THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED)
by Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield
Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 2 p.m.
New Century Theatre kicks off its 20th Anniversary year performing all of the works of the Bard in less than 2 hours for Valentine’s Day. Sponsored by the Kahn Institute’s projects Telling Time: Its Meaning and Measurement and Wellness & Disease
AN AFTERNOON IN BROOKLYN
Sunday, February 21, 2010, 2 p.m.
The fabled Brooklyn Youth Chorus and the Young Hoofers, the incredible youth tap dancing troupe, will sing and stomp their way to Northampton. Sponsored by Smith College
THE REALLY BIG SHOW
Sunday, February 28, 2010, 2 p.m.
Kelsey Flynn hosts the show instead of stealing it as she channels Ed Sullivan in the 19th annual salute to Valley variety. Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Upton Massamont Realtors
Show Date/Times: 2/14/10, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (by Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield) performed by New Century Theatre 2:00 PM; 2/21/10 An Afternoon in Brooklyn 2:00 PM; 2/28/10 The Really Big Show with Kelsey Flynn as “Ed.” 2:00 PM
Ticket Price: 2/14/10 (Shakespeare) General Admission $16 in advance, $20 at the door; 2/21/10 (Brooklyn) General Admission $7 in advance, $10 at the door; 2/28/10 (RBS) General Admission $7 in advance, $10 at the door
Where/How Tickets Can be Purchased: Advance ticket sales for all shows may be purchased at http://www.northamptonartscouncil.org; Tickets are also available by calling the Northampton Arts Council at 413-587-1069. Local ticket outlets will be announced after New Year's Day. Tickets for live shows at the Academy of Music Theatre include a $1 facility fee. Proceeds support the Northampton Arts Council's ArtsEZ Spring grant round.
Four Sundays in February Sponsors
Northampton Arts Council
City of Northampton
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Mass. Cultural Council
Lathrop Communities
Academy of Music
Smith College
Clarion Hotel
Series Media sponsors
WGBY
WRSI
WHMP
WMUA
Valley Advocate
Daily Hampshire Gazette
KidsBestFest2010
The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to present KidsBestFest2010, the very best in classic and international films for the whole family.
Monday, February 15th: Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (USA)
All ages
101 min.
*
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” is America's greatest and best-loved home-grown fairytale. The first totally American fantasy for children, it is one of the most-read children's books . . . and despite its many particularly American attributes, including a wizard from Omaha. The Wizard of Oz has become almost literally a national institution, a cultural icon recognized by millions. The Wizard of Oz just celebrated its 70th, so we felt like it was a good time to bring it back, and this time with a twist(er): Come dressed like an Oz character and $1 will be donated to HampshireCountyCares.org --
Dedicated to helping and meeting the immediate needs of disaster victims and the on-going needs of area non-profit agencies in Hampshire County, Massachusetts.
[http://www.hampshirecountycares.org/]
[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/]
Tuesday, February 16th: The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Day
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Day
All ages
120 min.
*
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art celebrates the art of the picture book and builds bridges to art appreciation and the development of literacy through its many programs and community of talented authors and illustrators. A series of films, including James Marshall's Favorite Fairy Tales, The Ugly Duckling, Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella will be shown with a big screen storytime and special visit by The Poky Little Puppy -- all to celebrate Little Golden Books and coordinate with The Carle’s exhibition, Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 Years of Golden Books.
Weston Woods was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel, who became fascinated with picture books while reading to his children. He was inspired by their involvement with the stories and the rapt attention they paid to the illustrations and their eagerness to listen to a story over and over again. And so, he began Weston Woods based on the following mission: “It is our role at Weston Woods to create audiovisual adaptations that are faithful reflections of the books themselves. We will seek the best books from all over the world and adapt them in such a way as to preserve the integrity of the original. By doing so, we will help children discover the riches that are trapped between the covers of the books and motivate them to want to read for themselves. We believe that a child who wants to read will easily learn to read, and we believe that a child without reading problems will be a child without learning problems.”
