Dave Read

Tanglewood’s 2011 schedule has been updated with the inclusion of two more “popular artist” concerts by Earth Wind & Fire on Saturday, June 25, and Steely Dan Tuesday, July 26. Both concerts are scheduled for the Koussevitsky Music Shed and will begin at 7PM. The Earth Wind & Fire booking becomes the first event of the 2011 Tanglewood season, which now features two weeks of concerts before the start of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer residency, which runs July 8 – August 29. Ticket sales begin Feb. 6; Prices for Earth, Wind and Fire: $22 – $75; Steely Dan: $25 – $150.

Other early Tanglewood season highlights include a 2-day string quartet marathon, two Mark Morris dance performances, four James Taylor concerts, and the 12th annual A Prairie Home Companion at Tanglewood, with Garrison Keillor.

MASS MoCA’s summer schedule includes the return of Wilco’s Solid Sound festival June, 24-26, 2011. It will feature two headline concerts by Wilco, John Hodgman hosting a comedy cabaret, a Euclid Records store, and a city-sponsored tent site.

Tickets for Solid Sound 2011 are on-sale 11am January 21, 2011 through solidsoundfestival.com, massmoca.org and the MASS MoCA box office. Prices listed below include admission to festival, museum fees and service fees.

3-Day Pass “Early Worm” Price = $99.50 (limited quantity – Regular = $124.50

Single-Day “Early Worm” – Fri. = $65; Sat. = $78; Sun. = $65

There are a limited number of single-day tickets available at special “early worm” pricing. Should any of these allotments sell out, there’s no guarantee more will become available.

Children 6 & under are free at Solid Sound. As a special offer this year, weekend festival passes for kids ages 7-10 are $50 and ONLY AVAILABLE at the Solid Sound Box Office, starting Friday, June 24. They will be available throughout the entire weekend.

Accommodations for Wilco Solid Sound Festival 2011 at MASS MoCA will include tent sites sold by the city of North Adams in a basic open field setting half-mile away from MASS MoCA. Space is limited, amenities include porta-potties and potable water. and advance reservations are required. Reservations required through the MASS MoCA box office, by phoning 413-662-2111, 11am – 5pm, any day except Tuesdays, or in person only.

MASS MoCA contact info.

• 87 Marshall St.; North Adams, MA 01247
• Fall, Winter, Spring Hours: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. closed Tuesday
• Admission: $15 adults; $10 students; $5 children 6–16
• Phone: 413.MoCA.111
• Web: massmoca.org; E-mail: INFO@MASSMOCA.ORG

MASS MoCA driving directions:

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The Housatonic River Initiative will host a panel discussion Wednesday, January 19th, 7 P.M. at Lenox Community Center to answer the question, Is there a better way than hazardous waste dumps in Berkshire County? Presentations will be given by Chris Young, CEO of Biotech Restorations and by Michael Hodges, CEO of Genesis Fluid Solutions.

BioTech Restorations (BTR) and GeoSolve, Inc. have successfully bio-remediated three properties to unrestricted use in California using their Factor. BTR Factor is a California EPA approved bio-remedial technology. Genesis Rapid Dewatering System (RDS) removes sediments and contaminants from all types of waterways quickly, less expensively, and on a smaller footprint.

Co-sponsors include:

• Lee Community Development Corporation
• Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire
• Berkshire Environmental Action Team
• Housatonic Environmental Action League
• Housatonic Valley Association

EPA Public Comment Period ends January 31, 2011 – send comments to svirsky.susan@epa.gov

For more information: Tim Gray, Housatonic Riverkeeper, Executive Director – Housatonic River Initiative;
P.O. Box 321, Lenoxdale, Mass. 01242, 413-446-2520.

The Berkshire Theatre Festival schedule has been expanded to include a new series of readings in the Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge. The readings are scheduled for Sundays at 4PM Sun., beginning January 16, running through March 27, 2011. Called “Stories for a Sunday Afternoon” and hosted by Gail Ryan, the programs will feature local artists and Berkshireites reading short stories suitable for all ages. Advance reservations are available by contacting the Berkshire Theatre Festival Box Office at 413-298-5576 ext 33.

Stories for a Sunday Afternoon at Berkshire Theatre Festival

• January 16: Folk Tales
• January 23: Mysteries
• January 30: Spotlight on Susan Merrill
• February 6: Sports Stories
• February 13: Love
• February 20: Spotlight on David Felton
• February 27: Celebrate Black History Month
• March 6: To Be Announced
• March 13: Irish Tales
• March 20: To Be Announced
• March 27: To Be Announced