Minerva Arts Center - The MAC

Promoting the importance of an arts-based education by providing high quality arts programming.

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Archives for 2011

Minerva Maneuvers!

Minerva Arts Center announces the Minerva Maneuver Open House and
Fundraiser on November 12th from 5 PM to 9:30 PM. Minerva Arts Center
seeks to promote the importance of an arts-based education by
providing high quality arts programming, to inspire creativity in our
community, and to offer opportunities for students and adults of all
ages to realize their true artistic potential.

Admission: Free to the public, donation encouraged.

The schedule for the event includes the following:
5 PM Opening Student Presentations:
– The Missing Girl Mysteries, a MAC Filmmaking workshop
–  Snow White, a Musical Theatre workshop
–  MinervaMation, a Clark Art Animation workshop
5:30 PM – A staged reading from award winning author Christa Jan Ryan
from her new Musical drama based on her best selling novel “Silent
Screams from the Hamptons”.
6 PM – Internationally acclaimed blues and gospel singer/songwriter
Robin O’Herin.
Intermission: Minerva Arts Center presentation slideshow celebrating
our first year at the MAC!
8 PM – Tom Corrigan followed by Reggae dance party with local
favorites, Rebel Alliance!

Come join us for an evening of fun that you won’t forget!
There will be: Food, Beverages, a 50/50 Raffle, Chinese Auction, Book
signing  by Christa Jan Ryan. The raffle will include gift certificates from: Hobson’s Choice, InTouch Message. Poppy’s Deli, Toonerville Trolley, Ultimate Entertainment Adams, Painting by Edward Cating, Work from local
artists and businesses …and much more!

Minerva Arts Center, 1288 Maccachusetts Avenue, North Adams, MA  01247
Located in the former Our Lady of the Incarnation church in the
Historic Blackinton neighborhood, approximately 4 miles from the town
centers of both Williamstown and North Adams, The MAC is easily
accessible from Routes 2, 7, and 8.

Contact Name: Kathleen O’Mara or Nathan Samson
Contact Email: minervaartscenter@gmail.com
Contact Website: www.MinervaArtsCenter.org
Contact Phone: 413-346-4502 Kathleen O’Mara Cell: 413-441-6120

Boston String Quartet brings Christmas in Paris to the MAC!

Boston String QuartetBoston String Quartet

Haunting French carols, all new stories, and a multimedia adventure through “la ville lumiere” the City of Lights featuring the Boston String Quartet
12/23: 7PM: All Saints Episcopal Church (59 Summer St. North Adams, MA)
The Minerva Arts Center is proud to have The Boston String Quartet return again this year for their 3rd annual Christmas series entitled “Christmas in Paris”. With over 40 showings of their last two series, “Christmas in Buenos Aires” and “A Celtic Christmas Extravaganza”, the Quartet will be exploring Parisian Life by presenting music from hit movies such as Scorsese’s “Hugo” and the French award winning “The Illusionist”, jazz legends Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, native French supergroup the Gipsy Kings, music from the beloved Edith Piaf, and traditional French carols. All arrangements are written by Quartet members. NEW in 2012 will be soaring videos of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre to accompany the music.
The Boston String Quartet is one of very few string ensembles forging new territory in the string world by writing all original music and arrangements. Contemporaries and collaborators with the Boston String Quartet include ensembles such as the GRAMMY Winning Turtle Island and Kronos Quartets, and string celebrities such as Mark O Connor and Edgar Meyer. “By writing original compositions for string quartet, we are paving a way for our traditional instruments in a world of contemporary music” says cellist, Christina Stripling.
Under 18 FREE! Concert tickets are $20 to the general public, $50 for family pack. For more information, or to schedule interviews please call (617) 875-7851 or visit www.bostonstringquartet.com.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or from brownpapertickets.com, keywords: Boston String Quartet

Boston String Quartet – “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza” at the MAC!

Boston String QuartetThe Minerva Arts Center heartily welcomes the Boston String Quartet on Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00 PM for their Celtic Christmas Extravaganza. This Christmas season, the Boston String Quartet and a renowned Celtic Guest Vocalist will present “Celtic Christmas Extravaganza”, at churches and theaters throughout New England. Be prepared for a thrilling concert of soaring Irish melodies, thumping rhythmic patterns, and Celtic flavor.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Seating is limited!
$25 general admission / $18 for students (18 and under) and seniors (65+).