James Marshall’s Favorite Fairy Tales:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs (28 min.)
The Ugly Duckling (20 min.)
Hansel and Gretel (14 min.)
Cinderella (animated) (12 min.)
Wednesday, February 17th: Winky's Horse 35mm
Winky’s Horse (Netherlands/Belgium)
Dutch with English Subtitles read aloud by Cate Damon of New Century Theatre
All ages
95 min. 35mm!
Up on arriving at her new home in the Netherlands and learning the legend of old Saint Nick, young Chinese immigrant Winky Wong makes a Christmas wish. There is only one thing Winky wants: a horse, a real horse to ride. But horses are expensive. Fortunately it is the season of Sinterklaas; Winky just asks Sinterklaas for a horse. Than everything will work out all right. Or will it?
(Het paard van Sinterklaas) International Award winning film
[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0447679/]
Thursday, February 18th: Benji presented by the Dakin Animal Shelter
Benji (USA)
All ages
86 min.
*
Benji is a stray who has nonetheless worked his way into the hearts of a number of the townspeople, who give him food and attention whenever he stops by. His particular favorites are a pair of children who feed and play with him against the wishes of their parents. When the children are kidnapped, however, the parents and the police are at a loss to find them. Only Benji can track them down, but will he be in time? If he can save the day, he may just find the permanent home he's been longing for.
This is a special screening for the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society and they will collect canned food for cats and dogs. February is Adopt a Bunny month and we’ll have a special guest to introduce the film, too.
[http://www.dpvhs.org/]
Friday, February 19th: Stella and the Star of the Orient 35mm
Stella Star of the Orient (Germany)
German with English subtitles read aloud by Cate Damon of New Century Theatre
Ages 7 and up
86 min. 35 mm!
**
Rummaging in the attic one New Year's Eve, ten-year-old Stella steps out of a wardrobe and discovers she has traveled one hundred years back in time! She finds herself face to face with her great-grandmother Clementine, who in 1905 is the same age as Stella. The girls become fast friends, and when they and Clementine's happy-go-lucky younger brother Gustav learn that their long-standing home may have to be sold, the trio sets off on an exciting adventure in search of a secret treasure to save the family from financial ruin. As they hunt for the fortune, the heroes encounter many challenges, from braving a wintry forest to evading a pair of swindling thieves on their trail. The three friends must race against time to find the treasure and get Stella back to the present day – otherwise, she might never exist in the first place!
Stella and the Star of the Orient is a delightful voyage through time and a snowy landscape that cleverly explores the various changes that have occurred within the past century, especially in the fields of language, technology and women's rights. A strong message about empowering girls is teamed with action-packed scenes of adventure and laughter, making this a film that is certain to engage and entertain.
[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765242/]
Show Date/Times: February 15th - 19th at 2:00 PM
Ticket Price: $3.00
Where/How Tickets Can be Purchased: At the door, 1/2 hour before the film begins
KidsBestFest and Youth Film Sponsors
Florence Savings Bank, Gravity Switch, Faces, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and the Valley Advocate
Presented by
Northampton Arts Council and Academy of Music
With support from MCC
Series Media sponsors
WGBY
WRSI
WHMP
WMUA
Valley Advocate
Daily Hampshire Gazette
* This film is appropriate for young children. The themes and elements in this film are specifically designed for a young audience. While there may be sadness or conflict, this film is not expected to frighten young children.
** This film is for older children. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this film may include sexuality, mild violence or profanity.
The Northampton Arts Council seeks to empower children with knowledge from viewing our world’s quality and culturally diverse films. Over the years, we have been honored to show a wide range of films to children of all ages. As in the past, we draw from a variety of sources to help us in selecting the best films for KidsBestFest and YouthFilm. We do not get to screen every film, but instead count on the eyes and ears of reviewers, judges and parents from all over the world. Most of these films are “unrated” and we search for the information about the themes and elements of a film. We try to provide information so that parents and caregivers can consider the suitability of a film for their children. In addition to our tradition suggesting a minimum age, we are also offering the guidelines that influenced our decision. We appreciate your feedback to help us find and offer films for children of all ages.
