments, "Passage" focuses an often humorous lens on the Canadian Arctic, a hotbed of political unrest with a tragic past and an uncertain future. As an ensemble theater company, Kickwheel has spent the past year writing, devising, generating, and exploring diverse source materials including researched accounts, news reports, letters, and interviews.

Upon completion of the residency in Millbrook, Kickwheel will return to its Berkshire home in August for another work-in-progress showing of the piece in Pittsfield, MA. “As theater makers creating new work, the feedback we receive from our community is a huge part of our creative process” says "Passage" director Sara Katzoff. “Reactions to these first public showings will inform how this project grows, evolves, and changes.” Kickwheel Ensemble also plans to premiere "Passage" in the Berkshires in 2016 and to tour the work worldwide in 2016 and 2017.

The Berkshire Fringe—the theater festival that is historically the biggest and best known project of Bazaar Productions—will take a hiatus in 2015. “We're taking this year off from producing the festival to dedicate our minds and bodies more fully to creating our own work,” says company co-artistic director Peter Wise. “It will also be an opportunity to take the time needed to create a more sustainable long term vision for the festival in 2016 and beyond.”

"Iceberg in Baffins Bay," by William Westall, July 1819; image courtesy Toronto Public Library (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Bazaar Productions will continue its presenting activities in 2015, launching a new music series called Fringe Music in collaboration with Shire City Sanctuary and the City of Pittsfield’s First Friday Artswalk. The monthly series will present sonic innovators from across the Northeast that break down genre barriers and come from a wide array of stylistic backgrounds. The new series will start in September 2015 and is a direct offshoot of the 30 Live! series that has been the music presentation portion of The Berkshire Fringe since 2006.

Controlled Exposure: Sydney Eloise & The Palms, "Faces"

"Faces," by Sydney Eloise & the Palms, released July, 2015

Honestly, we were skeptical about some of the praise Sydney Eloise & the Palms were getting in the advance press. C'mon...allusions to Phil Spector? But it's all there: Great BIG sound. Deeply personal lyrics. A voice that comes across as honest, yet so polished. And a cohesiveness that a lot of bands can't pull off until they've been working together for a decade or two.

Give "Too Long" a listen. You'll wish it went on a lot longer.