Press

LENOX — Pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader Mark G. Meadows returns to Tanglewood’s Linde Center for Music and Learning on September 18 with his own band, The Movement.

The performance will feature a genre-crossing program of Meadows’ original music, jazz standards, and songs by Stevie Wonder, bringing together influences from jazz, R&B, soul, gospel, pop, and folk.

LEE — The Voices of Freedom celebration brought community members together in Lee on August 30 to celebrate America’s diversity, culture, and history as part of the country’s 250th anniversary.

The event, co-organized by Multicultural BRIDGE and local community partners, featured storytelling, music, food, dancing, and presentations highlighting historical figures including Elizabeth Freeman, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Phillis Wheatley.

PITTSFIELD — Sanctum Café is preparing to open on North Street, bringing a new community-focused café and gathering space to downtown Pittsfield.

Located in the historic Shipton Building, Sanctum Café will offer sweet and savory crêpes, bagels, smoothies, and other breakfast and lunch options, while also hosting live music and community programming. The café will work alongside Sanctum Gallery, creating a space where food, art, music, and community can come together

TANGLEWOOD — Conductor Thomas Wilkins led the Boston Symphony Orchestra during its final weekend of the Tanglewood season, bringing a diverse program of works by Leonard Bernstein, Florence Price, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Antonín Dvořák to the Koussevitzky Music Shed.

Wilkins, the BSO’s Artistic Partner and a longtime champion of American composers, guided the orchestra through a program that showcased the range and depth of the season’s final weekend, including Florence Price’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.

GREAT BARRINGTON — Great Barrington has unveiled a new informational kiosk honoring Elizabeth Freeman in front of Town Hall, recognizing her historic fight for freedom and her lasting connection to the community.

The kiosk, created in partnership with the Du Bois Freedom Center, UMass Amherst’s W.E.B. Du Bois Center, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design, shares Freeman’s story and features original artwork inspired by her life.

LENOX — Acclaimed singer and actor Cynthia Erivo recently performed at Tanglewood with the Boston Pops, bringing her powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence to the Berkshires.

Erivo’s performance featured a mix of songs from across her career and personal favorites, giving audiences an opportunity to experience the award-winning performer in an intimate Berkshire setting.

NORTH ADAMS — Volunteer basketball coach Sharaya Keele has been recognized as an iBerkshires Youth for the Future honoree for her commitment to mentoring young athletes and giving back to her community.

Keele continues to pursue a career in sports while coaching local youth, helping young players build basketball skills, confidence, teamwork, and leadership both on and off the court.

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield singer-songwriter Christine Bilé recently returned from her debut European tour, performing in Berlin and Zurich as part of Sofar Sounds.

The tour marked an exciting milestone for Bilé, whose music has continued to reach audiences beyond the Berkshires. She also performed at the FIFA World Cup Fan Festival in Boston, bringing her soulful, genre-blending sound to an international stage.

LEE — Choreographer and performer Ogemdi Ude brings MAJOR to Jacob’s Pillow, exploring majorette dance and its roots in Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the American South.

Featuring six Black femmes, MAJOR blends powerful movement, music, and spoken word to explore physical memory, sexuality, sensuality, community, and Black femme identity.

GREAT BARRINGTON — Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer Heather Headley will take the stage at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center for an evening of music celebrating her acclaimed career in Broadway, R&B, and gospel.

Known for starring in Aida, The Lion King, and The Color Purple, Headley will perform songs spanning her stage and recording career in a one-night-only performance.

GREAT BARRINGTON — The fifth annual Du Bois Forum brought historians, scholars, artists, and community members together for a weekend of walking tours, discussions, and reflection on the life and legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois.

The annual gathering explored Du Bois’s lasting influence on history, civil rights, and public scholarship while highlighting the importance of preserving Black history and fostering conversations that connect the past to the present.

CHESTER — Chester Theatre Company’s production of Fannie brings the remarkable life of civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer to the stage through a moving performance that highlights her courage, resilience, and fight for voting rights.

The production explores Hamer’s journey from sharecropper to one of the most influential voices of the Civil Rights Movement, offering audiences a powerful look at her enduring legacy and the impact of her activism.

PITTSFIELD — Ricardo Reeves is finding purpose and peace through gardening, turning his Pittsfield yard into a vibrant space filled with flowers, vegetables, and community connection.

Reeves’ passion for gardening has grown into more than a hobby. It has become a way to connect with neighbors, share fresh produce, and create beauty in his community. His story highlights the joy and fulfillment that can come from tending the land and giving back to those around him.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY — Local blues band Misty Blues shared the stage with legendary guitarist Buddy Guy during a recent performance, turning an unexpected invitation into a career-defining moment.

The collaboration highlighted the band’s decades-long commitment to the blues and underscored the growing recognition of Berkshire musicians on the national stage.

PITTSFIELD — Army Reserve Sgt. Rachel Hailey is being recognized in a Veteran Spotlight for her service, dedication, and continued commitment to both her military duties and her local community.

Hailey’s story highlights her time in the U.S. Army Reserve and the role she has played in supporting her unit while balancing life and responsibilities at home. The feature honors her service and reflects ongoing efforts to recognize local veterans across the Berkshires.

GREAT BARRINGTON — The Du Bois Freedom Center is celebrating Resident Historian Marcus P. Smith, who has received the 2026 History Tellers Award for his work preserving and sharing Black history through education, research, and community engagement.

The national award recognizes Smith’s contributions to historic preservation and public history, including his leadership at the Du Bois Freedom Center and his efforts to document and amplify Black heritage across the country.

PITTSFIELD — The Pittsfield School Committee recently appointed Latifah Phillips to fill a vacant seat, bringing a new voice to the committee as it continues its work supporting students, families, and schools across the district.

Phillips will join other committee members in helping guide decisions that impact Pittsfield Public Schools. The appointment reflects the committee’s ongoing efforts to serve the needs of the community and support student success.

PITTSFIELD — A community Juneteenth celebration in Pittsfield recently brought residents together to honor freedom, history, and culture through music, reflection, and local programming.

The event highlighted the meaning of Juneteenth while creating space for community members to gather, learn, and celebrate together. Families, organizations, and local leaders came together to recognize the importance of the holiday and its continued relevance today.

BOSTON — State Representatives Leigh Davis and Bud L. Williams have filed legislation to establish August 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in Massachusetts. The proposed observance would honor the life and legacy of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett, whose successful freedom suit in 1781 helped pave the way for the abolition of slavery in the Commonwealth.

The legislation would create an annual opportunity for residents, schools, community organizations, and local governments to reflect on Freeman’s contributions to Massachusetts history and the ongoing pursuit of equality, justice, and human dignity. Freeman’s story remains a significant part of Berkshire County’s history, where her fight for freedom helped shape the Commonwealth’s future.

ADAMS — Chef Xavier Jones of Bigg Daddy’s Philly Steak House is launching a new dinner series at Revival House in Adams, bringing together bold flavors, creativity, and community through a unique dining experience. The series will showcase Jones’ culinary talents while offering guests an opportunity to enjoy thoughtfully prepared meals in an intimate setting.

The collaboration highlights the growing local food scene and provides a platform for innovative chefs to share their craft with Berkshire County diners. Through this new series, guests can experience fresh menus, local hospitality, and the passion that has made Jones a well-known figure in the region’s culinary community.