The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to present KidsBestFest and YouthFilm 2010. Once again, we are indebted to John Morrison, of the California Film Institute’s Outreach and Education Program, who brings us contemporary international films. Brian Foote, Arts Council Board member helped us make the series quite a bit more fur friendly with BENJI and the food drive for Dakin Pioneer Valley Animal Shelter. We are grateful to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for developing a delightful program and working with Weston Woods to bring Golden Books to the Academy screen. It was a pleasure to work with Brenda and Providence Children's Film Festival, and we hope we can do it again.
Thanks to the Academy of Music Theatre for hosting and co-presenting the event again. A big thanks to Cate Damon for reading the subtitles and to the guys up in the projection booth. Alison Wood is an excellent designer and as ever, we are grateful for her talent and patience. We worked with many people to review the films, and are grateful for their input and ideas. Thanks to Look Park for the bunny. Thanks to Valley Kids. The Media Education Foundation graciously loaned us a Beta machine for the series. Pleasant Street Video loaned us Benji and always makes us feel loved. Florence Savings Bank, Gravity Switch and Faces sponsor the series. Thank you once again for helping us bring these films to children and families. WGBY and the Valley Advocate are our media sponsors. Volunteers are a big part of KidsBestFest and YouthFilm…thanks for your help at every step of the way. Finally, a big thanks to the children in these films and in this community.
YouthFilm2010
The Northampton Arts Council is pleased to present YouthFilm2010, the very best of young directors in the valley.
Saturday, February 20
YouthFilm2010
Films directed, crafted, written and starring local children and teens.
Doors open at 11:30 AM, films run “festival style” all afternoon.
All seats $3 at the door for people over 19, 18 and under is free.
Some of this year’s films include:
"A Star Wars Lego extravaganza."
“A new, hip take on the noir genre---captures the essence of both the 1940’s and silent storytelling.”
"…proof that Sasquatch is real."
"A quiet neighborhood in Leeds, MA is visited by a candy eating blob from another planet…."
Films Subject to Change
Subtitles read aloud by Cate Damon of New Century Theatre
KidsBestFest and Youth Film Sponsors
Florence Savings Bank, Gravity Switch, Faces, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and the Valley Advocate
Presented by
Northampton Arts Council and Academy of Music
With support from MCC
Series Media sponsors
WGBY
WRSI
WHMP
WMUA
Valley Advocate
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Five College Dance & Music at the Academy
The Five College Dance Department presents an evening of live music and dance at the Academy of Music. This unique “town and gown” collaboration features choreography and music by internationally acclaimed guest artists and Five College Dance Department faculty. The program includes the restaging of Mark Morris’ masterpiece, GLORIA*, set to Vivaldi’s “Gloria in D”, played and sung by the Amherst College Orchestra and Choral Ensemble. Suisse choreographer Kinsun Chan has created a new contemporary ballet set to selected JS Bach Cello Suites, played by cellist Kivie Cahn-Lipman; Wendy Woodson presents a whimsical new trio for solo dancer and clarinetists David Schneider and Lynn Sussman , music composed by Eric Sawyer; Billbob Brown performs his new multi-media solo with an original score by area Jazz legend Paul Arslanian and Guest Artist Megan Bonneau McCool premieres a new ensemble ballet set to JS Bach’s Sonata No.1 for Solo Violin, played by Amy Bateman.