12/14/11 (7:00pm) – Celtic Christmas Extravaganza
Minerva Arts Center
1288 Massachusetts Ave
North Adams, MA 01247Boston String Quartet

Since its formation 2004, the Boston String Quartet has been a creative leader in contemporary classical music in New England. Having made their professional debut at Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, the quartet performs their own arrangements of rock, jazz, world music and more, and is continually “exploring different ways of sparking musical interest” [Boston Globe].This journey has allowed for collaboration with John Mayer, Turtle Island String Quartet, the Boston Ballet, Fionnuala Gill, Giorgia Fumanti, Jennifer Holliday, Lisa Fisher, Tim Janis, Dave Fiucznyski, as well as opportunity to perform sold out performances at such venues as Symphony Hall, the Los Angeles Music Awards, PBS, Yankee Homecoming Festival, and for former president George H.W. Bush. Committed to music education nationwide, the members of the Boston String Quartet work annually with dozens of secondary schools and colleges throughout the country in educational residencies, and are currently Ensemble-in-Residence at contemporary music school, School of Groove. To date, the Boston String Quartet has released four albums, including “Xibus” [an album brimming with mature depth and musical prowess – Tower Records], a new release from Navona Recordings. The Boston String Quartet can be heard over the radio or may be found performing on local television stations, as well as nationally on PBS. Recordings may be purchased world-wide from Naxos.

 

Minerva Celebrates Birthday with Music Festival at Noel Field

Minerva Arts Center throws a party

Posted: 09/12/2011 10:08:44 AM EDT

 

North Adams Transcript

NORTH ADAMS – Minerva Arts Center celebrated the conclusion of its first year of performances with a birthday bash and fundraiser at Noel Field on Saturday and Sunday.

The celebration, the Everything Under the Sun music and arts festival, featured music from local bands coming from as far as Great Barrington and Albany, N.Y., arts workshops, face painting, a bouncy house and food.

“Minerva has always had a tradition of celebrating birthdays with its alumni,” founder Kathleen O’Mara, said.

The arts center had intended to celebrate its first birthday on a field behind its building at 1288 Massachusetts Ave., but when she went to get permission from the city, someone suggested they have it on Noel Field, she said.

“With that, we decided to have a festival celebrating all different music genres,” she said.

In addition, she hopes to make the celebration and fundraiser an annual event.

Jennifer Howard, who spent 12 years with Minerva Stage, said it’s exciting the arts center has made it through its first year.

“It has been great to catch up with the local Minerva community, as well as people like [Ali Mandelbaum], who I don’t get to see that often in the Berkshires,” she said.

Mandelbaum, who has been in Minerva productions, lives in Los Angeles.

The Minerva Arts Center operates under the artistic director of Minerva Stage, which was founded in 1996 by O’Mara, according to the organization’s website.

Mandelbaum said she came to the festival to support O’Mara and the arts center’s Executive Director Edward Cating because they support so many of the arts.
“I think it’s terrific the center has made it to its first birthday,” Mandelbaum said. ” In this economy, being able to support the performing arts, theater and music is extraordinary,” she said. While the festival attracted supporters and participants of the Minerva Arts Center, it was also attended by community members.

Clarksburg resident Allen Arnold was driving by Noel Field when he noticed the bouncy house.

“I drove right home and got the kids,” he said.

His two children, Emma, 5 and Noah, 2, were having a great time between the bouncy house and face painting, he said.

“Just to get outside and have something to do in town is great,” he said.

Adams resident Rick Gallagher said the city should have more celebrations..

“This is an area that needs things like this, and a lot more of them,” he said.

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Everything Under the Sun Music and Arts Festival

Minerva Throws a Birthday Party at Noel Field

Everything Under the Sun Music and Art Festival

The Everything Under The Sun Music and Arts Fest is a Fundraiser/Birthday party for The Minerva Arts Center, Saturday, September 10, and Sunday, September 11 at Noel Field, Rt. 8, North Adams, MA 01247.

Saturday, September 10, 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday, September 11, 11 AM – 9 PM

Gates open at 11 AM both days, and close PROMPTLY at 10 PM. The MAC has a commitment to bring arts and culture to the Northern Berkshires. For our birthday party, we are celebrating with a two day music and arts festival featuring a mix of up-and-coming and established acts from all across the musical landscape! There will be something for everyone!

More than 20 of the best musicians and bands from every genre, on one stage over two days to celebrate the best music that the Berkshires has to offer! Rock, Pop, Reggae, Acoustic Jam, Metal, Rap, Hip Hop, Country, and Hardcore!