* Mark Morris’ project is supported in part by an NEA American Masterpiece grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Show Date/Times: Friday March 5th, Saturday March 6th, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Ticket Price: $10/students, $15 general. (Box office fees may apply)
Springfield & Worcester Youth Orchestra Exchange Concert
Talented young musicians from across the state will join together for one special event concert on March 14, 2010. Conductors Jonathan Lam, of the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Audrey L. White of the Worcester Youth Orchestra, will combine their two ensembles to perform Stravinsky’s Firebird, works of Bach, Copland, and more! This concert is the culmination of a 4 week exchange workshop for the youth orchestras.
Show Date/Times: Sunday, March 14th, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Down Stream: A collaboration of image, music and movement, created by Sam Pettengill, Greg Snedeker and Ann Sorvino
Sam Pettengill’s enigmatic photographs of the Connecticut River first inspired this evening length piece. The mysterious shapes, the varied rhythm of the currents and the flow of the river are all literally and abstractly present in Pettengill’s work. The importance and history of the Connecticut rivershed serves as a point of departure for Greg Snedeker’s score. Through the recording of improvisations and digital manipulation, cellist, pianist, and sound designer Snedeker and percussionist Gray Rzab attempt to capture the power, eddies, stillness, current interruptions and obstacles found in and along the rivers of the Connecticut Valley. Contemporary classical, Jazz, and Native American music all influence this polyrhythmic soundscape. The movement, composed by Ann Sorvino and her dancers is inspired by and employs the use of these musical and visual images. The fluid movement was formed through the use of river themes, such as waterfalls, tributaries, backflow and redirection. Dance phrases are developed by many choreographic devices, such as theme and variation, rondo, manipulation of time, space, level, quality and retrograde. Together, the work makes for an extraordinary visual and auditory experience. The 45-minute work will be presented without intermission.
Dance collaborators: Johnna Birri, Billbob Brown, Elizabeth Budd, Christie Clovis, Amy Diaz del Rio, Brandon Shaw and Meg Van Dyck.
Show Date/Times: Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 7:00 PM
IN THE MOOD is the 1940’s Big Band Theatrical Swing Dance Revue. It’s the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Erskine Hawkins, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra and other greats of the 1940’s. Featuring a company of 19 on stage, including the In the Mood Singers and Dancers with the sensational String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra, the show’s music arrangements, costumes and choreography are as authentic as it gets!
In The Mood celebrates the music that moved the nation's spirit and helped win a war. This was the last time when all of America was listening and dancing to the same kind of music. IN THE MOOD takes a retro look at the life and time of America’s greatest generation. With music and dance performed to up-tempo big band rhythms and mellow intimate ballads, a mood was set to inspire a future filled with hope, promise and prosperity. In The Mood immerses the audience in the swing, rhythm, jazzy, brassy, sentimental and romantic music of that important time.
Bud Forrest Entertainment began touring IN THE MOOD in 1994 following an overwhelming response from a performance on the steps of the National Archives in Washington, DC. For over 16 years IN THE MOOD has continued to impact audiences with sell-out performances everywhere. Through its musical influence, it became part of the official entertainment for the World USO’s 50th commemoration of the WW II events. IN THE MOOD has performed and toured both in the U.S.A. and Europe and for the Clinton Presidential Inaugural Ball.
IN THE MOOD was conceived by Washington, DC's musical producer, Bud Forrest. Many of the musical arrangements were written by Vic Schoen, the conductor and arranger for The Andrews Sisters, and Music Director for both Universal and Paramount Pictures.
Show Date/Times: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 3:00 PM
Ticket Price: $35 to $25 with $45 VIP seats on 3 Orchestra rows and Front 2 of balcony
Where/How Tickets Can be Purchased:
Academy of Music Theatre Box Office ; Tues-Fri 3:00pm-6:00pm
Via telephone order:
413-584-9032 x105 (Service fees may apply with purchase)
April 19, 2010 10 a.m. The Dragon King
A terrible drought has overtaken the land, and all the world has turned brown and lifeless. The Dragon King is ruler over all things water, and the people are beginning to wonder why he has not brought the life-giving rains in such a very long time.
An underwater fantasy based on Chinese folklore, Tanglewood Marionettes’ latest production tells the tale of an intrepid Grandmother who journeys to the bottom of the sea to seek the Dragon King, and the answers to why he has forsaken the land above.
Colorful sea creatures, an exciting adventure, and a Dragon King that will knock your socks off! All this and more can be found in Tanglewood Marionettes’ newest all-ages show.
April 20, 2010 10 a.m. The Last Dragon on Earth
For as long as anyone can remember, princes have killed dragons and rescued princesses. It's the way things have always been done. But what happens if the princess doesn't need rescuing, and the dragon to be killed is the very last one on Earth?
This princess is much better at swordplay than the Prince and is ready to confront the dragon. But the Prince, an intellectual sort of chap, informs her that this is the last dragon on Earth.
The King insists that they go ahead with the dragon slaying. “It’s tradition!” the King tells them. “Everyone knows you can’t have a wedding unless the Prince rescues the Princess and chops off the dragon’s head.
The Prince and Princess soon learn that the dragon has no interest in having the Princess for brunch. He only wants to be left alone. "But we want to get married!" the prince explains. "How nice for you. I hope you'll be very happy together. Now go away!" growls the dragon irritably. The Prince and the Princess are stumped.
"What can we do?" asks the Princess. "My father said you have to bring him the dragon's head if we're going to get married." "Yes . . ." says the Prince. "But he didn't say it couldn't be attached to the rest of the dragon, did he? Perhaps it's time for a new tradition!"
This modern fairy tale is a wonderful introduction to the concept of species extinction and is brought to life by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre with their trademark blend of beautiful puppets, fabulous pop-up scenery full of castles and caves, and hysterically funny action.
April 21, 2010 10 a.m. Cinderella
Set in the eighteenth century and featuring a dozen lavishly costumed 30” marionettes, this production of "Cinderella" is a Tanglewood Marionettes showpiece. The story unfolds as the pages of a giant book open to reveal each beautifully painted setting--the village square, the rustic kitchen, the magnificent ballroom, plus many more (one of our scenes even “pops” right out of the book!). All your favorite characters are here, from gentle Cinderella to the bumptious stepsisters and the charming Prince, and each marionette is manipulated with precision and grace by our talented puppeteers.
Our telling is based on the original beloved tale, but we do offer a few new surprises: Cinderella’s method of conveyance to the ball is NOT your traditional coach-and-four, and, when all hope seems lost, a clever little bluebird saves the day for Cinderella. A classic fairy tale told with wit and style, Tanglewood Marionettes’ production of "Cinderella" is sure to please audiences of all ages.
April 22, 2010 10 a.m. Hansel and Gretel
The story of Hansel and Gretel has captured the imagination of audiences for generations. In the National Marionette Theatre’s newest production, two master puppeteers bring the most famous of the Grimm Brother’s stories to life. Featuring exquisitely crafted marionettes, scrolling scenery and the beautiful music of Engelbert Humperdinck, Hansel and Gretel is sure to delight audiences of all ages.
National Marionette Theatre is one of the oldest continually running touring marionette theaters in the United States. Founded in 1967, this award-winning company has been entertaining and amazing audiences around the world for over forty years.
Show Date/Times: Monday April 19th – Thursday April 22nd, All Shows start at 10:00 AM
“Little Shop Of Horrors” (Live Performance Musical) Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman Music by Alan Menken
One of the longest running off-Broadway musicals is sure to tickle your funny bone when a down-and-out skid row florist becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. "Charming, tuneful, and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Little Shop of Horrors never fails to entertain with its doo-wop, rock melodies.
Show Date/Times: Thursday May 13th at 7:30 PM, Friday May 14th at 8:00 PM, Saturday May 15th at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Ticket Price:
At the Performance - $15
Pre-Purchased - $12
Groups of 10 or more - $10
(Box office fees may apply)