To wrap up the night on Saturday we will be having a Young Adults Dance Party featuring our hip hop acts and DJ J-Real spinning the latest jams till 9:30 PM. It will be a safe fun place for young adults to gather and enjoy themselves in a DRUG and ALCOHOL FREE environment.

There will be street art (graffiti) demonstrations going on both days, showing the intricacies and skill that goes into creating a full color piece.

And we have lots of fun activities for kids of all ages – face painting, bouncy houses and more!

Admission:
$10 dollars per day for advance tickets purchased from any of the bands
$13 dollars at the gate and online
$7 dollars children 5-10 at the gate and online
FREE Kids under 5
Tickets available online at www.minervaartscenter.org and at the gate.
Proceeds benefit the Minerva Arts Center of North Adams.

So please come out and celebrate with us and help support a Berkshire based,Berkshire sponsored and Berkshire run two day festival to close out the summer. Hope to see you there!!!

Musical Guests:
Saturday
11 – Gates open
12 – Nice Try Kid (Pop Punk, Punk Rock, Alt)
1 – The Fallen Starlets (Pop / Rock / Blues)
2 – Soul Prophet and the Faithless Few w/ Rebel Alliance guests (Reggae / Jam)
3:30 – Guest vocalists Hannah Levesque and Ashley Volff
4 – Seeking Infinity (Rock / Metal)
5 – Sense of Urgency (Rock / Metal / Blues)
6 – 9:30 Hip Hop Dance Party:
Dj J Real
B-Skillz and M.A.S.S
Dreimz
Phokiss
BigZ
TNT

Sunday
11 – Gates open
12 – Blackout Band (Rock)
1 – C.F.S. (Alternative Rock/Funk)
2 – Maurice “Soulfighter” Taylor (Poet Slam)
3 – Dreimz (Hip Hop / Fusion)
3:30 – Ashley Volff (Vocalist)
4 – Static (Rock)
5 – Rick Rebel Band (Country)
6 – Hannah Levesque (Vocalist)
6:30 – Black John Wayne (Rock)
7:30- Harbour Grace (Rock)

* Times are approximate, order may change.

Saturday, September 10, 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday, September 11, 11 AM – 9 PM
Noel Field, Rt. 8, North Adams, MA 01247

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=247980418546100

 

The Rocky Horror Show at Topia Arts Center!

           SEATING IS LIMITED! RESERVE TIX EARLY!

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show
Book, Lyrics and Music by Richard O’Brien
Directed by Kathleen O’Mara

Don’t dream it be it!!!!!!!

On a dark and stormy night, Brad Majors and his innocent fiancée Janet Weiss find themselves in a mysterious castle- and their bizarre adventures begin in this rock musical spoof of old horror movies and a celebration of love, lust, manipulation, creation, satisfaction and biological advancement!

Venue: Topia Arts Center, 27 Park Street, Adams, MA 01220

Preview (Pay What You Can!): Thursday, September 15, 8PM
Runs: September 16 through October 2 – Fridays 8PM, Saturdays 8PM and 12 Midnight!
Saturday Sept. 17, 8 PM show ONLY.

Tickets: General Admission $15, Students and Seniors $10.
Mature subject matter, parental guidance suggested.
Purchase tickets online, or at the door. Call 413-346-4502 for information.

Participate! Grab bags with some or all of the following will be available in limited quantities at the door for a $5 fee: toast, rice, rubber gloves, a water squirter, party favors, flashlights, noisemakers, confetti, bells, and newspaper . Feel free to bring your own! However, NO SUPERSOAKERS or POWERED WATER GUNS allowed!!!

Cast:
Dr. Frank-N-Furter: Ali Mandelbaum
Brad: Michael Brames
Janet: Vanessa Phelon
Riff Raff: Dylan LeSage
Rocky: Jesse Lee Egan Poirier
Columbia: Jessica Charron
Magenta: Meghan Deluca
Dr. Scott: Bill Flynn
Eddie: Kane Robert
Narrator: Emma Gregory
Usherette/Phantom: Helen Overstreet
Phantom: Emily Eastman
Phantom: Mark Winnie

Staff and Crew:
Production Design: Kathleen O’Mara
Music Director: Vanessa Phelon
Accompanist and Assistant Music Director: Laurie Brenner
Drummer: Ross Jacobs
Choreographer: Jessica Charron
Stage Manager: Cassi Vallieres
Technical Director: Nate Samson
Sound Design: Kane Robert
Lighting Design: Nate Samson
Costume Design: Kathleen O’Mara and Alex Martinez

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161062680636348